LOVELAND - University of Colorado Health will invest $6 million in a rehabilitation unit at Medical Center of the Rockies.

The unit is slated to open Oct. 1 and will include more space for patients, design updates and coordinated patient care, according to a news release from UCHealth.

The 17,600-square-foot addition will be located on the fifth floor of MCR in Loveland. In addition to more patient rooms, the unit will include a kitchen and living area, as well as a dedicated family room and updated equipment.

"Given that MCR has more space available for an expanded unit and that about a third of our inpatient rehabilitation population came as a result of trauma, it made sense for us to relocate to a Level II advanced trauma center," said Dr. Daniel Wilson, MCR Rehabilitation Unit medical director.

The unit will help people who have experienced major injury or illness to regain the skills necessary for every day life, according to UCHealth.