POST FALLS — After suffering a brain injury caused by bleeding last year, Fenya Kashergen, as her husband puts it, was in a "cloud of consciousness" for weeks.

But that began to lift as she began rehabilitation at Northern Idaho Advanced Care Hospital, a long-term acute hospital that serves patients with medically complex conditions.

"She was being weaned off a ventilator for breathing, and with the aid of a talking valve, she regained her voice," said Fenya's husband, Richard.

After a month of treatment, Fenya experienced what Richard said was her most memorable moment at the hospital. She left for home to the Tri-Cities in Washington.

"As she was leaving, many people who cared for her lined the hallway waving and cheering, wishing her well and congratulating her on a milestone reached," Richard said. "I continue to tear up whenever I tell that story."

Fenya is one of more than 4,000 patients who have been treated at NIACH, which celebrated its 10th anniversary of opening in Post Falls on Wednesday. The 40-bed facility, which has 180 employees, is owned by Albuquerque, N.M.-based and privately-owned Ernest Health. The 13-year-old company will open its 26th hospital this year.

Patients have suffered from conditions such as trauma, infectious and cardiovascular diseases, strokes, amputations and respiratory failure.

Most people who need inpatient services are admitted to an acute care hospital for a relatively short amount of time before being referred to NIACH, which provides continued care beyond the original hospital stay.

Nick Maniscalco, of Dalton Gardens, spent six weeks at NIACH eight years ago while recovering from an auto accident.

"I hear stories about being here; I don't remember any of it," the 27-year-old said while walking with a cane through the hospital during the celebration on Wednesday with his mother, Debbie.

Debbie said the stay at NIACH was a "momentous" part of their lives.

"They gave us hope," she said. "They took good care of us and taught me how to transfer Nick."

Spokane's John Egger was treated for an infection at NIACH for a month last fall.

"They took good care of me, and I was excited to see everybody again," said Egger, who spoke at the anniversary celebration. "I knew that I was in good hands."

NIACH recently became the first hospital in Idaho to earn The Joint Commission's disease-specific certification for respiratory failure. It's also among 700 hospitals nationwide — 15 percent — to earn the national Quality Respiratory Care recognition from the American Association for Respiratory Care.

Patients receive respiratory care; speech, physical, aquatic and occupational therapies; pain management; ventilator weaning; and wound care.

"We want to do everything we can to help our patients heal as completely as possible, providing them with hope and quality of life," said Bat Masterson, NIACH's director of nursing.