Tucson, Arizona (CNN) — Rep. Gabrielle Giffords today left the Tucson, Arizona, hospital where she has been treated since a January 8 gunshot wound, traveling under police escort down streets lined with well-wishers.
She then boarded an aircraft at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base for a flight to Houston, where she is expected to continue her recovery.
Although previous reports had indicated she would move directly to a rehabilitation facility affiliated with Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston, she will instead be taken to the hospital’s trauma center for evaluation and treatment, said Dr. Dong Kim, a neurosurgeon at the hospital.
“She’s not quite ready for rehabilitation yet,” he said, citing concerns about ongoing medical issues. He declined to elaborate.
The hospital said in a statement that she will be transferred to the rehabilitation facility, TIRR Memorial Hermann, when her health allows.
