Rep. Gabrielle Giffords on Friday left the Tucson, Arizona hospital, where she has spent the last couple of weeks recovering from a gunshot wound to the brain. She is in the process of being moved to a hospital in Houston, Texas which specializes in the treatment brain injuries.

Mark Kelly, Giffords' husband, wrote Friday on his Twitter account: "GG going to next phase of her recover today. Very grateful to the docs and nurses at UMC, Tucson PD, Sheriffs Dept....Back in Tucson ASAP!"

Giffords was initially thought to be headed directly to rehabilitation center. However, CNN reported:

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.

She is expected to arrive there around 1:15pm local time.

Giffords' move is the latest sign of progress since the the 40-year-old congresswoman was shot during an assassination attempt at an event she was holding outside a Tucson supermarket on January 9. Six people were killed and 13 others were injured during the shooting.

On Thursday, Giffords went outside for the first time since the shooting.

Reuters reported:

On her last full day at UMC, she was taken on a brief stroll in a wheelchair to the hospital's helipad for some sunshine and fresh air to lift her spirits, accompanied by physical therapists and her husband, said Jo Marie Gellerman, a spokeswoman for the medical facility.

"It was a chance to see the mountains (around Tucson) one more time before she leaves to go to Houston tomorrow," Gellerman said.

Giffords can now stand with assistance, has tried to speak and can scroll through an iPad.

Jared Lee-Loughner, a 22 year old college dropout, was indicted on Wednesday on charges he attempted to murder Giffords and two of her aides.

Loughner is currently being held in a Phoenix prison without bail. He is scheduled to appear in court on Monday.