Shirley Ryan AbilityLab

We were proud to be part of the topping-out celebration for Henry Ford Hospital’s new patient tower in Detroit! This moment marked a major milestone in the $2.2 billion expansion of Henry Ford Health’s Detroit campus, as well as in our continued partnership together.

Shirley Ryan AbilityLab will occupy three of the top floors in the new patient tower — bringing a state-of-the-art physical medicine and rehabilitation facility and best-in-class care to Detroit. Our inclusion was made possible through a nearly $130 million investment by the Gilbert Family Foundation.

Cheri Blauwet, MD, chief clinical officer and senior vice president of Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, spoke at the celebration on behalf of our organization.

“It’s an honor to help shape this next chapter in Detroit and bring world-class physical medicine and rehabilitation care directly to this community,” said Dr. Blauwet.

Read the blog for more on this exciting milestone: bit.ly/3PWKHLA

In recognition of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) Awareness Month, meet Bob F. He was diagnosed with GBS a few years ago, but has come a long way since his earliest days in intensive care.

Bob is a patient at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab’s Arlington Heights DayRehab Center. He participates in intensive physical and occupational therapy to work on mobility, strength and coordination, while still living at home and within his community in Chicago's suburbs.

Throughout his entire journey with GBS, Bob’s wife of 55 years — as well as his three daughters and their families — have rallied together to support his recovery, progress and independence at every turn.

Read Bob’s full story to learn how rehabilitation and unwavering family support have helped him keep moving forward. bit.ly/4u44eaX

Shirley Ryan AbilityLab is recruiting participants for a research study to understand if non‑invasive brain stimulation paired with speech and language therapy is an effective form of treatment for post‑stroke aphasia.

You may be a good fit if you have aphasia and if your stroke was at least six months ago. Participants must be between 18 and 80 years old, fluent in English, right‑handed and able to safely have an MRI.

Visit our website to learn more and to complete the study interest form to see if you are eligible. A member of the research team will contact you after the form is received.

bit.ly/4wvNyLN

Every person’s recovery journey is unique after experiencing limb loss and receiving a prosthesis. To help patients navigate the first year after amputation, our certified prosthetist orthotists at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab have outlined what to expect — from initial healing to pre-prosthesis training, prosthetic fitting and learning to care for a prosthetic limb over the long term.

In recognition of Limb Loss Awareness Month, visit our blog for our patient's guide to the first 12 months after amputation: bit.ly/4vRB1lC

In recognition of Parkinson’s Awareness Month this April, meet Benjamin Friedman, MD, attending physicia‍n and medical director of our Parkinson’s Disease & Movement Disorders Program (PDMD), and Aleks Gebska, manager of our adaptive fitness programs!

Dr. Friedman and Aleks are both featured in the Parkinson's Foundation “My PD Story” series — and share insights about their professional journeys and how they connect with the PD community today.

Read more on our blog, including details about our PDMD Open House on Sunday, May 3: bit.ly/3QufyyS