Shirley Ryan AbilityLab

At a special ribbon-cutting ceremony, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab leadership, staff and patients recently celebrated the opening of a newly constructed, state-of-the-art, 41,000-square-foot clinical space on the 16th floor of our Streeterville hospital in Chicago. The new floor will serve more than 275 patients each day, including more than 100 through the DayRehab Center — which offers an intensive rehabilitation program for patients who no longer need hospitalization but still require high-level rehabilitation care — and 175 through the hospital’s outpatient musculoskeletal program — which offers one-on-one, highly individualized sessions to help patients improve function. The space, designed to facilitate high-intensity care and optimize patient recoveries, features: -Specialized treatment environments -A playful pediatric therapy area -An activities of daily living studio -Integration of research into care -Dedicated spaces for vestibular therapy; prosthetic and orthotic care; vocational rehabilitation; and patient education Read more on our blog: https://bit.ly/4jCRzKi

A new wearable wrist device could help clinicians track changes in arm movement impairment caused by stroke — offering a more complete picture of upper-limb movement and supporting more personalized stroke rehabilitation. Shirley Ryan AbilityLab’s Mary Ellen Stoykov, OTR/L, MS, PhD, FAOTA, is among the scientists behind new research, which is featured in a paper recently published in Science Translational Medicine. Learn more below and in our latest research spotlight: https://bit.ly/3VlhWuo

We celebrated strength in community as we recognized National Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Awareness Month this year! Peer mentors from our Henry B. Betts, MD, LIFE Center joined us for a panel to share firsthand perspectives with current patients about the many paths forward following an SCI. We’re ever grateful for our peer mentors — including former patients, family members and caregivers who share their lived experiences and support current patients during their rehabilitation journeys. Thank you! (Pictured left to right: Peer mentors Tyler, Jorge, Kelly and Ken, and Cris Mix, OTR/L, education program manager at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab)

Tracy D. and her husband, Kevin, are gearing up to run in the 2026 Bank of America Chicago Marathon for the fourth time as part of Shirley Ryan AbilityLab’s team — raising funds to help us advance our mission! Ten years ago, Tracy was training for a marathon when she had a stroke. Two years later, after recovering from the stroke, she was hit by a car during a run and sustained a traumatic brain injury. After undergoing intensive physical, occupational and speech therapy at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, she was able to return to her refuge — running — as part of her ongoing recovery. Good luck on race day, Tracy and Kevin! Read their full story: https://bit.ly/4xvKBKE #marathoninspo

Today marks Cancer Cachexia Awareness Day, a time to increase understanding of cachexia — a muscle-wasting syndrome that can stem from chronic illnesses, including cancer. A few facts about cachexia: - 50% of all individuals with cancer will experience cachexia at some point in their cancer journey. - Up to 80% of patients with advanced cancer are affected by cachexia. - Cachexia symptoms include loss of muscle mass, weight loss, reduced appetite, frailty, fatigue and weakness. - The condition can reduce the ability to participate in everyday activities. The good news: Early diagnosis of cachexia can help patients better tolerate cancer treatments, maintain everyday function and improve quality of life — especially when paired with a cancer rehabilitation program that includes guided exercise and physical therapy. Hear from our experts Samman Shahpar, MD, and Ishan Roy, MD, PhD, on the many benefits of cancer rehabilitation, and learn more about our program at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab: https://bit.ly/4AMNVUH #CancerCachexiaAwarenessDay #CCAD

In recognition of Pain Awareness Month, Karina Bouffard, MD, MPH, an attending physician and double board-certified pain physiatrist in our Pain Management Center, shares insights on pain procedures — including injections, nerve blocks and neuromodulation — and how these interventions support a comprehensive rehabilitation approach to chronic pain. Read the full Q&A on our blog: https://bit.ly/3TgxdvT

What a fun day for our pediatric patients!⚾ Thank you to Chicago White Sox mascot, Southpaw, and White Sox Charities for visiting us this week — and for your continued support of Shirley Ryan AbilityLab. Your generosity helps our young patients thrive! During the visit, Southpaw delivered a new video game system for patients to enjoy, spent time gaming and coloring with the kids, and shared White Sox spirit with members of our team, including Pablo Celnik, MD, CEO, and Gadi Revivo, DO, section chief of pediatric rehabilitation medicine. The White Sox also donated youth jerseys, which our occupational therapists will be able to use to help patients practice dressing skills during therapy. Thanks again for a great day! Learn more about pediatric rehabilitation at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab: https://bit.ly/4jlU4R7

Congratulations to Ross Siemering, RN, clinical nurse manager at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab! He was honored with the Future of Nursing Award at the Illinois Organization of Nurse Leaders annual conference in September. The award recognizes nurse leaders who are committed to improving their leadership skills and knowledge. “Ross is so deserving of this award,” said Sharon Rangel DNP, MBA, RN, CENP, FAONL, associate vice president, chief nursing officer. “He exemplifies the qualities of the future of nursing: he is an exceptional clinician, an authentic and approachable leader, a collaborative partner, and a continuous learner who is making a measurable impact on patient outcomes and the professional practice environment.” Interested in joining a team that values clinical excellence, leadership development and lifelong learning? Explore nursing careers at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab: https://bit.ly/4h766MS

“There’s nothing I can’t do.” More than three years ago, Matt P. was preparing for retirement when he was diagnosed with a rare bacterial infection that resulted in sepsis and the loss of all four of his limbs. He came to Shirley Ryan AbilityLab for intensive inpatient rehabilitation and DayRehab, supported by his wife, Michelle. Since leaving Shirley Ryan AbilityLab and returning home to Missouri, Matt continues to embrace life, gain new abilities and inspire others. He has: 🚜Learned how to drive using his prosthetic limbs. He drives his truck, tractor and a 45-foot motor home (which he took on a road trip out West with Michelle!). 🫶Started mentoring others who have experienced limb loss — providing encouragement as well as practical advice for daily living — and started a foundation to help even more people. 🎲Enjoyed playing games and staying active with his grandkids. ⛳And, returned to playing golf. Check out that swing! Learn how Shirley Ryan AbilityLab helps patients like Matt return to the lives they love after limb loss: https://bit.ly/4Ar7HVr

Congratulations to Levi Hargrove, PhD, who has been promoted to vice president, strategic research infrastructure. In this newly created role at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, he will be responsible for advancing the organization’s research enterprise by further strengthening research infrastructure, guiding high-priority initiatives and helping accelerate the translation of scientific discoveries into clinical and commercial impact. In addition to his new role, Dr. Hargrove will continue to lead The Regenstein Foundation Center for Bionic Medicine as scientific chair, a position he has held since 2020. “Levi has long been a driving force behind our research enterprise, combining scientific excellence with a special ability to bridge the gap between discovery and real-world impact,” said Richard Lieber, PhD, chief scientific officer. “This new role recognizes both his extraordinary contributions and the critical importance of investing in the infrastructure that will elevate our translational research enterprise.” Please us in congratulating Dr. Hargrove!