AbilityLab Blog
See the latest news, updates and patient stories from Shirley Ryan AbilityLab.
Shirley Ryan AbilityLab Ranked No. 1 by U.S. News & World Report for 34th Consecutive Year
Shirley Ryan AbilityLab again has been recognized as the national leader in physical medicine and rehabilitation, topping the U.S. News & World Report list for the 34th consecutive year. It remains the only hospital of any kind to hold this distinction.
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In the News: Rev. Jesse Jackson undergoing therapy for Parkinson's disease
A recent story on ABC7 highlighed Rev. Jesse Jackson's stay at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab where he underwent treatment for Parkinson's disease.
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OT Emily Sanders Featured in FOX 32 Story on Special Friendship Between Patients
FOX 32 Chicago recently profiled Sam Matthews and Hunter Valles — two men in their 20s who forged a close friendship at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab as they recovered from burn injuries. The story features Emily Sanders, senior occupational therapist, 20th Floor, who treated Sam and Hunter.
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In the News: NBC News Features Dr. Jenna Sarna on Psychological Care for Survivors of Gun Violence
A recent story on NBCNews.com highlighted how some unique organizations — including Shirley Ryan AbilityLab — provide psychological treatment, in addition to traditional physical therapy, to patients who survive gun violence. For instance, Jenna Sarna, Psy.D. manager, Psychology/Patient Family Counseling, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, described the psychological support services that she and her colleagues provide these patients.
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Meet Dr. Ishan Roy — Physician-Scientist Researching Cachexia, a Cancer-Related Muscle Wasting Syndrome
After officially joining Shirley Ryan AbilityLab as an attending physician-scientist in 2021, Ishan Roy, MD, PhD, practices clinically in the Cancer Rehabilitation Clinic and focuses his research on cachexia (pronounced ca-kex-ia).
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Dr. Ishan Roy Featured in National Cancer Institute’s Cancer.gov Article on Cachexia
In a recent article published on the National Cancer Institute’s (NCI) Cancer.gov website, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab’s Ishan Roy, MD, PhD, attending physician, Cancer Rehabilitation Clinic, and research scientist, was featured prominently as an expert on cachexia — a cancer-related muscle-wasting syndrome.
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Recovered quadriplegic from Chicago prepares to swim in San Francisco Bay to raise awareness of paralysis. ‘Doesn’t surprise me a bit,’ says mom.
From the beach where he swims on Lake Michigan, Rob Heitz can point out the green facade of the rehabilitation hospital where he began his recovery journey after being paralyzed from the neck down 19 years ago.
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Youth Adaptive Swim Team Earns Outstanding Results at Junior Nationals
Six members of Shirley Ryan AbilityLab's recreational swim program — the Megalodons (named for the largest shark of all time, which lived at the time of dinosaurs) — recently won an outstanding 12 medals in Paralympic events at the Moved United Junior Nationals in Denver.
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How People With Disabilities Can Overcome Barriers to Physical Activity
Whether people are born with a disability or develop one due to an illness, injury or chronic condition, regular physical activity can help improve quality of life and reduce the risk for other health issues or complications.
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Behind the Scenes: Sensory Room
Our sensory room offers a customizable experience for patients to explore and is geared toward all ability levels — from those who are minimally conscious to those with behavior regulation disorders. Shirley Ryan AbilityLab is the only rehabilitation hospital to offer this innovative space.
Watch as Alison and Kyra introduce this space and learn more about our Brain Injury program: https://bit.ly/3Or9UYd
Watch as Alison and Kyra introduce this space and learn more about our Brain Injury program: https://bit.ly/3Or9UYd
Blog
Performing Arts Medicine’s Kathleen Darley, Lindsay Backiev & Dr. Maria Reese Spotlighted
Three Shirley Ryan AbilityLab clinicians shared insights on their experiences in the Performing Arts Medicine Program, and specifically on what they like most about caring for patients with dance-related injuries and conditions.
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Dr. Jordan Grafman Co-Authors Study on Link Between Brain Lesions and Addiction
A recent study identified links between addiction to smoking and alcohol and locations of lesions in the brains of patients recovering from strokes or traumatic brain injuries.
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Watch Spark! 2022 Video: Behind the Scenes of SCI Neurostimulation Research with Dr. Monica Perez
Dr. Perez demonstrates neurostimulation from Shirley Ryan AbilityLab’s Spark! 2022 virtual fundraising event.
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