Shirley Ryan AbilityLab

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/4y5HvOA

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/47haQtu

What a fun day for our pediatric patients!⚾ Thank you to Chicago White Sox mascot, Southpaw, and Chicago 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

Mike G. came to Shirley Ryan AbilityLab for rehabilitation after experiencing a spinal cord injury (SCI) in 2025. Now, just over a year later, he is training for the 2026 Bank of America Chicago Marathon … with his good friend, Carolyn S., by his side.

Mike and Carolyn have run several marathons together, but this one carries special meaning as his first since his SCI. Carolyn supported Mike during his rehabilitation, witnessing him and his physical therapy team put in every effort toward his recovery. Mike is grateful for the support.

“Carolyn was family to me long before this started. Since all of this, her support has been amazing,” he said.

Now, as Mike and Carolyn gear up for race day on Sunday Oct. 11, join us in celebrating them by giving to Shirley Ryan AbilityLab: https://bit.ly/4hgwrIj

Shirley Ryan AbilityLab is pioneering a first-of-its-kind clinical study that could redefine the future of upper-limb prosthetics. Recently, the study reached a major milestone when a Chicago-area man underwent an operation at Northwestern Medicine that consisted of implanting a titanium fixture into the bone of his residual limb and placing electrodes onto his muscles and around his nerves.

Now, he is set to become the first person in the U.S. to receive a bionic arm connected directly to his bone, nerves and muscles — an advanced prosthesis designed to be controlled by his own neural signals and return sensory feedback in real time.

Read about the research, which is being led by Levi Hargrove, PhD, scientific chair of the Regenstein Foundation Center for Bionic Medicine at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, on our blog:

First U.S. Patient Reaches Major Milestone Toward a Bionic Arm Anchored to Bone, Nerves and Muscles Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, in partnership with Northwestern Medicine, University of Chicago and Integrum, is pioneering a first-of-its-kind clinical study that could redefine the future of upper-limb prosthetics

Ready for an unforgettable Chicago experience? 🏙️💪

At SkyRise Chicago, you'll climb to the 103rd floor of Willis Tower to Skydeck Chicago — or handcycle the equivalent distance — all while supporting Shirley Ryan AbilityLab's mission.

Swipe to see what event day is all about, then register to join us! https://bit.ly/3T75ehV

It's National Rehabilitation Awareness Week — a great time of year to recognize the transformative impact of rehabilitation and to celebrate the clinicians who help patients return to the lives they love after illness or injury.

Visit our blog to learn about choosing an inpatient rehabilitation hospital. Our resource guide outlines key questions to ask when choosing a rehabilitation provider, especially for individuals recovering from a complex condition.

Read more: https://bit.ly/4xWSeuL

"Running this marathon is about supporting my brother and all of my patients who inspire me every single day!”

What’s better than training for the 2026 Bank of America Chicago Marathon? Training with your sibling! That’s the case for brother-sister pair, Corey C. and Kaleigh C., who joined our marathon team to run together and raise funds for Shirley Ryan AbilityLab.

Corey was training for a marathon when he was in a hit-and-run accident and experienced a large skull fracture and traumatic brain injury. He came to Shirley Ryan AbilityLab for rehabilitation — and running has been a huge part of his recovery journey! Kaleigh, who is a physical therapist herself, decided to run with Corey this year to show gratitude for the care he received as a patient.

Cheer on Corey and Kaleigh as they run the marathon together on Sunday, Oct. 11, and support Shirley Ryan AbilityLab’s mission to help patients achieve their best outcomes: https://bit.ly/4hgwrIj

“... they took care of me at the worst time in my life. I’m a better person because I was there.”

This National Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Awareness Month, we’re celebrating Christy S., who came to Shirley Ryan AbilityLab for intensive rehabilitation following an SCI. Her determination and hard work helped her regain independence after her injury, and today she holds a deep sense of gratitude for those who cared for her — not just as a patient, but as a person.

Christy continues to support Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, having participated with a team of friends in SkyRise Chicago, our annual stairclimbing event at the Willis Tower and Skydeck Chicago that raises funds for our quality-of-life programs.

Join others like Christy at SkyRise Chicago, coming up on Sunday, Nov. 8, and read her full story on our blog to learn what’s possible when rehabilitation and community come together. https://bit.ly/4xMwb9W

Persistent or chronic pain can impact the ability to live our daily lives. In recognition of Pain Awareness Month, take our short quiz. If you answer YES to any of these questions, you might benefit from an interdisciplinary approach to pain management:

1️⃣Is your daily function affected by pain?
2️⃣Are you avoiding activities or social situations because you anticipate pain with these activities?
3️⃣Have you received many treatments or used multiple medications for your condition with minimal response?
4️⃣Are you missing school or work due to pain?
5️⃣Is pain affecting your mood or sleep?

Read more on our blog and learn about the Pain Management Center at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab: https://bit.ly/4xLeA1W

Get ready to cheer on Amy M. as she takes on 26.2 miles in the 2026 Bank of America Chicago Marathon on Sunday, Oct. 11!

While this will be Amy’s third marathon, it’s her first Chicago marathon, and she joined Shirley Ryan AbilityLab’s team! She’s running in honor of her dad, John, who experienced a stroke in 2024 and came to Shirley Ryan AbilityLab for inpatient rehabilitation and DayRehab. “Both were invaluable to how he lives today,” she said.

Good luck on race day, Amy! Show your support for Amy and our team by giving to Shirley Ryan AbilityLab today: https://bit.ly/4xYHlYE

POTS — postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome — is a chronic autonomic disorder that affects an estimated 1-3 million Americans. It is characterized by a rapid heart rate increase (tachycardia) and symptoms like dizziness, chronic fatigue and brain fog.

Tae Hwan Chung, MD, physician-scientist at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab and one of the world’s foremost experts on POTS, recently authored a review article published in JAMA.

“POTS can substantially impair daily functioning and quality of life for patients, yet obtaining an accurate diagnosis and specialized care remains challenging,” said Dr. Chung. “This review aims to provide physicians who may be less familiar with POTS a practical guide to recognizing the condition, making the diagnosis and helping patients manage their symptoms.”

Read the key takeaways on our blog: https://bit.ly/4ib7XBm

“Adaptive sailing has shown me that even after a life-changing injury, I am still capable of learning new skills, overcoming obstacles and enjoying meaningful experiences.”

Jake H. experienced cardiac arrest and an anoxic brain injury at age 27, due to a serious medical emergency related to having Type 1 diabetes. He came to Shirley Ryan AbilityLab for brain injury recovery, participating in intensive inpatient, DayRehab and outpatient rehabilitation. During his time as a patient, Jake also reconnected with his love of sailing through the Judd Goldman Adaptive Sailing Program.

Read Jake’s story to learn how he charted a new course through adaptive sailing … and rediscovered a sense of independence, confidence and adventure: https://bit.ly/4xASHCw

“Raising money for Shirley Ryan AbilityLab is my way of giving back and helping others who are beginning their own recovery journeys find the hope, care and support they deserve!”

Stephen A. has run countless 5Ks and 10Ks, as well as two half marathons. This year, he decided to tackle the 2026 Bank of America Chicago Marathon, coming up on Sunday, Oct. 11, as part of Shirley Ryan AbilityLab’s team.

Fifteen years ago, right before his 25th birthday, Stephen survived a stroke. Though he wasn’t a patient at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, he says he is running and fundraising for our team because he knows how life-changing recovery can be after a stroke. Thanks for supporting our mission, Stephen!

Learn how you can support our entire marathon team and help advance Shirley Ryan AbilityLab’s mission: https://bit.ly/4xYHlYE.

We are thrilled to share that nationally recognized brain injury expert and distinguished physiatrist Flora Hammond, MD, has been named the Paul B. Magnuson Professor and chair of the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, effective January 2027. She also will serve as senior vice president at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab.

In these roles, Dr. Hammond will oversee our PM&R department’s clinical, research and educational missions and No. 1-rated residency program, with a focus on advancing innovation in rehabilitation science, strengthening interdisciplinary collaboration and enhancing patient outcomes.

“Dr. Hammond’s career reflects the very best of academic rehabilitation medicine — rigorous science, compassionate patient care and a deep commitment to improving patient outcomes,” said Pablo Celnik, MD, chief executive officer, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab. “Her expertise will be invaluable in advancing our academic mission and preparing the next generation of leaders in physical medicine and rehabilitation.”

Learn more: https://bit.ly/3Ua05WO

In recognition of National Dog Day, we’re proud to introduce a pawsome new member of our team!

Meet Tala, a 15-month-old golden retriever. She loves stuffies, playing fetch, and — most importantly — receiving lots of pets and snuggles from our patients! Tala joins our animal-assisted therapy program alongside veterans Louie and Wrigley. Animal-assisted therapy has a long history at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab as part of our efforts to promote patient engagement, motivation, emotional well-being and connection during the rehabilitation process.

Welcome to the team, Tala! 🐾 Learn more about animal-assisted therapy at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab: https://bit.ly/4gMWA18

Little League elbow and Little League shoulder are overuse injuries affecting the growth plates in young throwing athletes — most commonly baseball pitchers. In our latest article, one of our expert physical therapists offers helpful information about both conditions, including common risk factors, when to seek medical attention and when outpatient physical therapy can help your athlete prevent or recover from an injury.

Read more: https://bit.ly/4crcUC3