From the Gridiron to Advocacy: Mike Utley Champions Adaptive Sports at Mary Free Bed
Former Detroit Lions player and spinal cord injury advocate Mike Utley returned to Michigan this week, visiting Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan, to see firsthand how the Mike Utley Foundation’s support is helping athletes of all ages pursue health, confidence and connection through adaptive sports. During his visit on September 29, […]
Mary Free Bed to Showcase Patient-Designed 10-Foot-Tall Willow Tree Exhibit at ArtPrize
Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation is thrilled to announce its participation in ArtPrize this year with a unique and meaningful exhibit. The showcase will feature a 10-foot-tall willow tree, with wooden leaves designed by patients, caregivers and Mary Free Bed team members. The exhibit, titled “CommuniTree,” will be located inside Silva, as part of CURA, a […]
Newsweek Names Mary Free Bed Michigan’s Top Rehabilitation Hospital for 2026
National recognition follows recent U.S. News ranking, with both organizations identifying Mary Free Bed as Michigan’s leading rehabilitation hospital GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation has been named Michigan’s top rehabilitation hospital in Newsweek’s America’s Best Physical Rehabilitation Centers 2026 rankings, further reinforcing the organization’s position as a national leader in rehabilitation care. […]
Ms. Wheelchair Pennsylvania Jamie Clendening Crowned New National Champion
The nation has a new voice for disability advocacy following the crowning of a new Ms. Wheelchair America in Grand Rapids, Michigan. After a week of competition, Ms. Wheelchair Pennsylvania, Jamie Clendening, earned the title of Ms. Wheelchair America 2027. Nineteen women made their way to Grand Rapids for the national competition, which ran from […]
Growing Recognition: 12 Mary Free Bed Physicians Named Top Doctors
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., July 7, 2026 — Physicians at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation occupy 12 spots on Grand Rapids Magazine’s Top Doctors list, doubling last year’s total. This reflects the growing recognition of Mary Free Bed’s expertise in rehabilitation care. The annual list highlights physicians across West Michigan who are nominated by their peers for […]
Disability Advocates from Across the Nation Compete for Ms. Wheelchair America in Grand Rapids
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.– Nineteen women are preparing to make their way to Grand Rapids, Michigan, to compete for the title of Ms. Wheelchair America 2027. The week-long competition brings state titleholders together for leadership training, advocacy workshops and mentorship opportunities. Ms. Wheelchair America is not a beauty pageant, but a competition based on advocacy, leadership […]
Mary Free Bed Recognized Among Nation’s Leading Rehabilitation Hospitals
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – U.S. News & World Report has ranked Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital as number 17 in its 2026-27 Best Rehabilitation Hospitals rankings. In the state of Michigan, Mary Free Bed Grand Rapids ranked number 1, and Mary Free Bed at Munson ranked number 4. The recognition marks the sixth consecutive year […]
Top of His Game: Brett White’s Journey Back to Golf After a Brain Injury
Brett White always dreamed of becoming a professional golfer. At 24, he was just beginning his career when everything changed. While traveling to compete in the 2016 New Hampshire Open Championship, Brett developed infectious mononucleosis (“mono”), which led to viral encephalitis—a rare complication that caused swelling in his brain. Viral encephalitis can result in an […]
Mary Free Bed’s Wheelchair Sports Camp Returns, Fueled by New 10-Year Shriners Commitment
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The Mary Free Bed Junior Wheelchair Sports Camp is back this summer, continuing a decades-long tradition of helping kids with disabilities discover confidence, independence and connection through adaptive sports. This year, the camp is celebrating a major milestone: a new long-term commitment from the Saladin Shriners that will help sustain and grow the program for […]
New Hire Reporting for Duty: Meet Winton, Mary Free Bed’s Newest PAWS AAT Dog
Grand Rapids, Michigan — There’s a new four-legged team member making the rounds at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation, and he’s already turning heads and winning big. Meet Winton, a lovable, goofy golden retriever who has officially joined the Mary Free Bed Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) Program through Paws With A Cause (PAWS). While he may be known for his fabulous fluff and friendly disposition, Winton has an important job to do: he helps patients reach their […]
More than 400 Athletes with Disabilities from Across the U.S. Return to Grand Rapids to Compete at The Hartford Nationals, July 10-16
Paralympic Gold Medalist and Wheelchair Basketball Player Matt Scott to Surprise Six Athletes with Custom-Fit Adaptive Sports Equipment GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., July 1, 2026 – The Hartford Nationals conducted by Move United, the largest and longest-running national sport championship event for athletes with a physical disability, visual impairment, or intellectual disability, returns to Grand Rapids, July 10-16. The event […]
New ARC-EX Therapy at Mary Free Bed Brings Hope for Spinal Cord Injury Recovery
Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation is bringing new hope to people living with spinal cord injuries, expanding opportunities for increased independence throughout their daily lives. In May 2026, the hospital in Grand Rapids, MI, began using the ARC-EX System from ONWARD Medical, becoming one of the first facilities in West Michigan to offer this type of […]
Riding for Recovery: Gran Fondo Pedals Support for Mary Free Bed Programs
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — West Michigan’s premier cycling event is back this summer with even more momentum and an even bigger impact. The KeyBank Gran Fondo returns to downtown Grand Rapids on Saturday, June 27, bringing together cyclists of all abilities for a high-energy ride that supports a meaningful cause. For the third year, Mary […]
Largest and Longest-Running National Adaptive Sports Competition in the Country Returns to Grand Rapids July 10-16 for Second Straight Year
The Hartford Nationals Conducted by Move United Builds on Successful 2025 Adaptive Sports Event Attracting 423 Athletes and 161 Coaches from 36 States, Generating $2 Million in Economic Impact for Region (GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – June 8, 2026) In just one-month, Grand Rapids will host The Hartford Nationals conducted by Move United – the largest and longest-running national sport […]
Parkinson’s Rehabilitation: Physical, Occupational & Speech Therapy Benefits
Rehabilitation for Parkinson’s disease refers to therapies designed to help maintain or improve movement, function and independence. People with Parkinson’s often undergo multiple therapies at the same time. While rehabilitation doesn’t cure the disease, its primary goal is to optimize independence and slow functional decline over time. Rehabilitation should begin as early as possible, ideally right after diagnosis. Starting early allows individuals to establish a baseline […]
Mary Free Bed Expands Outpatient Rehabilitation Access with New East Beltline Northeast Location
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation is expanding access to expert outpatient care in West Michigan with the opening of Mary Free Bed – East Beltline Northeast, its fifth outpatient location in the region. Beginning in May 2026, the new location will bring comprehensive rehabilitation services closer to home for individuals and families […]
Speed, Strength and Inclusion Take Center Stage at the 2026 Amway River Bank Run
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan will once again come alive with speed, cheers and determination as people of all abilities line up for the 49th Annual River Bank Run on May 9. The event brings elite athletes from West Michigan, across the U.S. and beyond for one of the most distinctive races in the world. In addition to being the largest 25K road […]
From Hospital to Home: Preparing for Life After a Stroke
Returning home after a stroke is an important milestone in the stroke recovery journey. Understanding what to expect after stroke rehabilitation can help you and your family feel more prepared, confident and supported during the transition home. A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is interrupted, which can affect movement, speech and cognitive […]
How Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapy Work Together in Brain Injury Rehabilitation
Brain injuries can occur in both traumatic and non-traumatic varieties. Traumatic injuries occur from, you guessed it, physical trauma. This can include events such as motor vehicle accidents, assaults or striking the head during a fall. Non-traumatic injuries may involve brain bleeds, cancer diagnosis or brain infections. This list isn’t exhaustive. Severity of brain injury […]
Driving Hope and Freedom: Three Mary Free Bed Leaders Honored by Crain’s
Three Mary Free Bed leaders have been named Notable Leaders in Health Care by Crain’s Grand Rapids Business, a recognition that celebrates individuals making a meaningful impact through leadership, collaboration and service. Honorees are selected based on professional accomplishments, organizational influence and community contributions. This year’s recognition highlights leaders across the Mary Free Bed System, […]
At Home Brain Injury Rehabilitation: Exercises and Habits that Support Recovery
Returning home after brain injury rehabilitation can be filled with many emotions. Following inpatient brain injury rehabilitation, you may feel grateful as you ease back into your community and daily routine, but it’s also natural to feel a little scared as you adjust to new challenges. You may grieve the loss of certain strengths or […]
Mary Free Bed Supports 8th Annual Limb Loss Awareness 5k
Kentwood, Michigan – The City of Kentwood Parks and Recreation Department will host the annual Limb Loss Awareness 5K on Saturday, April 25, at Veterans Memorial Park. This year’s event is proudly supported by Diamond Sponsor Mary Free Bed Orthotics & Prosthetics + Bionics, whose continued partnership helps expand opportunities for individuals of all abilities […]
Rise Players Make an Impact Off the Court Through Mary Free Bed Partnership
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Grand Rapids Rise is once again supporting Mary Free Bed through its Players with Purpose Program. This is the third year of the community-driven initiative that gives Rise supporters the opportunity to attend any remaining regular-season match at Van Andel Arena while making a direct impact on causes that matter […]
Tony’s Long-Haul Comeback After a Brain Injury
For Manuel “Tony” Rodriguez, the phrase long haul used to describe his career as a truck driver. Today, it describes something far more personal: his road to recovery following a brain injury. Step by step, Tony moves down the halls of the Mary Free Bed Grand Rapids Campus with a walker, a gait belt around […]
Mary Free Bed Kids Welcomes New Child Life Specialist to Support Patients and Families
Mary Free Bed Kids has welcomed a new child life specialist to support young patients and their families across its growing Pediatric Rehabilitation Program. This grant-funded position strengthens the services that will be moving into the new Joan Secchia Children’s Rehabilitation Hospital this fall, a joint venture with Corewell Health Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital. What […]
GVSU, Mary Free Bed Celebrate Partnership That Addresses Nursing Shortage, Offers Tuition Assistance
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Leaders at Grand Valley State University and Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital celebrated a partnership on April 2 designed to address a nursing talent shortage and reduce financial barriers for students pursuing a nursing degree. Under the agreement, GVSU Kirkhof College of Nursing students interested in the program will receive tuition […]
The Comeback Round: A Teen’s Journey Through Brain Injury Rehabilitation
Miguel Ortega loves boxing. Throughout his recovery from a severe traumatic brain injury, Miguel used the discipline and focus he found in the ring to craft his comeback at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan. After a devastating car crash, the teenager sustained a severe traumatic brain injury and was clinically dead […]
Common Communication Disorders After Stroke: Aphasia, Dysarthria and Apraxia
A stroke can change a person’s ability to communicate in an instant. While many people associate stroke recovery with physical challenges, stroke often affects speech, language and the ability to express thoughts clearly. For survivors and families, these communication changes can feel frustrating, overwhelming and isolating. As a speech-language pathologist at Mary Free Bed, I […]
Kidney Disease Awareness Month: From Patient to Clinician at Mary Free Bed
By Natalie Frias March is Kidney Disease Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness about a condition that often progresses quietly until it dramatically alters daily life. For me, kidney disease is not just a diagnosis. It’s the chapter that reshaped my future, strengthened my resilience and ultimately led me to my role as a […]
Maverick’s Motivation: Brain Injury Recovery Through Inpatient Therapy
Maverick Martin experienced a brain injury moments before completing his first 5K; his heartbeat stopped steps from the finish line. 30-year-old Maverick and his wife, Jamie, were running in the LeRoy Razzasque Days 5k in July. He was flying through the race with impressive speed. His wife was about 10 minutes behind. Maverick was racing […]