Cane Quest Empowers Visually Impaired Youth in Grand Rapids
The Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (ABVI) successfully hosted its first-ever Cane Quest. The national orientation and mobility skills competition brought together students from grades 3 – 12 who are living with visual impairments. The event was hosted at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital in partnership with the Braille Institute and Michigan Department […]
A Crowning Moment in Kids’ Rehabilitation: Crowning Ceremony for Joan Secchia Children’s Rehabilitation Hospital
The crowning ceremony marked a significant milestone in the construction of Joan Secchia Children’s Rehabilitation Hospital. The final steel beam was placed to complete the steel framework of Michigan’s first children’s rehabilitation hospital. It will be the country’s ninth freestanding children’s rehabilitation hospital once it’s completed in fall of 2026. This topping off ceremony is […]
Mary Free Bed Graduate Featured on NBC Nightly News
A recent pediatric graduate of Mary Free Bed was featured on the NBC Nightly News this weekend. Mason Madden and his parents were interviewed by NBC News for their weekly segment, “There’s Good News Tonight.” Mason spent months at Mary Free Bed in rehabilitation after doctors discovered and removed a tumor on his spine. For […]
Mary Free Bed Breaking Ground in Virginia on New Rehabilitation Tower
Valley Health, in partnership with Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation, celebrated the groundbreaking of the new Rehabilitation Tower at Winchester Medical Center (WMC) today. This milestone marks a significant step in expanding access to high-quality acute rehabilitation services in the region. In March 2024, Valley Health and Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation, one of the nation’s most […]
Mary Free Bed at Munson: Expanding Access to Top-Tier Rehabilitation Care
Mary Free Bed at Munson Healthcare continues to expand its team of highly skilled physiatrists in Traverse City. Dr. Barent Bradt and Dr. Kaitlyn Vanias bring a wealth of expertise to the region, providing specialized rehabilitation care to patients facing a wide range of diagnoses, from musculoskeletal to complex neurological conditions. Patients across northern Michigan […]
Better Sleep for Stronger Recoveries: Mary Free Bed’s Sleep Apnea Program in Action
During National Sleep Awareness Week, Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital is emphasizing the importance of healthy sleep and highlighting the critical role its respiratory therapists play in diagnosing and helping to treat sleep apnea. With nearly one in three American adults affected by this potentially life-threatening condition, Mary Free Bed is dedicated to providing timely […]
Young Patients Score Big During Grand Rapids Griffins Visit to Mary Free Bed
Two Grand Rapids Griffins players took a break from practice to visit kids at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital. The hockey pros joined in the physical therapy sessions for the patients practicing passing and shooting the puck. First year pro, Gabriel Seger, Forward #11, from Sweden, was joined by six year pro, Joe Snively, #21 […]
Detroit Area Man Returns Home after 5 Months in Hospital After Car Crash
Imagine being trapped underneath a car for one hour while emergency crews tried to rescue you… Now imagine being the hospital for five months working on regaining the strength and function to be safely ready to return home… Surrounded by dozens of cheering hospital staff, Sawyer Pierce, walked down the hall to continue his recovery […]
Breaking Barriers: Art Professor and DJ Rynita McGuire Crowned Ms. Wheelchair Michigan
After a day of workshops and panel judging, Kalamazoo resident Rynita McGuire was crowed Ms. Wheelchair Michigan 2025. “It was an amazing day and experience, I feel great and thankful,” said McGuire. Ms. Wheelchair Michigan is anything but a “beauty” pageant, it provides a unique platform where women can strengthen their advocacy skills, develop as […]
Seeking the Next Disability Rights Champion: Ms. Wheelchair Michigan 2025
We’re looking for the next Ms. Wheelchair Michigan in an event that’s anything but a “beauty” pageant. Ms. Wheelchair Michigan provides a unique platform where women can strengthen their advocacy skills, develop as leaders, and amplify their voices for meaningful change. Join in an inspiring day of connection and growth alongside other dynamic women who […]
Mary Free Bed Partnering with Vandalia Health to Bring Expert Rehabilitation to West Virginia
Mary Free Bed is expanding its rehabilitation services to West Virginia with the announcement of a partnership with Vandalia Health at Charleston Area Medical Center (CAMC). Vandalia Health is headquartered in Charleston, WV, with locations in Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Virginia. Vandalia Health has 1,530 beds in its system with more than 13,000 employees, 17 […]
ABVI and Cleanlogic partner to Champion Blind and Visually Impaired Individuals
The Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired and Cleanlogic are proud to honor both Disability Employment Awareness Month and Blindness Awareness Month by raising awareness of the barriers individuals with disabilities and vision impairment face in securing employment. With the continued high unemployment rates among disabled individuals, especially those who are blind or visually impaired, Cleanlogic is committed to […]
Mary Free Bed Celebrates Paw-sitive Retirement for Furry Staff Member after 8 Years of Service
Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation is bidding a fond farewell to a beloved member of its team – Vandy, the hospital’s first animal-assisted intervention (AAI) therapy dog. Vandy, a furry beacon of hope and joy, has been dedicated to restoring hope and freedom for patients since joining Mary Free Bed in 2016. Vandy, the first-ever AAI […]
Three Mary Free Bed Leaders Named to Crain’s Notable Leaders in Health Care
Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation is proud to share that three of its senior leaders have been named to the Crain’s Grand Rapids Business Notable Leaders in Health Care 2024 list. This recognition honors health care professionals who demonstrate excellence in providing high-quality, whole-person care through collaboration with various health care stakeholders. Crain’s Grand Rapids Business […]
Meeting Patients, Anywhere, Anytime: Mary Free Bed’s Fully Remote Virtual Physical Therapy
Wherever, whenever. People anywhere across Michigan can receive access to the rehabilitation experts at Mary Free Bed, thanks to a recently launched fully remote virtual physical therapy program. Life can be busy and sometimes making it consistently to in-person appointments can be challenging. With Mary Free Bed’s fully remote program, patients can work with experts […]
Tandem Bike Donation Brings Cycling to the Blind
People who are blind or have low vision can get back to the joy and freedom of cycling. The Grand Rapids Lions Club purchased a brand new Fun2Go Tandem Adaptive Bike for the Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (ABVI). This custom-made tandem bike costs $15,000 dollars. The donation will help the local non-profit […]
Stride for Sight: Join the White Cane Awareness Walk Through Downtown GR
In support of White Cane Awareness Day, join the Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (ABVI) on a walk through downtown Grand Rapids to help raise awareness of people who carry a white cane. For people with vision impairments, the white cane is an essential tool for travel and mobility. It’s an important symbol […]
Crafting Vision: A Night of Hope & Inspiration for the Blind and Visually Impaired
October is Blindness Awareness Month, and the community is coming together to help raise awareness and funds for those who are blind and have low vision. People can still attend Crafting Vision, the annual fundraising event for the Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (ABVI). WHEN: Thursday, October 10, from 6:00 to 9:00pm WHERE: […]
Mary Free Bed Kids Announced as Beneficiary of Michigan International Auto Show Charity Gala
The Michigan International Auto Show and Grand Rapids New Car Dealers Association (GRNCDA) have named Mary Free Bed as this year’s beneficiary of the newly named Cars for Kids Gala, an exclusive preview of this longstanding automotive event on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, beginning at 6 pm, at DeVos Place. “I am excited to share […]
Taking the Mound Again: Korrie’s Return to Softball
If you had asked her six months ago, 16-year-old Korrie might have told you she’d never play softball again. In March 2023, Korrie was recovering from long-haul COVID when her symptoms suddenly got worse. She was diagnosed with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS). That summer, she injured ACL during softball practice. It added another layer […]
Mary Free Bed Opens Renovated Walker Kids Clinic, Expanding Access to Autism Services
Families with children in need of autism services have a new welcoming and supportive location available to them. Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation is opening its newly renovated location in Walker. This clinic will provide expanded access to specialized autism services, including Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and autism diagnostic testing. Research […]
Run for Sight 5K Raises Funds for Visually Impaired
This weekend you can run, walk or handcycle along Michigan’s lakeshore and help raise funds for those who are blind or have low vision. Saturday marks the 18th annual Run for Sight 5K held at the beautiful Pere Marquette Park in Muskegon. The Run for Sight 5K benefits the Association for the Blind and Visually […]
Go Team USA! Mary Free Bed Athletes Competing at Paralympics
The 2024 Paris Paralympic Games are here with the opening ceremonies on Wednesday, August 28. Around 4,400 athletes will compete in in 23 different disciplines. Mary Free Bed has five athletes that are competing in Paris starting this week including: Grace Norman Grace Norman is a Paralympic Paratriathlon athlete. This will be her third Paralympics, […]
Meet the Contestants Vying for the Title of Ms. Wheelchair America
Ms. Wheelchair America is here, and 22 women are competing for the national title and the crown. Each competitor has their own unique story to tell and a platform that they are advocating for. These contestants are not judged based on outward appearance, but rather on advocacy, achievement, communication, and their presentation. The winner of Ms. […]
Celebrating National Disability Independence Day with Ms. Wheelchair Michigan
On July 26, 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law. Thirty-four years later, we celebrate this milestone as National Disability Independence Day, honoring a piece of legislation that has significantly advanced equality and empowered millions with disabilities. A significant purpose of the ADA is to ensure access to public spaces, employment […]
Mary Free Bed Climbs to 9th Best Rehabilitation Hospital in Nation
After breaking into the top 10 last year, Mary Free Bed climbs again in the rankings to be the 9th Best Rehabilitation Hospital in the country according to U.S. News & World Report. National rankings like these are extremely helpful to patients in the midst of recovery, as they begin to look for rehabilitation services. […]
Celebrating Advocacy: Ms. Wheelchair America Returns to Grand Rapids
The national Ms. Wheelchair America competition makes its return to downtown Grand Rapids in August. This annual, week-long event celebrates the achievements of women who use wheelchairs for mobility. The competition is based not on physical appearance, but on advocacy, achievement, communication and presentation. All of the participants enter the competition with one similar goal: […]
Ride for a Cause: Grand Rapids Gran Fondo Benefits Mary Free Bed
This summer, Michigan’s signature cycling event, the Grand Rapids Gran Fondo, is back and bigger than ever. The race offers course lengths for every rider, leading to a finish line festival in the heart of downtown Grand Rapids. Cyclists of all skill levels can enjoy the 80-mile ride, 40-mile ride, 25-mile ride, or 12-mile family […]
Davenport University and Mary Free Bed sign education partnership
Leaders from Davenport University and Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation signed an agreement that provides scholarships to Mary Free Bed employees and their family members. The two organizations signed the agreement May 3 at Mary Free Bed. The Mary Free Bed Corporate Education Scholarship Program offers up to $8,000 per year in scholarship funds to Mary Free Bed […]
Major Area Health Care Partners Announce $50 Million Gift to Advance Children’s Medical, Rehabilitative and Mental Health Care
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Feb. 19, 2024 – Today, leadership from Corewell Health Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation, and Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services came together to announce a landmark $50 million gift from the DeVos Family. This gift furthers the DeVos Family’s longstanding commitment to the health and well-being of children […]