Ms. Wheelchair America Crowns Winner After Week-Long Competition
Congratulations to this year’s competitors vying for the title of Ms. Wheelchair America. These 21 powerful, inspiring women traveled from across the United States to Grand Rapids, Michigan, and came together for a national competition. Following the week-long competition, Ali Ingersoll of Raleigh, North Carolina, was crowned Ms. Wheelchair America 2023. Ingersoll sustained a spinal […]
Inspiring Women Compete for the Title of Ms. Wheelchair America
It’s finally here! The national competition is back in Grand Rapids. After being canceled in 2020 and taking place virtually in 2021, the national Ms. Wheelchair America competition is back and in-person in. Twenty-two inspiring contestants from across the United States are contending for the crown and title of Ms. Wheelchair America. WHEN: August 15-21 […]
Meet the Ms. Wheelchair America Contestants
We’re less than a week away from the Ms. Wheelchair America National Competition! The event will be held in person in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and is sponsored by the Mary Free Bed Guild. This year, 22 inspiring contestants from across the United States are contending for the 2023 title of Ms. Wheelchair America in the […]
The Ms. Wheelchair America Competition is Back In-Person
After being canceled in 2020 and taking place virtually in 2021, the national Ms. Wheelchair America competition is back and in-person this year. Twenty-two contestants from across the United States are contending for the title of Ms. Wheelchair America, in this the 51st year of annual event. Unlike traditional beauty pageants, Ms. Wheelchair America is […]
Like Father, Like Son: Drs. VandenBerg Celebrate Seven Generations of Care
After more than three decades of caring for patients at Mary Free Bed, Dr. Chris VandenBerg will be hanging up his white coat. Dr. VandenBerg specializes in cancer rehabilitation, traumatic and non-traumatic neurological impairments (spinal cord injury, brain injury, stroke and multiple sclerosis) and spasticity/dystonia – and in his time here, he’s touched countless lives. […]
She Said Yes! Patient Proposed to at Mary Free Bed While Awaiting Transplant
Her journey involves seven different hospitals, weeks in the ICU on ECMO, and now rehabilitation while waiting for a double lung transplant – but Kaitlyn Sterling is still all smiles. And she has a big reason to smile. Stan, her boyfriend of 5 years, just proposed. And Kaitlin said, “Yes!” Click through to see photos […]
Mary Free Bed Receives 2022 Outstanding Community Partner Award from CMU
Mary Free Bed is honored to be a recipient of Central Michigan University’s 2022 Outstanding Partner Community Award. The Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow College of Health Professions Community Partnership Awards are presented annually to faculty, staff, students and community partners in recognition and support of reciprocal and sustainable collaborations that align with the […]
Applications are open for Mary Free Bed’s new Neurologic Occupational Therapy Fellowship
Occupational therapists can get advanced clinical training and further their expertise with Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation’s new Neurologic Occupational Therapy Fellowship. It’s the first of its kind for the hospital and one of only a few nationwide, focused on therapy for patients who’ve experienced brain injuries, stroke, spinal cord injuries and other neurological conditions. Applications […]
Mary Free Bed to launch patient-focused podcast: ‘Rehabilitationships’
The connections that fuel recovery from serious injuries and illnesses will be featured in Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation’s new podcast: “Rehabilitationships.” The first-of-its-kind podcast launches March 24. What’s a “rehabilitationship”? Simply put, it’s where rehabilitation and relationships meet. “We set out to discover and share what it really takes to recover from life-altering injuries and […]
Mary Free Bed awarded grant from National Endowment for the Arts for music therapy
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Music therapy strikes a chord with patients, and it’s a key part of patient care at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital. Thanks to a $10,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, Mary Free Bed can help even more patients recover from serious injuries and illnesses through the magic of […]
Ribbon cut for $41 million rehabilitation hospital serving Great Lakes Bay Region
Saginaw, Mich. – In a virtual ceremony, leaders from Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation at Covenant HealthCare dedicated a new hospital today. The three-story building, located on the main Covenant HealthCare campus, is specially designed for rehabilitation. It houses 60 private inpatient rooms, outpatient therapy spaces, offices for six board-certified rehabilitation physicians as well as treatment […]
Peggy and her Mary Free Bed team take rehabilitation aboard USS Silversides: ‘They gave me hope’
As executive director of the USS Silversides Submarine Museum in Muskegon, Peggy Maniates is passionate about honoring U.S. veterans through education and preservation of the World War II vessel. “Our guests have the opportunity to step back in time and look at history through the eyes of those who lived it,” Peggy said. “The submarine […]
Three Mary Free Bed team members honored as ‘40 under 40’ West Michigan business leaders
The Grand Rapids Business Journal has announced its “40 under 40” list, and three members of the Mary Free Bed family are included: Emily Babson, Terry Rostic and Cameron Young. The annual awards celebrate 40 people making a difference in the West Michigan community from hundreds nominated. As director of Organizational Development and Leadership Training […]
Spectrum Health and Mary Free Bed announce enhanced pediatric care collaboration
Grand Rapids, Mich., September 29, 2021 – Spectrum Health and Mary Free Bed leaders today announced an enhanced collaboration aimed at increasing access to excellent pediatric acute inpatient rehabilitation. Through a Joint Operating Agreement, Spectrum Health Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital and Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital will operate an acute pediatric inpatient rehabilitation unit at […]
Sinai Chicago’s Schwab Rehabilitation and Mary Free Bed come together to improve access to care and expand services
CHICAGO, IL. – Leaders from Sinai Chicago/Schwab Rehabilitation Hospital and Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital based in Grand Rapids, Michigan have signed a professional services agreement with the goals of serving more patients and honing operations. “Sinai Chicago, Schwab and Mary Free Bed share a common mission and have earned respected reputations in the rehabilitation […]
Motocrosser Todd DeHoop on road to recovery
Veteran motocross racer Todd DeHoop was rounding a corner during a practice session at the Daytona Amateur Supercross Championship when things took a devastating turn. In an instant, Todd went down hard, sustaining a serious spinal cord injury. Doctors at Halifax Health Medical Center in Daytona determined Todd fractured his third and fourth cervical vertebrae […]
Mary Free Bed once again named a top rehabilitation center by Newsweek
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – For the second straight year, Mary Free Bed has been recognized as one of America’s Best Physical Rehabilitation Centers by Newsweek health care analysts. The ratings are based on scores for quality of care, service, follow-up treatment and accommodations/amenities. Clinician recommendations also are included in the calculations. Newsweek looked at 25 […]
Fireside chat features renowned disability rights activist Judy Heumann
Grand Rapids, Mich. – Internationally known disability rights advocate Judy Heumann is the featured guest for the upcoming Ms. Wheelchair America competition being presented by Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation. Heumann will discuss her life’s work during a live, virtual fireside chat with Mary Free Bed CEO Kent Riddle and current Ms. Wheelchair America Hilary Muehlberger. […]
Mary Free Bed welcomes new doctors beginning rehabilitation residency
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Four physicians focused on intensive rehabilitation for patients recovering from injuries and illnesses have begun post-graduate training in Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital’s Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Residency. They were selected from a pool of more than 300 applicants. The three-year program has 12 residents in various stages of training. Mary Free […]
Mary Free Bed rated among nation’s best
Grand Rapids, Mich. – U.S. News & World Report released its list of Best Hospitals for Rehabilitation, and Mary Free Bed is rated one of the nation’s top providers. Of the 1,083 rehabilitation organizations evaluated by U.S. News health care analysts, Mary Free Bed is #17 in the United States and out-scored rehabilitation providers in […]
Mary Free Bed celebrates Pride Month and its commitment to inclusion
Pride Month is an opportunity for the world to celebrate and honor the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQIA+) community. Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation is a place for healing, and that’s why we’re committed to supporting important causes for equality and condemning discrimination. This month, we’re proud to fly a rainbow flag on campus […]
Bikes for the Rest of Us matches participants with adaptive bikes
More than 70 adults and children with disabilities have been introduced to adaptive bicycling, thanks to the Mary Free Bed Guild. Pre-registered families were paired with therapists matched their physical need with the most appropriate bicycle. Airway Oxygen, West Michigan Bike and Fitness, AMBUCS and Creative Mobility provided the biking equipment. Every rider also was […]
Mary Free Bed’s Carol Lyman honored with Essential Service Award
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Mary Free Bed employee Carol Lyman’s efforts to ensure the health and safety of patients, visitors and employees during the COVID-19 pandemic have been recognized with a 2020 Essential Service Award by West Michigan Works! Lyman, a senior administrative assistant, is among eight frontline workers honored by the organization for going […]
Mary Free Bed dishes up new dining services for patients
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – There’s a lot cooking at 235 Wealthy Street these days. With the launch of its in-house food and dining service, Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital patients are enjoying a new menu of nourishing meals tailored to their specific needs. Patients who need rehabilitation sometimes require a long hospital stay, and nutrition […]
Holland Community Aquatic Center will include Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation
HOLLAND, Mich. – Holland Community Aquatic Center officials have invited Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation clinicians to bring their expertise to town. Beginning this summer, Mary Free Bed therapists will be using the center’s warm-water pool, fitness space and private treatment rooms with capacity for additional growth. Physical therapy will be available to treat a variety […]
Mary Free Bed expands partnership to two northern Michigan hospitals
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital has launched a joint operating agreement to bring state-of-the-art rehabilitation to patients in Cadillac and Grayling. Mary Free Bed will manage the outpatient physical, occupational and speech therapy services at Munson Healthcare’s Cadillac and Grayling hospitals. This new program is called Mary Free Bed at Munson […]
Larry’s determination shows after year-long fight to recover from Guillain-Barre Syndrome
Larry Rodabaugh was diagnosed with Guillain-Barre Syndrome in January 2020. Within three days from the onset of initial symptoms, the then 56-year-old Vassar, Michigan resident went into total respiratory failure. However, due to his efforts and determination combined with the skill and care of the staff at Mary Free Bed at Covenant HealthCare, Larry’s rehabilitation […]
Mary Free Bed receives first doses of COVID-19 vaccine
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital received its first shipment of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine this morning and vaccinations began this afternoon. Rehabilitation physician Richard Ball, M.D., was the first person immunized. He’s the medical director of the Mary Free Bed Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Program, which trains physicians specializing in rehabilitation […]
Kyle’s love for Wheelchair & Adaptive Sports moves donors to raise $300,000
The COVID-19 pandemic did little to deter supporters of Mary Free Bed from celebrating its mission to restore hope and freedom. While “Thrive,” the Foundation’s annual gala, looked a little different this year, the result was the same. Instead of one large event attended by hundreds of people, the Foundation offered opportunities for sponsors to […]
Following amputation, Art ‘picks himself up’ with help of Mary Free Bed at Covenant team
Art Bean was running new machinery during a normal day at work when a freak accident changed how the Fairgrove, MI man would do things the rest of his life. “(The machine) came down to rest on my foot between my steel toe and my ankle, and that crushed everything in between,” said Art, whose […]