Fifth Third Bank joins Foundation’s Community Partnership Program
When selecting organizations to support in the communities it serves, Fifth Third Bank looks for those that may help its own employees and customers. Its mission to strengthen families and build strong communities complements Mary Free Bed’s mission to restore hope and freedom through rehabilitation so people can achieve their highest level of independence. That’s […]
Devyn turns sadness from stares into drive to help others with limb differences
Eight-year-old Devyn Whitney has a pink prosthetic leg decorated with pretty sugar skull owls that glow in the dark. It drew a lot of attention on a hot day last summer, when Devyn and her family visited an art fair in their hometown of St. Joseph. And not in a good way. “I was scared […]
Care granted: Gabriel uses personal experience after spinal cord injury to help others
Gabriel Grant was an 18-year-old high school graduate looking forward to going to Grand Rapids Community College to play golf as a walk on. But when a tire blew on the car he was riding in, Gabriel’s life took a different path. Gabriel broke his neck and became a quadriplegic in the 2009 crash. After […]
Wes battles SMA with help of Pain Rehabilitation Program and finds ‘the art of hope’
Wes DeVries has spinal muscular atrophy, a rare condition that affects the muscles, but he hasn’t allowed his physical limitations to quash his creativity. Diagnosed in 1996, the 59-year-old Grand Rapids native is a renowned local artist who dismisses his pain and limited mobility to create abstracts rich in texture and color. In this video, […]
Mary Free Bed Guild awards scholarships to ‘inspiring and dedicated’ students
Twenty-one outstanding college students have been recognized for their academic achievements with scholarships awarded by the Mary Free Bed Guild. The Guild has awarded more than $500,000 in scholarships since it established the Minority Scholarship Program in 2006 and the Disability Scholarship Program in 2013. This year, the guild accepted applications from throughout Michigan […]
Debbie credits Weight Management Program with new confidence, well-being
When Debbie Erickson’s physician told her she was pre-diabetic, she knew it was time to do something and joined the Mary Free Bed Weight Management Program. Not only did she lose weight, Debbie no longer was pre-diabetic. She gained self-confidence and belief in her ability to maintain her weight loss. Debbie shares her experience here: […]
Five reasons you should add asparagus to your plate
From our experts: Jessi Holden, MS, RDN, CSOWM is a registered dietitian/nutritionist at Mary Free Bed. In this blog, she shares how healthy food choices contribute to a healthy lifestyle. Well, Michiganders, we made it! Spring is here, and that means fresh fruits and vegetables. One of the first veggies of the season, nutrient-packed asparagus, […]
Lakeland and Mary Free Bed establish orthotics and prosthetics joint venture
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Spectrum Health Lakeland and Mary Free Bed Orthotics & Prosthetics have joined to create Mary Free Bed Orthotics & Prosthetics at Spectrum Health Lakeland, a joint venture providing advanced orthotic and prosthetic care for patients in southwest Michigan and northern Indiana. Located at 2500 Niles Road, Suite 9, in St. Joseph, Mary Free Bed […]
Evelyn thrives in face of rare diagnosis of osteogenesis imperfecta
Evelyn Franchetti is a typical 3½-year-old. She loves singing and dancing, princesses and puppies. When she arrives at preschool, Evelyn looks around the classroom and declares “These are my friends!” before scampering off to play, protected by her bright red walker. The happy-go-lucky little girl doesn’t need the device to help her walk. It’s a […]
Mary Free Bed handcyclist Matthew Chaffee to compete in Boston Marathon
When Matthew Chaffee was introduced to the world of adaptive sports, it changed the way he views his disability. “I learned to be more independent,” said Matthew, who was paralyzed in a 2014 motorcycle crash. “I’ve met people with all types of disabilities, and everyone has their own way of doing things. The more I […]
UPDATE: Young athlete recovers from stroke with help from Mary Free Bed
Updated October 22, 2019 Lauren Ziegler achieved her goal of running a half-marathon on October 20. She finished the half-marathon at the Metro Health Grand Rapids Marathon five minutes faster than she had planned. She also plans to continue running and run in more races in the future. Updated April 9, 2019 Lauren Ziegler […]
From caregiver to patient: Mary Free Bed physician assistant says experience provided new perspective
Guest blog: Doris Jacobs is a physician assistant at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital. When Doris needed rehabilitation following back-to-back emergency surgeries, the caregiver became the patient. She says that experience gave her a deeper understanding of her own patients’ needs. When I became a physician assistant in 2005, I was fortunate enough to work […]
Pain management techniques help with flare ups
Guest blog: Courtney Husen is an occupational therapist in Mary Free Bed’s Pain Rehabilitation Program. As a member of the program’s team of experts, she works with patients to reduce their chronic pain and improve their ability to function. In this blog, Courtney offers strategies to ease painful flare ups. Chronic pain can impact our […]
Covenant HealthCare and Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation will build leading-edge rehabilitation hospital in Saginaw
Leaders from Covenant HealthCare and Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation approved a request to build a $40.7 million rehabilitation hospital. Located in Saginaw on the Covenant HealthCare main campus, the new building will include 48 inpatient beds with shelled space for 12 beds for future use, and a state-of-the-art outpatient therapy facility. In addition to new […]
Rehabilitation and technology improve patient experience
Grand Rapids, Mich. – Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital is partnering with technology company eVideon to improve patient experience. The 167-inpatient bed rehabilitation hospital uses the eVideon PX platform to entertain, engage and educate patients during acute rehabilitation stays. The technology provides patients, families and visitors with live TV, movies on demand and relaxation videos. […]
Living with chronic pain: Pain rehabilitation and graded exposure to activity
Guest blog: Nicole DeHaan is a physical therapist and therapeutic pain specialist in Mary Free Bed’s Pain Rehabilitation Program. As a member of the program’s team of experts, she works with patients to reduce their chronic pain and improve their ability to function. In this blog, Nicole discusses the benefits of graded exposure to activity, […]
Travis on ‘road to a healthier life’ with help from Bronson, Mary Free Bed
Travis Laws was determined to get his life back and knew it wouldn’t be easy. Bedridden for several years, the 46-year-old from Allegan had significant health issues, including a large mass on his right leg. He weighed nearly 1,300 pounds. Specialists from Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo cared for Travis and developed a diet and […]
Munson Medical Center, Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital sign JOA
Munson Medical Center and Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital have signed a joint operating agreement that expands their partnership to provide rehabilitation services to northern Michigan residents. The agreement took effect Jan. 1. Mary Free Bed has managed inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation services at Munson Medical Center since August 2015. A significant increase in the […]
Shorty first patient to graduate from Ventilator and Pulmonary Rehabilitation at Mary Free Bed
Herb “Shorty” Monroe was seriously injured in a July car crash just a mile from where he works. He was taken by ambulance to Ascension Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo, where doctors discovered Shorty had a spinal cord injury that required surgery, as well as spinal fractures, broken ribs and bruised lungs. He needed a ventilator […]
Lila’s recovery from internal decapitation called miraculous
An August car crash near her Cedar Springs home left Lila DeLine with a life-threatening spinal cord injury. Essentially, she was internally decapitated when the force of the impact separated her skull from her spine, an injury that most often proves fatal. But Lila defied the odds. She was an inpatient at Spectrum Health for […]
Manage holiday stress with these simple tips
The holiday season can be equal parts joyful and stressful. From long to-do lists to strained family relationships and the desire to create the “perfect” holiday, we often put too much pressure on ourselves. When we feel stress, we increase our risk for stress-induced eating. Jessi Boehme, a registered dietitian at Mary Free Bed, has […]
‘Tis the season to holiday-proof your healthy eating goals
The holidays are a time to celebrate and enjoy family and friends. The season is filled with gatherings that feature festive meals and delectable treats – full of calories. But with a little planning, you can still enjoy yourself and stick to your wellness goals. Jessi Boehme, a registered dietitian at Mary Free Bed, offers […]
Charlotte makes great gains with outpatient pediatric rehabilitation: ‘We were looking for hope’
UPDATE: After their daughter, Charlotte, was diagnosed with cerebral palsy when she was about six months old, Kristine Hendricks and her husband, Matt, knew early intervention would have a positive impact on her quality of life. So, every Tuesday morning, Kristine drove Charlotte to Mary Free Bed for therapy. “It was about two years ago […]
Mary Free Bed, Spectrum Health establish Forum for Hospital Collaboration
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Experts from Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital and Spectrum Health have been long-time collaborators in patient care and are now forming a deeper relationship. “For years we have worked closely with clinicians at Mary Free Bed to coordinate care for patients who can benefit from the highly specialized technology and expertise […]
Gardening-as-therapy helps Betty bloom
Betty Wustman loves tending to the flowers at her Byron Center home … bountiful roses and hydrangeas, beautiful flowering baskets and beds, and a house full of African violets. “I love, love, love flowers,” said Betty, 74, who came to Mary Free Bed after being diagnosed with polymyositis, an uncommon condition that causes muscle weakness. […]
Kim finds accountability, education and support with Weight Management Program: ‘I’m in the best place’
Twelve years ago, Kim Murphy decided to work toward a healthier lifestyle. Her journey has included challenges and successes, including a 100-plus pound weight loss. Adding Mary Free Bed’s Weight Management Program to her support circle has helped Kim feel better than ever. Since she joined the program six months ago, Kim has lost an […]
Mary’s Therapy Playground provides a fun, healing space for youngest patients
A playground is a happy place where children can explore, learn and grow. At Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital, it’s also a haven for healing, hope and freedom. Mary’s Therapy Playground is a joyful new space where the hospital’s youngest patients can work on their rehabilitation goals in a safe, secure and accessible environment. The […]
Mary Free Bed Spine Center patient Ann Ward: ‘They truly gave me my life back’
Ann Ward has a posse of grandchildren, great-grandchildren and a great-great-grandchild, and she doesn’t have time for pain. The retired Grattan Township paramedic suffered from near-disabling back pain and came to the Mary Free Bed Spine Center for treatment. In this video, Ann shares how Spine Center specialists helped identify the source of her pain […]
Mary Free Bed partners with Synzi to streamline admissions and virtual consults
CLEARWATER, Fla. — Virtual care company Synzi announced that Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital, a not-for-profit Michigan-based rehabilitation hospital, has selected its virtual care communication platform to streamline admissions by remotely connecting clinicians and patients. The platform also will enable virtual consults across the Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Network of 30-plus hospitals throughout Michigan. Mary Free Bed […]
Inclusive dance video ‘Miracles in Motion’ showcases hope, rehability
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – “Miracles in Motion” is an inclusive dance video featuring Mary Free Bed employees, former patients and campers from our Junior Wheelchair Sports Camp. This project was inspired by and created to celebrate National Rehabilitation Awareness Week and was our entry for ArtPrize 10, Grand Rapids’ international art competition. Produced by Mary Free Bed staff […]