Matt adopts ‘whatever it takes’ approach to rehabilitation following stroke
Update: Five months after graduating from Mary Free Bed’s Stroke Program, Matt Rorabaugh continues to make great strides in his recovery from a massive stroke. “I feel great, so fortunate,” Matt said. Building on his efforts in Mary Free Bed’s inpatient program, Matt’s continued with physical, occupational and speech-language therapies near his Morley home two-three […]
Spinal cord injury study shows promise for increased independence; more participants needed
People with spinal cord injuries who exercise regularly are seeing a positive impact on their health, according to preliminary results of a study by Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital and the University of Michigan. The three-year, collaborative research effort is investigating whether a novel exercise training program affects quality of life for people with spinal […]
Mary Free Bed Kids therapists earn neurodevelopmental treatment certification
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Five members of the Mary Free Bed Kids therapy team have earned specialized certification in a well-established treatment approach to help children with neurological conditions, such as cerebral palsy or spina bifida, become as independent as possible. Physical therapists Andrea Dennis, Micah Huegel and Kate Rustem, and occupational therapists Elle Augustine […]
Mary Free Bed patients treated to Spa Day
Patients at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital received some extra special pampering ahead of the holidays, thanks to volunteers and the Recreational Therapy department. Mary Free Bed’s recreational therapy gym was transformed into a salon, where students from the Paul Mitchell School in Grand Rapids treated patients of all ages to complimentary manicures, haircuts and […]
Stay safe this winter with these tips for running in cold, snow and ice
From our experts: Todd Buckingham is the Mary Free Bed Sports Rehabilitation team’s lead exercise physiologist and oversees the program’s Performance Lab. A runner himself, Todd works with all levels of athletes, from beginners to NCAA Division I and professional athletes, to fuel their performance safely and effectively. The weather is turning colder, and […]
Mary Free Bed Sub-Acute Rehabilitation Ranked Among Nation’s Best
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – For the third year in a row, Mary Free Bed Sub-Acute Rehabilitation has been recognized by U.S. News & World Report for Best Short-Term Rehabilitation. U.S. News rated over 15,000 organizations nationwide to help patients and families make informed health care decisions. Factors considered include availability and consistency of nurse staffing […]
10-year-old Kalamazoo boy recovers from stroke
Thomas Hay is a typical 10-year-old boy. He loves football, his dog, Jasper, and competing with his big sister. But life became atypical very quickly one October afternoon. While at practice with his flag football team, Thomas collapsed during a passing drill. His father, Andrew, was helping coach the team and ran over to see […]
Euchre brings two Mary Free Bed patients together during recreational therapy sessions
Two patients at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital have bonded after recreational therapists brought them together for a game of cards. Ben Marshall came to Mary Free Bed in early November after surgeries to repair damage to vertebrae in his neck. He was injured in a 2010 workplace accident and also experienced other illnesses and […]
Learning how to manage emotions a vital part of chronic pain management
From our experts: Dr. Evan Parks is a clinical psychologist in Mary Free Bed’s Pain Rehabilitation Program. Physical and emotional health are closely linked, and psychology plays a significant role in chronic pain management. We picture our life moving forward, accomplishing goals and enjoying good relationships. When chronic pain enters that picture, many of the […]
Mary Free Bed Selects Epic for New Electronic Medical Records Service
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – It’s going to be Epic, say Mary Free Bed clinicians and IT professionals. Leaders from Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital have signed a 10-year agreement with Covenant HealthCare officials to extend their electronic medical record (EMR) software called Epic to Mary Free Bed. Electronic medical records are the digital version of […]
Halloween Heroes celebrate in style
Kids love Halloween, and volunteers from the community and Mary Free Bed made sure 35 current and former patients were able to celebrate in a special way. The fourth annual Halloween Heroes Parade marched around Mary Free Bed and Mercy Health Saint Mary’s Hospital on Oct. 26, with the Forest Hills Central Marching Band leading […]
Mary Free Bed chief psychologist recognized for work by National Academy of Neuropsychology
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Dr. Jacobus Donders, chief psychologist at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital, has been honored by the National Academy of Neuropsychology with the Ralph M. Reitan Award for Clinical Excellence. The award recognizes Donders’ significant contributions to the clinical practice of neuropsychology. Donders oversees Mary Free Bed’s team of psychologists, who […]
OrthoSEAT mobile unit brings custom seating services to patients
Technology that enhances the lives of patients is a direct extension of Mary Free Bed’s mission to restore hope and freedom. OrthoSEAT is a specialized service for people who need wheelchairs to support their health and to empower them to do what they want to, when they want to do it. OrthoSEAT’s mobile unit brings […]
Heroes Bash a party of galactic proportions for Mary Free Bed Kids graduates
The Force is strong in the Mary Free Bed family. The mysterious energy field in the fictional “Star Wars” universe provides extraordinary abilities to those who possess it, binding the galaxy together. The magical power of the Force bears similarities to Mary Free Bed’s unique culture and the special bond between caregivers and patients. […]
Portage teen battles EEE virus with rehabilitation at Mary Free Bed
It was Aug. 16 when Kerri Dooley noticed her 14-year-old daughter wasn’t feeling well. Savanah DeHart had a severe headache and was acting dazed and lethargic. When her symptoms worsened overnight, Kerri took Savanah to the emergency room at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo, Michigan, not far from their Portage home. Doctors performed several tests […]
Get to work on a healthier lifestyle before January
From our experts: Jessi Holden is a registered dietitian/nutritionist at Mary Free Bed. In this blog, she shares 10 small lifestyle changes you can make now. The most common New Year’s resolutions focus on getting healthy – eating better, losing weight or exercising more. We tend to set these goals without outlining the steps to […]
Covenant HealthCare and Mary Free Bed Expand Joint Venture
Leaders from Covenant HealthCare and Mary Free Bed are expanding the scope of their existing 50-50 joint venture. In addition to the current 41-bed inpatient rehabilitation unit, four more areas will be included in the partnership. The expanded Mary Free Bed at Covenant Joint Venture will now include: Inpatient Rehabilitation Outpatient Rehabilitation Orthotics and Prosthetics […]
Divya’s new adventures a year after traveling from India for surgery, rehabilitation
UPDATE Oct. 3, 2019: A year ago, Divya Harkema couldn’t stand by herself. Today, she swims and rides horses in her native India. Merissa Harkema brought her adopted daughter to Grand Rapids in September 2018 for surgery to reduce problems caused by spastic diplegia cerebral palsy. Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital was one of a limited […]
Research shows interdisciplinary rehabilitation best treats fibromyalgia
Guest blog: Dr. James Hudson is medical director of the Pain Rehabilitation program. He’s specialized in the treatment and management of patients with chronic pain at Mary Free Bed for more than 30 years. He leads a specialized team of doctors and therapists who use a rehabilitation approach to pain management. In this blog, Dr. […]
Paige heads back to school after spinal cord injury
Summer took a scary turn for the Baird family when their eight-year-old daughter fell from the deck of a cottage in Northern Michigan. Paige wasn’t breathing and had to be resuscitated. She was taken to Munson Healthcare in Cadillac, where doctors determined Paige broke the C2 vertebrae in her neck and bruised her spinal cord. […]
Mary Free Bed continues impact on rehabilitative care with full accreditation of PM&R Residency
GRAND RAPIDS – Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital’s role as an innovative, academic institution got another boost when it received full accreditation of its Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Residency Program. This opens the door for Mary Free Bed to impact another dimension of rehabilitative care. “Mary Free Bed has been a pioneer in rehabilitation for […]
Muskegon couple fights their battles against pain together, with help from physical therapy
When Kevin and Beverly Battle were married 36 years ago, they took their vows to love each other in sickness and in health very seriously. Beverly was diagnosed with a rare genetic eye disorder that causes loss of vision. Her balance was affected, which led to falls, and she suffered back issues that required surgery. […]
Heather uses discipline, hard work to manage fibromyalgia pain
Heather Galli is passionate about martial arts and the values it teaches. A third-degree black belt, Heather says honor, respect, discipline and hard work are principles she and her husband also instill in their children. Unfortunately, the 48-year-old’s years of training and teaching also took a toll on her body. She was diagnosed in 2018 […]
Mary Free Bed Security Department awarded ‘Program of Distinction’ designation
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The security team responsible for maintaining a safe environment at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital has been recognized for its efforts by the International Association for Healthcare Security and Safety. Mary Free Bed is the second hospital in Michigan to be named a Program of Distinction, an honor awarded by IAHSS […]
Mary Free Bed rises to the ‘Git Up’ challenge
“The Git Up” is sliding its way across the country this summer, and Mary Free Bed has accepted the “two-step then cowboy boogie” challenge. Blanco Brown’s country-infused rap song lassoed the top spot on music charts, while the line-dance ditty ignited a viral dance challenge across social media. From police officers to celebrities to daddy-daughter […]
Becky battles Guillain-Barre Syndrome with support from Mercy Health Muskegon, Mary Free Bed
On Dec. 23, Becky Ray was preparing for her family’s Christmas celebration when she felt tingling and numbness in her toes and fingers. Alarmed, she went to the emergency room at Mercy Health Muskegon’s Hackley campus. Test results were inconclusive, and her symptoms were attributed to anxiety. “I’m a super busy mom-on-the-go,” said Becky, 44. […]
Full Peds Ahead’ initiative betters access to care, creates brighter futures for Mary Free Bed kids
Improving the lives of children and teens with disabilities has been an important part of Mary Free Bed’s mission for more than a century. Recently renamed Mary Free Bed Kids, specialized programs and services continue to evolve with exciting potential. Mary Free Bed is the only inpatient rehabilitation hospital in Michigan with a secure unit […]
Pain Rehabilitation Program opens up ‘a whole new world’ for Gerry
Gerry King suffered with debilitating pain for three years. It became so unbearable, the 75-year-old was unable to care for herself at her Kalamazoo home and began living in a nursing facility. “You get to a point where you think, OK, if I have to be this way for the rest of my life, so […]
Junior Wheelchair Sports Camp: ‘You feel like you belong’
When Sule Christiansen arrived for the fourth time at Junior Wheelchair Sports Camp, she once again felt welcomed. “Everyone is so nice, and it’s a lot of fun,” said Sule, 18, who traveled from Plymouth to Grand Valley State University in Allendale. “You feel like you belong, because there are so many kids just like […]
’Tis the season: Blueberry Cucumber Salsa a superfood summer treat
From our experts: Jessi Holden, MS, RDN, CSOWM, is a registered dietitian at Mary Free Bed. In this blog, she shares how healthy food choices contribute to a healthy lifestyle. It’s blueberry season! Now is the best time of year to get fresh, locally grown blueberries – a fruity superfood we love. Did you know: […]