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Cancer + Wellness series: Episode 4 – Meet Michele Fife

Ayurvedic yoga therapist and nutritionist Michele Fife is an instructor with the Mary Free Bed Cancer + Wellness Program. She was drawn to the innovative program because of her passion for positively impacting people’s lives. “I’m very much a fixer person, a helper person,” Michele says. “I love to help people. I like to be of use. I like […]

Brian bonds with team at Mary Free Bed at Sparrow

Brian Byelich needed 4 months of rehabilitation after undergoing surgery to remove a brain tumor. Knowing he had the right to choose where he received his care, he asked for Mary Free Bed at Sparrow. This decision also meant he could be close to his wife, Jessie, and their two kids – a crucial factor in […]

Cancer + Wellness series: Episode 3 – Meet Brooke DeBeck

Registered dietitian Brooke DeBeck serves as an instructor with the Mary Free Bed Cancer + Wellness Program, which provides holistic education for people at all stages of their cancer journey; newly diagnosed, in treatment and post treatment. Brooke encourages people to learn more about the relationship between diet and cancer, and other health concerns. “It’s not really one […]

Little Abby decides to “give back” to MFB Pediatric Patients

Guest Blog by Shannon Almassian (Abby Almassian’s mother) Abby’s birthday theme was “Giving is Good.” She decided to donate to Mary Free Bed because she wanted the kids (in the inpatient pediatric program) to know other kids care and hope they would feel what comfort a stuffed animal can bring. She and her friends picked […]

Munson Medical Center joins Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Network

Grand Rapids, Mich. – Munson Medical Center and Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital have signed an agreement that supports improving the quality of care for patients and enhancing rehabilitation services at Munson Medical Center. This agreement brings Munson Medical Center into the Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Network, an innovative alliance of hospitals and providers throughout […]

Wheelchair & Adaptive Sports Program named as beneficiary of Sports Legacy Fund

The Mary Free Bed Wheelchair & Adaptive Sports Program (WAS) has been named as the beneficiary of the National Association of Sports Commissions’ (NASC) Sports Legacy Fund in 2016. WAS has previously worked with the West Michigan Sports Commission (WMSC), a member of NASC. Grand Rapids will host the 24th NASC Sports Event Symposium April 3-7, 2016. […]

Cancer + Wellness series: Episode 2 – Meet Wendy Borden

Wendy Borden, Executive Director of the Revive and Thrive Project, serves as an instructor with the Mary Free Bed Cancer + Wellness Program. Through the program, Wendy provides holistic education for people at all stages of their cancer journey; newly diagnosed, in treatment and post treatment. “I have a unique perspective on the program, because I […]

Marty makes strides – and plenty of friends – at Mary Free Bed at Sparrow

It’s been a long road to recovery for Marty McDougall, who, for more than year, has been coping with the effects of a fall she sustained in May 2014. Every day, with help from her team at Mary Free Bed at Sparrow, Marty is improving her mobility and strength. She says she “clicked” immediately with her […]

Celebrating National Smile Week at Mary Free Bed

smile week

A friendly smile is a popular accessory at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital, where we value compassion, warmth and a good sense of humor. In honor of National Smile Week, celebrated annually during the second week of August, here are a few Mary Free Bed patients and staff showing off their happy mugs in the hospital and […]

Ryan Podvin continues to thrive at Mary Free Bed as an employee after diving accident

Summer is a time for fun and recreation, but it’s also known as trauma season. Unfortunately, accidents can occur during every day, familiar activities, like swimming, diving and playing sports. Ryan Podvin, an experienced swimmer, suffered a spinal cord injury after barely nicking his chin in a diving accident in Lake Michigan. Five years later […]

Cancer + Wellness series: Episode 1 – Meet Surfer Mick

Mick Von Doxatater, aka “Surfer Mick,” is a surfer, chef and world traveler with a holistic approach to food and its healing potential. “The same foods that build you up and keep you strong are the same foods that will restore you when you get hit with a life-threatening illness, or when you’re coming back […]

Join the Movement & support Mary Free Bed’s expansion & renovation

Mary Free Bed officials and community leaders/philanthropists joined together on Tuesday, Aug. 4, to announce the launch of the public phase of a capital campaign to support a $66.4 million expansion and renovation project. The project will provide leading-edge rehabilitation care and services to the West Michigan community and well beyond. Read more about Tuesday’s press conference […]

Lakeland Health joins Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Network

Grand Rapids, Mich. – Lakeland Health and Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital have aligned to enhance rehabilitation care for patients in southwest Michigan. Lakeland has joined the Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Network, an innovative alliance of hospitals and providers throughout Michigan. The network was established in 2011 to extend Mary Free Bed’s expertise as one of the leading rehabilitation […]

Tom and Andrea Yared honor their son’s memory

Research conducted by Mary Free Bed physical therapists Kirk Randall and Jennifer McWain has led to a groundbreaking discovery—and helped solidify a substantial donation from Tom and Andrea Yared in memory of their son, John. John Yared, a patient with brain cancer, worked with Kirk and Jenn on balance issues caused by chemotherapy-induced numbness in his […]

Kids enjoy success, teamwork at Mary Free Bed Junior Wheelchair Sports Camp

Campers, parents, staff and volunteers on Friday afternoon celebrated the conclusion to another successful Mary Free Bed Jr. Wheelchair Sports Camp. The free annual weeklong event, hosted at Grand Valley State University, offers kids of all ability levels and ages the opportunity to participate in 10 adaptive sports, ranging from kayaking and disc golf, to sled […]

5 health benefits of weight loss & management

Whether your weight loss goal is 20 pounds or 100 pounds, studies have shown that even a small reduction in weight, such as 5-10%, is likely to yield improvements in your health. Below, Kim Meeuwsen, Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist with the Mary Free Bed Weight Management Program, offers 5 health benefits to losing weight and maintaining a healthy […]

Teens raise money for limb difference program

Recent Hudsonville High School graduate Bailey Gulch was all smiles when she handed a white envelope to Mary Free Bed Annual Fund Director Jocelyn Dettloff. It contained checks totaling $1,000, all made payable to Mary Free Bed. During her last semester of high school, 17-year-old Bailey spearheaded a fundraiser to help with the cost of […]

Mary Free Bed alum finds inspiration 12,000 feet above ground

Buddy Gargus, 50, has long been an adrenaline junkie. A paralyzing spinal cord injury, sustained in a July 2010 diving accident, didn’t diminish his bold spirit. Post-accident, Buddy spent two months in rehabilitation at Mary Free Bed where he focused on maximizing his strength and mobility. “Mary Free Bed for me was a wonderful experience,” Buddy […]

2015 Midwest Wheelchair Tennis Championships recap

Guest blog by Erin Fouty, Tournament Director of the 2015 Midwest Wheelchair Championships, and Alicia Hass, Coordinator, Mary Free Bed Wheelchair & Adaptive Sports The beautiful facilities at MVP-Crahen were once again host to the Midwest Wheelchair Tennis Championships held July 10-12, 2015. Nearly 80 athletes from around the world traveled to Grand Rapids, Mich., to participate in all […]

Music is medicine’ at mini music fest for patients [Video]

Creativity, teamwork and initiative recently helped a music-loving patient experience a bit of the summer festival life she’s been missing while at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital. When physical therapy assistant Diane Capen discovered that inpatient Angelique Scott was bummed about not being able to attend live musical performances this summer, Diane asked her daughter […]

Growing network improves access across state

The Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Network extends the reach of Mary Free Bed’s services and expertise far beyond Grand Rapids. The recent expansion of Mary Free Bed at Sparrow in Lansing is just one example of how Mary Free Bed’s reputation and name are growing statewide. Learn more about the Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Network by […]

It’s a girl! Recreational therapist helps father-to-be attend ultrasound

Marcus Fairfield, 27, didn’t think he’d get to attend the 18-week ultrasound for his first child. With a bit of creativity, teamwork and careful planning by Mary Free Bed Recreational Therapist Kaitlin Salowitz, Marcus was able to be in the room when he and his girlfriend, Liz, learned they would become parents to a baby girl this November. Kaitlin […]

Pre-wedding teamwork gets mom on her feet

Even though she’s been paralyzed from the waist down for more than 3 decades, Pat Shipley was able to “walk” her daughter, Lindsey Eickhoff, down the aisle thanks to the generosity of Mary Free Bed staff, patients and vendors. “It was the first time I really got to hug my mom standing up,” Lindsey says. For […]

Don’t take a vacation from weight management

weight management

For many, summer is the time to hit the road for family vacation. Below, Kim Meeuwsen, Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist with the Mary Free Bed Weight Management Program, offers 5 tips to help you and your family keep active, eat healthy and stay on track while on the road: Load up on healthy car snacks! Try packing […]

MFB’s Jocelyn Dettloff feels the ‘need for speed’ at Berlin Raceway

Jocelyn Dettloff, Annual Fund Director for the Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation, isn’t one to shy away from a high-adrenaline adventure. When Jocelyn — who in 1997 was paralyzed in a sand sledding accident in Namibia, Africa — was recently given the chance to drive a race car on the Berlin Raceway, she embraced the […]

Have fun in the sun with these summer safety tips

Summer means the long-awaited return of time-honored activities, like weekend trips to the lake, family bike rides and other outdoor adventures. Unfortunately, the end of the school year also signals the start of trauma season, a period when medical facilities and physicians see a rise in serious and fatal unintentional injuries involving everything from motorcycle and lawn mowers to swimming […]

Mary Free Bed names Chief Nursing Officer

Grand Rapids, Mich. – Nursing executive Ingrid Cheslek has joined Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital as Chief Nursing Officer. Cheslek spent more than three decades at Metro Health Hospital in Wyoming, Mich., serving in a number of capacities, most recently as Vice President of Patient Services/Chief Nursing Officer. “We’re impressed with Ingrid’s track record of career accomplishments, […]

Leading-edge technology helps patients & therapists ‘use every tool in the box’ [Video]

Technology is a vital part of the rehabilitation process at Mary Free Bed. Care team members like occupational therapist Jennifer Mazurkiewicz routinely use leading-edge equipment to help patients regain as much function and independence as possible. The RT300 Arm Cycle, for instance, uses “smart stimulation” to help strengthen and improve muscles affected by injury or illness. Jennifer recently used […]

Taking on tennis after a 20-year break

As a teenager, Steve Draft-Peppin played wheelchair tennis at Riverview Athletic Club in Grand Rapids. And he was pretty good, finishing at or near the top in his singles and doubles divisions in 1992. But a few years later, Steve left wheelchair tennis behind in favor of other pursuits. Then there was college and career […]