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 […]
Supporters raise over $300,000 for Betty Bloomer Ford Cancer Rehabilitation Program
When Kyle Bianco and Linda DeKock talked about their battles with cancer and their hopes for the future, there wasn’t a dry eye in the room. The Mary Free Bed graduates shared their stories of rehabilitation in a video viewed by more than 600 supporters at the Mary Free Bed Foundation’s annual gala. And supporters […]
Griff’s Sled Hockey Classic draws 200+ athletes with disabilities to Grand Rapids
Twenty-two teams from seven states will hit the ice this weekend for Griff’s Sled Hockey Classic, the region’s largest tournament of its kind. Hosted by Mary Free Bed Wheelchair and Adaptive Sports and the Grand Rapids Griffins Youth Foundation, the tournament also serves as the league championship. When: Friday, March 18 through Sunday, March 20 […]
‘Thrive’ gala to benefit Cancer Rehabilitation Program
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Mary Free Bed Foundation’s annual fundraising gala, “Thrive,” is back and in person. After going virtual in 2020 and a postponement in 2021, the eighth annual event will be held March 12 at the JW Marriott in downtown Grand Rapids. This year, proceeds will benefit Mary Free Bed’s Betty Bloomer […]
Try out a World of Flavors this National Nutrition Month
From our experts: Jessi Holden is a registered dietitian/nutritionist at Mary Free Bed. Happy National Nutrition Month 2022! Every year, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics chooses a theme to spread the word about the benefits of living a healthy, nutritious and balanced life. The theme for 2022 is “Celebrate a World of Flavors.” Enjoying […]
Cancer Rehabilitation at Mary Free Bed: Meet Kyle & Linda
Brothers’ bond stronger than ever a year after sledding accident
On a beautiful winter’s day a year ago, Jaden and Jurian Shaffer were excited by the new fallen snow, eager to go sledding with friends. But a tragic twist of fate changed their lives forever. The boys were being pulled behind a snowmobile when their sled struck a tree. Jurian, 13 at the time, broke […]
Young plane crash survivor shares her rehabilitation journey
Laney Perdue, the sole survivor of a plane crash in northern Michigan last year, is telling her emotional story to a national audience. On Nov. 13, the 11-year-old and her father, Mike, were flying to Beaver Island – her family’s favorite vacation spot – when the commuter plane crashed, killing everyone on board except, miraculously, […]
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 […]
Wheelchair basketball tournament returns to Grand Rapids after nearly two years
About 70 athletes from across the country will compete this weekend in the Mary Free Bed Invitational Wheelchair Basketball Tournament. For many of the teams, the event marks the first return to tournament play since the COVID-19 pandemic forced cancellations almost two years ago. Seven teams from two competitive divisions are scheduled to compete, including […]
Mom loses 115 pounds with help from Sports Performance, runs NYC Marathon
Liz Fanco wasn’t a runner for the first 38 years of her life, and she’s been considered obese or morbidly obese since high school. Inspired by her eight kids, Liz decided to try running with her family to support World Vision and raise funds to help people access clean water. For three years she tried […]
‘Alexa, open Mary Free Bed’: Five simple words provide access to rehabilitation expertise
Grand Rapids, Mich. – With the first-ever Alexa Skill developed by a rehabilitative health care organization, people across the country can get help from Mary Free Bed experts with a simple voice command. Would you like a list and description of outpatient services? Say “Services.” Concerned about an injury or pain in a specific area […]
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 […]
Healthy holiday eating: Apple and Butternut Squash Soup
From our experts: Jessi Holden is a registered dietitian/nutritionist at Mary Free Bed. Have you ever pulled out a recipe for a holiday but felt like you shouldn’t make it because it’s “not healthy?” Well, I’ve got some tips for enjoying your favorite holiday foods without the worry or guilt! Remember that our health is […]
Mary Free Bed prosthetists restore hope and freedom globally
Thanks to a donation from the Mary Free Bed Guild, hope and freedom has been restored in another part of the globe. Three members of Mary Free Bed’s Orthotics & Prosthetics + Bionics team traveled to Zacapa, Guatemala to help people with amputations and limb differences maximize their mobility. Benjamin Hogan, Maria Lesniak and Jim […]
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 […]
Wheelchair, handcycle racers return for Amway River Bank Run
Grand Rapids, Mich. – After cancellation of the in-person race in 2020 and postponement of the 2021 event from May to October, racers are excited and ready for the 44th Amway River Bank Run. Over two dozen wheelchair and handcycle athletes from across the United States will compete on Saturday. The River Bank Run is […]
Rec Therapy, Wheelchair & Adaptive Sports manager Maria Besta honored with Community Service Award
Disability advocate Maria Besta’s efforts to strengthen opportunities for people with disabilities have been recognized with the 2021 Community Service Award by the Grand Rapids Chapter of American Business Clubs. Besta, who manages Mary Free Bed’s Recreational Therapy department and Wheelchair and Adaptive Sports Program, accepted the award this week in front of her family, […]
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 […]
Well-known athlete, motivational speaker Johnny Agar giving back to Mary Free Bed
Grand Rapids, Mich. – Johnny Agar has cerebral palsy, but he’s never let it define him. The 27-year-old Rockford man is an Ironman athlete admired by Olympians and professional athletes, a brand ambassador, motivational speaker and, now, an author. He’s also a Mary Free Bed graduate. In his new book “The Impossible Mile,” which he […]
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 […]
Grant helps Mary Free Bed pediatric patients feel more at home
Grand Rapids, Mich. – Little things can make a big difference for hospitalized kids and their families. Mary Free Bed Kids, the rehabilitation hospital’s pediatric unit, is ensuring patients of color have what they need to feel supported and comfortable during their stay. Thanks to a grant from the Mary Free Bed Guild Foundation, participating […]
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 […]
Team mindset helps Matthew overcome amputation, stroke and COVID-19
A few months ago, Matthew Stallman didn’t believe he’d be able to enjoy doing things he loved ever again. But with a little help and a lot of determination, Matthew set a goal to compete in a 5K and reached it far sooner than he thought possible. The 43-year-old Traverse City man developed a bone […]
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 […]
Ms. Wheelchair America competition kicks off
Grand Rapids, MI – It’s back! Ms. Wheelchair America resumes this week after the COVID-19 pandemic forced its cancellation in 2020. The competition celebrates the advocacy efforts, abilities and accomplishments of 30 women from across the country who use wheelchairs for mobility. The 50th annual event, which culminates Saturday, is presented by Mary Free Bed […]
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 […]