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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 […]

Junior Wheelchair Sports Camp is back in action

ALLENDALE, Mich. – After a year off due to COVID-19, campers are back and ready to play. Over 40 kids with disabilities are attending Mary Free Bed’s Junior Wheelchair Sports Camp. All week, participants from the ages of 7 – 18 will try sports such as lacrosse, kayaking and sled hockey and will make friends […]

Ms. Wheelchair America makes a comeback

Grand Rapids, MI – Thirty contestants from across the country are grateful to participate in this year’s 50th Annual Ms. Wheelchair America competition. Last year, the COVID-19 pandemic forced its cancellation, and it seemed history might repeat itself again. Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital leaders couldn’t let that happen. The two organizations combined forces to […]

COVID-19: Protecting our patients, staff and community

Updated: July 17, 2021 Mary Free Bed’s priority is the safety of our patients, staff and community. Our experts are working diligently to protect everyone’s health through enhanced protocols and added resources. These measures follow national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines and State of Michigan mandates due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Mary Free […]

Wheelchair Tennis Tournament Returns to Grand Rapids

Over 40 wheelchair tennis athletes are competing in Grand Rapids at the 2021 Midwest Wheelchair Tennis Championship. This tournament, presented by Mary Free Bed Wheelchair and Adaptive Sports, is highly competitive and features athletes with great stories of all levels of experience from Paralympians to hometown heroes. When: Tournament play begins at 9:00am Friday, July […]

Cousins encourage each other during recovery from strokes

Ruben Sauceda and his cousin, Heriberto (Joe), are both in their early 60s and have spent much of their lives together in the Holland area. “Joe and I grew up together. We went to school together. We did a lot of things together,” Ruben said. “Then, we had strokes together.” Ruben was at his job […]

Kevin celebrates son’s graduation after his own from rehabilitation

Kevin Grubbs survived COVID-19, an aortic aneurysm and three strokes, and with the help of rehabilitation at Mary Free Bed, Father’s Day was a special one for the Kalamazoo father of five. Last spring, the 52-year-old truck driver developed a cough that led to a COVID-19 diagnosis. During a chest x-ray, medical staff discovered Kevin […]

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 […]

Spinal cord injury doesn’t stop Michigan student

Hailey Naugle is a vibrant young woman who dreams of a career caring for others. An unfortunate accident gave the 19-year-old University of Michigan student a new perspective about what that means. “This experience will help her tremendously,” said Dr. Sam Ho, a physician who specializes in physical medicine and rehabilitation. “Because when you go […]

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 reopens ReCOVery℠ Unit due to increase in COVID-19 cases

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The ReCOVery℠ Unit at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital is operational for the third time in response to a significant surge of patients with COVID-19 in West Michigan hospitals. The dedicated unit is for patients who need intensive inpatient rehabilitation and have recently tested positive for COVID-19. The 11-bed ReCOVery℠ Unit […]

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 […]

Try these tips for meal planning on a budget

From our experts: Jessi Holden is a registered dietitian/nutritionist at Mary Free Bed. From panic-buying groceries amid pandemic fears to ordering takeout to support local restaurants, our budgets have felt the brunt. It’s time for a refresher on budget-friendly meal-planning success. If the following five tips feel like an overwhelming amount of “to-do’s,” then pick […]

Hit by car, Bek makes amazing progress after traumatic brain injury

Rehabilitation is a vital part of recovery after a brain injury. Research shows people with brain injuries experience better outcomes the sooner rehabilitation begins. Rebekah Caudle’s journey is testament to that. Bek and her boyfriend were involved in a New Year’s Day crash on a highway north of Ann Arbor. When she got out of […]

Holland Community Aquatic Center will include Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation

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 […]

Playground supports therapy disguised as play for children of all abilities

When Mary’s Therapy Playground was created in 2018, the outdoor space provided a fun, healing space for our youngest patients to grow. Three years later, the playground has grown, too! The growth occurred as part of Mary Free Bed’s decision to build its own kitchen to better serve the nutritional needs of patients. Construction of […]

Rachel reunites with family after COVID-19 fight

Freeland resident Rachel Lijewski was diagnosed with COVID-19 in October. When her symptoms became severe, Rachel was admitted to Mary Free Bed at Covenant HealthCare, where she spent nearly a month on a ventilator. Her husband, Zac, nine-year-old stepdaughter, Paytin, and 10-month-old daughter, Taylor, motivated Rachel to work toward recovery. With the help of her Mary […]

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 […]