Mary Free Bed expands patient capacity to support community

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – West Michigan general acute-care hospitals are seeing a significant surge of patients with COVID-19, and Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital officials are adding temporary beds to help reduce the strain. The state has granted approval for the additional beds, and the first 14 are operational. These beds are for patients who […]
Add these healthy recipes to your holiday feast

From our experts: Jessi Holden is a registered dietitian/nutritionist at Mary Free Bed. The holiday season is upon us, and that means celebratory meals filled with traditional dishes. It’s always fun to try something new, though! These three recipes have become favorites in my home, and if you need vegan- or diabetic-friendly ideas or gluten-free […]
Following amputation, Art ‘picks himself up’ with help of Mary Free Bed at Covenant team

Art Bean was running new machinery during a normal day at work when a freak accident changed how the Fairgrove, MI man would do things the rest of his life. “(The machine) came down to rest on my foot between my steel toe and my ankle, and that crushed everything in between,” said Art, whose […]
Mary Free Bed limiting visitors to protect patients, staff and community

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Mary Free Bed is addressing the surge in COVID-19 cases and working to reduce the spread by limiting the number of people coming into our buildings. As always, everyone visiting our main campus in Grand Rapids or any of our outpatient locations will be screened for COVID-19 symptoms or risk factors […]
After car crash, quick access to rehabilitation improved Kim’s recovery

For Kim Laskus, “life was great, life was wonderful, I had no complaints.” Then the 60-year-old Grand Rapids woman was involved in a car crash “and everything changed.” Kim was driving to work on Feb. 19 when the crash occurred. She sustained serious injuries, including a broken neck, hip and femur. Laskus was taken to […]
Mary Free Bed outpatient locations open for rehabilitation care

We’re making it safe and easy to get the care you need at several convenient locations. Would you rather receive virtual services from home? We can do that, too! In-Person Visits You can feel confident coming to see us. We’re following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and State of Michigan guidelines for disinfecting, distancing […]
Mary Free Bed staff, patients do the ‘Time Warp’

To say this year hasn’t been easy or typical is an understatement. The COVID-19 pandemic, social unrest and all those election ads inspired staff in the Mary Free Bed Sub-Acute Rehabilitation Program to say “Let’s ‘Time Warp’ out of 2020.” Based on a song from the 1975 cult classic film “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” staff and patients choreographed a socially distanced and masked performance. The music video features more than two dozen creatively costumed staff members from […]
Al remains ‘hard working and dedicated to his recovery’ from West Nile virus

For information about West Nile virus activity in Michigan and how to protect yourself, visit the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services website. It’s been more than three years since a mosquito bite changed the course of Al Walczak’s life. A small insect infected with the West Nile virus caused Al to develop serious […]
Mary Free Bed partners with Brooks, Madonna rehabilitation hospitals for telehealth research study in response to COVID-19 pandemic

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital is teaming up with two rehabilitation partners to launch a research study that will advance the use of telehealth for rehabilitation during public health crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. The study will obtain vital data and feedback used to shape the future of telehealth for […]
Saginaw man returns home after three months in hospitals fighting complications from COVID-19

Six months ago, John Curtis was a healthy 44-year-old, living life. Then one day, he woke up with a 104-degree temperature. He had COVID-19. John “has been through a lot,” said Dr. Ralph Wang, a physiatrist at Mary Free Bed who oversaw his rehabilitation care. The Saginaw man graduated Sept. 30 from Mary Free Bed […]
National association honors Mary Free Bed CEO with Leadership Award

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The American Medical Rehabilitation Providers Association (AMRPA) has recognized Kent Riddle, president and CEO of Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital, with the AMRPA National Leadership Excellence Award. The announcement was made Oct. 8 at AMPRA’s virtual Fall Educational Conference and Expo, where the medical rehabilitation industry celebrates excellence in the field. […]
Broaden your palette with Hispanic cuisine

From our experts: Jessi Holden is a registered dietitian/nutritionist at Mary Free Bed. Do you ever get in a cooking rut and tire of making the same ol’ meals for dinner? You’re not alone! Instead of diving into the abyss of Pinterest for recipes, narrow your search by focusing on a different culture’s cuisine. Hispanic […]
Energize your morning with these grab-and-go ideas for a healthy breakfast

Breakfast is an important meal. It provides our body with the energy it needs to start the day off with a fueled-up tank. When you balance your energy intake throughout the day, including that morning fuel, you’re less likely to overeat later. When we eat little to nothing for breakfast and a light lunch, we […]
Nearly 2,000 ‘Notes of Hope’ lifts spirits during pandemic

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit West Michigan earlier this year, we thought “Notes of Hope” would be a simple way for the community to help restore hope to patients already facing challenging circumstances due to an injury or illness. We knew West Michigan residents would open their hearts to help patients who couldn’t have family […]
Sales from Grand Rapids photographer’s new book to benefit Mary Free Bed Kids

Brian Kelly’s new passion project exemplifying his love for the city of Grand Rapids will help two local organizations near and dear to his heart. The popular Grand Rapids photographer is publishing a book of aerial photographs offering a unique perspective of the city. “AERIAL: Grand Rapids from Above” is a 100-page coffee table book […]
Mary Free Bed ranked Top Rehabilitation Center in Michigan by Newsweek

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Newsweek officials today announced their first ranking of rehabilitation organizations, and Mary Free Bed tops the list in Michigan for 2020. The ratings are based on quality of care, service and follow-up care in addition to accommodations and amenities. Newsweek partnered with global market research firm Statista Inc. to rank […]
Mary Free Bed names Chief Operating Officer

Mary Free Bed’s new Chief Operating Officer has more than 30 years of health care experience. Ingrid Cheslek joined Mary Free Bed in 2015 as the Chief Nursing Officer and in 2016 was also named Chief Clinical Operations Officer. The first woman to serve as COO at Mary Free Bed, Cheslek oversees all aspects of […]
Gary battles debilitating effects of West Nile virus with intensive rehabilitation

It took 65 days in three different hospitals before Gary Shepherd was able to return to the two things he loves most: his family and his farm. Gary’s from Onaway, a small town in northern Michigan where he owns Bonz Beach Farms. He grows fresh produce, makes maple syrup and honey, and cares for egg-laying chickens. During an off-season trip to Arizona In November 2019 with his father, everything changed. “I was running along, 10 […]
Guild awards scholarships for 2020-21 school year

The Mary Free Bed Guild has awarded 18 students a total of $80,000 in scholarships for their academic achievements. The Guild established the Minority Scholarship Program in 2006 to help students pursuing degrees in neuropsychology, nursing, orthotics, prosthetics and rehabilitation therapy programs. The Disability Scholarship Program began in 2013 for students with physical disabilities related to a brain injury, spinal cord […]
Campers enjoy Junior Wheelchair Sports Field Day

Twenty-five campers are having a ball this week at Junior Wheelchair Sports Field Day, a smaller version of Mary Free Bed Wheelchair & Adaptive Sports’ annual weeklong camp for kids with disabilities. That event, held the past 35 years, was canceled for safety reasons due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “It was very important to us […]
Mary Free Bed psychologist publishes book to help manage chronic pain

Dr. Evan Parks can now add “book author” to his list of contributions to help people understand and manage their pain. After its July 28 release, “Chronic Pain Rehabilitation: Active Pain Management that Helps You Get Back to the Life You Love” rose to the top of the self-help and stress management categories on Amazon. […]
ShenaLi continues progress after surgery with Virtual Services therapy sessions

Since the COVID-19 pandemic began early last spring, Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital has taken measures to protect the health and safety of patients, employees and the community. Those measures include offering Virtual Services to help adults and children maintain their therapy progress in the comfort and safety of home, like ShenaLi Chien. The 12-year-old […]
Mary Free Bed develops breathing therapy techniques for COVID-19 recovery

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Mary Free Bed clinicians have expanded their ReCOVery℠ Program for patients with COVID-19 who need inpatient rehabilitation and for those who can fight symptoms at home with the help of outpatient services. The comprehensive program includes new respiratory techniques and protocols that help those battling this beast of a virus. Developed […]
Mary Free Bed’s Research team creates care packages to alleviate pandemic’s effect on people with spinal cord injuries

Mary Free Bed is helping to relieve the stress faced by current and former patients with spinal cord injuries during the COVID-19 pandemic, thanks to a $10,000 emergency support grant from the Craig H. Neilsen Foundation. Using these funds, the hospital’s John F. Butzer Center for Research & Innovation created care packages for 40 members […]
New doctors begin rehabilitation-focused residency at Mary Free Bed

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Four physicians committed to excellence in rehabilitation and helping people rebuild their lives have begun post-graduate training in Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital’s Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Residency. They were selected from an applicant pool of more than 300 candidates. The Class of 2023 begins the rigorous three-year program just a […]
Mary Free Bed alum Mike Ballard sets sights on 2021 Paralympics
Mike Ballard was living the dream in 2014. The Gladwin, Michigan native had moved to the luxurious city of Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates for a teaching job and played club rugby for the Abu Dhabi Harlequins. The Harlequins made it to the finals of the West Asia Cup, an accomplishment that alone […]
Mary Free Bed graduates first class of PM&R residents

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Four physicians who came to Mary Free Bed from across the country will graduate Saturday in the inaugural class of the hospital’s Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Residency. The rigorous post-graduate program provides clinical, educational and research opportunities in all areas of PM&R, including amputation, brain injury, cancer, pediatrics, stroke and […]
The beat goes on for The Ghost Inside drummer seriously injured in 2015 crash

When Andrew Tkaczyk wrote a guest blog in 2016 about his recovery after a devastating traffic crash, the drummer for The Ghost Inside was very clear. “I have no doubt I’ll get back to doing what I love,” he wrote. “That’s still a while away, but I’m very confident it will happen. Very confident.” It’s […]
Mitch Albom embraces Mary Free Bed Kids staff for care of young family friend

Bestselling author, longtime Detroit Free Press columnist and philanthropist Mitch Albom sent a “long-distance hug” to Mary Free Bed employees for taking care of someone special to him and for doing “really important, amazing work.” Albom shared his sentiments in a video message for helping a young girl during her recent inpatient stay. Albom is […]
Rockford class shares final art project with Mary Free Bed

Students in Barb Kent’s Advanced 2D Art class at Rockford High School turned their final project of the school year into one they wanted to share with Mary Free Bed staff and patients. “Postcards from a Time We Will Never Forget” features more than 30 mixed media postcards with uplifting themes and messages of support for essential workers. “We hope these show support […]