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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 […]

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 […]

With a little help from Mary Free Bed, Inkster couple battles back from COVID-19

When Charlunda and David Thompson celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary in June, the Inkster couple will mark “a new beginning.” “Together, we’re stronger,” Charlunda said. The Thompsons are beginning the next phase in their journey of recovery from COVID-19, the novel coronavirus that’s sickened millions of people worldwide and killed thousands. Charlunda, 45, a hospice […]

Mask fabrication added to list of creative skills on Custom Seating and Assistive Tech team

Mary Free Bed’s Custom Seating and Assistive Technology team is a creative bunch that finds solutions to life’s everyday challenges. From customized seating fabrication to tools that help patients complete tasks, there are few needs these therapists and tech experts can’t meet.  So when the need arose to protect Mary Free Bed patients, visitors and staff members during the COVID-19 pandemic, they rose to the challenge.  “Once we heard of the […]

Cindy marks her recovery a year after crash with video thanking doctors

Cindy Broekhuizen recently celebrated a milestone and wanted to mark the occasion with her doctors and team at Mary Free Bed. But with the COVID-19 pandemic cutting off visitation to the hospital, Cindy created a video to show her appreciation instead. She and her husband, Barry, agreed to let us share it with everyone. Cindy […]

Don Force celebrates his birthday and his recovery from COVID-19 by going home

“Going home on my birthday is the best gift ever,” said Don, who was hospitalized since March 29, battling COVID-19. After a month away, Don discharged from Mary Free Bed’s ReCOVery Unit and headed home to Howard City. He’s the first patient with COVID-19 admitted to the new unit for those who need intensive rehabilitation […]

Mary Free Bed Kids physical therapist donates masks in fight against COVID-19

When Kate Rustem heard area hospitals were accepting donations of homemade masks, she tapped into her crafting skills and a stash of fabric remnants. A physical therapist on the Mary Free Bed Kids outpatient team who’s on temporary leave, Kate created nearly 50 masks while also caring for her young niece and nephew when her […]

Portage woman with COVID-19 is first graduate of Mary Free Bed’s ReCOVery™ Unit

Nancy Blodgett came to Mary Free Bed for rehabilitation after spending nine days on a ventilator, fighting for her life. A week later and much stronger, she became the first graduate of the hospital’s ReCOVery™ Unit for COVID-19 survivors. “It will be a new normal, but I’m OK with that,” the 55-year-old Portage resident said. […]

‘Team Lorraine’ cheers on family matriarch recovering at Mary Free Bed

Lorraine Micketti has been a patient in Mary Free Bed’s Sub-Acute Rehabilitation Unit since April 2. Unable to have visitors because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 91-year-old Rogers City resident was missing her family. So, her care manager, Emily Bialecki, helped arrange a surprise. On a recent afternoon, Emily brought Lorraine from her room on the fifth floor downstairs for a different view outside. When […]

Update: West Michigan responds to call for masks and equipment

West Michigan residents and organizations are opening their hearts to Mary Free Bed during the COVID-19 pandemic, and we are grateful. Thanks to generous gifts to the Mary Free Bed Foundation’s COVID-19 Relief Fund, 30 iPads have been purchased to connect patients with their loved ones, health care providers, spiritual leaders and interpreters for those […]

Mary Free Bed opens ReCOVery Unit for COVID-19 patients

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – There is a new rehabilitation program at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital for patients recovering from COVID-19. The dedicated “ReCOVery Unit” is serving patients who need intensive rehabilitation but still test positive for the virus. Whether COVID-19 is a primary or secondary diagnosis, these patients are focused on one thing: safely […]

Mary Free Bed opens ReCOVery Unit for COVID-19 patients

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – There is a new rehabilitation program at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital for patients recovering from COVID-19. The dedicated “ReCOVery Unit” is serving patients who need intensive rehabilitation but still test positive for the virus. Whether COVID-19 is a primary or secondary diagnosis, these patients are focused on one thing: safely […]

Taking care of ourselves means staying connected with those we love

From our experts: Maggie Travin is a psychologist at Mary Free Bed. In times of confusion, fear or panic, the most natural thing to do may be to lean in — both physically and figuratively — to those you love. There are few things more comforting than a warm embrace from a family member. However, […]

Co-workers who both had strokes reunite during rehabilitation

Mary Free Bed may not seem an obvious choice of location for a reunion of friends, but two co-workers found themselves going through rehabilitation together. Ricky Belton was getting ready for work at Ranir on March 16 when he started having balance issues. He went to work anyway, but his condition grew worse. Co-workers took […]

Give yourself a break: Keep meals simple during COVID-19 stay-at-home mandate

From our experts: Jessi Holden is a registered dietitian/nutritionist at Mary Free Bed. I’ve seen so many posts from social media “influencers” dishing out health and nutrition advice, and pushing us to “use our time at home wisely” during the COVID-19 pandemic. As a registered dietitian and health care professional, I’m qualified to provide advice […]

Sub-Acute Rehabilitation patients unable to have visitors share messages of hope

Some are notes to loved ones. “Miss and love you” to David and Ginger. “Love you all” to Patty, Aaron and Jenny. “Hey kids! Love and miss you! Love, Dad.” Others are messages of encouragement for the community. “Keep the faith!” “We rise by lifting others.” “Choose happiness.” They’re all words of hope to anyone […]

COVID-19: Protecting our patients, staff and community

Updated: Nov. 13, 2020 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 […]

Mary Free Bed Shares Expertise Nationally With Launch of Advisory Group

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – During the past 129 years, Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan has earned a reputation for outstanding clinical outcomes, superior patient satisfaction and reasonable rates. Because there’ve been regular requests for information and advice, hospital officials decided to create the Mary Free Bed Advisory Group. A division of […]

Mary Free Bed Shares Expertise Nationally With Launch of Advisory Group

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – During the past 129 years, Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan has earned a reputation for outstanding clinical outcomes, superior patient satisfaction and reasonable rates. Because there’ve been regular requests for information and advice, hospital officials decided to create the Mary Free Bed Advisory Group. A division of […]