Posted on September 13, 2016
Three physiatrists join Mary Free Bed Medical Group
Grand Rapids, Mich. — Mary Free Bed Medical Group is pleased to announce the addition of three physiatrists to its team of rehabilitation specialists: Dr. Elizabeth Spaulding, Dr. Colleen Sullivan and Dr. Michael Wheaton.
“The Mary Free Bed Medical Group is thrilled that these talented physicians have joined what has become one of the most comprehensive rehabilitation systems in the nation,” said Dr. Michael Jakubowski, chief medical officer of Mary Free Bed. “We look forward to the additional expertise of Drs. Spaulding, Sullivan and Wheaton in providing yet further depth to our programs, which aim to preserve, protect and defend the functional life of this community.”
Dr. Elizabeth Spaulding joined the Mary Free Bed family on Aug. 1. She is a graduate of the University of Kansas Medical School and completed her residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago – Northwestern University. She subsequently did an Internal Medicine residency at University of Nevada – Reno, and is board-certified in both specialties. After working in rehabilitation for several years, Dr. Spaulding utilized her multi-dimensional expertise as an emergency room physician, most recently at South Haven Community Hospital. She is on the inpatient cardiopulmonary rehabilitation team at Mary Free Bed and also will provide PM&R consultation at area hospitals. Dr. Spaulding’s husband, Tim, is one of the expert physical therapists on Mary Free Bed’s stroke rehabilitation team.
Dr. Colleen Sullivan, who joined Mary Free Bed on Aug. 15, works with Mary Free Bed’s Spine and Women’s Health programs and in the outpatient clinic. Dr. Sullivan is a graduate of Wayne State University School of Medicine and completed her residency in PM&R at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, where she served as Chief Resident. Dr. Sullivan, who is proficient in German, also is a registered yoga teacher.
Dr. Michael Wheaton started with the Mary Free Bed Medical Group on Sept. 6. Dr. Wheaton will be working in inpatient programs and in the outpatient clinic with medically complex and spinal cord injury patients. He is a graduate of Northeast Ohio Medical University and completedhis residency in PM&R at the University of Michigan Health System, where he served as Chief Resident. Dr. Wheaton also completed a Spinal Cord Injury Fellowship in 2014 from the University of Michigan Health System. Dr. Wheaton was an assistant professor on the faculty at University of Michigan Medical School, where he served as co-director of the Adult and Pediatric Brachial Plexus and Peripheral Nerve Program, co-director of the Adult MDA Clinic and faculty lead for the “Initial Clinical Experience” first-year medical school curriculum.
Mary Free Bed is a not-for-profit, nationally accredited, rehabilitation hospital and the only one in the region with a program designated exclusively for children and teenagers. For 125 years, Mary Free Bed has restored hope and freedom through rehabilitation for children and adults who have experienced brain injuries, strokes, spinal cord injuries, multiple traumas, amputations, cancer and other diagnoses. The combination of comprehensive services and an exclusive focus on rehabilitation enables specialty physicians and staff to help patients achieve outstanding clinical results. For additional information, visit maryfreebed.com.
