Can Do! Fall 2012

CAN DO!

News from Magee Rehabilitation hospital fALL 2012

STEPPING OUT WITH EKSO It’s powerful, adaptable and unstoppable – and it’s the latest in Magee’s arsenal of rehabilitative technology

Meet Our Newest Team Member: Ford, the Golden Retriever Finding Common Ground with Magee’s Peer Mentors Art Therapy Gets a Spotlight at the Philadelphia Museum of Art

Cover Story: Ekso, a wearable exoskeleton that enables people with paralysis or weakness in their legs to stand and walk, has arrived at Magee— and it’s already making some serious waves. Cover photo courtesy of Ekso Bionics http://eksobionics.com

Table of Contents CAN DO! FALL 2012

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Kimberly shrack, ms Public relations & social media manager 1513 race street Philadelphia, PA 19102-1177 Phone 215.587.3363 mageerehab.org Please write to us at the address above if you wish to have your name removed from the list to receive CanDo! or future fundraising requests to support Magee Rehabilitation Hospital.

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CHECKING IN… Catching up with former patients michelle Konkoly and Philip Grosser

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MAGEE HIGHLIGHTS U.S. News & World Report rankings, an introduction to the facility Dog Program, new technology and more great things happening at magee

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WALKING THE WALK: STEPPING OUT WITH EKSO How small steps with this wearable exoskeleton mean a giant leap for magee patients

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COMMON GROUND: A LOOK INTO MAGEE’S PEER MENTOR PROGRAMS magee’s peer mentors connect with patients and their families to show them that there is life after injury

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SPOTLIGHT ON RESEARCH How spinal cord patients are experiencing improved outcomes with the Neurorecovery Network

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GIVERS CORNER meet Bill Conrad, Chairman of the magee rehabilitation Hospital foundation Board

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A Letter From our President And Ceo JACK A. CARROLL Dear Friends: when you have lived as long as I have (for years, I came to work in a chariot) and you have the distinct honor of serving as a leader within an institution as highly regarded as magee, you realize that you have become a bridge. As odd as that may sound, I believe it to be true. In many of my conversations, I bridge patients and families with their new beginnings.

I bridge the creative, but sometimes divergent ideas that our talented staff has for magee’s development of new programming, which is always focused on maximizing the health and independence of our patients. within this issue of CAN Do!, we appreciate yet another bridge: between the old and new. when you begin reading about our Peer mentoring Program, you will understand why this long-standing offering means so much to our patients, their families and our staff. when our peer mentors, who have already overcome the challenges of their disabilities, are speaking with patients, the phrase, “been there, done that, got the T-shirt” carries so much more credibility. Yes, our team of professionals has decades of experience, are truly empathetic and have shared the experiences and the joys and triumphs of our patients, but quite honestly, saying you “understand” is not at all equal to having traveled the same path.

The peer mentor program remains a part of the “what was, what is, and what is to be” at magee, because nothing can truly replace the message or the value of this program that bridges patients and families to our professional team and back to the community.

The bridge to the new is also represented by our introduction of the ekso, a semi-robotic device that, in combination with other assistive devices, will help some individuals with spinal cord injury walk under controlled conditions. This technology is yet another tool to assist those we have the privilege of serving to someday reach another level of independence. we hope you will have a safe and wonderful fall season and a chance to watch the spectacular show that is the changing of color throughout the valleys, hills and mountains of our immediate tri-state area. Thank you for your continuing support of magee’s mission and for helping us to help so many across this great region of America. sincerely,

Jack A. Carroll, PhD, MHA

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“she called some Paralympic coaches in Baltimore, and we went to talk with them during spring break 2012,” said michelle.

“They watched me swim and told me I had a shot.”

Like most college freshmen, michelle Konkoly’s life was changing. A swimmer for the Georgetown Hoyas and member of the National society of Collegiate scholars, michelle was learning how to balance athletics and academics, and was succeeding with flying colors in both. But on January 11, 2011, her life changed even more when she fell five stories from her dorm window.

CHECKING IN WITH

Before she could compete for a place on the team, michelle needed to be classified. To make all the events competitive, the International Paralympic Committee classifies all athletes according to their injuries on a scale from 1 to 10, with 1 being the most disabled and 10 being the least. michelle was classified as an s9 and went to North Dakota in June 2012 to compete for a place on Team UsA.

Against all odds, she survived the fall—but not without harm. she landed on her feet, breaking an ankle, a foot and her back. A native of eagleville, Pennsylvania, she came to Every now and then, a former patient drops us a line. magee rehabilitation where she spent five weeks as an This time we heard from two: Michelle Konkoly and Philip Grosser. inpatient. she continued her rehabilitation at the riverfront “It was so cool to be at the outpatient facility in April 2011 where she spent eight weeks doing Paralympic trials, and to hear everyone’s stories. Usually I’m the Locomotor Training and Day rehab. only in the room that has a disability—not here,” said michelle, laughing. “It was incredible to be surrounded by people with similar “every day after an outpatient session, I could come home and do experiences. Nobody felt sorry for me—they just wanted to beat something new,” she said. “At the end of my eight weeks at the me! It was very competitive, and I loved it.” riverfront, I had learned how to adapt with my injury and was up and walking. It was incredible.” michelle had a great showing at the trials and was just shy of making the team. But she’s not giving up that easily. so what’s michelle up to now?

Michelle Konkoly

Currently a junior at Georgetown, she couldn’t stay away from the pool for long. she red-shirted with the Hoyas during her sophomore year as she was re-building her strength. she swam some exhibition races, but became frustrated with the un-even playing field.

“I wasn’t competitive anymore, and I’m a very competitive person,” she said. “my injuries didn’t allow me to swim like I could before. I thought, ‘wouldn’t it be great to compete with other people like me?’ That’s when I first started to think about the Paralympics.”

Her mom agreed—and ran with it.

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“I start Paralympic swim meets this coming spring,” she said. “maybe, and hopefully, I’ll be trying out again in four years. But for now, I’m just happy to be competitive again.”

In the meantime, she is focused on finishing up her biology degree at Georgetown. she spent this summer at magee shadowing Dr. Chris formal and volunteering at the hospital.

“I always knew I wanted to get into medicine,” she said. “But my experience at magee solidified it.” **

Philip’s book Nerve Networks is available for purchase on Blurb.com.

CHECKING IN WITH Philip Grosser has always been creative.

A choreographer and professor of dance at Temple University, the art of movement was his primary means of self-expression for years. It took a severe stroke to open the doors to a separate—but equally powerful—compartment of his creative mind.

It was New Year’s Day 2008 when Philip suffered a severe hemorrhagic stroke.

After surgery and weeks in the acute care hospital, he was transferred to magee where he spent time as an inpatient and an outpatient at the riverfront outpatient Center. while his motor skills remained intact, Philip suffered from aphasia, impairing his ability to speak, read and write. During his time at magee, Philip underwent a wide range of traditional therapies, such as physical, occupational and speech therapies. And while these had a tremendous impact on his recovery, the therapy that left the most lasting impression was decidedly less conventional: art therapy.

Art therapy uses the creative process of art making to improve and enhance the physical, mental and emotional well-being of individuals undergoing rehabilitation at magee. Art therapy integrates the fields of human development, visual art and the creative process with models of counseling and psychotherapy. This type of therapy is used to assess and treat anxiety, depression, social and emotional difficulties related to disability and illness, as well as physical, cognitive and neurological problems. for Philip, it was a way to express himself when words couldn’t.

Philip Grosser “Because of the aphasia, I had difficulty speaking or reading,” he said. “Art became the best way to express myself. I have tremendous gratitude toward Lori Tiberi [art therapist at magee] for that.” one thing on Philip’s mind was his brain.

And it showed in his work.

“The first thing I drew was what I thought the nerves in my brain must look like,” he said. “Both the intact and the damaged.” soon, Philip found himself drawing abstractions without consciousness or preconceived notions of what they would become. what resulted is both striking and beautiful—and surprisingly accurate.

“I took my drawings to my neurologist the other day, and he told me I wasn’t too far off with what the nerves in my brain would look like,” he said, laughing.

Philip continued his artwork after rehabilitation, and has amassed a large collection. In July 2012, he published his artwork in a book aptly titled Nerve Networks. The result is what he calls “a visual language to describe the new inner workings of my brain.”

Today, in addition to his artwork, Philip continues to teach dance at Temple University, and is looking forward to an upcoming performance of his choreography entitled A Body of Work. **

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L. Fernando Gonzalez, MD presents at The Tuttleman Family Foundation – Dr. Guy Fried Educational Seminar on Topics in Acquired Brain Injury

MAGEE HIGHLIGHTS MAGEE NAMED U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT BEST HOSPITAL: magee rehabilitation Hospital was ranked 16th in rehabilitation in the U.S. News & World Report’s annual 2012-2013 Best Hospital rankings. This year’s Best Hospitals, the 23rd annual edition, showcased more than 720 of the nation’s roughly 5,000 hospitals. magee rehabilitation Hospital was one of fewer than 150 hospitals to be nationally ranked in at least one of 16 medical specialties. “we are both thrilled and humbled to once again be recognized as one of the country’s Best Hospitals,” said Dr. Jack Carroll, President and Ceo of magee rehabilitation Hospital. “At magee, we have always strived to maintain a culture of excellence. exceeding the safety, quality and outcome expectations of the patients and families we have the privilege to serve requires the best of the best in both clinical and support services personnel.

At magee, that is accomplished by everyone always offering the difference that truly caring can make.”

The hospital rankings, said U.S. News Health rankings editor Avery Comarow, are like a GPs-type aid to help steer patients to hospitals with strong skills in the procedures and medical conditions that present the biggest challenges. “All of these hospitals are the kinds of medical centers that should be on your list when you need the best care,” said Comarow.

“They are where other hospitals send the toughest cases.”

The rankings were published by U.S. News in collaboration with rTI International, a research organization based in research Triangle Park, N.C. TUTTLEMAN FAMILY FOUNDATION – DR. GUY FRIED EDUCATIONAL SEMINAR: each year, the Tuttleman family foundation – Dr. Guy fried educational seminar focuses on cutting-edge rehabilitation topics. This year’s program, on october 5 at magee rehabilitation Hospital and on November 2 at the sands resort and Casino, focused on acquired brain injury (ABI) and the challenge of the treatment team in dealing with the cognitive and behavioral sequelae following injury.

Issues explored included visual problems after acquired brain injury, the importance of addressing psychosocial issues with ABI patients and their families, as well as new advances in activity-based therapies that aid in the patients’ functional recovery.

A big challenge for the ABI survivor (and family) is often funding—or lack thereof.

Traditional and creative ways to gain additional funding for the ABI survivors’ long-term rehab needs were also discussed. other topics discussed included: community re-engagement, canine facilitated therapy and new neurosurgical technologies and techniques being used for the newly brain injured patient. The day concluded with a case study presentation of a severely brain injured young man and the approach the neurorecovery team took to help him through coma emergence with an ultimate discharge to home.

INTRODUCING MAGEE’S FACILITY DOG PROGRAM: magee rehabilitation Hospital is dedicated to improving the quality of life for persons with disabilities by providing high quality physical and cognitive rehabilitation services—and sometimes, that means thinking beyond traditional therapies. Through the support of the Casey feldman memorial foundation, magee established its first facility Dog program, adding a new official member to the magee team: ford, the Golden retriever. Through magee’s facility Dog program, ford works alongside trained health and human service professionals to support patients in their therapy and facilitate the rehabilitation process. This program was recognized as part of the Casey feldman memorial foundation’s third annual “Angelversary” Day of service on July 17, 2012 at magee rehabilitation Hospital. facility Dogs work side by side with health and human service professionals to engage patients in sessions designed to improve functional outcomes, stimulate healing and recovery, and provide comfort and unconditional love. while many health care facilities may have animals visit with patients, these animals are generally handled by volunteers and are not used to help patients meet specific, planned treatment goals. Through magee’s facility Dog program, the treatment providers are health and human service professionals, not volunteers. Patients’ sessions with ford, who is highly trained and educated, are goal-directed, and functional outcomes are measured, recorded and documented. The average facility Dog knows around 40 commands, all of which can be utilized during therapy. ford has continued on page 8

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Meet Ford, the Golden retriever.

Ford, Magee’s first facility dog, works alongside trained health and human service professionals to support patients in their therapy and facilitate the rehabilitation process. originally trained as a service dog, Ford knows more than 90 commands, including turning lights off and on, pulling manual wheelchairs, retrieving drinks from the fridge and tugging socks off feet, to name just a few.

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the Myomo mPower 1000 combines eMG sensing and myoelectric technology to restore movement to weakened arms

also completed training as a service Dog, which means he knows more than 90 commands, including turning lights off and on, pulling manual wheelchairs, retrieving drinks from the fridge and tugging socks off feet to name a few. working with ford educates patients on the potential benefits of applying for a service Dog after they are discharged.

Despite the many benefits of animalassisted therapy, the training, management and continued support of a facility Dog can be cost-prohibitive for many institutions. The Casey feldman memorial foundation understood the potential of animal-assisted therapy for patients and their recovery, and approached magee rehabilitation with a pledge of support.

The foundation honors Casey feldman, who passed away on July 17, 2009 at the age of 21 after being struck by a distracted driver. To remember their daughter, Casey’s parents started the foundation to provide financial support to individuals, groups and institutions whose interests and goals align with those of Casey.

“Casey loved animals, especially dogs— she even volunteered at a no-kill animal shelter,” said Joel feldman, Casey’s father and one of the founders of the Casey feldman memorial foundation. “At the foundation, we have spent so much time focusing on preventing distracted driving, which is important—but I could always hear Casey saying, ‘Dad, what about the animals?’ on the third anniversary of her death, it is so fitting that we remember her through this gift to magee, a gift that will help those facing life-altering changes adapt to their challenges. we are so thankful to magee for allowing us to remember Casey in such a special way.”

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The event was heavily attended by media, and ford and the facility Dog Program were featured on CBs 3, ABC 6, foX 29 and on the front page of the Philadelphia Inquirer and Philly.com.

portable arm brace has been proven effective in helping with functional repetitive tasks practiced during therapy and assists patients in daily living activities in the home.

NEW AT MAGEE: New Technology This summer, magee rehab began enhancing traditional therapies with a new piece of technology: the myomo mPower 1000.

The myomo mPower 1000, a portable, lightweight functional arm brace that restores movement to a weakened arm as a result of neuromuscular damage, provides a new modality through which magee can continue to deliver top-quality therapy from the hospital’s nationallyrecognized rehabilitation programs. magee is the only facility in the Philadelphia area with this technology.

The myomo mPower 1000 wasn’t the only piece of technology magee acquired over the summer. Check out the article on page 10 to find out more about our latest acquisition: the ekso.

“The myomo mPower 1000 is an innovative and fascinating technology that adds an additional dimension to the rehabilitation of our patients with neurological impairments,” said Paula Bonsall, ms, oTr/L, team leader at the Neuro-rehabilitation Center at magee.

“The combination of emG sensing and myoelectric Technology allows us to teach clients not only how to increase desired movement, but also to inhibit unwanted muscle activity. But the benefits aren’t just physical. To see your arm move for the first time after a period of non-use helps our patients see that with the right therapy and technology, recovery is possible.”

The myomo mPower 1000 has sensors that sit on the skin’s surface and detect even a very faint muscle signal. when the patient tries to move his or her arm and a muscle signal fires, the motor in the mPower 1000 engages, translating that small signal into actual movement. The

New Look magee received a top-notch beautification over the summer. The 5th floor spinal cord injury unit was renovated, as was the Gaspar outpatient Center. The Locomotor Training room also has a new look, with a much larger space on the 5th floor. The garage attached to the hospital was also given a facelift. If you haven’t visited us in a while, make a point to stop by—you won’t believe how we’ve changed!

12TH ANNUAL NIGHT OF CHAMPIONS: on may 4, 2012, magee rehabilitation Hospital held its 12th Annual Night of Champions fundraiser. The event raised more than $180,000 for Patient Programs, including wheelchair sports, horticultural therapy, art therapy, pastoral care and the patient resource center. The event featured dinner, drinks, live and silent auctions, award presentation, live entertainment, local sports celebrities including eagles head coach Andy reid and magee’s wheelchair sports athletes.

the 12th Annual night of Champions raised more than $180,000 for Patient Programs.

Far left: Adam Taliaferro & Howard Eskin Center: Magee CEO Jack Carroll welcomes guests Right: Eagles Head Coach Andy Reid

ART THERAPY PARTICIPANTS FEATURED IN PHILADELPHIA MUSEUM OF ART’S COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP EXHIBIT:

Participants’ artwork featured at the Philadelphia Museum of Art included (left to right) Alex Pavone, Tom Leonard and Daren Dieter

magee rehabilitation Hospital’s art therapy participants were featured in the Community Partnership exhibit at the Philadelphia museum of Art. The exhibit, housed in the museum’s education Corridor, was on display september 6 through october 21, 2012. “we are thrilled that our patients participating in our art therapy program have the opportunity to showcase their work in such a world-class institution,” said Lori Tiberi, mA, ATr, Art Therapist at magee rehabilitation Hospital. “our patients have benefitted tremendously from our partnership with the Philadelphia museum of Art’s Accessible Program, and we are all grateful to the museum for involving us in this impressive exhibit.” since its inception more than a decade ago, magee’s Art Therapy Program has served more than 2,000 individuals with disabilities of all levels. Patients that have incurred lifealtering injuries require long-term physical and emotional rehabilitation, and art therapy helps them cope with this process and is often regarded as a crucial part of their recovery. Art therapy has also been shown to help people increase self-esteem, resolve conflicts, reduce stress, inspire self-discovery and achieve insight.

“After injury, everyone finds a safe place—mine was in art,” said Kay martin, a patient at magee rehabilitation Hospital’s

riverfront outpatient Center and art therapy participant.

“I was in a fog. Art therapy and everyone at magee woke me up again. Having my work included in this exhibit is such an honor—I never thought in my wildest dreams that someday my art would hang on the walls of the Philadelphia museum of Art.” Kay martin and steven Davenport, also an art therapy participant, received The Daren Dieter excellence in Art Award at a reception for the exhibit on october 12. The award is named for Daren Dieter, a participant in magee’s Art Therapy Program who passed away December 2011 at the age of 29. Through the generosity of The Honickman foundation, magee will recognize two Art Therapy participants each year, and present them with a $250 award that can be used to purchase art supplies, or assist them in continuing art therapy at home after their discharge.

The Philadelphia museum of Art’s Division of education and Public Programs builds and maintains partnerships with community organizations, schools and social-service agencies, offering programs and educational opportunities that connect diverse communities with the museum’s rich collections and resources. The Community Partnership exhibit highlighted artwork from many of the museum’s partners, including magee rehabilitation Hospital.

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on August 10, Frankie Lamacchia took a few cautious steps across the gym in the riverfront

Walking The Walk: STEPPING OUT WITH EKSO

outpatient Center. Then a few more. Then a few more. He walked the length of the room several times, cameras and tears rolling from the lookers-on. for frankie and the people that love him, August 10 was no ordinary day. It was an important day. It was a special day. It was the day he took his first steps in 13 years. frankie was in a motorcycle accident in 1998 that left him paralyzed from just below the chest down. The injury was such that doctors told him it was unlikely he would ever walk again.

But that was before the ekso. ekso is a wearable exoskeleton that enables people with lowerextremity paralysis or weakness to stand and walk—and it’s the latest in magee’s arsenal of rehabilitative technology.

“The therapeutic benefits of devices like the ekso are innumerable,” said mary schmidt read, PT, DPT, ms, the spinal Cord Injury Program Director and research Coordinator at magee rehabilitation Hospital. “In addition to standing and walking, working with the ekso can improve a patient’s balance, motor function, sensation and range of motion, among other things.”

MAKING THE CUT

“it almost feels natural, being in it. to see yourself stand and walk again… it’s overwhelming.”

—Frankie LaMacchia

over the course of the summer, magee staff underwent intensive training for the ekso, learning the mechanics of the device, training progressions and how to identify appropriate patients. Now they had to find someone to test it out—and that’s not as easy as it sounds. while the ekso is an option for many people with paralysis of the legs, it isn’t for everyone. People interested in using the device must undergo a comprehensive physical evaluation by one of magee’s trained physical therapists.

During this evaluation, which lasts about an hour, the therapists look for the key requirements needed to use the ekso, including range of motion, muscle strength and spasticity.

And that’s not all. The user must have arm function and enough strength to manage a walker or crutches. The user must also be able to transfer from a wheelchair independently, and be between 5’2” and 6’2” tall and weigh 220 pounds or less. frankie, a former patient and regular presence at magee, thought he fit the bill and threw his hat in the ring. He was evaluated by the magee team and turned out to be an ideal candidate. Now came the hard part: waiting for August 10.

SECOND FIRST STEPS

If you are interested in being evaluated for the Ekso, you can contact Magee’s Riverfront Outpatient Facility at 215.218.3900 to learn more.

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when the day came, frankie was more than ready to don the bionic exoskeleton. His mom, Dolly, came along to see her son take his second set of first steps. But she wasn’t the only member of the audience. Videographers from National Geographic were there to capture frankie’s monumental moment to include in a special segment on robotics in medicine to air in January 2013.

But these first steps wouldn’t be a sprint. To walk using the ekso, the patient must provide the balance and proper positioning—and that’s not easy. once the balance and positioning is in place, the physical therapist uses a remote control to program the step length and speed, as well as when the ekso stands, sits and takes a step. This allows the physical therapist to teach the patient when to take a step, how to position the body and how to shift their weight in preparation for their next step.

As the patient progresses, so does the ekso. All users start out with a walker, but have the potential to eventually move to crutches. The physical therapist also has the ability to increase the speed and length of step as the patient becomes more comfortable with the device. eventually, the user can become independent with the device and graduate away from the need for assistance from a physical therapist.

Currently, the ekso is only available at specialized clinics such as magee for use under the supervision of a physical therapist.

A personal version is expected to be available in 2014.

But frankie wasn’t thinking that far ahead. He stayed focused on the present, the here and now. And with the world watching, he took those second first steps.

“FEELS LIKE IT WAS JUST YESTERDAY” This was a big moment for everyone in the room—but for no one more than frankie. “It’s amazing,” he said, smiling. “It almost feels natural, being in it. To see yourself stand and walk again… it’s overwhelming.”

“The psychological benefits of the ekso cannot be discounted,” said mary schmidt read. “It allows someone who has spent a significant amount of time in a wheelchair to look people eye to eye, and to get a view of their world straight on. They have a new control over their environment, and are likely to see improvements in self-image and self-esteem.”

But the psychological benefits aren’t just for the person using the ekso. Just as a spinal cord injury affects the entire family, so do the milestones associated with it. for Dolly Lamacchia, frankie’s mother, this wasn’t just about the first steps. It was also the first time in 13 years she was able to give her son a hug, face to face, without a wheelchair getting in the way.

“It was a moment of joy and amazement,” she said. “I’ll never forget that moment, and I will always cherish it. There’s no stopping frankie now.”

And frankie feels the same way. “It’s been 13 years since I walked,” he said. “But it feels like it was just yesterday.” **

A special thanks to the Philadelphia Chapter of the Buoniconti Fund, which contributed more than $100,000 toward Magee’s purchase of the ekso.

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THE 23RD ANNUAL JERRY SEGAL CLASSIC BENEFITS PATIENTS OF MAGEE REHABILITATION HOSPITAL The Jerry Segal Classic to benefit the patients of Magee Rehabilitation Hospital returned on september 21 at the ACe Club and Green Valley Country Club in Lafayette Hill, Pennsylvania. In its 23 year history, this annual event has raised more than $10 million for programs and services designed to support patients and their families during their time at magee rehabilitation Hospital. “while in magee recovering from a spinal cord injury, I made a promise that I would give back to them as much as they gave to me,” said Jerry segal, founder of the Jerry segal Classic and former patient of magee rehabilitation Hospital. “The segal Classic is this promise in action. It’s truly a labor of love, and my way of giving the patients and their families something I know is so important to their recovery: the belief it can be done.”

“While in Magee recovering from a spinal cord injury, i made a promise that i would give back to them as much as they gave to me. the Segal Classic is this promise in action.”

—Jerry Segal

Because the Jerry segal Classic is organized completely by volunteers, every penny raised at the event goes directly to the patients of magee rehabilitation Hospital. These funds have allowed for the development of a number of new patient programs and services, including: • The segal Housing fund, which subsidizes guest housing to enable family members of patients who live far away to stay near their loved ones during rehabilitation and learn how to care for the patients when they return home; • The segal family and friends meal Program, which has provided patients’ family members and guests with more than 50,000 meals as a way to defray their personal expenses related to hospital visits; • The wendkos stroke Center, which provides community-based activities and opportunities for socialization for stroke survivors and their families; and • New therapy equipment, including a new Lokomat treadmill for locomotor training and reoTherapy.

Pictured above, left to right: Bernie Parent, Jerry Segal & Scott Palmer

“The funds raised each year through the Jerry segal Classic have a tremendous, visible impact on our patients and their families,” said Dr. Jack Carroll, President and Ceo of magee rehabilitation Hospital. “we are truly grateful to Jerry and the friends of Jerry segal for their dedication to our mission, and we are humbled year after year by the outpouring of support we receive from the community.”

This year’s Classic included brunch, golf, a cocktail hour with grand hors d’oeuvres, and live and silent auctions. special guests stopped by to show their support, including Bernie Parent, John spagnola, scott Palmer, Billy Cunningham, Beasley reece and former Governor ed rendell. magee would like to offer a huge thank you to the friends of Jerry segal and all who came out to support the patients of magee rehabilitation Hospital. for more information about the event, visit segalClassic.com.

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voLunteer sPotLight: DAVID HILL

Team Magee at the 2011 Rothman 8K

WHEELCHAIR SPORTS ProgrAm uPdAtes Our wheelchair sports teams have been busy! Here’s a look at what they have been up to since the last issue: • magee welcomed Keith Newerla, who will serve as the new wheelchair sport Coordinator as meg rider is transitioning into a new role at magee.

Keith Newerla

• The magee freedoms wheelchair tennis team hosted the magee wheelchair Tennis Tournament August 10-12 at the Cherry Hill Health and racquet Club in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. This annual tournament brought together the mid-Atlantic region’s top wheelchair athletes.

• magee wheelchair rugby and basketball teams participated in the annual recfest at Carousel House on september 29. The recfest is for persons with and without physical limitations.

JOAN WHEELER

• save the Date for magee’s Beast of the east wheelchair rugby Tournament, November 9-11 at the riverwinds in west Deptford, New Jersey. Come out and see magee’s co-ed quad rugby team in action!

• magee is once again a charity partner for the Philadelphia marathon on November 16-18. Team magee has 35 fundraising spots in the marathon, and will sponsor hand-cycle and wheelchair athletes. magee will also sponsor staff fundraising teams for the rothman 8K—there are currently seven magee Teams and three sponsored wheelchair racers. watch the website for more on the marathon or contact Keith Newerla.

Eagle Scout Candidate David Hill and Boy Scout Troop # 176 from Philadelphia sponsored a donation drive for the patients of magee rehabilitation Hospital. The scouts collected small necessary items to help magee’s patients feel more comfortable throughout their stay. some of the items included new release DVDs, Xbox or Playstation2 games, board games, playing cards, new coloring books and crayons, readers, flash cards, and new travel size toiletries. In addition to the donation drive, David and the troop completed a clean-up of The Jerry and Carolyn segal Community skills Center on the 6th floor.

Thanks to David for choosing magee for his eagle scout project!

For more information about Magee’s Wheelchair Sports Program, please contact Keith Newerla, Wheelchair Sports Coordinator at knewerla@mageerehab.org or 215.587.3412.

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suddenly, your world has changed. You find yourself

Common ground: A LOOK INTO MAGEE’S PEER MENTOR PROGRAMS

in a place you never thought you would be, being asked to make decisions you’d never expect you’d need to make. You aren’t sure who to turn to. sure, the doctors are giving you advice. They’re giving you resources and brochures. But what you really need is to talk to somebody who knows how you’re feeling. someone who knows the questions you have, the problems you’ll face. You need someone who has been there before.

That’s the idea behind magee’s Peer mentor Programs. These programs are designed to offer newly injured patients and their families the opportunity to speak with specially selected and trained individuals who have faced life circumstances similar to their own—and are living full lives.

“No one can understand what you are going through like someone who has been there, done that—not the nurses, doctors, therapists, family or friends,” said marie Protesto, rN, BsN, Peer mentor Coordinator for spinal Cord Injury and Amputation. “The Peer mentor Programs at magee are unique support systems not found anywhere else in the tri-state area.”

The peer mentors are grouped by injury—spinal cord, amputee, stroke and brain injury—and meet with newly injured patients to offer their support. “when you meet with a patient for the first time, they have just experienced what they believe is the worst thing that could happen,” said michael Brown, an amputee and mentor in magee’s AmpPeer Program. “To talk to someone that has been through it and is doing well… that’s exactly what people need at that time.”

But it’s not just the injured that need guidance after a life-changing event. magee also offers family mentor programs designed to provide support to caregivers and other family members affected by spinal cord injury, brain injury and stroke.

“Immediately after my son’s injury, I felt a true sense of loss,” said Dorian Harris, a family peer mentor whose son sustained a spinal cord injury at 17. “when family or friends do not understand what an injury means, you can feel isolated. As a peer mentor, I can use my experiences to help someone else get through those rough times.”

In addition to organizing the peer mentor groups based on injury and role, magee has also recently introduced a program that deals with a special issue in the disability community: addictions. magee’s Addictions mentor Program is designed to offer those who struggle with addiction issues the opportunity to talk with a specially selected and trained person with experience as an addictions advocate. All addictions mentors have been fully trained in disability issues, and have a keen understanding of how addiction may interface with disability issues.

Peer mentor Mark Chilutti demonstrates how to transfer into a car

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“many patients have been injured or had strokes as a result of substance abuse problems, and we recognize that the likelihood of patients falling back into old patterns is quite high, particularly with the added stress of the disability,” said Nancy rosenberg, Psy.D., Clinical Psychologist and Director of magee’s Peer mentor Programs. “Addictions mentors offer their support and guidance to help keep them on track.”

If you are interested in donating to the program, becoming a peer mentor or would like to request a peer consultation, email peers@mageerehab.org.

Common Ground: Two fathers. Two sons with spinal cord injuries.

Family peer mentor Charlie McCloskey (on right) and his newest protégé discuss how to deal and what to expect.

HOW IT WORKS Before they ever begin meeting with patients, prospective peer mentors undergo significant training to learn how to play the many roles required of them.

“Peer mentors are trained to really listen and be in the moment with the person they are mentoring,” said sonya Dibeler, Peer mentor Coordinator for spinal Cord Injury and Amputation. “most trainings are two days or evenings consisting of topics such as listening skills, grieving and lots of role plays.”

It’s not only the types of peer mentoring programs at magee that are diverse— it’s also the peers themselves. The coordinators of the Peer mentor Programs match mentors and their protégés based a variety of factors related to concerns, such as sex, interests, employment, parenting and relationship status. The number one requested criteria for their mentor is level of injury.

“Different people have different goals and concerns,” said Jennifer salomon, Peer mentor Coordinator for stroke and Brain Injury. “The matching process is very important as it ensures the mentor and protégé will have a common bond beyond their injury—and that protégés will get answers for their most important questions.”

once the mentors and protégés meet, the real work can begin. most of that involves listening and sharing—and that can be more difficult than it sounds. “one of the remarkable aspects of this program is the willingness of mentors to share and continually re-visit a dark time in their lives just to help others through,” said ruth Black, LCsw, Peer mentor Coordinator for spinal Cord Injury and Addictions. “It takes a special person to do that.”

A REAL IMPACT one major benefit of the Peer mentor Program is the opportunity for protégés to get some practical advice from someone who has first-hand experience.

Discussions can range from everyday living (How do I modify my home for a wheelchair?) to relationships (How will I navigate dating and sex?) to community resources (Where do I find wheelchairaccessible cabs?) to coping and grieving.

“I get a lot of questions about day-to-day living,” said Jason ott, stroke survivor and peer mentor. “But I also offer advice for things that my own experience has shown me are important that they may not be thinking of at that time, like how to maintain your body and the importance of stretching and exercise.”

them post-stroke, amputation, spinal cord or brain injury, such as getting in and out of cars, transferring, operating a computer and using tools and gadgets that will make their lives easier. These demos are also beneficial for family members who want to learn how to best support their loved one.

But for many people, the greatest benefit of the peer-protégé relationship isn’t the practical advice—it’s the emotional support.

“The true impact is when a peer comes in the room for the first visit with an air of independence,” said marie Protesto. “The message that conveys is life can and does go on—and it’s actually pretty good.” “when patients and families interact with mentors, they see the ‘before’ and ‘after’ images of themselves,” said Dr. rosenberg.

“It is this emotional mirror that helps protégés move to the next level.”

And it’s not just the protégés that feel the benefits. “since I started being a mentor, I am more grateful,” said Dorian Harris. “Grateful that I can be a part of a group that helps other families know that life does not end with a wheelchair. we all share a common denominator. And if we survived, they can also survive.” **

The peer mentors also partner with magee’s physical and occupational therapists to offer demonstrations of skills that will help

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SHARING OUR EXPERTISE pResentations AMERICAN PHYSICAL THERAPY ASSOCIATION Combined Sections Meeting 2012 in Chicago, IL magee’s Physical Therapy Coordinator at the Yardley outpatient Center Lynn Cunningham, PT, DPT gave a poster presentation on the functional gains of physical therapy following prosthetic component changes. magee’s Director of Therapies Deb Kucera, PT, msPT gave a platform presentation on developing leadership in the clinical workplace.

Additionally, the Program Director of spinal Cord Injury and Coordinator of research mary schmidt read, PT, DPT, ms spoke about evidence, collaboration and improved patient outcomes in neurorehabilitation, and also gave her perspective on translation of research into clinical practice models.

NATIONAL PATIENT SAFETY FOUNDATION Annual Patient Safety Congress 2012 in Washington, DC The National Patient safety foundation (NPsf) is dedicated to improving the safety of care provided to patients. At the NPsf Annual Patient safety Congress, magee’s michelle marshina, oTr/L and Dan ryan, rN, BsN gave a poster presentation about changing hospital culture to reduce falls. The presentation was authored by marshina and ryan, as well as marci ruediger, PT, ms, Director of Performance excellence; Deborah Long, rN, msN, CrrN; Todd Lewis, PhD; Lane Brown, PhD; Barbara miller, rN, CrrN; stephanie scanlon, DPT; and Dave Leva, LPN. AMERICAN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY ASSOCIATION Annual AOTA Conference & Expo in Philadelphia, PA At the AoTA’s Annual Conference in Philadelphia, magee occupational therapist Dina mastrogiovanni,

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Magee rehabilitation hospital is proud to be home to some of the rehabilitation field’s finest clinicians. our staff is often requested to speak on topics at national and international conferences, and is also called upon to publish papers and recommendations in top clinical trade publications. Below are a few examples of how we are sharing our expertise with the world.

oTr/L, ATP, and physical therapist Linda Lantieri, PT, APT taught an all-day preconference course on seating and positioning.

PENNSYLVANIA OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY ASSOCIATION POTA Annual Conference 2012 in Lancaster, PA At PoTA’s annual conference, magee occupational therapists elizabeth stokes, ms, oTr/L, Jillian Kenderish, Bs, moTr/L and Jessica Pehlman, oTr/L gave a presentation on enhancing cognitive treatment using the executive function Performance Test.

Additionally, magee occupational therapist Cate Dorr, ms, oTr/L, along with everyone’s favorite facility dog ford, gave a presentation on canine facilitated therapy in acute rehabilitation.

Assistance Dogs International, Inc. ADI Conference 2012 in Barcelona, Spain Assistance Dogs International, Inc. (ADI) is a coalition of not for profit organizations that train and place Assistance Dogs. magee occupational therapist Cate Dorr, ms, oTr/L spoke at their annual conference in Barcelona on the development of canine sign language and non-verbal signals for service dogs for use with individuals who are non-verbal.

LATIN AMERICAN FEDERATION OF CLINICAL NUTRITION AND METABOLISM XIII Congreso de Felanpe 2012 in Panama City, Panama The Annual Conference of the Latin American federation of Clinical Nutrition and metabolism features more than 150 distinguished speakers and professors from North America, europe, Asia and oceania. magee’s Clinical Nutrition manager evelyn Phillips, ms, rD, LDN, CDe presented on the nutritional needs for individuals with spinal cord injuries, obesity and pressure ulcers.

WOUND, OSTOMY AND CONTINENCE NURSES SOCIETY Northeast Region WOCN Conference in Princeton, NJ The wound, ostomy and Continence Nurses society (woCN) is a professional nursing society, which supports its members by promoting educational, clinical and research opportunities to advance the practice and guide the delivery of expert health care to individuals with wound, ostomy and continence concerns. magee’s Clinical Nutrition manager evelyn Phillips, ms, rD, LDN, CDe discussed nutrition and wound healing at the annual Northeast region woCN Conference.

publications REHAB MANAGEMENT MAGAZINE “Prevent falls and strengthen Confidence,” January/february 2012 issue

By Carol owens, PT and rose Battiato, PT, magee’s Director of outpatient Development and Programs REHAB MANAGEMENT MAGAZINE “Back on my feet: standing systems help patients rise up to better physical and psychological health,” August 2012 issue By erin o’Donnell, PT, DPT, NCs and Lindsay silver, PT, DPT ADVANCE FOR OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY PRACTITIONERS “Linking Technology and evidence-Based Practice: integrating research on robotassisted therapy and functional electrical stimulation into practice with clients with neurological upper-extremity impairments,” september 2012 issue

By Jacquelyn fox, msoT, oTr/L

sPotLight on RESEARCH

To find out more about the research projects that Magee is involved with, or to see if there are any research projects that you could participate in, contact Mary Schmidt Read, Spinal Cord Injury Program Director and Research Coordinator for Magee Rehab & Regional Spinal Cord Injury Center of the Delaware Valley at MSchmidt@mageerehab.org.

Studies reveal individuals with Spinal Cord injury experience improved health and Function through Christopher & dana reeve Foundation neurorecovery network magee rehabilitation Hospital served as one of the lead centers in a series of studies that examined the impact of the Neurorecovery Network (NrN) on individuals with spinal cord injuries. The studies, funded by the Christopher & Dana reeve foundation, found that the NrN’s innovative rehabilitative treatments can lead to significant functional improvements in patients, as well as a higher quality of life.

The Neurorecovery Network (NrN) is a national network of rehabilitative centers established by the Christopher & Dana reeve foundation to translate scientific advances into activity-based rehabilitation treatment for individuals with neurological disorders, and is funded by a cooperative agreement between the foundation and the U.s. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). magee rehabilitation Hospital was a founding member of the NrN, thanks in part to the hospital’s focus on translational research and bringing the latest in spinal cord injury research from bench to bedside. Today, magee plays a central role in the NrN leadership through educational initiatives and activity-based therapies. eleven peer-reviewed studies published in the september 2012 issue of Archives of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation conclude that establishing a network of rehab centers for spinal cord injuries that standardizes treatment can lead to

significant functional improvements for chronically injured patients. Using data from a total of 296 patients living with spinal cord injuries at seven centers across the country, including magee, researchers found that the NrN succeeds because of overarching conditions, including: • The deployment of standardized activity-based rehabilitation based on and supported by scientific and clinical evidence across the seven centers.

• The rigorous evaluation of all NrN interventions across the seven centers using measures of function, health, and quality of life. These rehabilitation interventions are continually assessed in light of newly emerging knowledge from basic science laboratories.

• The creation of NrN teams that include scientists, physicians, physical and occupational therapists, and hospital administrators. Their varied perspectives enable the most effective and costefficient clinical model for the NrN. In addition, another NrN study published in the september issue of Journal of Neurological Physical Therapy with which magee was involved found that expenses associated with equipment, home renovations, and transportation decreased by up to 25 percent for both children and adult patients with motor incomplete spinal cord injury due to the function gained following intensive locomotor training intervention. Locomotor training is an activity-based intervention therapy that

seeks to re-train the nervous system by simulating stepping and walking for those with spinal cord injuries, and is available at magee rehabilitation Hospital and magee’s riverfront outpatient Center.

As a lead center in the Neurorecovery Network, magee contributed to the development and analysis of protocols, data collection and analysis, and manuscript writing. Patients at magee were included in the data, and magee staff participated as authors. These studies are just the beginning—the NrN plans to produce more literature to support evidence-based practice, and magee will continue to play a leading role in this research and the NrN both nationally and internationally. **

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GIVERS CORNER:

Bill Conrad

If you would like information about how you can raise funds to support Magee’s mission, please contact the Magee Development Office at 215.587.3090.

In most cases, magee finds that the best donors and volunteers are either former patients or members of their families. Bill Conrad is a rare exception.

As an Investment manager working with rittenhouse financial in the 1990s, Bill was assigned to work with magee’s endowment funds. During that time, while watching all of the great work that is done at magee, he reflected back to a family tragedy involving his sister a decade before. “she woke up with a headache one day, and, as it turned out, suffered from a cerebral hemorrhage,” said Bill. “I then realized how quickly lives can change, and the impact it has on everyone, including families.” shortly after his sister’s injury, he decided to join magee’s President’s Council, a group that gathered to assist with fundraising and supporting special events.

“My sister did not have a lot of opportunities after her injury, but Magee’s patients do. And i want to be sure that i do all that i can to help them make the best recovery possible.”

—Bill Conrad

Bill secured support for the Night of Champions and its predecessor the magee Derby.

As he continued to learn more about magee, he took a special interest in Art Therapy and Horticulture Therapy. Being an avid gardener, Bill was able to grasp the impact that those programs can make on magee’s patients, and he found himself “constantly impressed with the amazing things” that patients can accomplish with the help of magee. when an opportunity to join the magee rehabilitation Hospital foundation Board was extended to him, Bill quickly accepted. He worked closely with the Chairman, Gresham o’malley, and quickly assumed the role of Vice Chairman. Gresham often quipped, “we have found a real gem in Bill Conrad, and I am excited to have him on our team.”

In 2011, Bill succeeded Gresham as Chairman of the Board, and now devotes significant time and effort to assist in raising funds for patient programs, working on strategic planning, and trying to encourage others to join him in helping magee accomplish its mission.

Notably, Bill played a key role in leading the Board to raise more than $150,000 to complete the Center for Communication and swallowing. He has been a member of the founders Circle Giving Club for 10 years, and is a regular presence at magee fundraising events. “my sister did not have a lot of opportunities after her injury, but magee’s patients do,” said Bill. “And I want to be sure that I do all that I can to help them make the best recovery possible.”

And Bill encourages others to do the same. “There are so many ways that people can help, from serving as a volunteer at the hospital, to lending financial support or getting involved with an event, or, even serving on the Board,” he said. “I hope that more people will have the chance to see what I see… how we are able to change lives for the better.

That is what got me involved at the beginning, and it is what keeps me involved now.” magee is grateful for the dedication that Bill Conrad has shown to patients, staff and the Board. **

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YOUR DONATIONS At work Magee Rehabilitation Hospital relies upon generous philanthropic support to help our patients achieve better outcomes. Over the last year, your support has helped Magee...

...purchase new equipment for the main hospital, magee riverfront and magee at Yardley.

•

...send staff members for continuing education and advanced training through the staff excellence fund. ...continue to provide art and horticulture therapies.

...work in the community presenting our “Think first” violence and injury prevention program to teens in school and recreational settings.

...operate the Gaspar Center and serve thousands of individuals who live with disabilities and are in need of continual medical care and services throughout their lifetime.

… and much, much more!

•

•

As Magee begins the new fiscal year and the 2012-2013 Annual fund Campaign, we continue to seek funding for these things and other programs, such as: • Canine Assisted Therapy program and the newest member of our therapy team, ford, a Golden retriever who works alongside occupational therapists to help patients achieve new goals.

• New equipment, such as the AccuVein to help our nurses administer IVs to patients in a safe and quick way.

• other general needs that may arise, including equipment that patients need, funding to support our Patient resource Center, and other important things that Team magee requires to help patients achieve better outcomes.

If you’d like to help with any of these important items, please contact the Magee Development Department at 215.587.3090.

1513 race street Philadelphia, PA 19102-1177 Phone: 215.587.3000 mageerehab.org BELIEVE

non-Profit organization u.s. Postage PAid Philadelphia, PA Permit no. 2269

Address service requested

We know, we know.

Updating your will isn’t always at the top of your to-do list. But as everyone at Magee Rehabilitation Hospital knows, everything can change in an instant. By planning ahead, you can help ensure our patients have access to the highest quality therapies, the latest technology, and cutting-edge programs and services.

But most of all, your generosity will give patients what they need most: the ability to believe.

Here is some sample language to include Magee in your will: “I give, devise and bequeath to the Magee Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation, a charitable corporation existing under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the sum of ______ dollars (or ______% of my residuary estate), or (description of securities, property, etc.).”

For more information about the Anna Magee Society and planned giving, please contact the Development Department at 215.587.3090 or email giving@mageerehab.org.