Paralympians Embody Indomitable Spirit of Competition
Elite athletes dream about reaching the pinnacle of athletic success at the Olympic Games. Since 1960, this opportunity has been available to athletes with disabilities as well. The Paralympic Games – the world’s largest sporting event for athletes with disabilities – takes place every four years at the same venue as the Olympics shortly after those games are completed. It features world-class athletes with a variety of disabilities, including impaired muscle power or range of movement, limb deficiency or vision impairment.
Jefferson Moss-Magee Rehabilitation proudly introduces you to two employees and two former patients who have reached or are working toward this goal:
Dr. Michelle Konkoly, PGY4 Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine Resident, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and Nemours Children’s Hospital
Dr. Michelle Konkoly began swimming at age 12 and was an able-bodied Division 1 swimmer at Georgetown University when she fractured her L2 vertebrae, resulting in a spinal cord injury. She was treated at Jefferson Moss-Magee Rehabilitation
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Dr. Michelle Konkoly competed in the Rio de Janeiro Paralympics winning a gold medal in both 50- and 100-meter freestyle swimming. (Photo Credit: Kevin McCarthy, USOPC)
Patient Success Stories
Hospital – Center City for five weeks of inpatient rehab, followed by eight weeks of Day Rehab (including Locomotor Training) at Jefferson Moss-Magee Rehabilitation – Riverfront.
“The staff was so creative with finding ways to allow me to do as much as I could with my limitations,” says Michelle. “The hardest part for me was the uncertainty of how much return of function I would have, and would it be enough to walk?”
Michelle credits her physical therapist, Ali Keirsey, and occupational therapist, Jacquie Fox (O’Hara), with keeping her motivated and optimistic even on her hardest days.
At age 23, Michelle participated in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Paralympics, winning gold medals for both the 50-meter freestyle and the 100-meter freestyle races.
“With my busy schedule as a 4thyear pediatric physical medicine & rehabilitation doctor, I am no longer competing and swim about once a week now just for fun, but thanks to the excellent care I received at Jefferson, my dreams of gold came true,” says Michelle.
She has since used her competitive swimming knowledge as an NBC play-by-play commentator for the swimming races at the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Paralympics.
Keith Newerla, Community Programs Coordinator, Jefferson Moss-Magee Rehabilitation Hospital – Center City
Born with cerebral palsy, Keith Newerla began riding horses at age 2 in his hometown of Long Island, NY, as therapy. It later turned into therapeutic riding, which led to competing.
“I took to the sport,” Keith says. “The horse’s movement is a lot like humans. When I was on a horse, it just made sense.”
In 2004 at age 21, he was the youngest person at the time in the United States to be named to the Paralympian Dressage Team.
“Dressage is like horse dancing,” he explains. “You qualify as a horse and a rider.”
The road to the Paralympics starts with various state competitions that lead to qualifying in Paralympic Trials. According to Keith, the expenses associated with qualifying are taken on by the athlete.
And that’s a good thing because transporting horses on an airplane halfway around the world carries a large price tag. Keith competed in the Paralympic Games in both Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008. The horse competitions for Beijing were held in Hong Kong due to the amount of space needed for the sport and the infrastructure that already existed within the country to house the horses.
“Our horses are transported on a plane. It’s a lot like a trailer with a pallet on
wheels – and lots of straw and hay,” says Keith. “Take-off and landing are a little more concerning. The horses had to have a police escort from the airport to Hong Kong due to the extreme heat there.”
Protecting these horses is extremely important. In fact, before flying to Hong Kong, the athletes and their horses had to quarantine for three weeks in Germany for animal safety.
“I’ve accomplished everything I’ve wanted to accomplish in my athletic career,” says Keith. “Now I get to pay that forward by introducing people who are newly injured to our sports program at Jefferson Moss-Magee Rehabilitation. This may not give them the international experience I had as a Paralympian, but I hope it will have the same positive impact.”
Community Program Coordinator at Jefferson Moss-Magee Rehabilitation Hospital – Center City Keith Newerla with his horse Jack at the Athens 2004 Paralympics.
Emelia (Emi) Perry, OT, Resident Athlete, Colorado Springs Training Center
Emelia Perry (Emi), whose mother is Japanese, and father is American, grew up in Osaka, Japan where she ran track in high school. In 2011, she began college at Ursinus in Collegeville, PA., where she ran track and cross country. She later enrolled at Temple University, to study occupational therapy.
After sustaining a spinal cord injury at age 23 that caused paralysis, Emi thought her competitive days were over. She spent seven weeks at Jefferson Moss-Magee Rehabilitation Hospital –Center City and received additional therapy at the Riverfront outpatient facility three times a week for a couple years afterwards.
The hospital introduced her to a racing chair and as a member of the Jefferson Moss-Magee wheelchair sports program she began participating in races such as the Broad Street Run and the Philadelphia marathon. As she became more experienced in racing she was introduced to triathlons – swimming, biking using a hand cycle and running in a racing chair.
Emi immediately excelled in the sport and for the past two years, she has been a Resident Athlete at the Colorado Springs
Training Center. In May 2025, she will compete in the World Triathlon Races in Japan (World Series Race) and two weeks later in Colombia (Continental Championship).
“My goal is to continue to make the national team,” she says.
As a Paralympian, Emi would be entitled to both a stipend and health insurance. But most importantly, it fulfills her dream to make a career out of being an athlete.
Jim Thompson, Middle School Teacher, Rosa International School, Cherry Hill, NJ
A middle school math teacher for 36 years and a married father of three children, Jim Thompson’s background includes participating in four Paralympics – Seoul 1988, Barcelona 1992, Atlanta 1996 and Sydney 2000.
Jim is a quadriplegic from a diving accident at age 20. He was an inpatient at Jefferson Moss-Magee Rehabilitation from September to December 1986.
“When I left the rehabilitation hospital, I was familiar with their recreation program. They had an athletic team that competed in track, field, swimming, table tennis and weightlifting. After the
first year, I decided swimming would be my primary sport,” says Jim.
By Summer 1987, Jim began training for the U.S. Paralympic Team. Competitions were held on the weekend. Every sport had a qualifying standard and if met, you could compete at the national level. Jim attained qualifying standards for swimming at his first international swimming event for the disabled in California.
“My rehabilitation included help with regional travel and a former recreational therapist, Pat Thieringer, traveled with me, set up a training program and helped me get accustomed to my disability,” says Jim.
Although each Paralympic city was a unique experience, Jim ‘s favorite memories are from Atlanta in 1996.
“It was the best for me because it was on the East Coast, an easy commute, had athlete dorms on campus near the pool and, most importantly, my extended family could easily attend,” he says.
As a former youth coach for baseball, soccer, and basketball, I told my kids, “You don’t have to be great at everything but with hard work, you can always get better.”
Jim Thompson with his family at his third of four Paralympics – Atlanta 1996. Jim won gold in swimming.
Emelia Perry competing on the 2024 paralympic triathlon team.
Introducing Two New Physicians at Jefferson Moss-Magee Rehabilitation
Hospital – Center City: David Leong, DO, and Luke Musser, MD
As Jefferson Moss-Magee Rehabilitation continues to strive for excellence in spinal cord injury (SCI) care, two physicians recently joined the esteemed team of care providers, bringing valuable expertise and fresh perspectives. David Leong, DO, and Luke Musser, MD, are dedicated professionals poised to make a significant impact on the lives of their patients through specialized training and double board certifications in physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R) and spinal cord medicine.
David Leong, DO
Dr. David Leong is an attending physician at Jefferson Moss-Magee Rehabilitation Hospital – Center City and clinical assistant professor at Thomas Jefferson University’s Sidney Kimmel Medical College. He began his journey in medicine during high school, where he excelled in science and mathematics. Although he initially leaned toward engineering and biomedical science, a summer camp experience at Vanderbilt University solidified his path to medicine.
During his third and fourth years of medical school, Dr. Leong became fascinated by physical medicine and rehabilitation, recognizing the power of restoring function and improving the quality of life for patients with
life-altering injuries. The holistic and interdisciplinary approach in PM&R appealed to him, as it encompassed various therapies – physical, occupational and psychological –to optimize patient recovery.
His rigorous training included a fouryear residency in PM&R at MetroHealth/ Case Western in Cleveland, where his interest in SCI deepened. Dr. Leong further honed his skills during a fellowship at the University of Washington in Seattle, where he trained under some of the leading SCI experts in the country. His diverse educational background brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to Jefferson Moss-Magee Rehabilitation , especially in areas like ventilator management, diaphragm pacer stimulation and interventional spasticity management.
“I hope to foster a culture of continuous improvement,” Dr. Leong says. “There’s always room to enhance our patients’ capabilities, whether it’s better hand control or adapting their current function to their aspirations. It’s all about seeing potential, rather than just disability.”
Luke Musser, MD
Joining Dr. Leong at Jefferson MossMagee Rehabilitation Hospital – Center City is Dr. Luke Musser, a clinical
assistant professor in the department of rehabilitation medicine. His journey into medicine began during medical school at Temple University, where he first encountered this field. Captivated by the complexity of patients with disabilities, he admired how PM&R used a multidisciplinary approach to manage complex conditions through coordinated efforts across various departments.
Dr. Musser completed his residency training in PM&R at Jefferson, followed by a fellowship at Jefferson Moss-Magee Rehabilitation Hospital – Center City, and Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, gaining board certification in the specialty. His experience emphasized the intricate needs of SCI patients, where he often acts as a “quarterback” for the therapy teams, ensuring comprehensive care across wound care, urology, nursing and psychology.
“I see the SCI patient as the ideal representation of what PM&R seeks to achieve – integrating care from various specialists to address multiple systemic needs,” he explains. His passion lies in enhancing patient independence and functionality through collaborative efforts that optimize rehabilitation.
Looking Forward
Both Drs. Leong and Musser are excited about their roles at Jefferson MossMagee Rehabilitation, a program known for its commitment to high-level SCI care. They bring enthusiasm, compassion and a shared mission to improve the lives of individuals facing the challenges of spinal cord injury and other conditions causing physical disability. Their holistic approach and commitment to teamwork ensure that Jefferson Moss-Magee Rehabilitation will remain a leader in rehabilitation and recovery, empowering patients to return to their lives with renewed purpose and potential.
The Importance of Wound Care for Individuals with Spinal Cord Injuries
For individuals living with spinal cord injuries (SCI), managing health complications can be particularly challenging. Among these complications, wound care is a critical component that requires ongoing attention. Pressure injuries, which can arise from immobility, are not just minor inconveniences; they can lead to severe health issues, including infections and the need for surgical intervention.
At Jefferson Moss-Magee Rehabilitation, a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to wound care is pivotal in helping patients maintain their health and quality of life.
Early Intervention for Wound Care
For people with SCI’s, the capacity to feel pressure or pain in certain areas may be diminished, making them particularly susceptible to pressure injuries. As such, proactive monitoring and early intervention of wounds is essential.
“Regular follow-up with a healthcare provider is crucial to assess overall health and to address potential issues before they escalate,” says Wound Care Specialist Julianne Rece, MSN, RN, CRRN, CWOCN. “Not only can regular appointments help your physician address mobility and pressure points, but they can also detect changes in bowel and bladder function and nutrition status, which play vital roles in skin health.”
Proper nutrition is crucial not only for wound healing but also for overall health maintenance. When individuals with SCI experience deterioration in their condition, such as illness from the flu or a urinary tract infection, it often leads to changes in dietary habits and subsequent skin problems. Emphasizing proper nutrition and hydration helps bolster skin health and reduce the risk of wounds.
Additionally, managing bowel and bladder function is critical in wound prevention. Any disruption in these areas can lead to hygiene challenges, increasing the risk of skin breakdown.
Emotional well-being is also interlinked with physical health. Depression can slow down recovery and the healing process. Addressing mental health as part of a comprehensive care plan is key to achieving overall wellness.
“Your skin is the largest organ in your body and doesn’t operate in isolation,” says Rece. “Even a small issue can ‘snowball’ into a wound, an infection and a serious health risk. Consider what happens if you get a respiratory infection. You may stay in bed to rest, which could lead to a pressure injury. If your doctor puts you on antibiotics, you could have loose stool, which could lead to an accident and skin irritation. Everything is connected when it comes to skin health and wound prevention.”
Lifetime Follow-Up Clinic
The Lifetime Follow-Up Clinic at Jefferson Moss-Magee Rehabilitation Hospital — Center City was developed with the mission of ensuring ongoing support for SCI patients throughout their lifetime. It coordinates services, including annual urologic studies and evaluations of durable medical equipment such as wheelchairs and mattresses. “Our clinic can help with everything from getting fitted for the right wheelchair or seat cushion and addressing muscle spasticity to evaluating nutrition and treating mental health concerns,” says Rece.
With a network of specialists, we take a holistic approach, ensuring all facets of health are considered. This includes collaboration among physicians, dietitians, case managers, physical and occupational therapists, home care
professionals, plastic surgeons and nursing staff, who work together to develop tailored care plans for each individual. Through a team-based approach, patients receive the support they need to manage their wounds effectively, ultimately improving their quality of life and promoting overall wellness.
To schedule an appointment at the Lifetime Follow-Up Clinic, please call 215-587-3406
Julianne Rece, MSN, RN, CRRN, CWOCN
Research, Publications & Presentations
Here are research, publications and presentations by our staff since the last issue of The Cord:
PUBLICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS
• Adaptive Art Therapy Techniques: Scaffolding Through Use of the Cricut Machine
American Art Therapy Association 2024 Annual Conference Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Julie Nolan, MA, ATR-BC, Emily McGuigan, MS, ATR
Paper Presentation/ Educational Session
• Cancer Care Consideration with People with SCI
45th SCI Model Systems Therapy Leadership Conference Forum, Chicago, Illinois
• Robotics and Technology in Rehabilitation: Bridging Science and Clinical Care Symposium
Hosted by: Jefferson Moss-Magee Rehabilitation and Jefferson Moss Rehabilitation Research Institute Date: May 2 & 3, 2025 – 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Location: Jefferson Moss-Magee Rehabilitation – Elkins Park, PA
This two-day symposium represents the state of science and clinical practice in rehabilitation robotics and technologies applied in neuro recovery. World renown experts in development, research and clinical implementation of various technologies and robotics will discuss how technology can be used for comprehensive patient assessments, implementation of robot-mediated interventions and delivery of communitybased rehabilitation. Finally, hands-on practical sessions with the latest devices used clinically will be highlighted.
For information: Sheila.Wallace@jefferson.edu
• Using GlassOuse assistive technology to facilitate original music creation with GarageBand by a patient with tetraplegia – John Glaubitz
John Glaubitz (2025) Using GlassOuse assistive technology to facilitate original music creation with GarageBand by a patient with tetraplegia, Nordic Journal of Music Therapy, 34:1, 4-12, DOI: 10.1080/08098131.2024.2430779
To link to this article: https://doi.org/1 0.1080/08098131.2024.2430779
CURRENT OR UPCOMING RESEARCH
• Spinal Cord Injury Model Systems Study
We want to remind current participants who signed up for this study at time of injury that we will contact them at 5-year intervals. If you receive a call from 610-608-4383 or 267-571-7358, it will be for this study. If you are a participant and your contact information has changed since the last interview, please contact either number to let us know.
We have multiple spinal cord injury (SCI) studies taking place at the Jefferson College of Rehabilitation Sciences. Studies include surveys, coaching, upper extremity screening/ intervention studies, imaging (MRI), and more. If interested in hearing more, please contact us at CenterforOutcomes
Measurement@jefferson.edu or 215-503-2849
Johnson, TC, Hagen, C, Coffman, DL, Nunn, M, Schmidt-Read, M, Heath, KM, Marino, RJ, Hiremath, SV. Evaluating sensor-derived features as indicators of upper extremity function in cervical spinal cord injury. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. In press.
Happenings
Taliaferro Receives Magee Humanitarian Award
Former Jefferson Moss-Magee Rehabilitation patient Adam Taliaferro, Esq., accepts the Magee Humanitarian Award on November 14, 2024. Paralyzed in 2000 while playing football for Penn State, Adam defied the odds by walking out of the hospital three months after
SAVE THE DATE
successful spine surgery. A year later, his coach, and other area coaches and business leaders, formed the Adam Taliaferro Foundation. Its mission is to assist patients with spinal cord injuries by paying for medical equipment and services not covered by insurance.
Register for ‘They Will Surf Again’ Starting June 18
Doctors, therapists, nurses, and staff from across Jefferson Moss-Magee Rehabilitation will travel to Wildwood, NJ, on Sunday, August 3, to help persons with disabilities of all ages “ride the waves” at They Will Surf Again – a free, one-day event that provides persons with disabilities the chance to surf and enjoy a day at the beach. Registration for volunteers and surfers opens at 9 a.m. on June 18.
They Will Surf Again (TWSA) is a program of Life Rolls On, a nonprofit that serves as a resource and advocate for people who have been affected by spinal cord injury and other disabilities.
Since 2012, Jefferson Moss-Magee Rehabilitation has proudly served as the presenting sponsor. During that time, over 700 volunteers have donated their expertise by helping persons with disabilities get up and down the beach using special beach wheelchairs, get in and out of wetsuits, and assist surfers in the water as they ride the waves.
To learn more about They will Surf Again, visit liferollson.org. To register as a volunteer or participant, visit liferollson.org/newjersey beginning June 18.
Included in the photo are Jefferson Moss-Magee Rehabilitation leaders and members of his care team, along with his son Cruz.
Support Groups
For dates and details, contact the individuals listed below or visit JeffersonHealth.org/rehab
Jefferson Moss-Magee Rehabilitation Hospital – Center City Support and PEER Mentoring Groups
• Amputee Peer Mentoring
Rebecca.Levenberg@jefferson.edu or 215-587-3205
• Amputation Support Group
Rebecca.Levenberg@jefferson.edu or 215-587-3205
• Aphasia Support Group Svjetlana.Vitor@jefferson.edu or 215-218-3909
• Brain Injury Peer Mentoring Rebecca.Levenberg@jefferson.edu or 215-587-3411
• MS Healthy Living Colleen.McAllister@jefferson.edu or 215-218-390
• SCI Family Peer Support Group
Ruth.Black@jefferson.edu or 215-587-3030
• SCI Peer Mentoring
Marie.Protesto@jefferson.edu or 215-587-3174
Keira.Aviles-Rivera@jefferson.edu or 215-587-3174
• SCI Resource & Support Group
Marie.Protesto@jefferson.edu or 215-587-3174
• Stroke Patient and Family Support Group Vilma.Mazziol@jefferson.edu or 215-587-3024
Jefferson Moss-Magee Rehabilitation – Elkins Park Support Groups
• Amputation Abilities Support Group
Contact: Anne Wieland at 215-663-6405 or Anne.Wieland@jefferson.edu
• Aphasia Center Talking Book Club
Contact: Nikki Benson-Watlington at 215-663-6344 or Nikki.Benson-Watlington@jefferson.edu
• Brain Injury Support Group at Elkins Park Contact: Madison.Burrows@jefferson.edu
• MS Support Groups at Elkins Park Contact: Barbara Cohen at 215-317-3441
• MS Support Group at Tabor Road (facilitated by MS Society local volunteers) Contact: ryedmoore@yahoo.com or 267-601-2642
• Spinal Cord Injury Patient/Family Support Group – Elkins Park Contact: Dr. Marni Nutkowitz at Marni.Nutkowitz@jefferson.edu or 215-663-6271
• Caregivers Support Group – Elkins Park Contact: Dr. Marni Nutkowitz at Marni.Nutkowitz@jefferson.edu or 215-663-6271
Gaining Ground Helps Clients Build Strength
Gaining Ground is a “boot camp” that provides an intensive, personalized approach to neurological recovery. Trainers and therapists create an individualized exercise program to help each participant increase function. Clients meet three times
a week, five hours per day, for one-on-one training and education.
Upcoming sessions for 2025
• April 28–May 22
• June 2–26
• July 14–August 7
• September dates pending
• Stroke Peer Mentoring Rebecca.Levenberg@jefferson.edu or 215-587-3411
• Wendkos Stroke Club
Fritz.Louisjean@jefferson.edu or 215-587-3180
• Young Adult SCI Social Group
Katie.Eckert@jefferson.edu or 215-218-3911
Colleen.McAllister@jefferson.edu or 215-218-3900
• Young Adult Brain Injury Social Group Keith.Newerla@jefferson.edu or 215-587-3412
• Stroke Caregiver Problem-Solving Support Group Contact: Mary Steskal at Mary.Steskal@jefferson.edu or 215-663-7078
• Young Survivors Support Group (YESS) for stroke and non-traumatic brain injury survivors Contact: Melissa Meyers at 215-884-9050 or Melissa.Meyers@jefferson.edu
For additional information, including patient testimonials, photos and videos, please visit our website: JeffersonHealth.org/Rehab
Interested? Questions?
Contact Liz Watson at Elizabeth.Watson3@Jefferson.edu or call 215 218-3913
