Can Do! Spring 2013 by Kimberly Shrack

CAN DO!

News from Magee Rehabilitation hospital sPrING 2013

FIT FOR ALL: INSIDE MAGEE’S HEALTH & WELLNESS CENTER Making the Grade: A look at the young adults recovering— and studying—at Magee The Check Up with Dr. Brian Kucer, Medical Director of the Brain Injury Program at Magee

Cover Story: We all know exercise is good for us—but the traditional gym isn't for everyone. That’s the idea behind Magee’s Health and Wellness Center at the Riverfront Outpatient Center. Open to the community, the Wellness Center offers programs geared toward promoting healthy and active lifestyles for both able-bodied individuals and those with disabilities.

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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, or call if you wish to have your name removed from the list to receive CanDo! or future fundraising requests to support Magee Rehabilitation Hospital.

Table of Contents CAN DO! SPRING 2013

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CHECKING IN…

MAGEE & ADAM TALIAFERRO FOUNDATION

Catching up with former patients Josh Crompton and saineh Barclay.

what started out as a friendship has flourished into a strong partnership. Learn more about how magee and the ATf are teaming up to improve the lives of people living with spinal cord injuries.

FIT FOR ALL: MAGEE’S HEALTH & WELLNESS CENTER

THE CHECK UP WITH DR. BRIAN KUCER

MAKING THE GRADE: A LOOK AT THE YOUNG ADULTS RECOVERING —AND STUDYING—AT MAGEE

magee's Health & wellness Center at the riverfront outpatient Center offers fitness accessible to everyone.

meet one of magee's newest team members, Dr. Brian Kucer, medical Director of the Brain Injury Program and Co-Director of the Concussion Clinic.

for young people going through rehab, continuing their education, whether it be in high school or college, is so important that magee developed specialized therapeutic services for adolescents and young adults, designed to help them return to a life of independence.

GIVERS CORNER meet Alan milberg, Chairman of the friends of Jerry segal executive Committee.

A LetteR fRom ouR PReSIdeNt ANd Ceo JACK A. CARROLL Dear Friends: spring is traditionally thought of as the season of renewal, as we welcome changes in temperature from cold to warm, and colors from drab greys to myriad shades of green. seemingly, the theme of renewal fits right in with this spring 2013 edition of Can Do! As you will see, magee continually renews our ties with magee alumni. we will visit with former young people that we had the privilege to serve. Their stories of how they continued their education while at magee and what they are doing now gives insight into the tremendous strength, fortitude and positive mental attitude of these amazing individuals, and it’s no wonder they are doing so well. It doesn’t matter whether we are able-bodied or physically challenged, springtime is a great time to renew our commitment to health and wellness. magee’s riverfront outpatient Center now offers a membership-based wellness Center for people of all ages with customized equipment to meet the needs of those with varying physical abilities. whether you are a seasoned workout veteran or just starting out, you will be amongst friends and will be made to feel totally comfortable in this supportive environment. Come on down for a tour and try us out. Perhaps you’ll be renewing friendships with magee alumni that you already know, or making new friends from the community. Great people in a great place for a great workout—all combine for a healthier and happier lifestyle! But wait—there’s more! This issue is packed full of what’s happening now at magee. I want you to meet Brian Kucer, m.D. He’s the medical director for our Brain Injury Program and the Philadelphia Concussion Center. Inside, you can read about his background, but from my perspective, the most important credential is that he is a genuinely caring and likeable person. He’d be a great neighbor even if he wasn’t your physician. You don’t learn that in medical school or resident training. some doctors have it and some don’t—it’s a DNA thing and he’s got it. we’re thrilled he’s at magee bringing those traits to our patients and their families. read your way through this edition and you will note our renewal of the great connection magee has with the Adam Taliaferro foundation, as well as the recent reveal of our ekso robotics at raise A Glass for a Cure. This event raises funds for magee and spinal cord injury research backed by the miami Project’s Buoniconti fund. renewing friendships and spirits continues on may 3, 2013 as we enjoy the 13th Annual Night of Champions. This night features many Philadelphia sports legends and includes live and silent auctions, raffles, live entertainment, food and fun for all. The money raised supports not only magee’s wheelchair sports activities, but also many other critical patient programs that quite honestly wouldn’t exist without your generous donations. so save the date, and see you there! finally, don’t miss the news about magee being featured on the National Geographic Channel for our work with robotics. It was a wonderful show that everyone should see. Now look, I’m running out of space—see you inside! Have a wonderful renewal! sincerely,

Jack A. Carroll, PhD, MHA CAN DO! SPRING 2013

Josh Crompton climbing the Art Museum steps.

Every now and then, a former patient drops us a line. Recently we heard from Josh Crompton and Saineh Barclay.

CHECKING IN WITH…

Josh Crompton Nobody expects to have a stroke. especially not when they’re 31 years old. But that’s exactly what happened to Josh Crompton in April 2012. “I was getting ready for work and, without any warning and with the force of what I can only imagine a gunshot feels like, I collapsed,” he said. “Then paralysis set in on my entire right side.” strokes among young people are on the rise for a variety of reasons. for Josh, the culprit was an ateriovenous malformation

(AVm), a group of blood vessels abnormally connected with one another in his brain. The AVm, which he has had since birth, burst, sending massive amounts of blood into his brain. After surgeries and stabilization, Josh was sent to magee for the next steps—literally. “when I got there, I had no use of my right side—my arm and hand, leg and foot were all paralyzed,” he said. “Doctors, friends… everyone was trying to prepare me for the worst. But I told anyone that would listen that I would walk out of magee.” And he did. After two months of inpatient therapy at magee, Josh had regained much of the control back in the right side of his body, and was writing, feeding himself, shaving and, yes, walking. But as monumental as that day was, the most inspiring moment of his recovery was like a scene out of a Hollywood classic. To help magee patients acclimate to the real world before they are discharged, therapists will often take them on outings into the city to practice skills they’ll need to navigate outside the Hospital. Josh’s assignment for the day was to hail a cab and practice giving the driver directions. He hopped into the taxi with his physical therapist mark Dewane and recreational therapist Jenna Zuber, and directed the cabbie to the iconic Philadelphia museum of Art.

CAN DO! SPRING 2013

Josh recalled, “I looked at mark and said, ‘Do you want to try the steps?’ He laughed—he didn’t think I was serious. I didn’t really think I was serious. At that point I hadn’t climbed more than four steps at a time.” But mark, who had been with Josh throughout his therapy, had confidence. “He said, ‘Let’s give it a shot.’ so I did.” was is easy? Absolutely not. But after clearing the first batch of the steps, then the second, then the third, Josh was committed. Like rocky, there was no going back. “It wasn’t graceful. It was slow and labored,” he said. “But when I made it to the top of those steps… it was one of the greatest days of my life.” Josh still climbs those steps on a regular basis. He has returned to his job as an assignment editor at CBs 3 full-time, and has also become an ambassador for the Delaware Valley stroke Council, finding avenues to raise awareness that strokes can and do happen to young people. while he says he still has a way to go, he feels great about the progress he has made —and he knows who to thank. “The doctors at the acute care hospital saved my life,” he said. “But magee gave me my life back.”

CHECKING IN WITH…

Saineh Barclay By age 25, Saineh Barclay had already overcome more adversity than most people face in a lifetime. A cancer survivor, she battled leukemia for nine months before she received a bone marrow transplant. A full match could not be found, but doctors were able to find a half match in her aunt. five years after the transplant, she was doing well. enrolled in nursing school with an active social life, she was returning from a vacation when things took a turn. Because of her bone marrow transplant years earlier, saineh was on a regimen of medication that suppressed her immune system. while on the flight home, she contracted H. influenza, a bacterium that can result in severe infection. Things quickly went from bad to worse. she was rushed to the er upon landing, but by the time she arrived, she had already gone into septic shock. when she awoke, she was told that due to the illness and the medications used during the transplant, which restricted blood flow to certain areas of the body, it was possible both legs would need to be amputated to save her life. saineh then made the difficult decision to amputate both of her legs below the knee. she came to magee in spring of 2009, ready to get back to her life and back in the classroom. saineh was eager to return to nursing school, and she credits magee with helping her get there. “There are certain physical requirements nurses have to meet, such as the ability to stand for several hours, transferring patients, lifting and things like that,” she said. “when I got to magee, I couldn’t do any of those things, and couldn’t return to classes until I was able to. I took the list of

requirements to my care team, and they helped me reach all the goals I needed to be accepted back into the program.” But magee did more than get saineh back into school—her connections at the Hospital gave her the opportunity of a lifetime. “Thanks to a donation to magee by the Anapol schwartz foundation, I was able to attend an Amputee Coalition Conference in California,” she said. “Being an amputee in Philly, I don’t get many chances to meet other amputees, let alone amputees my age. At this conference, I didn’t have to hide my disability, and I made friends that I still talk to today.” Attending the conference also gave saineh a newfound conﬁdence. “I came out with the sense that I could do anything,” she said. “I saw amputees doing everything an able-bodied person can do, things I never thought I would be able to do again. I know now that I can do anything I put my mind to.” since her time at magee, saineh has graduated from widener University with her nursing degree, and is preparing to start a job at Devereux, a nonproﬁt behavioral health organization that serves people with emotional, developmental and educational disabilities. And with all she has experienced these past few years, she has some words of wisdom to pass on to young people who have undergone an amputation. “remember, it’s not the end of the world,” she said. “Don’t let amputation stop you from pursuing your dreams. It’s a long road and it takes time, but if you put in the work, eventually you will get where you want to go.”

CAN DO! SPRING 2013

MAGEE HIGHLIGHTS DICK VERMEIL AND DAN POLETT NAMED MAGEE REHABILITATION HOSPITAL’S 2012 HUMANITARIANS OF THE YEAR magee rehabilitation Hospital named former Philadelphia eagles coach Dick Vermeil and Dan Polett the 2012 Humanitarians of the Year for their outstanding contributions to the community and the Hospital. Vermeil and Polett were honored at the 2012 Humanitarian Award Dinner on Tuesday, November 13, 2012 at the four seasons Hotel in Philadelphia. “magee’s Humanitarian Award is about giving back to the community and our patients in meaningful and powerful ways—and I can’t think of two people who deserve this year’s award more than Dick and Dan,” said Dr. Jack Carroll, President and Ceo of magee rehabilitation Hospital. “Their commitment to the Hospital is unwavering, and we are honored to have them on our team.” Dick Vermeil is a former head coach for the Philadelphia eagles (1976–1982), st. Louis rams (1997–1999) and Kansas City Chiefs (2001–2005). each of these teams had a losing record when he joined them—and he brought them all to the playoﬀs by his third season as coach. Vermeil was introduced to magee when he visited Penn state player Adam Taliaferro in 2000. since then, he has regularly supported the magee Night of Champions and is an honorary chair of the Adam Taliaferro foundation and magee rehabilitation Golf outing.

Dick Vermeil (left) and Dan Polett were honored as the 2012 Humanitarians of the Year for their outstanding contributions to the community and the Hospital.

CAN DO! SPRING 2013

MAGEE TO HOST NIGHT OF CHAMPIONS ON MAY 3 magee rehabilitation will M celebrate its 13th Annual RA PROG Night of Champions fundraiser on friday, may 3 at Penns Landing Caterers in Philadelphia. magee’s Night of Champions includes dinner, live and silent auctions, raﬄes, live entertainment and more. Proceeds directly fund community and patient programs, such as art therapy, horticultural therapy, the facility Dog Program, Patient resource Center, Gaspar Center, therapeutic recreation and wheelchair rugby, tennis, basketball and racing teams. S

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A VIP reception including Billy Cunningham, John J. Dougherty, fran Dunphy, scott Palmer, Bernie Parent, John spagnola, Adam Taliaferro and others begins at 6 p.m. and dinner begins at 7 p.m. seating is still available! for tickets, please contact the magee Hospital foundation at 215.587.3090 or giving@mageerehab.org.

Dan Polett is President, Ceo and Dealer Principal of wilkie Lexus in Haverford, Pennsylvania and Lexus of Chester springs. He has served on the leadership committee of past magee events, and helped to raise the funds necessary to open the magee Dialysis Unit. Through his personal connection to magee, Polett became very familiar with magee’s programs and services, and all they can do for patients. This inspired him to support magee in its endeavors to provide top-quality rehabilitation and improve the lives of people living with disabilities. This year’s Humanitarian Awards Dinner will be held on November 19, 2013.

EKSO DEBUTED AT BUONICONTI FUND’S RAISE A GLASS EVENT magee rehabilitation Hospital unveiled ekso, a wearable robotic exoskeleton and the latest in the Hospital’s arsenal of rehabilitative technology, at The Buoniconti fund’s 9th Annual raise a Glass for a Cure on November 9, 2012 at the National museum of American Jewish History in Philadelphia. magee acquired ekso (the cover story in the fall 2012 issue of the Can Do!) thanks to the support of the Philadelphia Chapter of The Buoniconti fund to Cure Paralysis, which contributed more than $100,000 toward its purchase. ekso is an adjustable, portable, bionic exoskeleton designed to help patients with lower-extremity paralysis or weakness stand up and walk. with the patient providing the balance and proper body positioning, the physical therapist uses the control pad to program the desired walking parameters, such as step length and speed, as well as to control when the ekso stands, sits, and takes steps.

MAGEE REHAB AND EKSO FEATURED ON NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC raise a Glass was not the only venue where magee and ekso made an appearance. on January 11, 2013, magee rehabilitation Hospital and ekso Bionics were featured on National Geographic Channel’s New Age of exploration special entitled National Geographic at 125. The segment, filmed at magee in August 2012, followed patient and south Philly resident frankie Lamacchia who was paralyzed in a motorcycle accident 13 years ago. with the assistance of magee’s skilled physical therapists and the ekso, the National Geographic film crew captured frankie taking his first steps in 13 years. The full clip is available for viewing at mageerehab.org.

A National Geographic film crew captured South Philly resident Frankie LaMacchia, who was paralyzed in a motorcycle accident, taking his first steps in 13 years.

CAN DO! SPRING 2013

Meet Joey, Magee’s newest facility dog.

MAGEE HIGHLIGHTS JOIN THE CONVERSATION ON THE MAGEE BLOG! magee is oﬀering fans a new way to connect. This April marks the launch of the ﬁrst ever magee blog: believe@magee. The blog will cover a range of topics related to disability, health and prevention, and will include photos, videos, interviews and more great information about things happening at magee and beyond. The blog also includes a special Ask a Peer section where users will have the opportunity to ask our peer mentors questions about living with a disability, from travel tips to advice to caregiver support. Visit believe@magee today at blog.mageerehab.org.

MEET JOEY: MAGEE’S NEWEST FACILITY DOG magee is excited to announce the arrival of the Hospital's newest facility dog Joey! short for Jovana, Joey is a two year old Black Lab and Golden retriever mix, and is working with patients at the riverfront outpatient Center. Joey is highly trained and works with patients during therapy sessions to help them achieve their goals. Her handler is occupational therapist Christina rinehimer. To learn more about how you can work with Joey, please call the riverfront outpatient Center at 215.218.3900.

MAGEE OPENS OSTEOPOROSIS CLINIC osteoporosis is a gradual thinning and weakening of the bones, which can lead to to bone fractures. Despite being preventable and treatable with early intervention, many women and men do not discover they have osteoporosis until they suffer a painful bone fracture—giving osteoporosis its reputation as the “silent disease.” To ensure women and men identify and treat their osteoporosis before they sustain fractures, magee has opened its first osteoporosis Clinic at the riverfront wellness Center. free osteoporosis screenings using the Achilles Heel scanner are available to the community the first friday of every month from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the magee riverfront outpatient Health and wellness Center at 1500 s. Columbus Boulevard. The test takes only a few minutes and can aid your doctors in the diagnosis of osteoporosis. Please call 215.218.3900 to schedule your appointment.

CAN DO! SPRING 2013

mARk YouR CALeNdARS: 2013 MAGEE EVENTS 2013 is positioned to be an exciting year for magee rehabilitation Hospital, with a host of events and fundraisers to beneﬁt patients and families. Please mark your calendars with the following dates: Night of Champions may 3, 2013 (more information on page 6) Jerry Segal Golf Classic september 20, 2013 Adam Taliaferro Foundation & Magee Golf Outing october 21, 2013 Humanitarian Award Dinner November 19, 2013

To receive updates on Magee’s programs, invitations to special events, and more, sign up for

Magee News by sending your email address to giving@mageerehab.org or call 215.587.3090.

MAGEE & ADAM TALIAFERRO: A fRIeNdShIP tuRNed PARtNeRShIP A cornerback for Penn state University, Adam Taliaferro sustained a spinal cord injury on the football ﬁeld in 2000 while making a tackle in a game against ohio state. Told by doctors he may never walk again, Adam came to magee for his rehabilitation and walked out of the Hospital just months later. The Adam Taliaferro foundation (ATf) was founded to provide emotional, ﬁnancial and educational support to individuals who have sustained a catastrophic head or spinal cord injury in sanctioned team events in New Jersey, Pennsylvania or Delaware. The missions of the Adam Taliaferro foundation and magee rehab are each focused on the same thing: improving the lives of people living with disabilities. Because of this, what started as a friendship between Adam and magee has turned into a solid partnership between the Adam Taliaferro foundation and the Hospital. Adam Taliaferro welcomes everyone to the 2nd Annual Adam Taliaferro Foundation & Magee Golf Outing.

save the date for the 3rd annual adam taliaferro Foundation and Magee golf outing on october 21, 2013.

In 2011, the ATf and magee hosted their ﬁrst-ever joint fundraising event: the Adam Taliaferro foundation and magee Golf outing. on october 22, 2012, the event celebrated its sophomore year with golf, live and silent auctions, and fantastic company at Green Valley Country Club in Lafayette Hill, Pennsylvania. special guests included several gridiron legends, including John spagnola and Kevin reilly. The event raised more than $37,000 for spinal cord injury research, rehabilitation and quality of life programs supported by both magee and the Adam Taliaferro foundation. "As someone who has faced a spinal cord injury, I can tell you that the diﬀerence between surviving and thriving is support," said Adam. "The Golf outing is my way of giving back, of bolstering the research, rehab and programs that helped me, to ensure all people with spinal cord injuries have the same opportunities that made my recovery so successful." But the ATf and magee work together for more than fundraising— they also joined forces to spread a little holiday cheer. on December 16, 2012, the Adam Taliaferro foundation sponsored a holiday party for patients at magee. There were ample holiday goodies, as well as a special visit from mr. Kris Kringle. It was a great event, and provided a little sense of home for the patients and their families. As the Adam Taliaferro foundation continues to grow, magee looks forward to a continued relationship that is sure to grow stronger throughout the years.

To learn more about the Adam Taliaferro Foundation, please visit www.taliaferrofoundation.org.

CAN DO! SPRING 2013

FIT FOR ALL A Look INto mAGee’S heALth & WeLLNeSS CeNteR We all know exercise is important. we’ve all heard Open to the community, the Wellness Center oﬀers programs geared toward promoting healthy and active lifestyles for both able-bodied individuals and those with disabilities.

about the myriad benefits, from strengthening bones and muscles to weight control to reducing your risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. But for many adults, exercise still is not a part of our daily routine. According to a recent survey, more than 21% of adults in Philadelphia County exercise less than once a week. And the statistics are even worse for older adults and adults with disabilities. so if we know the benefits, what’s stopping us? Nurse practitioner Chris Taylor has an idea. “Can you imagine me at a regular gym?” she said, while a member of the staff helps her stretch out the muscles in her hand before her workout. “magee’s Health and wellness Center is different.” Chris first came to magee in early 2012 after sustaining a spinal cord injury. Prior to her injury, she had been active—very active. Bikram yoga, cardio, weight training—even tandem bicycling— you name it, she had tried it. After she completed therapy at magee, she was desperate to get back to this lifestyle, but knew she would have to do things a little differently.

CAN DO! SPRING 2013

“my body works differently that it did before my injury,” she said. “I was too uncomfortable to go to a regular gym. I needed a transition from therapy to where I was before.” That’s the idea behind magee’s Health and wellness Center at the riverfront outpatient Center. open to the community, the wellness Center offers programs geared toward promoting healthy and active lifestyles for both able-bodied individuals and those with disabilities. “The gym can be an intimidating place, especially for someone with a physical limitation,” said Carol owens, PT, GCs, Therapy manager at magee riverfront and wellness Center. “At magee, we know there’s no one-size-fits-all solution to wellness. And that’s why we’re here.” Like traditional gyms, magee’s wellness Center offers flexible hours, degrees of membership, diverse variety of equipment for both aerobic activity and muscle-strengthening, and even yoga classes. But that’s where the similarities end. one of the biggest differences between the wellness Center and traditional gyms is obvious from the moment you come in the door: the equipment. sure, there are the traditional treadmills, ellipticals, free weights and bikes—but there is also more specialized equipment, such as a bike with electrical stimulation, a multi-trainer that uses resistance bands instead of weights, and moTomed movement therapy. This equipment can be used by both able-bodied individuals and people with disabilities, and most pieces are also wheelchair accessible—meaning gym-goers don’t need to transfer out of their chairs to get a good workout.

for Chris, one of the major benefits of the wellness Center over traditional gyms is the level of support. “while working out at the wellness Center, I have access to a physical therapy aide who assists me with all my exercises. she has direct access to PTs and oTs at all times—and they are all so approachable,” she said. “They understand how my body works and can suggest different exercises that are compatible with my physical limitations. I definitely couldn't get that at a regular gym.” And this VIP treatment isn’t just for Chris—it’s for everyone that comes in the door. “Before joining, every member meets with a physical therapist to talk about their health and fitness goals,” said Carol. “we create a plan for you, show you how to use the equipment, and provide advice and support along the way. even if you have never exercised before, don’t worry—we’ll show you how to work out effectively and safely.” since joining the wellness Center, Chris has been able to meet many of her fitness goals—and get back to what she loves. “several months ago while in therapy, I was lamenting how I missed riding my tandem bike with my husband, and my therapist asked me to bring it in—the wellness Center team wanted to see us in action,” she said, laughing. “They helped me on, gave me tips on balance, and were close by the whole time to make sure I was doing okay. And we rode that bike all through the building. That’s the thing about this group. They don’t just want you to exercise—they want you to do what you love.”

Monthly memberships to the Magee Health and Wellness Center begin at $50. To learn more, please call 215.218.3900.

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the CheCk uP WITH DR. BRIAN KUCER

one of the newest members of Team Magee is Dr. Brian Kucer, Medical Director of the Brain Injury Program at Magee and Co-Director of the Concussion Clinic. The Can Do! editor sat down with Dr. Kucer to talk about his experiences at Magee thus far, and his thoughts on some of the most pressing issues in brain health today. Can Do! (CD): Tell us a little about yourself and your background. Dr. Brian Kucer (BK): I’m a local—I grew up in Gwynedd, Pennsylvania. I went to stanford University for my undergraduate degree, and came back to Philadelphia for medical school. I completed medical school at Jeﬀerson medical College, and actually completed my residency at Jeﬀerson/magee. CD: So what made you come back? BK: There’s no place I have ever been to where the quality of the people—from the moment you come through the front door to every therapist, nurse, supervisor, etc.—is so high. There is no team more dedicated to the mission of their organization than the team at magee. I really wanted to be a part of that culture. And beyond the culture, there’s, of course, the expertise. The people in the Brain Injury program— and throughout the Hospital, really—are so fantastic at what they do, that working together we have the potential to get even better. That is rare territory to be in. CD: That’s great to hear! Anything you’re working on now that you’re especially excited about? BK: I am especially excited about the work we’re doing at the Concussion Clinic. our approach to treatment of patients with concussions is individualized. we look at the entire picture to develop a treatment plan to maximize recovery, and it’s what really sets magee apart. It’s quickly becoming a place where people come after they have been treated for a concussion elsewhere and things aren’t going so well.

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In addition to our clinical expertise, the biggest strength of this program is the coordination between physicians, neuropsychologists, adolescent coordinators, social workers and therapists. Together, we can really work to accommodate people during their recovery period. CD: It seems like concussions have been on everyone’s minds lately. We’ve seen this topic in the news frequently. BK: Yes, concussions are one of the most pressing issues in brain health and injury today. The recent media attention has created a lot of awareness, and more people are seeking help for suspected concussions. And we have better interventions to help them recover faster. Having concussions and brain injuries in the public eye is a good thing—it will lead to more funding and research, and, ultimately, the development of new technologies to help prevent head injuries or detect them earlier. CD: Anything else to add? BK: Yes—working at magee, with this team and these patients—it’s my dream job. It’s always been a special place to me, and I am happy to be a part of it.

Jack Carroll with the Magee Eagles rugby team in Washington, D.C.

WHEELCHAIR SPORTS PRoGRAm uPdAteS The season is coming to an end for our fall and winter sports teams. Here are some highlights from the last few months. • The magee Beast of the east wheelchair rugby Tournament took place November 9-11, 2012 at riverwinds Community Center in west Deptford, NJ. The event featured eight teams from the east Coast, including two from magee. • Team magee had a strong representation throughout the Philadelphia marathon weekend. Team magee included four wheelchair athletes, 27 able-bodied runners that participated in the half or full marathon, and seven teams of staﬀ from the Hospital that ran in the 8K.

HONORING BARBARA HUGHES: 29 YeARS ANd moRe thAN 20,000 houRS “It’s a 50/50 relationship. I help the patients and the patients help me.” Barbara Hughes began volunteering at magee in 1984, after hearing about the Hospital through a classmate who was a former patient. from the moment she entered the doors of magee, she felt like she needed to be here. Twenty thousand service hours later, she still does. “magee’s energy and spirit just got inside me and keeps me coming back,” she said. “You could say I’m addicted to magee.” Barb began by volunteering in the library, assisting patients and families with materials. But that certainly wasn’t the only area of the Hospital she touched. she also volunteered in the gift shop, Alcove Café and volunteer services department. she now volunteers three to four days a week running magee’s patient leisure activities. whether it’s Bingo and Poker night, sports sunday or movie Night, Barb is behind it. And why? “Because patients come ﬁrst,” she said. Barb’s presence is felt—and appreciated—throughout the Hospital. “I truly couldn’t do my job without her,” said Jeﬀ Doyle, magee’s Guest relations Concierge. “she is dedicated, and always there for our patients.”

• The magee spokesmen wheelchair basketball team participated in halftime of a Philadelphia 76ers basketball game on January 30, 2013. • magee’s Ceo Jack Carroll traveled to an away tournament in washington, D.C. to watch magee’s sports teams in action. For more information about Magee’s Wheelchair Sports please contact Keith Newerla, Wheelchair Sports Coordinator, at knewerla@mageerehab.org or 215.587.3412.

“Barb has shown great creativity and dedication in all of the volunteer roles she has taken on,” said meg rider, Guest relations and Volunteer services manager. “we are honored that she continues to serve all the patients and families here at magee, and extend to her our sincerest thanks for her extraordinary 20,000 hours of service.” Barbara Hughes will be honored at magee’s 2013 Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon during National Volunteer Appreciation week on April 25. CAN DO! SPRING 2013

MAKING THE GRADE

Jonathan Manno and his tutor Jake Gross go over his pre-calculus homework assignment.

A LOOK AT THE YOUNG ADULTS RECOVERING — AND STUDYING— AT MAGEE Young people at Magee have just undergone a life-changing experience. Everything is new to them. We can make sure their education remains the same. Our goal is to keep every student that comes through our doors on track so they can graduate with their class.

CAN DO! SPRING 2013

the biggest struggles most 15-year-olds go through are driver’s ed and remembering their locker combination. But for Nico Clothier, those were not even blips on his radar. He was focused on overcoming a much larger obstacle: a spinal cord injury. while on a community service trip, Nico jumped into a pile of leaves, sustaining a serious injury to his neck, which in turn caused a stroke. After his acute care at Jefferson University Hospital, he was sent to magee to complete his rehabilitation. In addition to extreme physical challenges that made his daily therapy difficult, he was also on a ventilator and couldn’t verbalize. He had a long road ahead of him, and he knew it. And while in many ways, his life was drastically different from that of the average 15-year-old, there was one big way in which it hadn’t changed: he still had to go to school. At magee, there is an emphasis on treating the whole person—not just the injury. for young people going through rehab, part of that includes continuing their education, whether it be in high school or college. It’s so important, in fact, that magee developed specialized therapeutic services for adolescents and young adults, designed to help them return to a life of independence after their time at magee. The Adolescent and Young Adult educational and Vocational Program is coordinated by marykate miller, m.ed. and Vilma mazziol, ms, LPC, CrC. “Young people at magee have just undergone a life-changing experience,” said marykate. “everything is new to them, but we can make sure their education remains the same. our goal is keep every student that comes through our doors on track so they can graduate with their class.” But when patients are spending hours a day in therapy and coping with their new functional limitations, keeping them on track to graduate with the rest of their class is far more difficult than it sounds.

“SECOND BEST THING” High school junior Jonathan manno taps his pencil on the side of his wheelchair as he goes through his vocabulary homework. Like most 16-year-olds, it’s not his favorite subject. But unlike most 16-year-olds, he is grateful for the opportunity to study it. He came to magee after a parkour accident (an international sport that can be best described as urban obstacle course running) left him with a spinal cord injury. He started out as an inpatient, but had since moved on to outpatient therapy. It was important to Jonathan to graduate with the rest of his class in 2014—but that would take some planning. His family met with marykate and Vilma as soon as he was admitted to magee to discuss his schooling and his goals. from there, marykate and Vilma took the reins. They contacted the school to learn more about Jonathan’s schedule and class requirements, provided them with all the appropriate documentation for a medical leave of absence and coordinated with the guidance counselor. Because Jonathan lives in Atlantic City, it was too far for his teachers to travel. so marykate and Vilma worked with Team Tutor, LLC to bring school to him.

magee continues to follow-up with these patients to ensure their academic and vocational plans remain on track. That includes assisting with the college application process, serving as recommenders for college and vocational programs, making referrals to the appropriate state vocational rehabilitation oﬃces, career and training exploration and followup services to assure they are on course with their academic and vocational goals. “OBSTACLES ARE MEANT TO BE OVERCOME.” Thanks to the special adolescent and young adult services, magee’s young adults go on to do great things. Nico is a prime example of the success you can achieve with the right support system and a whole lot of determination.

Nico Clothier, former patient and current U.C. Berkeley student, stops by Magee over holiday break to get some Locomotor Training.

“we tell parents not to worry about anything with schooling and education,” said marykate. “from the homework to the grading to the reporting, we have it covered.” And they do. Before he knew it, in between therapy sessions, Jonathan was working with his tutor on english, history, pre-calculus, physics and, yes, vocabulary.

“It provides you with a sense of normalcy,” said Jonathan. “And I like having a one-on-one tutor. It’s the second best thing to actually being back in school.” BEYOND TUTORING The support magee provides for students goes beyond tutoring— far beyond. marykate and Vilma also act as advocates for students to make sure they get the credit (and credits) they deserve. “we work with schools to ﬁnd out ways students can get credit for all the work they put in while at magee,” said Vilma. “for example, we work to get students gym credits for therapy, art credits for art therapy, and provide opportunities for volunteering at the Hospital for those schools that require service hours.” And when patients leave, they aren’t on their own—magee is always right behind them, helping them along the way. “we encourage our patients to return to school before the end of the school year—the longer they wait, the more diﬃcult the transition will be,” said marykate. “we work with both the student and the school to prepare for their return, and make our recommendations for ways to make it smoother.”

As you can imagine, things were not easy for him while he was at magee. Therapy was diﬃcult, and being nonverbal made it more so. But that didn’t stop him. Not only did he persevere through therapy, but also through his education. He received tutoring while at magee, and homebound tutoring after he was discharged. He was able to return to school for his senior year—and graduated with the rest of his class.

That alone is a tremendous accomplishment. But then Nico threw a prestigious university in the mix. marykate helped Nico and his mother Audrey through the college research process, suggesting schools that have demonstrated their commitment to students with disabilities and sharing helpful information regarding the search process. According to Audrey, the best advice she received was to call and visit a university’s disability office before you ever visit as that will give you an idea of what the college experience will be like. enter University of California at Berkeley. The University’s Disabled students’ residence Program is “incredible,” emphasizing independence and empowering students to live their own lives. Nico knew that’s where he wanted to be. He applied and was accepted, and is now enjoying the west Coast college experience. “It’s worth it to keep trying,” he said. “There will be many obstacles, but obstacles are meant to be overcome.” Jonathan is hoping for the same success—and will no doubt achieve it. “It will be great to finally get back to school,” he said, in between vocab words. “I’m hoping to come back in the spring. But definitely for my senior year.” marykate and Vilma look forward to seeing him in that cap and gown. “everyone that has gone through this program at magee that wanted to has been able to graduate with their class,” said Vilma, smiling. “we’re both proud to help make it happen.”

CAN DO! SPRING 2013

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.

What’s New in Research at the Regional Spinal Cord Injury Center of the Delaware Valley magee rehabilitation Hospital, together with Thomas Jeﬀerson University Hospital, has served as the regional spinal Cord Injury Center of the Delaware Valley (rsCICDV) for more than 30 years. Designated by the National Institute on Disability rehabilitation and research as a spinal Cord Injury model system of Care, the Center has since embarked on a research agenda designed to lead advances in clinical care and quality of life for those living with a spinal cord injury (sCI). Between 2011 through 2016, rsCICDV will participate in multiple research projects related to these goals. Here are examples of just a few of the designated projects in which magee is participating as a partner of the rsCICDV. PREDICTING NEUROLOGICAL RECOVERY AFTER TRAUMATIC SCI This project will track natural neurologic recovery patterns following an sCI. The team will then compare these patterns to previous ﬁndings, in which participants received a pharmaceutical or clinical intervention. The results of this investigation will help the team determine how well these interventions work, and how they can be improved for future use.

CAN DO! SPRING 2013

DIAPHRAGM PACING – LONGITUDINAL FOLLOW UP Diaphragm Pacer systems (DPs) are a device implanted on the diaphragm to facilitate breathing instead of depending on a mechanical ventilator. This study will review medical and functional outcomes of persons who have received a (DPs) while in magee’s system of care. This investigation will help the team determine how these devices can be most helpful for appropriate individuals in the future. THE VALUE OF MRI AND DTI AS BIOMARKERS FOR CLASSIFYING ACUTE SCI Dr. Adam flanders of Thomas Jefferson University Hospital is conducting research to review the use of imaging studies to provide additional objective information to determine the extent of the spinal cord injury in the first few days after injury. Because those patients then come to magee as the rehabilitation continuum of the spinal Cord Center, magee staff will provide the follow up neurological exams while patients involved in this study are inpatients, and throughout magee’s Lifetime follow-Up system of Care. This monitoring is a crucial component of data analysis for this study.

(ASUBIO) A MULTICENTER, RANDOMIZED, DOUBLE-BLIND, PLACEBO-CONTROLLED, PARALLELGROUP STUDY TO EVALUATE THE EFFICACY, SAFETY AND PHARMACOKINETICS OF SUN13837 INJECTION IN ADULT SUBJECTS WITH ACUTE SCI magee is one of many trauma and rehabilitation centers throughout North America to be involved in a trial of a drug designed to promote neurorecovery and neurorepair in patients with post-traumatic cervical sCI. As one of the study’s rehab centers, magee will receive enrolled patients from surrounding trauma acute care centers, and provide them with a daily infusion of the drug, and measure outcomes using the AsIA neurologic exam and the sCIm functional measure. Patients who choose to be involved in this study will be monitored throughout their inpatient stay and during outpatient visits to our Lifetime follow-Up system of Care. Magee is proud to be a part of such innovative research activity as a part of the RSCICDV, and pleased to be able to provide these opportunities to those people the Hospital serves throughout the continuum of care.

SHARING OUR EXPERTISE

Mary Schmidt Read, PT, DPT, MS is Magee’s Spinal Cord Injury Program director and the coordinator of research. She is involved in many presentations and publications throughout the year.

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 some examples of how we are sharing our expertise with the world.

pResentations AMERICAN PHYSICAL THERAPY ASSOCIATION Combined Sections Meeting 2013 in San Diego, California Physical therapists at magee not only attended this prestigious conference, but also presented. Liz watson, PT, DPT, NCs was part of an expert panel of neurologic specialists who presented on a new outcome measure for spinal cord injury based on pre-injury function instead of compensation. Colleen sullivan, PT, DPT also joined an esteemed group of panelists to discuss ethical and professional issues for new graduates. NURSING ALLIANCE FOR QUALITY CARE National Consensus Conference in Herndon, Virginia Janice schuld, msN, CrNP, CrrN, ANP-BC participated in a poster session about nursing contributions to engaging patients. Her poster, “Patient engagement Project (PeP) Celebrates Independence,” highlighted magee’s current patient engagement project. marci ruediger, PT, ms, Director of Performance excellence and Deborah Long, rN, msN, CrrN, Clinical resource Nurse, were also acknowledged as credits on the poster.

GUY FRIED TUTTLEMAN LECTURE SERIES Magee Rehabilitation Hospital in Philadelphia, PA and the Sands Casino in Bethlehem, PA magee’s spinal Cord Injury Program Director and Coordinator of research mary schmidt read, PT, DPT, ms presented on therapeutic technology for people with spinal cord injuries and other neurologic dysfunctions. Dr. Todd Lewis, clinical neuropsychologist and brain injury clinical specialist, presented on psychosocial issues in traumatic brain injury. Cate Dorr, ms, oTr/L and facility dog ford presented on canine facilitated therapy, and Dr. Lane Brown presented on funding for the traumatic brain injury survivor. NEURORECOVERY CLINICAL TRIAL PRESENTATIONS magee’s spinal Cord Injury Program Director and Coordinator of research mary schmidt read, PT, DPT, ms has been involved as the primary trainer for two ongoing research clinical trials. Both projects are pharmaceutical studies, investigating the neurorecovery eﬀects in traumatic spinal cord injury and multiple sclerosis. mary’s role is to provide training for the individual sites’ study personnel on the standardized outcome measurements being used to prove whether the drug has had an eﬀect. These trainings are held at magee or at the study institutions throughout North America.

publications ARCHIVES OF PHYSICAL MEDICINE AND REHABILITATION September 2012 members of Team magee were involved in several studies on Locomotor Training with the Neurorecovery Network. magee’s spinal Cord Injury Program Director and Coordinator of research mary schmidt read, PT, DPT, ms and Amy Bratta, PT, DPT, NCs, were involved in a study about establishing the Neurorecovery Network. mary was also involved in a number of other studies in this publication, including research on balance and ambulation improvements in individuals with chronic incomplete spinal cord injury using Locomotor Training-based rehabilitation; the relationship between AsIA examination and functional outcomes in the Neurorecovery Network Locomotor Training program; and Locomotor Training as a treatment of spinal cord injury and in the progression of neurological rehabilitation. JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGIC PHYSICAL THERAPY September 2012 magee’s spinal Cord Injury Program Director and Coordinator of research mary schmidt read, PT, DPT, ms coauthored a study about life care planning outcomes for patients with motor incomplete spinal cord injury, both before and after Locomotor Training. CAN DO! SPRING 2013

GIVERS CORNER:

Alan Milberg

To learn more about this great team and how you might play a part, you can contact the Magee Development Department at segalclassic@mageerehab.org or 215.587.3090.

It was a terrible act of senseless violence that introduced Alan milberg to magee rehabilitation Hospital in January 1997. His son scott was a student at Johnson & wales University when a gunman’s bullet changed his life. As a result of the shooting, scott sustained a spinal cord injury and came to magee. while an inpatient at magee, scott met Jerry segal, one of magee’s most prominent former patients. scott was fascinated by Jerry’s story and it served as a great motivator for him during his therapy. It wasn’t long before scott told his dad, “You have to meet this guy!” Alan met Jerry, learned all about the Jerry segal Classic to beneﬁt the patients of magee, and, as they say, the rest is history. Alan “felt an immediate connection to want to help in some way,” and attended his ﬁrst segal Classic golf outing in 1997. He brought friends, family and business colleagues along, and has served as a sponsor ever since. He also began his work on the executive Committee that plans the event.

Alan Milberg (left) with Jerry Segal.

We are grateful for the hard work and dedication Alan Milberg gives as the Chairman of the Friends of Jerry Segal Executive Committee and appreciate the diﬀerence he has made in the lives of our patients.

saVe the Date! Jerry segal golf classic september 20, 2013

CAN DO! SPRING 2013

It was easy to see that Alan was a sharp, bright and giving guy. In fact, Jerry segal calls him “one of the most giving people I know.” Alan brought a new energy to the executive Committee and stepped up to help in any way he could. Lou starkman had been the Chairman of the segal Classic since its inception, and as soon as he got to know Alan, he thought he might be the “right” guy to take over as the Chairman. Lou approached Alan, who said he’d do it, but not just yet. He told Lou that he “needed another year or two.” Alan retired as the President of royal Paper in 2000 and, true to his word, assumed his new job as the Chairman of the segal executive Committee. Alan has served in that role for the last 12 years and has helped the Classic hit some major milestones, including raising $1 million for the event in 2007, and crossing the total raised mark of $10 million in 2010. funds raised through the segal Classic have supported much needed equipment, programs, family meals, housing, and so much more over the last 23 years. “The segal Classic does such good things to help people, and everyone on the committee works hard for this one cause: the patients at magee,” he said. “It’s not one person that makes this work. It is a real team eﬀort and, when I stand on the stage the night of our event, looking out at the crowd, I am so proud of all that we do.” Jerry segal and the friends of Jerry segal work on the tournament year-round, and Jerry says Alan “leaves no stone unturned, and puts his heart into all we do.” Jerry and Alan have developed an amazing friendship over the years, and both are very good at reminding everyone that “we do it because the patients of magee need our help.” Alan also adds, “we are always looking for people to get involved.”

YOUR DONATIONS At WoRk Magee offers many different programs that only happen because of generous philanthropic support. Donations from individuals, foundations and corporations help Magee provide the following programs.

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our Peer Mentor program matches newly injured patients with former patients who can serve as role models and resources to help them adapt to life, understand what is ahead, and answer questions from someone who is dealing with the same medical issues. Art Therapy, Horticulture Therapy and Recreation Therapy remain critically important to patients’ recovery, and your support helps bring those programs to life. magee sponsors teams and individuals to compete in wheelchair basketball, racing, tennis and rugby. while these programs are focused on wheelchair sports, the beneﬁts are much greater, including teaching independence, self-care and mentoring.

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The Wound Care Team is able to help patients dealing with challenging issues associated with wounds by providing nutritional supplements, dietary counseling, and specialized care. Magee’s facility dog Joey makes a diﬀerence every day by helping patients achieve their therapeutic goals. Learn more about Joey on page 8. Facility dog Joey gets a good tooth-brushing – all while helping patient Annie Emanuel work on her fine motor skills.

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charitable support is also used to purchase specialized equipment for use in our therapy gyms, help treat outpatients in the gaspar Center, and do so much more! gifts can be made online at MageeRehab.org or by mail using the envelope in this Can Do! magazine. For additional information on how you can provide support to help our patients, please call the Magee Development Department at 215.587.3090 or email giving@mageerehab.org. CAN DO! SPRING 2013

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 plannedgiving@mageerehab.org.