Can Do! Spring 2016

CAN DO!

News from Magee Rehabilitation hospital sPrING 2016

Brian Propp

SKATING TO VICTORY OVER STROKE Firmly Planted: The McGonagles Find Strength in Each Other and Their Magee Family Wheelchair Sports Spotlight: Pat & Chuck McCloskey The Campaign for the Creative Therapy Center and Healing Gardens Exceeds Goal!

On the cover: Former Philadelphia Flyer Brian Propp on the Vector with Occupational Therapist Paula Bonsall and Physical Therapist Erin Trudell. Photo by Flat World Media Productions.

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MAGEE REHABILITATION HOSPITAL marissa montenegro Public relations & social media manager 1513 race street Philadelphia, PA 19102-1177 Phone 215-587-3363 mmontenegro@mageerehab.org 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 2016

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4 6 9 10

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Checking In‌with Joe Behrle and matt Johnson Magee Highlights Volunteer Spotlight: Patient engagement Volunteers

Brian Propp: Skating to Victory over Stroke at Magee

13 14

The Check-Up with Dr. Doherty

16 17 17 18

Wheelchair Sports Spotlight: Pat & Chuck mcCloskey

Firmly Planted: The McGonagles Find Strength in Each Other and Their Magee Family

Spotlight on Research Sharing Our Expertise: magee’s Consulting Physicians Givers Corner: The Campaign for the Creative Therapy Center and Healing Gardens exceeds Goal

A LetteR fRom ouR PReSIdeNt ANd Ceo JACK A. CARROLL

Dear Friends: many of you can relate to the variations we experience in the “life spans” of the relationships we make. some relationships are fleeting; some that we think will never end drift apart from no-fault circumstances; and others truly do last a lifetime. As I began thinking about the patients and families we have had the privilege to serve for over five decades now, I am reminded how magee endeavors to be forever connected.

Just a few examples: • A care continuum that includes inpatient, day programming, outpatient, and continuing health and wellness opportunities

It is a bit ironic that we do everything possible to assist our patients in becoming as independent as they can possibly be, but then we don’t want to lose our connection with them.

• our model systems grant for lifetime follow-up clinic for spinal cord injury • The spinal Cord Injury medical Home funded by the Craig H. Neilsen foundation • Numerous post-discharge support groups • wheelchair sports Program • Patient Advisory Councils, one for inpatient and one for outpatient, that tell us how we can serve patients better • The Health and wellness Center at our riverfront location • A myriad of active volunteers who were former patients • Thousands of subscribers to our newsletters and periodicals • Attendees for our events including the Jerry segal Classic, the Night of Champions, our Humanitarian Award Dinner, and the Art Heals evening plus events for which we partner with the Adam Taliaferro foundation • The list goes on…

It is a bit ironic that we do everything possible to assist our patients in becoming as independent as they can possibly be, but then we don’t want to lose our connection with them. That connection isn’t just about providing rehabilitation services. It’s about connecting our alumni with their community where their talents go on to help so many others. In this edition of Can Do! you will be introduced to just a few of the wonderful examples of that we have to share with you. we are proud of these former patients and thankful that we were given the blessing of being a part of their lives—providing support for mind, body, and spirit. Connected then ... forever connected.

Jack A. Carroll, PhD, MHA CAN DO! SPRING 2016

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Every now and then, a former patient drops us a line.

Recently we heard from Joe Behrle and Matt Johnson.

CHECKING IN WITH…

Joe Behrle When Joe Behrle’s family came to visit him at Magee just two weeks after his spinal cord injury, he wasn’t in his room. Searching around the hospital, they eventually found him on the sixth floor, talking away on his cell phone, with blueprints sprawled out across the ping pong table.

Behrle Construction now makes it a priority to help people who need accessible home renovations.

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Joe is a third generation home builder. To him, it didn’t matter that he was dealing with a brand new, life-changing injury. He was going to make sure his projects were completed on time, as promised.

That was back in 2003. Joe was 25 at the time and had been riding dirt bikes with a friend in south Jersey, when he crashed.

“I knew right away that I was paralyzed,” Joe says. He had a complete spinal cord injury at the T-12 level.

A helicopter flew Joe to Cooper University Hospital where surgeons performed a spinal fusion. He was at magee for about a month after that.

“It was a full change of life: the realization that life won’t be the same as it once was,” Joe, now 37, says. “It was time to figure out how to move forward.”

Upon his discharge from magee, Joe returned home to a fully renovated apartment in media, PA. Groups of friends had torn apart the basement of Joe’s dad’s house to make his own accessible residence.

He knows how lucky he was and that most people don’t have a freshly renovated space greeting them when they get home. far from it. so Joe did what he always did. He got to work right away, just with a twist. since he could no longer work out in the field, Joe took over the business end of Behrle Construction, swapping places with his dad, who returned to site work.

Immediately, Joe made it a priority to help people who needed accessible home renovations.

He remembers a young couple named stef and ethan. A mutual friend reached out to Joe, initially just hoping he could act as a mentor and guide ethan through the new and uncertain world of spinal cord injury. Joe did that and much more. He spearheaded a project to add a muchneeded ramp to stef and ethan’s home.

Through his long list of generous contacts, Joe was able to get the materials donated.

“It makes me feel good to be able to give inspiration to someone when they don’t know what to expect,” Joe says. “I pull up in my Jeep Cherokee, jump out, put my chair together, and I get into their house. It helps them see that life isn’t as tragic as it seems right now. You’re not restricted just because you’re paralyzed.” when he has some free time, it’s a safe bet you’ll find Joe in the great outdoors, hunting, off-roading, four-wheeling, boating, or trap shooting.

“I’m out there doing more than almost all of my friends,” Joe says with a laugh.

In January, the Home Builders Association of Chester and Delaware Counties honored Joe with its Community service Award.

“Being able to help where I can is really nice,” Joe says. “from when I got hurt until now, people have called on me because of my expertise, and it’s allowed me to be an inspiration to them, to show them they’re not limited.”

CHECKING IN WITH…

Matt Johnson This winter, Matt Johnson got an email from Magee asking if he’d like to update Can Do! readers on how he’s doing since his below-the-knee amputation about a year ago. His quick reply said more about his recovery than an hour-long interview could. “I would love to,” he wrote. “I’ll be skiing all day Friday. Can we talk on Monday?” matt was a fairly active 24-year-old living in the University City section of Philadelphia at the time of his injury on march 28, 2015. He would bike or run about once a week, but he rode his motorcycle almost everywhere. while riding his motorcycle to a friend’s house, matt was hit by a car that cracked his left femur. He was conscious the whole time and remembers everything.

“I was aware enough to make my body go limp when I was hit,” matt recalls, so he could better absorb the impact of the crash. He told people nearby to call an ambulance. surgeons at Hahnemann University Hospital tried to save matt’s leg, but he had lost too much blood. They ultimately had to amputate it below the knee. matt spent two weeks as an inpatient at magee. “my first few days at magee, I was very nonchalant about telling people what happened,” matt says. “I wasn’t really accepting my emotions.” But the reality of matt’s new circumstances crept in. He’d break down sometimes.

“People would say, ‘Don’t worry! everything is going to be fine,’” matt recalls.

“And in the back of my mind, I’m like, ‘what do you know? You have both feet.’”

But matt’s Peer mentor, Tommy Lyon, knew exactly what he needed to hear—and see. Like matt, Tommy was an amputee in his 20s who had survived a motorcycle accident.

“Tommy came in, and he just had this glow, this swag. He was so comfortable with himself,” matt says. “Talking with Tommy made me see life after amputation.” for matt, that life includes adventure sports he’d never tried before his injury, like rowing, rock climbing, and white water kayaking. It also means a new career. matt had worked as a server at the Union League of Philadelphia, on his feet all day throughout the historic club’s grand dining rooms. remarkably, matt returned to work just seven months after his injury, having spent only about half that time with his prosthetic.

“I tend to overdo it and push myself to the limit. I realized quickly it was way too soon to be doing that kind of work,” matt says. “I finally sat myself down and said ‘You can’t do this, and that’s ok.’

Amputation has forced me to learn about myself and how not to push myself too hard.” with two investment properties and a third in the works, matt now plans to pursue real estate full time. He’s already taken the necessary classes, and his exam is scheduled. “It’s a career where you’re rewarded based on your results, and that’s important to me,” matt says. recently, matt stopped by magee to visit his physical therapist Chris Carroll. He was able to chat with a young amputee patient and share his story. matt is now a Peer mentor himself.

“There’s only one thing to do: you have to move forward,” matt says.

To keep moving, matt applied for a grant to get a running leg, which should be ready in may. “one of my biggest motivations is proving to myself that I can still do all I did before and more,” matt says. “when people say you can’t or won’t do something, there’s always a way to accomplish what you need to do.”

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MAGEE HIGHLIGHTS NEW AND IMPROVED

MageeRehab.org MageeRehab.org has a brand new look for 2016. a dedicated committee of Team Magee members from throughout the hospital, guided by a talented local design firm called Push10, worked for months on content, navigation, design, and more, to be sure the website tells Magee’s story in the most engaging, thoughtful, and user-friendly way.

Visit MageeRehab.org and take a look for yourself!

MAGEE HOSTS 3RD ANNUAL “WALK 2 VICTORY” 24-HOUR STEP-A-THON Third time’s the charm for magee’s 3rd annual “walk It out” step-a-Thon challenge! former patients, family, friends, and staff united to keep a treadmill running for 24 hours straight from 5 P.m. on friday, october 23 to 5 P.m. on saturday, october 24, raising more than $20,000 to benefit people living with paralysis or other disabilities. All proceeds from the fundraiser benefitted the Christopher and Dana reeve foundation’s Neurorecovery Network and magee’s Locomotor Training Clinic to continue treatment and research for people with spinal cord injuries. That blushing bride? It’s magee PT Kristen snyder! she and her groom matt brought their entire bridal party and a generous donation to the event. Now that’s true love.

Try ReWalk at the Riverfront magee riverfront is excited to announce monthly REWALK CLINIC DAYS! The rewalk Personal system is an exoskeleton that allows people with paraplegia to stand and walk. rewalk has the first unit that is fDA approved for home use for people with complete or incomplete spinal cord injury T4 level or below. for more information on rewalk Clinic Days and getting your evaluation, please contact magee riverfront at 215-218-3900.

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AYA ROOM GETS NEW EQUIPMENT In the last Can Do!, readers were introduced to the AYA room: the Adolescent/Young Adult Assistive Technology suite. since then, Team magee has continued with impressive upgrades of new equipment, like the Amazon echo, Nest Cam (voice controlled/ motion controlled camera,) and new gaming equipment that’s controlled by the patient’s head movement or sip-and-puff.

Former Patient on “Road to Rio” VISION CENTER RECEIVES $150K GRANT The Vision Assessment Center at magee was named a 2015 grantee of the Norman raab foundation. Thanks to the raab foundation’s generosity, and through collaboration with salus University, magee is able to provide vision screening and neuro-optometry treatment for its patients with stroke, brain injury, multiple sclerosis and other disorders that may alter how the visual system works. The specialized vision rehabilitation therapy offered through the clinic is available to any person served by a magee physiatrist and is an important aspect of comprehensive rehabilitation.

Paralympic swimmer and former patient michelle Konkoly is taking her magee family behind the scenes as she prepares for the 2016 Paralympic Games in rio de Janeiro, Brazil. michelle will be writing a monthly “road to rio” series for the Believe@magee blog culminating with the Paralympic games in rio this september.

be sure to visit blog.mageerehab.org to track Michelle’s progress!

PRESSURE ULCER PREVENTION PROJECT WINS BIG This fall, the magee project titled “Innovations to stop Pressure Ulcers among Patients at Critically High risk for Pressure Ulcer Development— A multidisciplinary Approach” won not one but two esteemed awards!

The Hospital & Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania (HAP) presented Team magee with a 2015 Achievement Award called the “In safe Hands” Award. Then, the Health Care Improvement foundation awarded magee first place in the 2015 Delaware Valley Patient safety and Quality Awards (right). Congratulations!

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EVENTS CORNER Left to right: Jack Carroll, President and CEO, Jerry Segal, and Guy Fried, Chief Medical Officer, at the Jerry Segal Golf Classic

the 26th JeRRy segal golf ClassiC raised an impressive $700,000 for magee patients on friday, september 18, 2015. As the region’s largest one-day golf outing, the segal Classic has raised over $14.5 million over the past 26 years, serving 29,000 patients, providing 65,000 family meals and making a world of difference for magee patients and families. At the event, attendees helped to fund a Need by collectively donating $75,000 to purchase two specialized electrical stimulation bikes for the Hospital and its patients. save the date for the 27th Jerry segal Golf Classic on friday, september 23, 2016. for information, contact SegalClassic@MageeRehab.org.

Art heals . . . It’s a simple statement, but for patients at magee, art does indeed heal by helping patients achieve their therapy goals. magee’s Art Therapy Program was celebrated at the 4th annual aRt heals event on october 7, 2015 at the Pennsylvania Academy of the fine Arts. Patient created artwork was on display in the gallery and the Daren Dieter excellence in Art Award was presented to former magee patients Keira Aviles and mayuko Abe. Keira was shot in the back and face by her exboyfriend and sustained a spinal cord injury. she said, “I love art therapy because it’s relaxing, and I enjoy expressing myself.” mayuko, an international student at Temple University at the time, came to magee after being hit by a car walking across the street.

“I felt disconnected from myself when I was in the hospital prior to magee,” said mayuko. she said that while participating in art therapy, “I was remembering who I was before the accident inside and out.” over $11,000 was raised that night to support Art Therapy at magee to continue to help patients like Keira and mayuko.

Keira Aviles (center) and Julie Nolan, Magee Art Therapist at Art Heals

Craig L. Adams, President and Ceo of PeCo, was honored at

the 28th annual huManitaRian awaRd dinneR on Tuesday, November 18, 2015 at The rittenhouse Hotel. The event raised $175,000 for magee’s Creative Therapy Center and Healing Gardens project on the 6th floor rooftop. save the date for the 29th Annual Humanitarian Award Dinner on Tuesday, November 15, 2016 at The Logan Hotel honoring Chris Cashman! magee was an official charity partner of the 2015 philadelphia MaRathon with participants in the Philadelphia half and full marathon and RothMan 8K. funds raised support magee’s wheelchair sports programs. Join Team magee in the 2016 Philadelphia marathon (half or full) or rothman 8K November 19-20, 2016.

the 5th adaM taliafeRRo foundation & Magee Rehabilitation golf outing enjoyed a successful day with great golf and a lively auction on october 19, 2015. The event raised over $46,000 for the Adam Taliaferro foundation and magee. save the date for the 6th Taliaferro & magee Golf outing on monday, october 17, 2016 at Green Valley Country Club.

Team Magee at the Rothman 8K

for more information on events that support Magee, contact 215-587-3090 or giving@mageerehab.org.

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VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT

Patient Engagement Volunteers COMING SOON!

suppoRt Magee patients at the 16th annual night of ChaMpions event on fRiday, May 6, 2016! Night of Champions raises money for magee’s patient and community programs such as wheelchair sports (basketball, tennis, rugby and racing), art therapy, horticultural therapy, recreational therapy, facility dog program, patient resource center, peer mentor program, pastoral care and Thinkfirst injury prevention. These programs are only possible because of support from friends like you. During the event, the Champion in the Community Award will be presented to former patient Dean ragone and the BeLIeVe Award will be presented to former Philadelphia flyer and magee patient Brian Propp. Visit 501auctions.com/noc for tickets and to bid on great auction items!

Join Magee at the 2016 blue CRoss bRoad stReet Run. magee runners will participate in the 2016 Blue Cross Broad street run on Sunday, May 1, 2016. run and support magee’s wheelchair sports program (rugby, racing, basketball and tennis)! And if you’re not a runner, you can still join the magee Cheer Zone at Broad and race streets to show the magee BeLIeVe spirit to runners!

Patients and volunteers participate in an art therapy group session

The 4th floor Day room at magee offers a safe and fun environment for patients recovering from brain injury and stroke to participate in activities. These patients generally have poor initiation and difficulty maintaining attention to task and are not yet able to summon assistance when needed. Patient engagement volunteers, supervised by Day room staff, help engage these patients in meaningful activities that are appropriate to their level of recovery, determined by the multi-disciplinary team serving each patient. “some students, when they first start, can be a little timid or nervous,” says Dawn Hinnant, a magee Behavior Technician, who oversees the daily activities in the Day room.

“But this hands-on experience helps the students understand and become more comfortable interacting with patients who are recovering from brain injury and stroke. Having a calm manner and the ability to think on one’s feet are important qualities for this role.” students who fulfill this volunteer role are currently enrolled in a therapy program (occupational, physical, recreation, speech, art or horticulture). This position is focused entirely on patient interaction. After an initial training period, the volunteers learn to engage with cognitively impaired individuals, offering rest periods for the patient, as needed.

“The Volunteer services Department has reached out to local colleges and universities to recruit students for these positions,” says stephanie rivera, Guest relations and Volunteer services support Coordinator. “The Patient engagement position has provided more than 356 patient engagement contact hours for students, and the structured activities with patients have been very successful.” franca Barone, a volunteer and recent undergraduate of Temple University’s speech pathology program says, “Before magee, I was primarily observing speech therapy with children. Now in the Day room, I have the opportunity to interact directly with patients by talking with them and learning what they like to do. I can apply what I have learned in my courses in the real world.” franca has applied to graduate school and feels this experience will help her to be a more engaged practitioner.

“This position was created by the speech Therapy department in 2014 to help students enrolled in a therapy program who want experience working with patients. Being able to engage patients outside of therapy and assist patients in reaching their long-term goals of independence creates a win-win for patients and students,” says rebecca Greenhow, a speech-Language Pathologist at magee, and the Patient experience program lead. “This is hands-on experience the students can’t get anywhere else that brings to light their course work through understanding the disorders and approaches. Volunteering also helps the students to decide if they want to work with adults in a hospital setting and is a skill-builder for their graduate studies. The patients get the benefit of being engaged based on their needs and interests.”

To date, two volunteer students have been accepted to OT graduate studies, and more are applying to graduate programs. To find out more about this position or to apply, visit mageerehab.org/get-involved/volunteer.

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BRIAN PROPP: Skating to Victory over Stroke at Magee

Brian Propp has been skating since he was a little boy growing up in Saskatchewan, Canada, and skated in many of the world’s biggest arenas over his 15 years in the National Hockey League, but it was his skating on the 3rd floor at Magee that would propel him to recovery from a stroke last fall.

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Propp, who played for the Philadelphia flyers for 10 seasons had been to magee many times before, but those visits were all about brightening the days of patients recovering from injury or illness.

“I always remember how appreciative people were when I would stop by and visit them, and I always left here feeling like I got more out of it than the patient,” Brian says. He never imagined the next time he’d be back at magee was as a patient himself.

“we were tremendously scared and didn’t know what to do next,” Brian’s wife Kris says. He had been rushed to a hospital in Annapolis, maryland at the time of stroke. “I was speaking to doctors back home in Philly when they said Brian would need to go to rehab. once they mentioned magee, I knew it was going to be oK.” Brian arrived at magee with temporary paralysis in his right arm, weakness in his right leg, and significant issues with speech and communication. Patients at magee spend a minimum of three hours in therapy each day, and Brian would have a schedule full of physical, occupational, recreational, and speech therapy.

Brian with his care team (left to right): Paula Bonsall, Erin Trudell and Sarah Lantz

Meeting His New Team The staff at magee is often called “Team magee,” and it was time for Brian to meet his new team. each day started early in the morning with a visit from Dr. Barbara Browne, medical Director of the stroke Program. It was then time for nurses and nursing aides to help with medicine, dressing, and breakfast, all to prepare him for the main part of his day: therapy.

Brian would spend a good part of the day with this team, and their names were much different than the guys who were usually on his team: Paula, erin, sarah, and Kristen. when talking about Team magee, a big smile comes to Brian’s face. He describes them as “wonderful, hard-working, creative, and fUN.” Yes, you can have fun while doing therapy, but it only comes with hard work.

“They found a way to build his interests into therapy sessions, and that was a great way to motivate him,” Kris says.

Together, the team worked on strengthening and movement in Brian’s right arm and hand, coordination of his right leg, and dynamic balance. In speech therapy, they worked on improving Brian’s ability to understand and express language, which included vocalizing and writing thoughts.

The road ahead was unclear, but it was a challenge he was up for. Kris says she used to see all of the banners hanging outside the hospital that said “BeLIeVe,” on them, but at times, that wasn’t an easy thing to do. she recalls sitting out on the patio with Brian, about two weeks into his stay, poking his arm and asking “when is this thing going to move?” suddenly, it did. It was at that point that things started to improve, but he still had a long way to go. magee therapists are always trying to get people to do things that they liked to do before their injury, and that’s when a question came to mind: How can we get Brian up on skates again?

Enter the Vector magee is always looking to bring the newest and most advanced therapy and treatment techniques to our patients and two years ago launched the Vector Gait & safety system, a robotic gait training system. Patients using the Vector are safely secured in a harness that uses a robotic trolley on a conductive rail that senses the patients’ movement and follows along. It’s one of the busiest pieces of equipment used each day at magee, and this fall, it was put to a new test. “we had Kris bring in Brian’s rollerblades and a hockey stick. They both smiled at the idea and were excited to give it a try, and so were we,” occupational Therapist Paula Bonsall says. “I grew up watching the flyers, so I knew who Brian Propp was, and we were really excited to see him skate again.”

And skate he did! Kris recalls being on the elevator with a friend who was preparing her for the worst, telling her about long term effects of stroke. suddenly, the elevator doors opened, and Brian went flying by on his rollerblades, with three therapists chasing behind him. “That’s my husband,” Kris proudly told her friend. Brian’s team couldn’t help but smile.

“The team was invested in helping Brian achieve his goals, especially skating again,” Paula says. “we used his love of hockey to help the brain rewire to generate movement to increase function, and we were thrilled with the results!”

Paula and Brian work on stretching his right hand

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HOW TO SPOT

THE SIGNS OF A STROKE fast is used by the american Stroke association to identify a stroke.

Face drooping: Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? ask the person to smile.

Arm weakness: Is one arm weak or numb? ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?

Speech difficulty: Is speech slurred, are they unable to speak, or are they hard to understand? ask the person to repeat a simple sentence, like “The sky is blue.” Is the sentence repeated correctly?

Time to call 9-1-1: If the person shows any of these symptoms, even if the symptoms go away, call 9-1-1 and get them to the hospital immediately. also, check the time so you’ll know when the first symptoms appeared. a clot-busting drug called tissue plasminogen activator (tPa) may improve the chances of getting better, but only if you get them help right away.

Other symptoms that may be a warning sign of a stroke: • Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes • Sudden numbness or weakness of the leg • Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination • Sudden confusion or trouble understanding • Sudden severe headache with no known cause

“The doctors said Brian would need to go to rehab. Once they mentioned Magee, I knew it was going to be OK, ” said his wife, Kris. “Every person we met at Magee helped us to know we were not alone. For that, we remain grateful to everyone on Team Magee for helping us to BELIEVE again.”

Heading Home After more than a month in the hospital, Brian was anxious to go home, and Kris was anxious to have him home. But at the same time, the thought was a bit frightening.

“You are back where you were before, but things are different,” Kris says. “There isn’t the same structure to your day. we relied on a different kind of teamwork to help each other with things, even a simple task,” Kris says.

Brian looked forward to the comforts of home and his favorite spaghetti and salad.

He still had a lot of work ahead of him but was happy to be home. After a few days “off,” he returned to a busy therapy schedule as a part of the Day rehab Program at magee riverfront. He continued to work on strengthening, communication and speech, and, yes, rollerblading: this time in the basement of the outpatient facility.

Moving Forward months later, Brian is continuing with occupational and speech therapies as an outpatient at the magee riverfront. His oT is helping him to get his right hand and shoulder stronger. He continues to work on speaking and reads out loud at home to practice after therapy. He walks over to Dunkin’ Donuts in his neighborhood several days a week and joins a group of regulars at a table, just to hang out and talk. He also has begun to talk about the warning signs of stroke with people he meets.

“You can’t just sit at home,” Brian says.

Brian hopes to drive again soon, has returned to work on a limited basis with wolf Commercial real estate, and has been a guest coach for the flyers Alumni hockey team for a few games. He hasn’t started skating on the ice again yet but knows he will in time. “every person we met at magee, from the front desk to everyone involved in Brian’s care, made us feel comfortable and helped us to know we were not alone,” Kris says. “for that, we remain grateful to everyone on Team magee for helping us to BeLIeVe again.”

in honor of his hard work and dedication, brian propp will be the recipient of the believe award at the night of Champions fundraiser on friday, May 6, 2016. for more information on this event, please see page 9.

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the CheCk-uP WITH DR. DOHERTY Each issue, we like to introduce you to someone from Team Magee.

Today, meet Dr. Jeanne Doherty. The Can Do! editor sat down with Dr. Doherty to talk about the experiences that led her to Magee and her thoughts on some of the most pressing issues in medicine today.

Can Do! (CD): Tell us a little about yourself and your background.

Dr. Jeanne Doherty (JD): my mom and dad both grew up in Philly. They moved to south Jersey where I grew up but I have always been a city girl at heart. I received my undergraduate education at saint Joseph’s University (Go Hawks!) and played NCAA softball my first two years. senior year, I was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBs), an autoimmune disease that effects the nervous system. my personal experience opened me to the world of rehabilitation medicine. A subsequent diagnosis of CIDP, the chronic form of the condition for which I continue to undergo treatment on a regular basis, has allowed me to make some special connections with my patients and their care givers. After marrying, I finished medical school at Georgetown University. I came back “home” to Philly to complete my internship at Pennsylvania Hospital and residency at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.

In my free time, I love to travel, watch just about any sports (especially all Philly teams), and hang out with my maltese, Charlie!

CD: Why did you choose to practice at Magee?

JD: As a resident, I spent a significant amount of time rotating on different services at magee. I was amazed by the friendliness, dedication, and team work of the staff. The attending physicians here at the time were wonderful teachers and mentors.

The care provided to patients and their

families went above and beyond anything I had experienced in all of my training. It was truly like being with family. I felt like I fit right in! once I completed my residency, I became an attending here at magee in January 2000.

CD: Your role at Magee is slightly different than our other physicians. Can you explain more about what you do day to day?

JD: I spent the first several years of my practice directly caring for patients with a variety of diagnoses and initiated an outpatient practice for magee in Voorhees, NJ. After about seven years, I began focusing on additional areas related to healthcare.

As Assistant medical Director, I work very closely with Dr. Guy fried, Chief medical officer. my role includes working as the physician representative on projects to improve the quality and care of our patients.

As the Director of Utilization management, I am involved in appeals, audits, and clinical documentation initiatives. over the last several years there have been a significant number of regulations and policies implemented by the government (medicare and medicaid) and commercial insurers that have tightened the eligibility criteria for approval of patients to receive the appropriate rehabilitation services. working with our utilization management nurses, case managers, finance department, medical records department, and clinical teams, we advocate strongly for the appropriate coverage for our patients.

CD: What is your area of expertise?

Is there anything you’re working on now that you’re especially excited about?

JD: The combination of medical knowledge and expertise in insurance coverage, documentation regulations, and policies allows me to utilize a unique set of skills to continue to provide the best care for our patients and to advocate for patients to receive the appropriate rehabilitation services.

I continue to present at the local and national level which I enjoy very much.

I also enjoy teaching and do so whenever possible.

CD: What do you think is a pressing issue in physical medicine and rehabilitation today?

JD: Although I agree that regulations are required to ensure that appropriate rehabilitation services are being prescribed and received, I am afraid the pendulum is swinging too far in the other direction. It is imperative that we as the physical medicine and rehabilitation community continue to fight for the appropriate rehab services that patients need and deserve. education and advocacy to government representatives are crucial actions that need to be taken. It is up to us to educate other clinicians, our patients, the government, and insurers about our specialty and the significant impact of rehabilitation services on patients’ lives.

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The McGonagles with the newest addition to their family, granddaughter Abigail

Kass, Dennis, and Sean at an Eagles game

Sean and Kass with his care team

The McGonagles Find Strength in Each Other and Their Magee Family As the weather gets warmer, it’s likely you’ll find Dennis McGonagle, 65, spending more time tending to the plants and shrubs outside Magee Riverfront than at his own home in East Norriton, PA. For Dennis, his wife, Kass, and their son, Sean, the Riverfront has become like a second home, and Team Magee—their second family.

The mcGonagles first came to magee about four years ago. sean, then 27, was leaving a sports bar when he was shot. The shooter had been causing trouble at the bar earlier in the evening, returned with a gun, and randomly fired at sean.

The gunshot left sean nearly dead, cutting his carotid artery in half.

Thankfully, an off-duty emT was nearby and helped slow the bleeding. After five weeks in intensive trauma, sean arrived at magee with a spinal cord injury at the C6 and C7 vertebrae.

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“There is so much about sCI that’s a mystery,” Dennis says. “we needed the team at magee to help us figure it all out.” for instance, sean suffered—and continues to endure—excruciating pain post-injury. when describing it for a judge, sean said, “Imagine your body is being electrocuted and set on fire at the same time.” The judge sentenced sean’s shooter to 11-23 years in prison.

Despite the pain, sean was a bright light for everyone around him during his time at magee. “one thing sean is really good at is making everyone else feel better about themselves,” occupational Therapist Katie falzone says. “Housekeeping, nurses, therapists, he always made everyone else feel so special.” sean spent about four months at magee before heading home. while sean was recovering, Dennis had been working every contact and resource he could muster, trying to get the home modifications the family would need to accommodate sean’s power chair. returning home was an adjustment for sure, but sean, Dennis, and Kass made it work. By september 2013, though, sean needed another surgery. He was losing sensation, so doctors decided that the bullet, which they had left inside sean, needed to come out. sean went in for surgery on a Thursday.

That monday, Kass had a stroke.

“It was a shock,” Dennis says. “sometimes you think, ‘why did this happen?’ but then I know I have to stay strong. I’m not the one who just had a stroke or sCI.”

That fall, Dennis spent almost all of his time at magee, before and after work, with sean on the 5th floor and Kass on the 4th. “when I think of Kass I think of determination and dedication,” speech Therapist rebecca Greenhow says. “she would talk about how important it was for her to improve so she could get home and help take care of her family.” every day, sean would visit his mom on the 4th floor to have lunch. Dennis would bring her a fresh pretzel on his way to work each morning.

“They’re always putting each other before themselves,” Katie says.

The entire mcGonagle clan was home for Christmas 2013. Both sean and Kass entered the Day rehab program at the riverfront and continue today as clients in the Health and wellness Center, visiting about three times a week.

It was on one visit about a year ago that Dennis noticed the landscaping outside the riverfront could use some sprucing up. without being asked, Dennis got the supplies needed to give the garden new life. every few months, he changes up the plants to reflect the season.

“People always make comments on how beautiful the garden is,” Case manager masako suzuki says. “That beautiful entrance really makes a difference for our patients.”

“magee takes such great care of our family,” Dennis says. “This is something small I can do to say ‘thank you.”

The mcGonagles also stay connected by participating in different support groups and the Patient Advisory Council, sharing their thoughts on how magee’s patient experience can be improved. sean is an active member of the sCI Young Adult Group, always with a new idea for an outing or adventure. “He’s like our social director!” masako says. one weekend they might be out for a fancy cruise ship dinner, the next they’re cheering in the stands at an eagles game.

“It’s had me do things I never would have done,” sean adds.

As a teen, sean was captain of the football team at wissahickon High school.

Next season, he plans to get back to the gridiron, volunteering as coach for a local youth football team.

“Both sean and Kass never let their disability control their lives,” recreational Therapist Colleen mcAllister says. “It’s such an honor to work with this family.”

Kass smiles, “when they say you’re part of the magee family, you really are.”

Dennis’ landscaping work at Magee Riverfront

Sean and Dennis at a Temple football game

Sean in a Locomotor Training session

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WHEELCHAIR SPORTS SPOTLIGHT:

Pat & Chuck McCloskey For Pat and Chuck McCloskey, wheelchair rugby is a family affair. In 2011, Pat joined the Magee Eagles wheelchair rugby team after an ice hockey accident shattered his C-6 vertebrae five years prior. His dad Chuck volunteers with the team. Community Programs Coordinator Keith Newerla sat down with the McCloskey men to learn more about their story.

Keith Newerla (KN): Describe what that first rugby practice was like.

Pat McCloskey (PM): It was nerve-wracking and exhilarating at the same time. I was learning as I was playing, but it felt good to be a part of a team again and feel like I made a contribution. Playing rugby allowed me to finally answer a question that had been looming over my head for five years, “Can I ever be competitive again?” The answer is yes!

KN: How has wheelchair rugby helped you adapt to life after spinal cord injury?

PM: The goal of every person with tetraplegia is independence, and levels vary. wheelchair rugby has helped keep me active. The stronger and more flexible you are, the more you can do things you once thought were not possible. You gain confidence that was once lost. Plus, you build bonds and friendships and gain knowledge.

Because of rugby, I do not consider myself disabled and broken, but rather as a capable human being with aspirations and goals.

To learn more about Wheelchair Sports at Magee, contact sports@mageerehab.org or 215-587-3412.

KN: Chuck, what motivates you to volunteer with the sports program?

Chuck McCloskey (CM): watching how hard these guys and gals work, and the fun they have doing it, that’s my motivation. They allow me to be a part of something very special. The competition can be fierce, and the games are really exciting to watch. once you get an understanding of how the game is played and the strategy the teams deploy, you’re in for a great afternoon of hard hitting rugby.

KN: What would you say to someone who is considering a sports program for the first time?

PM: Life is all about experiences. You are physically a new person with a plethora of opportunities to be whoever you want to be. The hard part is taking the step forward to find out who that is. A sports team can help guide you to becoming the most independent and happiest you can be.

KN: Pat, what is it like to have your dad helping out with the rugby team?

Pat and Chuck McCloskey

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PM: It’s an absolute joy to have my dad help out with the team. It’s like having your biggest fan on the sidelines cheering you on, then helping you change a flat. what makes him so special is his passion and dedication not only to myself but also to the rest of my teammates. I am very lucky to have the best dad on the planet! when I look back and sports are over, it’s the time that I have spent with my Dad that I will cherish the most. Love you, Dad!

SPOTLIGHT ON

SHARING OUR EXPERTISE

RESEARCH

Magee’s Consulting Physicians

magee rehabilitation partners with many sources to support research in areas that affect those we serve. we continue to report on the complex clinical trials that we have been participating in. some examples include pharmaceutical studies for the care and cure of people with spinal cord injuries (use of stem cells, intravenous neuroprotective injections, etc.) or the use of new medical devices and tools to augment critical care of people with disabilities, in areas like wound care, falls, neurorecovery techniques, and balance. our partners in these detailed studies are often international pharmaceutical firms, other clinical sites or model systems of care, academic faculty and institutions, federal agencies supporting clinical research (like Education is an the Department of Defense or the important aspect National Institute on Disability, of Magee’s mission: Independent Living, and rehabilitation research), or public “We are driven to organizations (like the Christopher educate health and Dana reeve foundation or care providers and the Craig H. Neilsen foundation) the community in that provide funding for projects all the aspects of related to their areas of interest.

Another area of research that rehabilitation care.” magee continues to support is that of investigative projects being conducted as part of an educational program. magee has provided opportunities for students of all disciplines for many years, including physicians, therapists, nurses, dietitians, psychologists, and social workers, plus administrative internships. Usually students work at magee as part of their clinical training and spend weeks or months working under the tutelage of their respective discipline mentors. magee also offers the opportunity to complete upper academic level investigative projects and research. education is an important aspect of magee’s mission: “we are driven to educate health care providers and the community in all the aspects of rehabilitation care.”

To this end, magee is committed to providing learning and research opportunities for academic investigators at any level of their academic pursuits.

If you’ve spent even a short amount of time at Magee, you’ve likely seen or heard the phrase “Team Magee” a number of times.

For more information on Magee Rehabilitation Hospital’s research initiatives and programs, please contact Magee’s Spinal Cord Injury Program Director and Coordinator of Research Mary Schmidt Read, PT, DPT, MS at mschmidt@mageerehab.org or 215-587-3151.

The therapists, nurses, and doctors, plus concierge, dining and housekeeping staffs—really everyone in the building—work together toward the common goal of providing the best possible experience and outcomes for our patients. some very important players on Team magee are our consulting physicians. To complement the impressive lineup of doctors on staff specializing in Physical medicine & rehabilitation, there is an active roster of more than 50 consulting physicians who treat our patients in areas like gastroenterology, optometry, podiatry, dentistry, cardiology, and other medical specialties. “our consultant team of doctors helps add significant expertise and quality to our patient care,” says Dr. Guy fried, magee’s Chief medical officer. “They each have different expertise and knowledge that help support us. when patients run into special problems, Dr. Nye or Dr. steinbach or Dr. Klein can zoom in and help us to focus. It adds an extra layer of safety and quality for our patient population that is priceless. They are our additional angels”.

Dr. Alan steinbach specializes in pulmonary medicine and works in private practice with fellow magee consulting physician Dr. Howard Klein. He started consulting with magee six years ago.

“I’ve been a physician for a very long time, and I always worked in acute care hospitals, not a rehab hospital like magee,” Dr. steinbach says. “magee is one of the few places that really does work as a team, and the patient is the focus of the care. You really get to know the patients as people and build a connection.

That’s been so rewarding.” specializing in internal medicine, Dr. robert Nye began consulting at magee more than 10 years ago. A patient at magee could have more than 20 medications simultaneously, and Dr. Nye helps manage those complex medical needs.

“I feel very fortunate to have found a home here,” Dr. Nye says. “magee is staffed at all levels with compassionate, dedicated, and professional people. working here and seeing such courage and determination displayed by patients in the face of great adversity gives me a daily dose of humility and gratitude and helps keep my own life in proper perspective.” for Dr. steinbach, too, the people he serves each day are a constant motivation. “overwhelmingly, the patients at magee are tremendously resilient,” Dr. steinbach says. “They are all facing unique challenges, and they are fighting and working every day. They focus on what they can do, not what they can’t do, and they learn to do as much as possible by themselves. It’s an incredible place to work.”

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GIVERS CORNER:

The Campaign for The Creative Therapy Center and Healing Gardens Exceeds Goal!

After two years of sharing the impact that The Creative Therapy Center and Healing Gardens would have on our patients and families, the Magee Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation completed its largest fundraising campaign ever, surpassing its initial goal, and raising more than $2.1 million dollars. “we are grateful for the efforts of the Campaign steering Committee and the Development team, but most importantly, we are grateful to everyone who believed in this project and made an investment to help us bring it to life,” Bill Conrad, Chairman of the foundation Board, says.

Here are some exciting statistics about the campaign: • magee has a Hospital operations Board and a foundation Board.

100% of both boards contributed more than $600,000.

• 100% of magee’s leadership staff made gifts. magee staff members from every area of the hospital supported the campaign. A $25,000 matching gift from The mcLean Contributionship gave staff members a huge incentive to give, knowing that their gift would be doubled. The total amount of gifts from magee staff was $60,000.

• magee has a medical staff of 10 doctors. with 100% participation, our physicians gave $64,000.

In this edition of Givers Corner, we extend our sincere thanks to everyone who helped to make this campaign a success and are delighted to highlight those who made gifts of $1,000 or more.*

The Campaign for the Creative Therapy Center and Healing Gardens $330,000 stephen and Dolores smith $125,000 The Hollander family Harold and Lynne Honickman $100,000 Tom Duffy/Duffy + Partners Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals

• The largest gift to the campaign was $330,000!

• The campaign had wide support from former patients and their families, foundations, vendors, and many others who believed in the project.

Magee is grateful to all donors who have supported The Creative Therapy Center & Healing Gardens. There’s still time to support this exciting project! If you would like to support The Creative Therapy Center and Healing Gardens, contact 215-587-3090 or healinggarden@mageerehab.org.

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CAN DO! SPRING 2016

$50,000 A friend of magee The Arcadia foundation Joanne and Bill Conrad mr. and mrs. robert A. fox Independence Blue Cross The mita and Bruder families Jerry and Carolyn segal/The friends of Jerry segal raymond and Joanne welsh $25,000 Aqua Pennsylvania Dr. Jack and Diana Carroll Connelly foundation The DiBona family in memory of Leo Lamanno Cynthia and steve Doroghazi mr. and mrs. J. Anthony Hayden Dan Hilferty Thomas and susan Hill Harvey and Janet Kronfeld

samuel P. mandell foundation The mcLean Contributionship Ian and Kathryn mcLean w. Gresham o’malley, III sheree Petrone and william Jimick TeAm mAGee employees

Lead donor, Steve Smith, breaks ground with Hospital Board Chair Fred D’Angelo, President and CEO Jack Carroll, and Foundation Board Chair Bill Conrad

$20,000 The macquarie Group foundation John and Kathy spagnola $15,000 BAYADA Home Health Care Barbara Browne, mD Bob and eiko Carr Cozen o’Connor Bill and sondra Cunningham mr. and mrs. Alfred J. D’Angelo, Jr. Alexandra m. estey Dr. Guy and Karen fried friends of Paul Clegg Herman Goldner Company, Inc. Carol and Lacy Hunt Charles matsinger Associates In memory of Dr. Lenore speigel, from her patients Alyce schroth and Lois whitaker In loving memory of their mother, ruth widmer Dr. Parvati Thiru $12,500 Caren Lambert Charlie ryan $10,000 Ted and Barbara Aronson Thomas and roann Brown Bob and Diane Gerlach Juliet J. Goodfriend and marc r. moreau The Henry A. Quinn Charitable foundation David rasner and Caroline wischmann walter spencer, Jr. $7,500 susan and Brandon Hamilton Dr. richard and shelley Kaplan Peter and Lynne samson ron and Terri siggs

$5,000 fred and Jane Andrews in loving memory of ethan Andrews Brookside Clinical Laboratory, Inc. roy DeCaro rod Hennek KreG foundation Andrew Kronfeld Dr. and mrs. mendel Kupfer Laura Lapp/Perfect Pots Container Gardens Tim and Anne mahoney Vilma mazziol David and Kitty mcQuaid michael morris Janis and Patrick m. o’Hara in memory of ellen Detwiler The Janis r. o’Hara memorial fund Patrick m. o’Hara in memory of Janis r. o’Hara The Philadelphia Committee of the Garden Club of America Ted reimel saltz mongeluzzi Barrett & Bendesky PC $1,000 – $4,999 ralph Adkins Angelakis family foundation rose Battiato Jane Biberman Complete Actuarial solutions Company Anthony Cerone mark and Jayne Chilutti Paul and madeline Clegg marie and stephen Destefano Dr. Jeanne and roger Doherty Joel feldman and Dianne Anderson

Dr. Chris and Debra formal Linda frankel in memory of Ben frankel Chris franklin Drs. mitchell freedman and Liane sher Trenya Garner Travis and rebecca Gathright Barbara Hannaway in memory of Larry Hannaway Jean evans Hunt mark Jenkinson robert Kautzman John Kistner Linda Kronfeld Brian T. Kucer, mD and Kate murray, mD Helena Lax, mD Joseph J. mcLaughlin sandy muller e. murdoch family foundation Dr. robert Nye The Payne family Donna Peterson-Hildebrand The Protocall Group Joseph L. romano, esq.

Patrick rommel, Do Dianne salter randy scott David simon Hank skoczen sarakay and stanton smullens Nathan speare foundation Tri-med medical supplies, Inc. Laura and Brian Torchin Patricia Underwood richard and Carolyn Vermeil foundation Carol Vinci mr. and mrs. Andy webber

*This list represents gift commitments of $1,000 or greater received by february 1, 2016. every gift is greatly appreciated and every attempt was made to ensure accuracy in this listing. In the event of an error or omission, please contact the Development Department at 215-587-3090 or healinggarden@mageerehab.org.

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MAGEE REHABILITATION HOSPITAL

1513 Race Street Philadelphia, PA 19102-1177 Phone: 215-587-3000 mageeRehab.org BELIEVE

Address Service Requested

Non-Profit organization u.S. Postage PAId Philadelphia, PA Permit No. 2269

DID YOU KNOW? That magee rehabilitation Hospital was created thanks to a generous gift that Anna magee left in her will?

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 cuttingedge 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 plannedgiving@MageeRehab.org.