FOR FISCAL YEAR ENDING MARCH 31, 2026
1 What a year! Looking back on fiscal year 2026 at Mary Free Bed, it’s people that come to mind. Families finally heading home together. Kids and adults getting back to school, work, sports and the people and activities they love. Patients taking their first grateful steps, a child with autism coming out of their shell, a patient finally able to vocalize the words “I love you” after a stroke. We have the privilege of witnessing these moments every day, and they never stop inspiring gratitude, joy and hope. They’re the reason Mary Free Bed exists. And this year, we were able to help more people than ever.
More than 110,527 patients turned to Mary Free Bed across our growing system of care, each with their own goals, challenges and hopes for what comes next. It’s an incredible number, but what makes me proud is what that number represents: more people getting the specialized rehabilitation they need so they can have the independent hope-filled lives they want. We also had plenty to celebrate! Out of 1,100 hospitals considered, U.S. News & World Report ranked Mary Free Bed the 17th Best Rehabilitation Hospital in the nation, and Newsweek once again named us the number one rehabilitation hospital in Michigan. Recognition like this is meaningful because it reflects the expertise, compassion and dedication our team members bring to every patient, every day.
Our team, and our reach, keeps growing. Through new and existing partnerships, including our collaboration with Carle Health, Mary Free Bed now spans five states and includes 12 rehabilitation hospitals, 11 locations and 53 acute care hospital partners. We’re bringing world-class rehabilitation to more communities and helping more people recover closer to home.
For 135 years, Mary Free Bed has been restoring hope and freedom—and our best work is still ahead of us. What a privilege it is to do this work together! With gratitude and joy,
The future of rehabilitation is taking shape across Mary Free Bed. Perhaps most exciting, is the future taking shape before our eyes. This year marked major milestones for the new Mary Free Bed Kids Joan Secchia Children’s Rehabilitation Hospital, a transformational investment that will redefine pediatric rehabilitation for generations to come. We also completed the sixth-floor expansion of our Grand Rapids Campus, adding 28 new inpatient rooms to meet the growing need for specialized rehabilitation care.
KENT RIDDLE, CEO
There’s a lot to be grateful for in these pages. But none of it happens because of buildings, rankings or numbers. It happens because of people. To our patients and families: Thank you for trusting us during some of the hardest days of your lives.
Kent Riddle, CEO
To our physicians, clinicians, nurses, therapists, support teams and volunteers: Thank you for the innovation, teamwork and heart you bring to Mary Free Bed every day. And to our donors, partners, advocates and friends: Your belief in what we do helps us dream bigger about what rehabilitation can accomplish. We wouldn’t be here without you.
Jenn Taylor, Chair, Mary Free Bed Board of Trustees
OUR MISSION IS TO RESTORE HOPE AND FREEDOM
THROUGH REHABILITATION.
OUR VISION IS TO BE THE NATIONAL LEADER IN HIGH-VALUE REHABILITATION AND POST-ACUTE CARE, AND TO DEVELOP
AN INTEGRATED SYSTEM OF CARE.
4
OUR VALUES To restore hope and freedom, we’ll: • Work collaboratively and with innovation. • Include experiences and perspectives of all we serve. • Be Truthful and respectful. • Heal with our hands and treat with our hearts. • Approach our work WITH JOY.
OUR COMMITMENT We’ll embrace all people by: • Treating everyone with dignity and respect. • Opening more doors to opportunity for others to succeed. • Growing talent and people. • Ensuring a welcoming experience for all we serve, regardless of origin, race, religion, disability, sexual orientation or socio-economic status. • Taking action against discrimination. • Honoring our differences and how we collaborate. • Educating staff, patients and the communities we care for. • Restoring hope and freedom, TOGETHER.
5
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
GUILD BOARD OF DIRECTORS
FOUNDATION BOARD
Chief Executive Officer Kent Riddle
Chairperson Jennifer Taylor
Chairperson Lindsay Benedict
Chief Operating Officer Bruce Brasser
Vice Chairperson Brad Mathis
Co-Presidents Mary Beth Brown Maureen Kozel
Chief Financial Officer Ryan Podvin
Treasurer Dan Vaughan
Chief Medical Officer Benjamin Bruinsma, M.D.
Assistant Treasurer Stacy Trierweiler
Chief Nursing Officer & Vice President, Inpatient Services Maria Opoku-Agyeman
Trustees Amy Abbott Nancy Albers Becky Bechler Dave Beemer Kevin Birchmeier Susan Bloss Benjamin Bruinsma, M.D. Pamela Buschle Stephen Drew Laurie Duthie David Hooker Mira Jourdan Deb Kay Maureen Kozel Chris Morelli, D.O. Dave Muir Margaret Nault Holly Peterson Kent Riddle Amy Stuursma Wendy Stock Maryln Walton Cameron Young
Chief Advancement Officer Patrick Moran Chief Compliance Officer Jennifer McWain Medical Chief of Staff Chris Morelli, D.O.
For more information, scan the QR code or visit maryfreebed.com/ administration-boards.
Immediate Past President Amy Stuursma President Elect Mira Jourdan Treasurer Stacy Trierweiler Treasurer Open Recording Secretary Amy Abbott Corresponding Secretary Joan McCrone Directors Jodi Astrauskas Susan Bloss Jodi Elsen Janet Freund Holly Gelfand Holly Peterson, Jr. Guild Representative Susan Porter Carol Springer Maryln Walton
Vice Chair Brent VanHaren President Kent Riddle Treasurer Nate Guzman Secretary Patrick Moran Trustees Lee Perez Timothy D. Arter Rev. Katherine Lee Baker Anne Chamberlin Gregory Conway Eva Aguirre Cooper Marcus Jackson Dr. Benjamin Bruinsma Jacques Moss Jane Weatherford Donor Relations & Operations Administrator Kelly Fitzgerald
LEADERSHIP
HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATION
7
ABOVE AND BEYOND U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT Mary Free Bed Ranks as One of the Best in the Nation for Rehabilitation Mary Free Bed has been named the 17th Best Rehabilitation Hospital in the country by U.S. News & World Report for 2025-26. Out of 1,100 hospitals considered, Mary Free Bed stood out for exceptional outcomes and compassionate care. We earned high marks in key areas, including the number of patients who return to their homes and communities after rehabilitation and our expertise in treating people recovering from stroke, brain injury and spinal cord injury. Mary Free Bed Sub-Acute Rehabilitation has been named one of the best short-term rehabilitation programs in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, earning a five-out-of-five overall rating for the ninth consecutive year. Our team’s dedication to safe, effective care is reflected in outcomes that exceed both state and national averages.
NEWSWEEK For the sixth year in a row, Newsweek has named Mary Free Bed one of the best physical rehabilitation centers in the nation. Once again, we’re proud to be ranked #1 in Michigan. Newsweek evaluated rehabilitation centers across the United States, recognizing 320 for excellence. Rankings are based on quality of care, service, followup treatment and amenities. Mary Free Bed at Home is proud to be named among America’s best home health agencies for 2026 by Newsweek. Ranked fifth in the state of Michigan and first in West Michigan, this recognition places Mary Free Bed at Home among the top 300 home health providers nationwide, selected from more than 10,000 agencies across the country.
GRAND RAPIDS KIDS TOP DOCS Six Mary Free Bed pediatric therapists were individually recognized by the Grand Rapids Kids Family Care Provider Guide. Mary Free Bed Kids earned top honors across all three outpatient therapy disciplines, with its physical, occupational and speech therapy teams placing in the top three spots. The dedication, compassion and expertise of these teams help kids across West Michigan reach their goals every day.
BEST AND BRIGHTEST COMPANIES TO WORK FOR Mary Free Bed was named one of West Michigan’s 2025 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For! The recognition came from the National Association for Business Resources and celebrates companies that go above and beyond in employee enrichment, well-being, leadership and community impact.
10
HOPE, HOME RUNS & HARD WORK Lucas Bradshaw has always been a team player. A devoted baseball fan, a 4-H kid through and through and a steady presence on his family’s Indiana farm, Lucas thrives where teamwork and perseverance meet. Those same qualities would later help define his recovery. “We never gave up hope,” shared Lucas’ mom, Kelley. “Hope was the one thing we did have.” After a devastating motor vehicle crash caused a severe traumatic brain injury, Lucas’ family traveled from northern Indiana to Grand Rapids for specialized pediatric rehabilitation at Mary Free Bed. What followed was the formation of what everyone came to call Team Lucas—a powerful circle of clinicians, family members, friends and teammates united by one shared belief: recovery was possible. At Mary Free Bed Kids, Lucas received intensive inpatient brain injury rehabilitation. His pediatric physical, occupational and speech therapists worked together to design therapy around Lucas’ personal goals—helping him relearn how to communicate, swallow and move, one milestone at a time. Therapy sessions built strength and coordination, sharpened reflexes, and steadily restored independence, always with the hope of getting back to the life Lucas loves. Over time, Lucas’ moments of progress added up to a remarkable return to his home and loving community. Today, Lucas is back where his heart has always been: on the family farm, reconnecting with the rhythms of daily life and looking ahead with determination.
Scan to meet Lucas bit.ly/mfb-lucas
11
12
Beaver Island
MARY FREE BED REHABILITATION SYSTEM
GROWING A SYSTEM OF CARE – TOGETHER We’re growing with purpose—bringing together like-minded organizations who are committed to redefining what’s possible through expert rehabilitation and compassionate care. This year, we were honored to welcome Carle Health and their three rehabilitation programs located in Peoria, Normal and Urbana, Illinois, to our system of care. Together, we’re expanding access to expert rehabilitation while supporting local teams with the tools, knowledge and compassion that define Mary Free Bed.
Grayling
Inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRF) with Mary Free Bed management or joint operations
Traverse City
MARY FREE BED REHABILITATION SYSTEM
Cadillac
The Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation System is an alliance of acute care hospitals across Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, West Virginia and Virginia.
Outpatient locations Acute-care therapy services managed by Mary Free Bed
Manistee
System locations
Ascension Borgess Hospital (2 hospitals) Beacon Health System
Orthotics & Prosthetics + Bionics
Muskegon
Corewell Health South (3 hospitals)
Flint
Covenant HealthCare*
Grand Rapids
Across Michigan and beyond, our growing system includes: • Inpatient Rehabilitation Management and Joint Operating Agreements • Therapy services in both inpatient and outpatient settings • Orthotics & Prosthetics + Bionics • Shared clinical tools and professional development • A focus on outcomes, innovation and patient experience The Mary Free Bed Advisory Group—a division of Mary Free Bed dedicated to national rehabilitation partnerships—continues to bridge gaps in care through strategic partnerships with other like-minded nonprofit health systems. Mary Free Bed now spans 5 states with 12 hospitals and 53 partnered acute care hospitals. Through strategic guidance and trusted collaboration, we’re partnering with hospitals and health systems to elevate care for patients of all ages and abilities.
Bronson Healthcare (4 hospitals)
Saginaw
Holland
Henry Ford Allegiance Health Lansing
Troy
Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital McLaren Health System (13 hospitals)
Kalamazoo
Munson Healthcare* (6 hospitals) Detroit
University of Michigan Health – Sparrow* (6 hospitals)
St. Joseph
Trinity Health (3 hospitals) University of Michigan Health – West
South Bend
Charleston, WV
Mary Free Bed Kids Joan Secchia Children’s Rehabilitation Hospital Valley Health System – Winchester Medical Center* Vandalia Health CAMC General Hospital*
Winchester, VA
Peoria
Carle Health (3 IRF locations, 5 acute care hospitals)
Normal *Indicates Joint Operating Agreement
Urbana MAPS.12.25
13
14
BRIGHTER FUTURES FOR MORE PATIENTS RAISING ROOFS, ELEVATING CARE Mary Free Bed and Valley Health celebrated the topping-out of the new Rehabilitation Tower at Winchester Medical Center in Winchester, Virginia. Opening in 2026, the tower will bring inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation together under one roof, creating a streamlined, patient-centered experience. This project reflects our shared commitment to high-quality, nonprofit rehabilitation and strengthens our growing system of care— ensuring more patients and families can experience the expertise, compassion and hope that define Mary Free Bed.
MORE SPACE FOR HEALING AND RECOVERY This year, Mary Free Bed completed the sixth floor buildout on the Grand Rapids Campus, adding 28 private inpatient rooms. The $4.5 million expansion increases access to specialized rehabilitation and helps meet growing demand for inpatient care as more patients seek treatment from across Michigan and the Midwest each year.
MARY FREE BED PARTNERS WITH CARLE HEALTH Mary Free Bed and Carle Health joined forces to transform inpatient rehabilitation care in central Illinois, combining Mary Free Bed’s national rehabilitation expertise with Carle Health’s trusted community presence. Beginning January 2026, patients will have access to enhanced services at three Carle Health locations. This not-for-profit collaboration brings advanced therapies, modern technologies and compassionate, team-based care to central Illinois.
16
CATHY’S STORY: THE MORE, THE MARY-ER After a stroke, Cathy Kelly’s future was uncertain. Her left side was completely paralyzed. The Winchester, Virginia, resident spent four days in acute care at Valley Health Winchester Medical Center. From there, she transferred to Valley Health Winchester Medical Center Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation to jumpstart her recovery journey. “The hospital was my safety blanket,” Cathy said. Her therapy team listened to her concerns, explaining the science behind each step. “They told me how my brain would rewire. They told me about neuroplasticity,” Cathy recalled. Cathy’s therapy team called her “a great student.” With the help of her therapy team, knowledge transformed into motivation. Cathy started walking again. First, she walked 10 feet with a wheelchair behind her, then she used a walker. Every bit of progress she made motivated her to do more. Within three weeks, she was hitting new milestones using a single-point cane. Cathy shared that her time in inpatient rehabilitation still inspires her. “My therapy team always said, ‘Just do more. Just do two more,’” Cathy explained. “To this day, I always do two more.”
Scan to meet Cathy bit.ly/mfb-cathy
18
STATISTICS AND FINANCIAL PORTRAIT 110,527 PATIENTS SERVED* 10,675 INPATIENT 78,802 OUTPATIENT 5,971 OUTPATIENT VIRTUAL** 19,501 MEDICAL GROUP*** 15,912 ORTHOTICS & PROSTHETICS + BIONICS 5,138 MARY FREE BED AT HOME
FUNCTIONAL IMPROVEMENT USING THE QRP SCALE
The amount of functional improvement patients make in rehabilitation is measured by the difference in abilities between admission and graduation. A variety of skills used in daily living are tracked. We share this information with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid through the Quality Reporting Program (QRP), which enables us to compare the functional improvement of our rehabilitation patients to others across the nation. Inpatients at the Grand Rapids Campus achieved more functional improvement than the national average as measured through QRP. The following information includes both adult and pediatric data.
THERAPY MINUTES PER DAY *
OUTSTANDING RESULTS FOR INPATIENT SAFETY *
Lower health-acquired pressure ulcer rate (adults) than national average
150
FOR WHEELCHAIR USERS *
MFB 29.3 NATION 27.18 50
0
FUNCTIONAL IMPROVEMENT *
MFB 144.83
MFB 83.3%
MFB 32.57
NATION 139.13
NATION 79.24%
NATION 31.9
100
* Throughout Mary Free Bed System
* Mary Free Bed Grand Rapids Campus
** Included in Outpatient total
Source: eRehab
***Included in Outpatient and Inpatient totals
DISCHARGE TO COMMUNITY *
FUNCTIONAL IMPROVEMENT
100
50
50
0
19
LIKELY TO * RECOMMEND TOTAL
88.4%
INPATIENT
87.9%
OUTPATIENT
89.1%
ORTHOTICS & PROSTHETICS + BIONICS
93.5%
MARY FREE BED AT COVENANT HEALTHCARE
83.3%
TOTAL
$257,561,763
$257,561,763
SOURCES OF REVENUE AVAILABLE FOR OPERATIONS
OPERATING EXPENSE ALLOCATION
NET PATIENT SERVICE REVENUE 81% OTHER OPERATING REVENUE 14% JOINT VENTURES AND COLLABORATIVE ARRANGEMENT EARNINGS 5%
SALARIES AND BENEFITS 67% OTHER OPERATING EXPENSES 22% FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT 5% FUTURE IMPROVEMENTS 6%
MARY FREE BED AT MUNSON HEALTHCARE
88.2%
VALLEY HEALTH WINCHESTER MEDICAL CENTER MARY FREE BED
* Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Source: Press Ganey Financial information is from the consolidated Fiscal Year 2025 audited financial statements of the Mary Free Bed Guild and its subsidiaries. The auditor’s report is available for inspection at 235 Wealthy St. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503-5347.
91.2%
MARY FREE BED AT VANDALIA HEALTH CAMC GENERAL HOSPITAL
22
LAURA’S INDEPENDENT ERA At 31, Laura Houle is fearless. She’s a devoted mom to her young son, Miles, and a self-proclaimed Swiftie. “I’m very dedicated to being with the people I love,” Laura said. She’s also a cancer survivor. After surgery to remove a brain tumor, she was unable to move the left side of her body. Laura transferred to the Adult Inpatient Cancer Rehabilitation Program at Mary Free Bed at Covenant HealthCare in Saginaw, Michigan. With a team of therapists and her husband by her side, the Grand Blanc resident worked to regain strength and rebuild the connections between the left side of her body and her brain. She learned how to use a wheelchair and other assistive devices. Every new era of recovery unlocked newfound independence, one day at a time. “When someone has an attitude like Laura’s, and they’re ready to take on anything, they’re going to achieve the best possible results,” said Mary Free Bed physical therapist Darian Willet. On graduation day, after 32 days of inpatient rehabilitation, Laura exited Swiftie style, complete with friendship bracelet-themed décor. Since graduating, Laura visited Florida, where she was able to walk in the ocean. She called the experience, “freeing,” adding, “I have a life to live.”
Scan to meet Laura bit.ly/mfb-laura
23
MARY FREE BED FOUNDATION Because of the generosity of our community and their belief in the mission of Mary Free Bed, the Foundation has raised more than $127 million since 2012 to expand access to rehabilitation care, advance innovation and restore hope for thousands of patients and families. Together, we are helping ensure more individuals can access life-changing care.
UNITED BY PURPOSE
THE FUTURE OF MARY FREE BED KIDS
TOTAL FY26 DONATIONS
$10,073,328
$9,457,830 PROGRAM AND SERVICES FUNDED $587,226 UNRESTRICTED DOLLARS RAISED $28,271 IN-KIND DONATIONS 5,900 TOTAL GIFTS 1,707 DONORS $72.5 MILLION JOAN SECCHIA CHILDREN’S REHABILITATION HOSPITAL
As we prepare to open the doors to Joan Secchia Children’s Rehabilitation Hospital, we are filled with gratitude and hope for what lies ahead. What began as a bold vision has become a reality because of this extraordinary community. Together, through the Leaps & Boundless Campaign, donors, partners and supporters helped surpass the $72.5 million goal to create a one-of-a-kind pediatric rehabilitation hospital that will change the lives of children and families for generations to come. This hospital is a promise to children facing life-altering injuries, illnesses or conditions that they will have access to world-class care designed entirely for them. Every detail of the hospital was created with healing, imagination and belonging in mind. From cozy cabin-inspired patient rooms and playful indoor gathering spaces to expansive therapy gyms and a breathtaking two-story tree in the heart of the lobby, the environment was intentionally designed to spark joy, confidence and possibility.
Because of the generosity of our community, families will soon enter a space that feels less like a hospital and more like a place where kids can simply be kids. This transformational investment is not only shaping the future of pediatric rehabilitation in Michigan, but positioning Mary Free Bed Kids to serve more children, expand innovation and redefine what healing can look like for generations to come.
Every act of generosity begins with a simple decision to show up for someone else.
To every donor, volunteer, advocate and partner who believed in this vision: thank you. The impact of your generosity will be felt in every milestone achieved, every child empowered and every family given hope inside these walls. Together, we are building something truly boundless.
Inspired by those stories, our community raised more than $340,000 to support the Mary Free Bed Nursing Scholarship Program, helping invest in the next generation of exceptional caregivers. Whether through attending an event, sponsoring a program, volunteering or making a gift, our supporters continue to strengthen Mary Free Bed’s mission and create opportunities for more patients and families to experience hope, healing and extraordinary care.
That spirit came to life at the 2025 Thrive Gala, presented by Buist, where more than 1,300 members of the Mary Free Bed community gathered to celebrate the lives transformed through rehabilitation. Through stories like Charlie Nolph’s heartfelt reunion with his physical therapist and Maria Opoku-Agyeman’s reflection on the extraordinary impact of nursing, guests were reminded that healing is built on human connection.
PM&R RESIDENCY PROGRAM
26
COMMITTED TO THE NEXT GENERATION OF CARE The Mary Free Bed Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Residency trained:
12 PM&R RESIDENTS 38 VISITING RESIDENTS 31 MEDICAL STUDENT ELECTIVE ROTATIONS We also provided instruction for:
2 NEUROLOGIC OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY FELLOWS 2 NEUROLOGIC PHYSICAL THERAPY RESIDENTS 2 PEDIATRIC PHYSICAL THERAPY RESIDENTS 1 ORTHOPEDIC PHYSICAL THERAPY RESIDENT 2 ORTHOTICS AND PROSTHETICS RESIDENTS In addition to residency programs for clinicians and physicians, we’re the site for the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine Division of Rehabilitation Medicine.
28
EMPOWERING OUR TEAM $70,199 AWARDED IN TUITION REIMBURSEMENT
2,698
RECRUITMENT ONBOARDING AND ORIENTATION 94.83% HIGHLY SATISFIED – RECRUITMENT 92.37% HIGHLY SATISFIED – ORIENTATION 93.72% HIGHLY SATISFIED – OVERALL DAISY AWARDS SHINE A LIGHT ON NURSING EXCELLENCE The DAISY Awards, a national program recognizing extraordinary nursing care, officially launched at Mary Free Bed in 2025. Registered nurse Desiree Zoet was named the first DAISY Award recipient, honored for her compassion, clinical expertise and dedication to patient care during a packed celebration ceremony. Nurses are nominated quarterly by patients, families and team members.
1,611 Grand Rapids Campus / Outpatient 1,087 System Employees
509 General Volunteers
916 VOLUNTEERS
271 College Volunteers 136 Guild Volunteers 34,277 Hours of Service
29 WHEELCHAIR AND ADAPTIVE SPORTS:
WE’RE ON A ROLL
The Mary Free Bed Wheelchair and Adaptive Sports (WAS) Program is one of the largest of its kind in the country, providing enriching recreational opportunities for athletes of all ages and abilities. This year, the program continued to expand, adding a women’s goalball team along with developmental goalball opportunities. WAS also added a new developmental power soccer team, broadening access and serving even more athletes across our community. At Mary Free Bed, we’re committed to ensuring that participation is accessible to everyone we serve. The WAS Program works to reduce barriers such as cost, equipment needs and experience level so individuals can fully engage in sports and recreation. Through these efforts, athletes build skills, confidence and meaningful connections while experiencing the physical and emotional benefits of an active lifestyle.
1,624 PARTICIPANTS 56 PROGRAMS 17 COMPETITIVE TEAMS 95% participants felt successful upon 15 CLINICS completion of an event. 10 CLASSES 85% participants felt they had gained 5 EVENTS a new skill. 9 HOME TOURNAMENTS 92% agreed they had an increase in 1,949 VOLUNTEER HOURS self-esteem following the program. *
*
*
*RedCap
PARTICIPANT FEEDBACK “Our daughter has been in total care since the cerebral hemorrhage that devastated the entire left hemisphere of her brain. To watch her be able to propel herself on a bike made us cry. I am so incredibly grateful that this opportunity has been provided for my daughter. The last three years have been extremely difficult, and watching her become mobile was like a ray of sunshine.” — Bikes for the Rest of Us Participant
“My son has always been self-aware of his abilities compared to his able-bodied peers. This program enabled him to feel comfortable trying and learning different sport principles. The coach ensured he remained challenged and engaged while tapping into his competitive nature. Now he’s doing adaptive tennis lessons and is interested in the tennis team at his school because he has found a sport he feels confident in.” — Youth Wheelchair Sports Sampler Parent
“I learned a lot, made friends and had fun. The coach and sports coordinator were both amazing and so beyond helpful. I love how understanding and supportive the team was with me. I love all of it.” — Frenzy Lacrosse Team Participant
32
IN THE MEDIA GRAN FONDO SHIFTS SUPPORT INTO HIGH GEAR For the second year in a row, the KeyBank Gran Fondo rallied cyclists in support of Mary Free Bed. To date, the partnership has raised $141,000 over two years, with all proceeds benefiting Mary Free Bed Kids, Recreational Therapy and Wheelchair and Adaptive Sports programs.
MS. WHEELCHAIR AMERICA PROMOTES ACCESSIBILITY AND TOGETHERNESS Competitors from across the country gathered in Grand Rapids, Michigan, to compete for the title of 2026 Ms. Wheelchair America—an event sponsored by the Mary Free Bed Guild. The week was defined by sisterhood, with 18 competitors participating in workshops, outings and celebrations together. Lativia Sturdivant of New York took home the crown, while Madison Reid was later named Ms. Wheelchair Michigan. The event also marked a special milestone as Mary Free Bed patient Dahlia Swanson became the firstever Little Miss Wheelchair America.
NURSING SCHOLARSHIPS INSPIRE THE NEXT GENERATION Mary Free Bed strengthened its long-standing commitment to nurses by announcing a series of partnerships with West Michigan universities, including Cornerstone University, Davenport University and Grand Valley State University. These partnerships provide access to clinical education in a world-class rehabilitation setting while helping reduce financial barriers for nursing students pursuing careers in rehabilitation.
33 CHILD LIFE SPECIALIST COMBINES THERAPY AND PLAY In anticipation of Joan Secchia Children’s Rehabilitation Hospital opening in December, Mary Free Bed Kids welcomed a new, grant-funded child life specialist in Grand Rapids. Child life specialists use developmentally appropriate coping skills, like therapeutic play, to provide emotional support for the whole family, including siblings and parents, as they navigate inpatient rehabilitation.
FLAMINGO GETS A LEG UP A 14-year-old Chilean flamingo can stand tall again thanks to partnership between John Ball Zoo and Mary Free Bed Orthotics & Prosthetics. Andes, a charismatic flamingo, demonstrated that rehabilitation isn’t just for humans. Animal care and human rehabilitation experts came together to build a leg brace to get Andes back to doing what he does best, flamingling in his habitat with feathered friends.
KADEN BLAZE RETURNS Former Mary Free Bed Kids patient, 10-year-old Kaden Stevenson returned to the Grand Rapids Campus to sign copies of his new comic book, Kaden Blaze Fights Flu Bug. The book was inspired by his journey after flu-related complications led to a double-leg amputation. In partnership with Families Fighting Flu, Mary Free Bed hosted the book signing alongside a free flu shot clinic to promote awareness, prevention and hope.
HARTFORD NATIONALS ROLLS THROUGH GRAND RAPIDS Mary Free Bed Wheelchair and Adaptive Sports served as a local partner for the Hartford Nationals, supporting athletes and former patients competing in the nation’s largest adaptive sports championship. Hosted in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the event brought together hundreds of athletes with disabilities while sparking conversations about adaptive sports and highlighting the region as a leader in inclusive athletic competitions.
33
38
MASTERING MILESTONES: STROKE RECOVERY WITH DION In February 2024, Dion Eason woke up from a nap, and his life changed in an instant. Unable to speak, Dion was rushed to Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo, Michigan, where doctors discovered the 50-year-old had a stroke. Dion came to the Adult Stroke Inpatient Rehabilitation Program at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital in Grand Rapids. The stroke impacted the right side of his body. Dion spent a month relearning how to speak and move. Every session with his therapy team brought strength and confidence. “He was always focused on the bigger picture: gaining back independence and restoring hope,” said Mary Free Bed occupational therapist, Shelby Hengar. After a month of inpatient rehabilitation, Dion went home to Kalamazoo, Michigan, where he continued to build momentum in outpatient therapy with a meaningful goal in mind. Dion was determined to stand up at a friend’s wedding. When that day came, Dion stood tall by his friend’s side. Today, Dion’s steady progress continues thanks to the unwavering support of his wife and friends.
Scan to meet Dion bit.ly/mfb-dion
MKT.101.10.26