Giving That Changes the Lives of People with Disabilities
Accelerating The Pace Of Discovery
The Rocco and Nancy Ortenzio Foundation and Select Medical pledged a combined $1.25 million. In recognition of this generosity, Kessler Foundation named its state-of-the-art imaging center the Rocco Ortenzio Neuroimaging Center and celebrated with Mr. Ortenzio, Lieutenant Governor Kim Guadagno, Foundation Trustees, and other close friends on October 28, 2014. This remarkable gift enables Kessler Foundation scientists to accelerate the pace of discovery, develop improved rehabilitation interventions, and transform patient care.
Rocco Ortenzio is co-founder and vice chairman of Select Medical, the parent company of Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation. “We can all be proud of the unique partnership of Kessler Foundation, Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation, and Select Medical,” he said. “I have seen how the Foundation’s innovative research is applied to patient care at the Institute. [The Ortenzio Center] provides indisputable proof that a tested treatment is effective. This, in turn, helps improve the function, independence, and quality of life for millions of people living with disabilities.”
Strolling 'N Rolling
Kessler Foundation’s 2014 Stroll ‘N Roll was the most successful ever. Avid cyclist and brain injury survivor Daniel Mollino and his wife, Amber, rode from their home in Ringwood, NJ, to the Stroll ‘N Roll starting line in Verona Park—a 25-mile journey. The ride symbolized how far Mollino has come in his recovery and recognized the role Kessler therapists and scientists played in his journey.
Helping People Walk Again
A generous donation enabled the Foundation to upgrade to the latest model of Ekso, a robotic exoskeleton that allows individuals with paralysis to stand and walk. Researchers are looking at how the new features of the Ekso GT can aid recovery of mobility after stroke and spinal cord injury. This advance in research capability was funded by Liz Lowenstein, chair of Kessler Foundation’s Board of Trustees. “Watching someone walk for the first time after a devastating injury or stroke is a profound experience,” said Ms. Lowenstein. “My husband, David, and I are passionate supporters of Kessler Foundation’s robotics research, which promises ultimately to improve rehabilitative care for patients worldwide.
Training the Next Generation of Pioneering Researchers
A $150,000 grant from The Hearst Foundations generously funded a two-year cognitive rehabilitation fellowship. On July 1, 2014, Silvana Lopes Costa, PhD, was named the first Hearst Fellow. Using neuroimaging, Dr. Costa studies the effects of cognitive rehabilitation in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). Her findings help refine treatments that target specific brain regions and increase a person’s ability to think, learn, and remember.
“It is wonderful to hear about Dr. Costa’s accomplishments,” said Sarah Thompson Mishurov, program strategy manager at The Hearst Foundations. “It is clear that her passion for, and commitment to, alleviating the cognitive challenges faced by people with MS fuel her appetite to learn more, help more, and change the trajectory of their quality of life. We feel fortunate to support her work and look forward to following her progress.”
