2012 Annual Report
NEWS
2012
KESSLER
FOUNDATION
IN 2012, KESSLER
FOUNDATION
EXPANDED ITS
REACH TO CHANGE
THE LIVES OF MORE
PEOPLE WITH
DISABILITIES AND
WAS RECOGNIZED
AS A LEADING
ORGANIZATION IN
THE DISABILITY
COMMUNITY.
IN 2012, KESSLER
FOUNDATION
EXPANDED ITS
REACH TO CHANGE
THE LIVES OF MORE
PEOPLE WITH
DISABILITIES AND
WAS RECOGNIZED
AS A LEADING
ORGANIZATION IN
THE DISABILITY
COMMUNITY.
2012 ESTABROOK DISTINGUISHED RESEARCH LECTURESHIP:
Edward Taub, PhD, presented Kessler Foundation’s 2012 Estabrook Distinguished Research Lectureship. His thought-provoking lecture—“Constraint-induced (CI) Therapy: A Family of Treatments in Rehabilitation that Remodel the Brain”—addressed how immobilizing the stronger limb retrains the brain to use the weaker limb. Dr. Taub is director of the CI Therapy Research Group and Taub Training Clinic at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and a professor in the Department of Psychology. Dr. Taub developed CI therapy, which has been shown to be effective in improving movement in children and adults with stroke, traumatic brain injury, multiple sclerosis, and other neurological injuries.
2012 ROGER G. BARKER DISTINGUISHED
RESEARCH CONTRIBUTION AWARD:
Vice President for Research and Training at Kessler Foundation, John DeLuca, PhD, received distinct honors for his work in rehabilitation research. He was the recipient of the 2012 Roger G. Barker Distinguished Research Contribution Award from the American Psychological Association (APA). Presented annually by Division 22 (Rehabilitation Psychology) of the APA, this award recognizes an individual who has made an outstanding lifelong contribution to rehabilitation psychology through research, conceptual/theoretical development, or both. Dr. DeLuca also received the 2012 Medical Excellence Award by the New Jersey Metro Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. He was honored at the Musical Moments for MS--a star-studded event at NJPAC featuring Olivia Newton-John. “It is immensely gratifying to work in this field, contributing to new ways to maximize function for people with disabilities,” said Dr. DeLuca. “My goal is to continue to contribute to rehabilitation research that helps people achieve their best in their personal lives, in the community and in the workplace.”
2012 KESSLER FOUNDATION JOEL A. DELISA, MD AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN RESEARCH AND EDUCATION:
John Whyte, MD, PhD, received the 2012 Kessler Foundation Joel A. DeLisa, MD Award for Excellence in Research and Education in the Field of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PM&R), which includes a $50,000 unrestricted grant. Dr. Whyte is the founding director of Moss Rehabilitation Research Institute (MossRehab) in Philadelphia and leader of its Rehabilitation Medicine Scientist Training Program. Kessler Foundation funds this annual award to honor Dr. DeLisa's many contributions to the field of PM&R. Dr. DeLisa is the founding director of Kessler Foundation Research Center.
PRESS CONFERENCE:
Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ) and other leaders in advocacy, research, rehabilitation, and treatment of traumatic brain injury (TBI) held a press conference at Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation to discuss legislation to better serve Americans with TBI. Rep. Pascrell is co-founder and co-chair of the Congressional Brain Injury Task Force. He was joined by John DeLuca, PhD, vice president for Research and Training at Kessler Foundation; Bruce M. Gans, MD, chief medical officer of Kessler Institute; Neil Jasey, MD, director of Brain Injury Rehabilitation at Kessler Institute; Susan Connors, president and CEO of the Brain Injury Association of America; and Tom Grady, director of Advocacy & Public Affairs at the Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey.
DISABILITY MENTORING DAY:
On October 17th, Timesha, Moses, and Schneider, from Horizon High School in Livingston, NJ, visited Kessler Foundation for Disability Mentoring Day (DMD). The students received employee photo ID badges and rotated to various stations to learn about research and administrative jobs at the Foundation. During the interview skills portion of the day, they were addressed by an employee with a disability. They learned that their opportunities are limitless and that a disability shouldn’t stop them from achieving their goals. Organizations across the nation participate in DMD during October – Disability Employment Awareness Month. Kessler Foundation has hosted students on DMD for five consecutive years.
11TH ANNUAL STROLL ‘N ROLL:
Thank you to all those who made Kessler Foundation’s 11th Annual Stroll ‘N Roll a huge success! More than 400 people of all ages and abilities came out to stroll or roll a 5K around Brookdale Park. Children and their parents enjoyed carnival games, face painting, balloon animals, and magic acts. Special guests included Congressman Rodney P. Frelinghuysen (D-11), Montclair Mayor Robert D. Jackson, Bloomfield Mayor
FOUNDATION OF THE YEAR AWARD:
Pathways for Exceptional Children, a NJ organization, named Kessler Foundation its Foundation of the Year for its support of Project Win-Win, a career mentoring program that promotes community integration for young people with disabilities. Kessler Foundation awarded Pathways its first grant in 2008 and has continued to support the program. Students are coached by their peers as they learn about jobs in computer technology, bakery and food service, landscaping and masonry, pet care and grooming, accounting, house painting and woodworking, disc jockeying, and entertainment.
“ONLY ABILITIES MATTER” CAMPAIGN:
Former Rutgers football player Eric LeGrand and actor John Larroquette lent their time and talents in a series of public service announcements for Kessler Foundation. The campaign, “Only Abilities Matter,” taught others to recognize abilities before disabilities. Featured on television stations around the United States, Kessler Foundation invited everyone to post their abilities on its Facebook page, www.facebook.com/KesslerFoundation.
Raymond J. McCarthy, Miss Wheelchair New Jersey Kim Biglin, Miss New Jersey Teen-US Kendal Barrett, model Selita Ebanks, and former Rutgers football player Eric LeGrand. “Kessler has been instrumental in my recovery so I’m happy to be an ambassador for Kessler Foundation,” Eric stated. “I’ll do anything I can to support research and improve the lives of people with paralysis.” Stroll ‘N Roll raised $85,000 to continue changing the lives of people with disabilities through rehabilitation research and funding employment initiatives.