AbilityLab Blog
See the latest news, updates and patient stories from Shirley Ryan AbilityLab.
Ranked No. 1 by U.S. News & World Report for 35th Consecutive Year
Shirley Ryan AbilityLab again has been recognized as the national leader in rehabilitation, topping the U.S. News & World Report list for the 35th consecutive year. It remains the only hospital of any kind to hold this distinction, and has been ranked the No. 1 rehabilitation hospital every year since 1991.
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Shirley Ryan AbilityLab’s Chief Clinical Officer Joins Expert Panel, Podcast at World Medical Innovation Forum
Cheri Blauwet, MD, chief clinical officer and senior vice president, was a featured expert at the recent World Medical Innovation Forum hosted by Mass General Brigham.
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New York Times Features Exercise Routine Designed by Shirley Ryan AbilityLab Certified Hand Therapist
Shirley Ryan AbilityLab certified hand therapist and occupational therapist Michelle Annes, OTR/L, CHT, recently was featured in The New York Times — sharing exercises to improve upper-body mobility and functional movement so individuals can confidently handle everyday tasks, such as opening a jar or lifting a bag and engaging in hobbies they love like cooking or gardening.
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In the News: Shirley Ryan AbilityLab’s Dr. Rho Discusses Injury Prevention in Women Athletes
Chicago Health magazine recently published an article about reducing the risk of injury in women athletes, featuring Shirley Ryan AbilityLab’s Monica Rho, MD, vice president, chief of medical affairs and section chief of musculoskeletal medicine.
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Shirley Ryan AbilityLab’s Dr. Katholi Featured on WGN About POTS
Shirley Ryan AbilityLab physician Benjamin Katholi, MD, recently appeared in a WGN Morning News segment to explain POTS and treatment solutions. Dr. Katholi is an attending pediatric physician in the hospital’s outpatient Pain Management Center, where he cares for adolescent patients with POTS and chronic pain.
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Shirley Ryan AbilityLab Patient Featured in Newsweek Story About Treating Chronic Pain
Megan H., 46, has lived with chronic pain her entire adult life. She finally learned strategies and techniques for better managing her pain and flare-ups when she discovered Shirley Ryan AbilityLab’s Pain Management Center, one of the only interdisciplinary pain clinics in the country that offers a novel, team-based approach to help patients with pain.
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Shirley Ryan AbilityLab’s Performing Arts Medicine Program Featured in Ravinia Magazine
Shirley Ryan AbilityLab’s expertise in performing arts medicine — a specialty focused on preventing and treating medical issues related to performing — took center stage in a recent profile in Ravinia Magazine, “On Call for the Arts: Ravinia Festival & Shirley Ryan AbilityLab Celebrate 30 Years of Partnership.”
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Shirley Ryan AbilityLab Earns Prestigious Certification from The Joint Commission for Excellence in Sustainability Programs
The Joint Commission (TJC) recently announced that Shirley Ryan AbilityLab is one of the newest recipients of its sustainable healthcare certification.
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Shirley Ryan AbilityLab Appoints Cheri Blauwet, MD, as Senior Vice President, Chief Clinical Officer
Today, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab announced the appointment of a key leader: Cheri Blauwet, MD, as senior vice president and chief clinical officer. She will begin in September and will report to Pablo Celnik, MD, CEO.
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Celebrating 17 Years of Collaboration with Willis Tower
At Shirley Ryan AbilityLab’s Keystone Board meeting on Thursday, May 8, 2025, the hospital celebrated 17 years of the annual stair-climbing event, SkyRise Chicago. Attendees honored Shirley Ryan AbilityLab’s longtime relationship with the Willis Tower and Skydeck Chicago, which is located on the skyscraper’s 103rd floor.
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Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility vs. Skilled Nursing Facility: Choosing the Level of Care That’s Right for You
Patients and families have an important choice to make when deciding where to receive rehabilitation care. Two common options include inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRFs), like Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, and skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). The differences between them are significant — and can affect the extent and speed of recovery.
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Shirley Ryan AbilityLab Speech-Language Pathologist, Patient Featured in WBEZ Chicago Story about Long COVID
A recent story on WBEZ-FM, Chicago’s NPR affiliate, highlighted Shirley Ryan AbilityLab’s outpatient COVID Rehabilitation Unit, which opened in 2021 to provide care for patients experiencing long COVID symptoms.
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Shirley Ryan AbilityLab Physician Shares Pelvic Health Insights in Woman’s World
As a physiatrist and director of women’s health rehabilitation at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, Sarah Hwang, MD, is an expert in the health of the pelvic floor — an important group of muscles responsible for stabilizing the pelvis and lower back; supporting internal pelvic organs; maintaining bowel and bladder continence; aiding in circulation between the legs and the heart; and facilitating sexual function.
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