AbilityLab Blog
See the latest news, updates and patient stories from Shirley Ryan AbilityLab.
Shirley Ryan AbilityLab Ranked No. 1 by U.S. News & World Report for 34th Consecutive Year
Shirley Ryan AbilityLab again has been recognized as the national leader in physical medicine and rehabilitation, topping the U.S. News & World Report list for the 34th consecutive year. It remains the only hospital of any kind to hold this distinction.
Press Release
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Shirley Ryan AbilityLab Becomes First-Ever Rehabilitation Hospital to Earn ChildKind International Certification
Shirley Ryan AbilityLab recently became the first rehabilitation hospital ever to be accredited as a ChildKind hospital by ChildKind International (CKI) — recognized for its commitment to pediatric pain prevention as part of its approach to pediatric rehabilitation.
News
Research Spotlight: Shirley Ryan AbilityLab Advances Study of Respiratory Muscle Weakness
Clinicians and scientists at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab are leading new research to expand understanding of respiratory muscle weakness and the diaphragm — a critically important muscle for breathing — in two new studies published in peer-reviewed journals. The research has implications for clinicians to create more effective treatment plans, set precise rehabilitation goals and help patients reach improved outcomes as they recover from impairments to their breathing.
Blog
Shirley Ryan AbilityLab Physician Shares Insights about Post-stroke Pain in American Heart Association News
In a recent article published by American Heart Association News—and featured in news outlets nationally — Richard Harvey, MD, David W. Trott clinical chair of the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab Brain Innovation Center, shared insights about the prevalence and treatment of post-stroke pain.
News
Make Your Choice Count: Voting with a Communication Disability
Although many people may take the voting process for granted, individuals with communication disabilities may face significant barriers to exercising their constitutional right to vote. Communication disorders (e.g. aphasia, apraxia and dysarthria, etc.) may impact individuals’ ability to communicate with election officials or interfere with their ability to read written text on a ballot.
Blog
Shirley Ryan AbilityLab Doctors Meet with Lawmakers on Behalf of Patients & Field
A delegation of four Shirley Ryan AbilityLab doctors recently traveled to Washington, D.C., to advocate on behalf of the Association of Academic Physiatrists (AAP) — the professional organization in which they each hold leadership positions.
News
Shirley Ryan AbilityLab Appoints Marcos DeLeon and Karen Paciero to Executive Leadership Team
Shirley Ryan AbilityLab announced the appointment of two key leaders: Marcos DeLeon as chief people officer and Karen Paciero as chief advancement officer. Both will report to Pablo Celnik, MD, CEO.
News
A Day in the Life: Mary Yonkaitis, Physical Therapist
Physical therapists (PTs) play a critical role on the care teams at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab —helping patients regain function and improve balance, mobility, strength, endurance and range of motion.
Follow along for a day in the life of Mary Yonkaitis, a PT in the Margaret & Mark Stephan Legs + Walking Lab at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab’s flagship hospital in Chicago, where she primarily cares for patients recovering from stroke.
Follow along for a day in the life of Mary Yonkaitis, a PT in the Margaret & Mark Stephan Legs + Walking Lab at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab’s flagship hospital in Chicago, where she primarily cares for patients recovering from stroke.
Blog
Will’s Story: Covering Miles while Making Marathon Memories
Chicago resident Will H. is a regular on the city’s scenic lakefront path, often commuting approximately 10 miles each way between his downtown residence to University of Chicago’s Hyde Park campus, where he is pursuing his MBA degree.
Patient Story
Reflections from Paris with Monica Rho, MD, Lead Team Physician of the U.S. Women's National Soccer Team
Usually Monica Rho, MD, can be spotted in a white coat in her role as the Reva and David Logan Section Chief of Musculoskeletal Medicine at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab.
Recently, however, she has spent time in an additional role. She serves as the lead team physician for the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team — and was part of the staff who helped the players win the gold medal at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
Recently, however, she has spent time in an additional role. She serves as the lead team physician for the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team — and was part of the staff who helped the players win the gold medal at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
Blog
Three Shirley Ryan AbilityLab Nurses Receive 40 Under 40 Emerging Nurse Leaders Award
Three Shirley Ryan AbilityLab nurses — Rachel Adekoya, RN, nurse manager; Katie Earnest, RN, director, Nursing Research; and Lindsay Hong, RN, nurse manager — have been recognized by the Illinois Nurses Foundation with the 40 Under 40 Emerging Nurse Leaders Award.
News
Understanding and Applying Pain Science in Physical Therapy
Science has come a long way in helping individuals understand the experience of pain. Previously, pain was believed to be a result of a purely physical or anatomical issue, stemming from injury, illness or tissue damage.
Fortunately, a newer understanding of how pain works — pain science — takes a far more complex and nuanced view. Pain science moves away from the idea that tissue damage alone equates to pain. Rather, pain science suggests that the whole sum of a person — including biological, social and psychological factors — must be taken into account in order to fully understand their pain experience.
Fortunately, a newer understanding of how pain works — pain science — takes a far more complex and nuanced view. Pain science moves away from the idea that tissue damage alone equates to pain. Rather, pain science suggests that the whole sum of a person — including biological, social and psychological factors — must be taken into account in order to fully understand their pain experience.
Blog
Megan’s Story: Movement Is Key to Living with Chronic Pain
Megan lived with chronic pain for over 20 years. She participated in our four-week pain program to learn strategies and techniques to help navigate daily pain.
Patient Story