The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC) has been ranked as the top rehab hospital in the country for 21 straight years by US News World Report. Founded in 1954 by Dr. Paul B. Magnuson as a specialized hospital to help people with disabilities recover, RIC has provded care to countless patients including paralympic athletes, children, adults, and countless many patients. Several Boards (BOD, Tree of Life Board, Women’s Board and Associate Board) within RIC, support the mission, volunteer their time and fundraising goals of the hospital.
The Associate Board of the Rehab Institute is comprised of young emerging civic and business leaders within the community supporting the hospital in different ways and contributing to the fundraising efforts carried out by the several other Boards affiliated with RIC. RIC’s mission is dedicated to providing the highest-quality patient care through integrated research, scientific discovery, and education for the purpose of maximizing the recovery of the individuals in our care.
On October 13,2012 the Associate Board will host over 300 guests for their 14th annual Bearcat Ball. Funds raised will benefit RIC pediatrics. Tickets are available TICKETS
The Associate Board supports two main areas within the RIC: the Pediatric Charity Care Program which provides prosthetic devices and specialized treatment for children with disabilities whose families cannot otherwise afford their care and the Therapeutic Recreation Program by subsidizing the salary of a part-time art therapist at RIC and providing art supplies annually. Funds raised at Art Futura which is one of two larger fundraisers held each year helps to support the Therapeutic Recreation program and this years Art Futura was a HUGE success!
Another great fundraising event coming up is SKYRISE which will be held November 4 at Willis Tower. I will be participating, lets hope I can make it all the way to the top without collapsing.
RIC’s vision is To Advance Human Ability. RIC will serve as the world’s leading scientific hospital for the innovation and application of new and more promising treatments that improve and eliminate the effects of injury, disease and debilitating health conditions. I can tell you from first hand experience they are doing this in such a fantastic and comprehensive way. RIC will soon break ground on a new world class facility next year.
While drafting this post, I came across a remarkable story(one of many that’s a result of great RIC care) on Fortune magazine’s website about former Sara lee CEO Brenda Barnes who was a patient at RIC after a stroke and it speaks to the care they provide.STORY HERE
*Full disclosure, I am a member of the Associate Board but my journey with RIC began when my mom worked there as a nurse many years ago. Til this day she still notes this was one of the best places to work because of what she did and the patients she interacted with.
