Inspiring Hope - December 2018

Kick-off to Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital’s 23rd Annual Art Ability a great success!

Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital (BMRH) held its 23nd annual Art Ability Preview Party on November 3, which for a second year included the annual art reception, and dinner and auction. Nearly 400 guests attended the evening, including 255 for the dinner and auction. Nearly 500 artworks by 166 artists from 31 states and six countries were on display for sale, in such mediums as jewelry and fine crafts, sculpture, mixed media and photography as well as works on canvas and works on paper. Guests mingled with exhibiting artists and purchased a variety of unique, one-of-a-kind works throughout the evening. A total of 124 pieces of artwork sold, totaling $44,634. Eighty percent of the artwork revenue goes right back to the artists, helping to advance their artistic success and financial independence.

This year’s big enhancement was the move to a mobile platform which enabled guests to purchase tickets and artwork, bid on silent auction items, and complete their end of evening check out right from their smartphones.

Following an inspiring story by patient Lee Lee Jones and her parents at the dinner and auction, guests generously contributed $85,900 through a Paddle Raise, making possible the purchase of a new patient transportation van as well as support for other hospital priorities. The Art Ability Preview Party was a huge success; major thanks to the great work of the Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital Foundation Board, Art Ability Committee, staff and volunteers, and generosity of event guests.

The exhibition is now free and open to the public through January 27, 2019. Artwork can also be viewed and purchased online via bidpal.net/artability18.

Rehab nurses honored for excellence

Bryn Mawr Rehab is proud to share that two of our nurses were honored at the 2018 Nightingale Awards of Pennsylvania event, held in October in Harrisburg. The Nightingale Awards of Pennsylvania is a statewide, non-profit foundation created to honor excellence in nursing, as well as to help recruit and retain nursing professionals.

Kristine Longo was named the winner for Clinical Practice RN, which recognizes nurses for providing outstanding quality of patient care, superior nursing clinical skills, extraordinary compassion, and exceptional communication skills that enhance their contribution to the health needs of the community while advancing the profession.

Barbara Merges was a finalist for the Nursing Education Staff Development award. This award recognizes an individual who strives for clinical practice excellence and shares knowledge with others.

Congratulations to Kristine and Barb!

Welfare Foundation supports brain injury and stroke programs

The Welfare Foundation provided a generous $25,000 grant to support the purchase of a Bioness Integrated Therapy System (BITS). The BITS will be used primarily in the assessment and treatment of our brain injury and stroke inpatients. BITS’ interactive touchscreen and diverse program options challenge patients through the use of visual motor activities, visual and auditory processing, cognitive skills and endurance training. Our goal is always to help our patients achieve the highest level of recovery possible, and the BITS will help us on that mission.

We are so appreciative of the support and partnership of the Welfare Foundation!

Celebrating Project SEARCH graduates

On September 24, Bryn Mawr Rehab hosted its annual Project SEARCH Graduation Ceremony, celebrating 21 program graduates. Project SEARCH is an innovative program for adults with disabilities who want to enter or re-enter the workforce. Interns are taught employable skills through classroom education and on-the-job experiences in community businesses. The Bryn Mawr Rehab’s Project SEARCH program is the first adults-only program in Pennsylvania and only the second in the United States.

Joanne Fitzgerald, director of human capital at Acero Precision, was the keynote speaker, sharing her story of determination, and her congratulations to graduates. Acero Precision is a business partner of Project SEARCH, providing internship opportunities for participants. They also have hired several program graduates for employment following graduation.

Brain injury awareness rally

In October, staff from Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital attended the Brain Injury Awareness Rally at the State Capitol building in Harrisburg, Pa. More than 50 supporters from the brain injury community gathered to raise awareness about brain injury. In addition to two survivors who told their stories during the rally, Dr. David Long, medical director of the Brain Injury Program at Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital, took part in a panel discussion. State Senator Andy Dinniman mentioned the state-of-the-art services available at Bryn Mawr Rehab during his speech, which was a great endorsement of our program and its accomplishments.

Hilary Knecht, physical therapy program manager and Jessica Petrongolo, speech pathologist, also brought the Unmasking Brain Injury display to the rally to help raise awareness and tell the stories of patients with brain injuries.

Age 70½ or older? Have a traditional IRA? Consider this gift strategy…
Using your traditional IRA to make charitable gifts this year is more advantageous than ever through a qualified charitable distribution (QCD)

You may be looking for a way to make a meaningful impact in the work and services of Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital. If you are 70½ or older, you may also be interested in a way to avoid or reduce income taxes on your IRA withdrawals.

Benefits of an IRA qualified charitable distribution

• Avoid income taxes on transfers of up to $100,000 from your IRA to Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital
• Fully or partially satisfy your required minimum distribution (RMD) for the year
• Reduce your taxable income, even if you do not itemize deductions
• Help further the mission and services of Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital

How an IRA qualified charitable distribution works

1. Contact your IRA plan administrator to make a gift from your IRA to Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital
2. Your IRA funds will be directly transferred to us to support the hospital’s mission
3. Please note that IRA qualified charitable distribution gifts do not qualify for a charitable deduction

Contact us

If you have any questions about an IRA qualified charitable distribution gift, or would like you gift to be used for a specific purpose, please contact Karen Gadson, executive director of development, at 484.596.5638 or [email protected].

Season of giving!

During this special time of year, where when many focus on their holiday and end-of-year giving, we hope that you will consider a gift to Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital.

The hospital continues to grow and prosper thanks, in large part, to its many special friends and donors. Charitable gifts impact all aspects of the hospital, helping to purchase specialized therapy equipment for the best quality patient care; providing advanced training for our staff of dedicated professionals; making possible the hospital’s annual signature special event, Art Ability; as well as supporting community outreach programs like Cruisin’ SMART, which educates students on the dangers of impaired and distracted driving, and Project SEARCH, an educational and work transition program for individuals with disabilities.

To learn more about ways to give, or to make a tax-deductible gift, click here or contact Marissa Keough, associate director of development, at 484.596.5614 or [email protected].

Happy Holidays!