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2023-07-06press-releaseNews<p>Spaulding Rehabilitation recently received a milestone $6 million gift &mdash; the second largest in Spaulding&rsquo;s history &mdash; from an anonymous donor, which will support Spaulding's commitment to improving the lives of patients with spinal cord injury (SCI).</p>

Spaulding Rehabilitation Announces Milestone Gift to Support Spinal Cord Injury Care and Research

press-release
July 6,  2023

BOSTON – Spaulding Rehabilitation recently received a milestone $6 million gift — the second largest in Spaulding’s history — from an anonymous donor, which will support Spaulding’s commitment to improving the lives of patients with spinal cord injury (SCI). This landmark investment will be used to acquire, distribute, and evaluate assistive technologies and related services for patients with SCI, making a positive impact on the approximately 300,000 people in the U.S. living with the complex effects of these injuries.

“We are tremendously grateful for this generous donor’s thoughtful gift, which will ensure our patients are able to get these life-changing technologies as they are developed and refined. This meaningful contribution will have ripple effects on the treatment and management of patients with SCI for years to come,” said Ross Zafonte, DO, President, Spaulding Rehabilitation.

Developments in technology over the last several decades have created new possibilities for patients with SCI, offering them more freedom and autonomy. However, as with many newer technologies, many barriers still exist around their access and application, such as high cost and evidence-based information on their use and efficacy.

The donation will augment the scope and impact of The Travis Roy Center for Enhanced Independence, which Spaulding launched last fall through the generosity of the Travis Roy Foundation. Led by Dr. Randy Trumbower, the work of the Center is focused on advancing personal independence and quality of life for patients with SCI and their families. Director of Spaulding’s INSPIRE Lab, Dr. Trumbower will also lead the implementation of this new gift, and the staff in our Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Program and on our Spinal Cord Injury Model Systems team will be integral to the success of these initiatives.

The Travis Roy Center’s mission is to provide resources to improve access to and use of assistive technologies at Spaulding and beyond. “Thanks to incredible donor support, our ongoing efforts in this area will continue providing people with SCI increased independence, which has a transformational impact on their overall health and well-being. We are so grateful to the entire Spaulding community for inspiring this type of support and helping to bring special programs like these to fruition,” said Steven A. Patrick, Chief Development Officer, Spaulding Rehabilitation.

About Spaulding Rehabilitation

A member of the Mass General Brigham Health System, Spaulding Rehabilitation includes Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, with a main campus in Charlestown the 3rd ranked rehabilitation hospital in the country by U.S. News & World Report, along with Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital Cape Cod, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital Cambridge, Spaulding Rehabilitation Nursing and Therapy Center Brighton, and over 25 outpatient sites throughout Eastern Massachusetts. An acclaimed teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School and home to the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Spaulding is recognized as a top residency program in the U.S. in the Doximity Residency Navigator. Spaulding also was recognized by the 2022 Disability Equality Index as a “Best Places to Work for Disability Inclusion.” For more information, visit www.spauldingrehab.org.

Media Contact

Spaulding Rehabilitation: Tim Sullivan, tsullivan11@partners.org, 617.501.5985