Ross Zafonte Honored by Ben Franklin Global Forum with 2023 Admiral Charles LeMoyne Distinguished Healthcare Professional Award

BOSTON, MA – Ross Zafonte, DO, president of Spaulding Rehabilitation and the Earle P. and Ida S. Charlton Professor and Chair of the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Harvard Medical School, was presented with the 2023 Admiral Charles LeMoyne Distinguished Healthcare Professional Award by the Ben Franklin Global Forum at an event in Cambridge on Friday December 8th. Dr. Zafonte received this honor for his groundbreaking research in the understanding of the mechanisms of recovery after brain and spinal cord injury and his commitment and dedication in directing the Brain Injury and the Warrior Health and Fitness programs at the Massachusetts General Hospital and Red Sox Foundation Home Base program.

The award nomination read, “The Ben Franklin Global Forum established the Admiral Charles LeMoyne Distinguished Healthcare Professional Award in response to the need for acknowledging the extraordinary contributions made by front-line healthcare professionals as the nation emerged from the global pandemic. Partnering with such renowned organizations as Spaulding Rehabilitation and Harvard Medical School, we recognized individuals who went to extraordinary lengths and risks to care for patients. Today we are deeply honored to celebrate a brilliant researcher and dedicated clinician who is leading the way in the treatment of traumatic brain injury. Dr. Zafonte epitomizes the very best in medical care, research, and rehabilitation.”

Dr. Zafonte also serves as the Chief of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Dr. Zafonte’s textbook, Brain Injury Medicine, is considered one of the standards in the field of brain injury care. His research primarily focuses on understanding mechanisms of recovery after Brain and Spinal Cord Injury. He is also the Principal Investigator of the Football Players Health Study at Harvard University.

“Home Base wishes to extend a heartfelt congratulates to Dr. Zafonte on this extraordinary honor,” said Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Jack Hammond, Executive Director of Home Base. “As a founding faculty member of Home Base and director of the nation’s premiere Brain Injury program here, Ross has spearheaded the development a comprehensive brain injury and poly trauma program specifically designed for members of the Special Operations community giving hope and healing to our nations heroes who need and deserve it most.”

Dr. Zafonte has published extensively on traumatic brain injuries, spasticity, and other neurological disorders, and has presented on these topics at conferences nationally and internationally. His most recent awards include the Innovative Clinical Treatment Award, presented by the North American Brain Injury Society; the 2020 Distinguished Member Award from the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation; and a Public Service Medal from the United States Department of the Army for his work with military Veterans.

The establishment of the Ben Franklin Global Forum traces back to the 1990 Bicentennial Celebration of the legacy of Benjamin Franklin. Ben Franklin Global Forum designs and implements outreach programs that promote the ideals of self-sufficiency, innovation and excellence in five designated areas: Leadership, Public Service, Science & Technology, Business, and The Arts. The award is named after Admiral LeMoyne, the United States first two-star SEAL Admiral and the founder of Naval Special Warfare Command.

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 2nd ranked in the nation for rehabilitation 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 2023 Disability Equality Index as a “Best Places to Work for Disability Inclusion.” For more information, visit www.spauldingrehab.org.

About Home Base

Home Base, a Red Sox Foundation and Mass General Hospital Program, is dedicated to healing the invisible wounds for Veterans of all eras, Service Members, Military Families and Families of the Fallen through world-class clinical care, wellness, education, and research. As a National Center of Excellence, Home Base operates the first and largest private-sector clinic in the nation devoted to providing life-saving clinical care and support for the treatment of the invisible wounds to include post-traumatic stress, traumatic brain injury, anxiety, depression, co-occurring substance use disorder, family relationship challenges and other issues associated with training and deployment.

Since its inception, Home Base has provided care and support to more than 35,000 Veterans and family members and trained more than 85,000 clinicians, educators, first responders and community members – all at no cost – ensuring a brighter future for the 21st century warrior and military family. Serving Veterans and Families from all over the world, Home Base is headquartered in the Charlestown Navy Yard in Boston, MA with a satellite location in Southwest Florida, which as a nonprofit organization, operates predominantly on the philanthropic generosity of a grateful nation. For more information, please visit www.homebase.org.

Media Contacts

Tim Sullivan, Spaulding Rehabilitation
617-952-5325 | tsullivan11@mgb.org

Kelly Field, Home Base
617-697-8056 | kefield@mgh.harvard.edu