Jan. 6 AOL Homepage Featured Kessler Foundation's Ekso Youtube Video

January 8, 2012 More than doubled the views overnight!

West Orange, NJ. January 8, 2012. AOL's Homepage featured Kessler Foundation's Ekso testing youtube video! Views of this videos more than doubled as a results, and are now over 56,000. The 4-minute video features Ekso research participants with spinal cord injury and Drs. Steven Kirshblum and Gail Forrest, and highlights the pilot testing of this robotic exoskeleton by Ekso Bionics. Posted on December 14 by Foundation videographer Jody Banks, the video has been featured on numerous medical and technology sites. 

 

New video highlights pilot testing of Ekso exoskelton

December 14, 2011 Researchers encouraged by observations of 6 patients with traumatic spinal cord injury

Exoskeletal device tested in six patients with traumatic spinal cord injury

Results of pilot testing encourage Kessler Foundation researchers

West Orange, NJ. December 14, 2011. Monitored by scientists at Kessler Foundation, six people with traumatic spinal cord injuries tested Ekso (view video), the robotic exoskeleton from Ekso Bionics that enables wheelchair users to stand and walk.  The six participated in one week of preliminary testing

Kessler Foundation Awarded Stroke Research Grant by Wallerstein Foundation

November 11, 2011

$250,00 Grant Will Further Research in Hidden Disabilities

West Orange, NJ . November 11, 2011. Kessler Foundation received a $250,000 stroke research grant from the Wallerstein Foundation for Geriatric Life Improvement. Anna Barrett, MD, director of Stroke Rehabilitation Research at Kessler Foundation, will apply the funds to finding better ways to treat hidden disabilities that often complicate recovery after stroke.  “Our stroke researchers are pleased to receive this grant,” said Rodger DeRose, president and CEO of Kessler Foundation. “The Wallerstein Foundation recognizes the Kessler Foundation’s commitment to improving rehabilitation after stroke, and has seen the advances being made by Dr. Barrett’s research team.”

Paralysis and weakness are well

Athletes from Africa Compete in the Kessler Foundation Wheelchair 10k

May 30, 2011

Racers from three continents gathered for the 11th annual Kessler Foundation Wheelchair 10k, the wheelchair division of the Fred D'Elia Ridgewood Run in Ridgewood, NJ, on Memorial Day 2011. It is one of the largest wheelchair races in the country and one of the few integrated races where wheelchair athletes and runners compete on the same course at the same time. The racers compete for a total purse of $10,000. For the first time, racers from Africa came to compete in what was sure to be about more than winning a race.

In Ghana, people with disabilities have a history of being mistreated. If they were not poisoned to death, they were destined to a life of begging on the streets because no one would hire them. One man, Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah, changed everything.

Born with a

The North Jersey Navigators Featured in Sports 'N Spokes

May 29, 2011 The North Jersey Navigators, a Special Initiatives grantee of Kessler Foundation, was featured in the May 2011 issue of Sports 'N Spokes magazine. The Navigators is an adaptive sports team for junior athletes with disabilities. Read how the Navigators changed the lives of these young adults and get a sneak peek into their bright futures!

Kessler Foundation Ekso research featured on Fox5 NYC

May 22, 2011 Drs. Kirshblum and Forrest interviewed on advances in mobility research

West Orange, NJ. On Thursday, May 22, the lead story on Fox5 NYC at 6 and 10 pm featured our exoskeletal research. Reporter Liz Dahlem interviewed Steven Kirshblum, MD, medical director at Kessler Institute, Gail Forrest, PhD, of Kessler Foundation and Cindy C., a participant in our Ekso study. PIctured here is Liz Dahlem on camera with Cindy at the Foundation's new Gait Lab. Accompanied by physical therapists Erica and Erik, Cindy demonstrated walking in Ekso, one of two devices from Ekso Bionics that are being studied at Kessler Foundation for use after spinal cord injury and stroke. Interest

In the News: Kessler Foundation’s new stroke research study using Ekso GT

May 7, 2011 Airing on CBS stations across the US, the story of stroke survivor Dez Duru

Kessler Foundation’s new stroke research study is being featured on CBS affiliates across the nation. Here’s the segment, “New Bionic Suit Helps Stroke Survivors to Walk Again,” as broadcast on CBS New York on June 21, featuring Dez Duru, a young woman recovering from a recent stroke affecting her left side.  Reporter Alexis Christoforous interviewed Dez in the Foundation's Gait Lab, as well as Karen Nolan, PhD, clinical research scientist. While an inpatient at Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation, Dez participated in this unique pilot study of the Ekso GT at Kessler Foundation.  The Ekso

Call for Nominations for DeLisa Award: Deadline Dec. 16

April 30, 2011 2nd Annual Award for Excellence in Research & Education A single award of $50,000 will be made in May 2012

Kessler Foundation announces the 2011-2012 Call for Nominations for Kessler Foundation’s Joel A. DeLisa, MD Award for Excellence in Research and Education in the Field of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PM&R). This $50,000 annual award recognizes a physician or scientist who is a leader and role model in the field of physical medicine & rehabilitation.  The first recipient of the award (in 2011) was Walter R. Frontera, MD, PhD, former Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Professor of PM&R and Physiology at the University of Puerto Rico. Click here for more

Kessler Foundation Celebrates 25 years at May 12th Event!

April 11, 2011

April 4, 2011 - Kessler Foundation 25th Anniversary Celebration on Thursday, May 12, 6:30 pm,
Capitale, 130 Bowery Street, New York, NY for this milestone event celebrating 25 years of research, education and grantmaking that has benefited people with disabilities. Our honorary co-chairs are Governor Tom Ridge, Chief of the US Chamber of Commerce Security Task Force and the Hon. Bill Pascrell, Jr., US Congressman from New Jersey.

Three honors will be bestowed -- Rocco Ortenzio, Executive Chairman of Select Medical Corporation receives the Lifetime Achievement Award; Mark Pollard receives the Henry Kessler Human Dignity Award; and Walter Frontera, MD, PhD, of the University of Puerto Rico, is the first recipient of Kessler Foundation's Joel DeLisa Award for Research and

Kessler Foundation and NJ Nets

March 23, 2011

The NJ Nets featured Kessler Foundation's logo at Tuesday's game at the Prudential Center in Newark!

March 23, 2011
Stay tuned for more on the Foundation's new partnership!

New Legislation for Improved Helmets in Youth Sports

March 18, 2011

Nancy Chiaravalloti, PhD, Director of Neuroscience Research,commented on the legislation proposed by

March 18, 2011. WASHINGTON, D.C.—A bipartisan bill aimed at decreasing the concussion rate in youth and high school football players by improving helmet safety was introduced to Congress on Wednesday, in recognition of Brain Injury Awareness Day.     Senator Tom Udall (D—NM) and Congressman Bill Pascrell (D—NJ) sponsored the bill, which would give companies that make football helmets for youth and high school athletes nine months to improve helmet safety standards. If they fail to do so, the Consumer Product Safety Commission would be required to set standards. The bill would also enforce stricter penalties for companies that make false safety claims.

At a press conference

Times Features Grant-funded Greenhouse Project

March 9, 2011

March 9, 2011

This Kessler Foundation-funded Greenhouse Project was featured in the March 2 New York Times Dining Section. Arthur & Friends trains people with disabilities for jobs in agribusiness.  Trainees, called 'friends' learn hydroponic farming methods and grow and market  a variety of produce to restaurants and caterers. Kessler Foundation has provided more than $500,000 in funding for this innovative approach that provides fresh, locally grown produce as well as meaningful employment for people with disabilities. This successful model is being repilcated at sitesi n New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

    

 

 

Katz & DeRose Publish Call to Action

March 7, 2011

March 7, 2011

The January 2011 issue of the Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine features a Call to Action by two Foundation executives: Elaine Katz, VP, and Rodger DeRose, President and CEO. The commentary was prompted by the results of the Harris survey released in July 2010 on the 20th anniverary of the ADA.  The 2010 Survey of Employment of Americans with Disability was sponsored by Kessler Foundation in partnership with the National Organization on Disability.  The survey showed a persistent gap in employment between Americans with and without disabilities. Katz and DeRose call for broader implementation of corporate poliices and programs that support hiring and retention. They also called on employers to use agencies that specialize in placing people with disabilities.  Those

Traumatic Brain Injury Newsletter

January 17, 2011

Interested in traumatic brain injury? Considering volunteering for a research study?

January 17, 2011

Interested in traumatic brain injury? Considering volunteering for a research study? Click here to read TBI News & Views, our newsletter for people with brain injury and their care givers. Learn more about care and research at Kessler Foundation and Kessler Institute--partners in the Northern New Jersey TBI Model system. Click here to check out our new Interactive Newsletter.

Zulin Dou, MD, PhD, to talk on Nov. 21 about neural network mechanisms after acute stroke

November 21, 2010 Effect of Cognitive Interventions on Physical Function in Acute Stroke and its Neural Network Mechanism

Guest speaker Zulin Dou, MD, PhD, will share his research in rehabilitation after acute stroke at a lecture on Wednesday, November 21, 2012, 12:15 - 1:00 pm at Kessler Conference Center, 1199 Pleasant Valley Way, West Orange, NJ 07052. Dr. Dou, an expert in cognitive assessment and treatment after neurological injuries, will speak on "Effect of Cognitive Interventions on Physical Function in Acute Stroke and its Neural Network Mechanism." Please RSVP to JColombo@KesslerFoundation.org

A noted researcher, he is affiliated with Sun Yat-Sen University of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province, China.