Kessler Foundation Convenes Aphasia Summit

Opinion leaders from around the nation gathered to share their experiences with the latest in intervention.

Kessler Foundation Convenes First National Aphasia Summit

July 8, 2010  WEST ORANGE, N.J.—Kessler Foundation, in association with Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation (KIR), hosted the first national Aphasia Summit, entitled “Innovative Physiologic Treatments for Aphasia,” on Monday, June 21. The goal was to develop a plan of treatment for aphasia, encourage responsible innovation in rehabilitation, and develop a research agenda for this disabling complication of stroke.

Experts in the field of aphasia—physicians, researchers, psychologists and speech-language pathologists (S.L.P.)—gathered from around the country to share their

Finding Work After Spinal Cord Injury

 Kessler's June 18 Conference, Life after Spinal Cord Injury, provided a forum on employment issues for almost 100 attendees.  

June 23, 2010

WEST ORANGE, N.J.—Kessler Foundation, in association with Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation, hosted another chapter of its Life after Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) conference, entitled "Empowering People with SCI to Compete in Today's Workforce," on Friday. The conference series is a part of the public outreach from the Northern New Jersey SCI Model System.

"This consumer conference gives us the opportunity to show how the work we do benefits people with disabilities," said John DeLuca, Ph.D., Vice President for Research at Kessler Foundation Research Center. "Kessler Foundation does more than just research. We look at

Registration Closed for Aphasia Summit

Registration Closed for Aphasia Summit

Clinical Research Summit, Innovative Physiologic Treatments for Aphasia, June 21, 2010

June 21, 2010 Clinical Research Summit - Innovative Physiologic Treatments for Aphasia

Up to 6 Category 1 CME credits available ASHA, PT/OT credit pending Post-stroke communication disorders

Post-stroke communication disorders of speech and language (aphasia) affect 20-30% of all stroke survivors in acute recovery stages. Newly identified US stroke survivors with aphasia (159,000-238,000 annually) greatly outnumber people with acute spinal cord injury, brain and nervous system cancer, and newly diagnosed Parkinson Disease, but acute medical treatment options for this disorder are not optimally developed.

The goals of this

June is Aphasia Awareness Month!

 The National Aphasia Assoc's Speaking Out! Conference! will be June 12, 2010,7:30AM - 4:45PM, at National Rehab. Hospital, 102 Irving St NW, Washington, DC.
Please visit www.aphasia.org/RegionalConference.html

10th Annual Wheelchair 10K to be Held on May 31

 At 8:40 a.m. on Monday, May 31, 2010, wheelchair racers from around the country will kick-off the series of seven events that comprise the Fred d�Elia Memorial Day Ridgewood Run.

March 18, 2010 At 8:40 a.m. on Monday, May 31, 2010, wheelchair racers from around the country will kick-off the series of seven events that comprise the Fred d'Elia Memorial Day Ridgewood Run. With the support of the North Jersey Masters, Kessler Foundation Wheelchair 10K has grown to one of the largest 10K's in the country. Other event sponsors include: Park Ave BMW; Global Risk Consultants; Marriott® Residence Inn; Ridgewood Running Co., and EZ Ride.

About the WheelBlazers

The event will also include members of the WheelBlazers, a racing team sponsored by Kessler Foundation. The team

Life after Spinal Cord Injury conference

The title of this year�s conference is: "Empowering People with SCI to Complete in Today�s Workforce"

May 14, 2010 The job market is tough. For people with disabilities, the workforce presents a whole other set of challenges. The next chapter of the Life after Spinal Cord Injury conference series, entitled "Empowering People with SCI to Compete in Today's Workforce," will be held on Friday, June 18, 2010, at 10 am in the Kessler Conference Center —1199 Pleasant Valley Way in West Orange, New Jersey. Mingle at the continental breakfast, which will be served at 9:30 am.

The conference is expected to host 150-200 people, some of who are local employers. This is the time to network with employers and build connections. You will hear first-hand experiences from people with SCI

Tenth Annual Wheelchair 10K - Registration is closed!

The Tenth Annual Wheelchair 10K is the wheelchair division of the Ridgewood Run that is held annually on Memorial Day.  For the first time, this year�s race is the designated Wheelchair Track and Fi

April 12, 2010 The Tenth Annual Wheelchair 10K is the wheelchair division of the Ridgewood Run that is held annually on Memorial Day. For the first time, this year's race is the designated Wheelchair Track and Field USA (WTFUSA) Wheelchair 10K Championship.

At 8:40 am on Monday, May 31, 2010, wheelchair racers from around the country will kick-off the series of seven events that comprise the Fred d'Elia Memorial Day Ridgewood Run. With the support of the North Jersey Masters, the Kessler Foundation Wheelchair 10K has grown to one of the largest 10Ks in the country. Other event

Achieving Accuracy in Healthcare Research among the Aged: The Negative Impact of Clinical Coding Practices on Research Outcomes and Proposed Solutions

Denise Fyffe, PhD, and Anna Barrett, MD, from Kessler Foundation, and Mary Ann Brigante, RN, MSN, from Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation, presented their perspective on the obstacles to conducting

February 8, 2010 Anna Barrett, MD, director of Stroke Rehabilitation Research at Kessler Foundation, delivered a presentation at the United Nations on February 9, 2010. Her presentation explained the importance of properly coding hidden disabilities that commonly occur after stroke but are often overlooked as obstacles to recovery. Coding is important not only for insurance reimbursement, but for identifying and tracking people who need evaluation and treatment.

The program, entitled, "Achieving Accuracy in Healthcare Research among the Aged: The Negative Impact of Clinical

8th Annual Estabrook Lecture Presented by Paul Wehman, PhD

 "Employment and Return to Work for Individuals With Significant Disabilities: How Far Have We Come." 

February 9, 2010

The 8th annual Kenneth L. Estabrook Distinguished Scientist Lectureship was held by Kessler Foundation on March 5, 2010. More than one hundred medical and rehabilitation professionals, as well as other interested parties, heard Paul Wehman, PhD, discuss "Employment and Return to Work for People with Significant Disabilities: How Far Have We Come?"

The Estabrook family sat in the front row. Kenneth Estabrook (1924-2003), a NJ lawyer, served as a trustee, vice president, and president of Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation from 1967-1986. From Dr. Henry H. Kessler, he learned how critical comprehensive rehabilitation was to recovery. Estabrook was

Registration closed for the 22nd Annual PM&R Board Review Course, 4/22 - 4/30

Presented in cooperation with UMDNJ Department of PM&R and Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation, this course offers a comprehensive curriculum and up to 70 CME credits. For more information and to Reg

January 13, 2010 - Click here now for the nation's largest review course in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation. This course, offered in cooperation with UMDNJ Department of PM&R and Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation, offers a comprehensive curriculum taught by expert faculty and the opportunity to earn up to 70 CME credits. Clinicians preparing for the PM&R board exams have the option to select from 2 mock oral exam sessions for an additional fee. A special one-day registration is available for the April 28 Prosthetics & Orthotics Program. (This program is

Kessler Foundation Trustees Approve $1,933,835 in Grants

Kessler Foundation approved an allocation of $1,933,835 through its Transition to Work initiative. Earlier this year, the Foundation awarded $423,742 to benefit grant programs that increase employme

December 17, 2009. WEST ORANGE, NJ – The Board of Trustees of Kessler Foundation has approved a grant allocation of $1,933,835 to benefit people with physical disabilities through Kessler's "Transition to Work" initiative. Earlier this year, the Foundation awarded $423,742 in grants to benefit grant programs that increase employment opportunities for this underserved population. The total amount awarded for employment initiatives during 2009 was $2,357,577.

"This year has been a challenging one for people with disabilities trying to seek employment," said Elaine Katz, Vice

Rodger DeRose Attends White House Jobs Summit

 Rodger DeRose, president and CEO of Kessler Foundation, was one of the 130 business leaders called to the White House by President Obama to develop creative approaches to job development. 

December 14, 2009 - On December 3, 2009, the White House convened the Jobs and Economic Growth Forum, an important step toward meeting the nation's ongoing challenges. President Obama invited leaders representing every sector of the economy to brainstorm ways to create jobs quickly as the economy slowly recovers. Attendees were assigned to one of six working groups, where they discussed optimal strategies. Rodger DeRose, president and CEO of Kessler Foundation, provided input to the session on 'Encouraging Business Hiring and Job Creation', an area that reflects the Foundation's

North Jersey Navigators Set New Records at National & World Championships

 The Navigators adaptive sports team wrapped up their best season in years at the 2009 National Junior Disability Championships in St. Louis, Missouri and the 2009 International Wheelchair and Ampute

November 23, 2009

At the 2009 National Junior DisabilityChampionships (NJDC), all the athletes obtained new personal best records and the team netted a total of 123 medals (77 Gold, 30 Silver, 16 Bronze), set 16 new national records, and once again placed FIRST in the large team category (teams with 9-23 athletes). The Navigators team competed in track, field, swimming, archery and table tennis events. The team averaged 22.98 points per athlete while the team that placed second averaged 13 points per athlete.

In addition, 4 members of the Navigators competed on the

Foundation Awarded Grant to Produce SCI Educational Videos

A grant from the Craig H. Neilsen Foundation will enable researchers to develop a series of 3 educational videos on the prevention and management of medical complications in persons with spinal cord i

November 30, 2009

This grant for $97,500 from the Craig H. Neilsen Foundation will enable researchers to develop a series of 3 educational videos on the prevention and management of medical complications in persons with spinal cord injury. This brings the year to date grant total for Kessler Foundation to $4.7 million.

This interactive, multi-media-based, medical education series that will provide guidance and assistance for consumers with SCI, caregivers and professionals in the management and prevention of common medical complications associated with SCI. The three

Improving Quality of Life for Wounded Warriors and Their Families

A Signature Program Grant from Kessler Foundation funds the Army Wounded Warrior Career Demonstration Project, a national project of the National Organization on Disability.

November 12, 2009

Signature Program Grants support large initiatives that increase opportunities for citizens with disabilities to obtain competitive employment. A Signature Program Grant from Kessler Foundation funds the Army Wounded Warrior Career Demonstration Project, a national project of the National Organization on Disability.

Soldiers returning from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan face enormous challenges to re-entering society. Achieving satisfactory quality of life often depends on finding a job or training for a new career, but disability is a barrier for many veterans. Many who