Burke Rehabilitation Center Announces 2015 Burke Award Honorees
White Plains, NY (PRWEB) April 10, 2015 -- Burke Rehabilitation Center has announced that it will honor New York Rangers Captain Ryan McDonagh, stroke survivor Brad Berman and his wife Jessica, and Not Impossible Labs Founder Mick Ebeling at its Centennial Burke Award reception at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, June 16, at the Pierre, 2 East 61st Street at Fifth Avenue in New York City.
“It is a distinct privilege and honor to celebrate these wonderfully compassionate people at our dinner,” said Mary Beth Walsh, M.D., CEO and executive medical director of Burke Rehabilitation Hospital. “Our honorees this year help demonstrate the very essence of the Burke Award. They are members of our community who have made significant contributions to advance the field of rehabilitation.”
The Burke Award dinner is Burke’s signature event and its largest fundraiser of the year, drawing hundreds of community and business leaders from the greater New York City area and beyond. The Burke Award is the highest honor bestowed by Burke Rehabilitation Hospital’s board of directors and the Burke Medical Research Institute. This honor is awarded to individuals or groups who contributed to the field of rehabilitation through personal achievements, research development or by establishing programs and initiatives that improve quality of life for individuals with disabilities.
New York Rangers Captain Ryan McDonagh has supported Burke’s patient care through hands-on mentorship with former Burke patient, Gino Mangiafridda. McDonagh forged a strong connection with Mangiafridda, a Pelham High School hockey player who was left wheelchair-bound after a tragic motorcycle accident. McDonagh brought Mangiafridda to New York Rangers games and behind-the-scenes tours of the Rangers’ locker room hoping to lift his spirits during his recovery. Eventually, the two young men formed a friendship that has transcended Mangiafridda’s time at Burke. McDonagh often speaks about his appreciation for Burke and its high-quality level of rehabilitative care.
Honorees Brad and Jessica Berman became members of the Burke community under tragic circumstances when, at 37 years old, Brad suffered a debilitating stroke that left him in a medically-induced coma for nearly a month. Since Brad’s stroke, he and Jessica, who are avid runners, have raised more than $600,000 for Burke’s Lower Limb Robotics Program through their organization Run4Brad. View this PIX 11 video to learn more about the Bermans’ story since Brad’s diagnosis.
Mick Ebeling is founder of Not Impossible Labs, an organization responsible for breakthroughs in rehabilitative technology. Ebeling is known for his work as an award-winning television and film producer and is a notable humanitarian. In 2013, Ebeling’s organization spearheaded Project Daniel, an international effort to provide children and young adults in war-torn Sudan with low-cost, 3-D printed prosthetic limbs. Project Daniel works to empower the people of Sudan, where there are as many as 50,000 amputees. Project Daniel has been featured in The Guardian, Business Insider, BBC and TIME. View Ebeling’s TED Talk to learn more about his background and work.
The Burke Centennial Award Dinner is part of Burke’s ongoing centennial celebration. Please contact Allison Galligan at (914) 597-2222 or agalligan(at)burke(dot)org to register to attend the dinner. For more information about sponsorship opportunities, contact Colleen Borrelli at (914) 597-2849 or cborrelli(at)burke(dot)org. Please visit http://www.burke.org/100years to learn about more ways to get involved with Burke’s 2015 centennial events.
About Burke Rehabilitation Hospital
Burke Rehabilitation Hospital is a private, not-for-profit, acute rehabilitation hospital. Founded in 1915, it is the only hospital in Westchester County dedicated solely to rehabilitation medicine. Burke offers both inpatient and outpatient programs for those who have experienced a disabling illness, traumatic injury or joint replacement surgery. The hospital is part of Burke Rehabilitation Center, which also includes Burke Medical Research Institute and Burke’s Outpatient Division. Burke’s world-renowned doctors and therapists provide state-of-the-art treatment while its research scientists explore the frontiers of neurological and rehabilitation medicine. All share the Burke mission to ensure that every patient makes the fullest possible recovery from illness or injury regardless of their ability to pay. For additional information on Burke Rehabilitation Center, please visit burke.org.
About Burke Medical Research Institute
Burke Medical Research Institute is part of the Burke Rehabilitation Center, which also comprises the Burke Rehabilitation Hospital. The hospital is a private, not-for-profit, acute rehabilitation hospital that is the only hospital in Westchester County dedicated solely to rehabilitation medicine. Founded in 1915, Burke offers both inpatient and outpatient programs for those who have experienced a disabling illness, traumatic injury or joint replacement surgery. Along with the hospital’s world-renowned doctors and therapists providing state-of-the-art-treatment, Burke Medical Research Institute scientists explore the frontiers of rehabilitation medicine. All share the Burke mission to ensure that every patient makes the fullest possible recovery from illness or injury regardless of their ability to pay. For additional information on Burke Rehabilitation Center, please visit burke.org.
Katie LeChase, Co-Communications, Inc., +1 (212) 481-4540, [email protected]
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