Bryn Mawr Rehab’s 25th Anniversary Art Ability celebration nets more than $260,000
Held virtually this year as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the celebration included remarks from Main Line Health President and CEO Jack Lynch; Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital president Donna Phillips; as well as several patients and artist alumni from the show’s 25-year history. Approximately 400 guests tuned in and participated.
“Our artists, donors and community members have been so supportive of this program and the hospital for so many years. When we learned our 25th anniversary celebration would need to be a virtual one, we wanted to go the extra mile to ensure we could convey the same spirit of excitement that we’ve experienced during our on-campus events,” said Gaby Heit, curator of the Art Ability program.
Program elements included video messages from exhibiting artists, a message of recovery from patient and stroke survivor Steve Zarrilli and a live painting demonstration with longtime Art Ability artist Sal Panasci. You can view the program in full here.
A total of 111 pieces of art were sold during the event, totaling $46,447 in art sales. Eighty percent of the proceeds from each sale go directly to the artist and the remaining funds are used to benefit Bryn Mawr Rehab’s patients and programs.
In addition to art sales, the annual event also raises funds to support of the hospital’s top priorities. Sponsors and other donors contributed $138,100 in advance, helping to ensure the event’s success. A silent auction generated $23,697. And, as part of a special donation appeal following Steve Zarrilli’s patient story, $136,776 was raised in support of a new robotic exoskeleton. This state-of-the-art equipment helps patients relearn to walk again following a stroke, traumatic brain or spinal cord injury.
“These injuries can be debilitating and significantly affect quality of life. Thanks to the generosity of our Bryn Mawr Rehab community, we are now able to purchase this exoskeleton to help facilitate strong patient outcomes and satisfaction,” said Phillips. “Our goal is to have two, given the large patient population who could potentially benefit. Each year, more than 2,000 patients choose Bryn Mawr Rehab for their recovery following a stroke, brain injury or spinal cord injury.”
The success of the 2020 Art Ability Virtual Celebration is thanks to the outstanding work of the hospital’s Foundation Board, along with many philanthropic partners and donors.
About Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital
Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital is a leader in the field of physical medicine and rehabilitation, offering advanced inpatient and outpatient services and outstanding care. For more than 50 years, Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital has excelled in the treatment of patients with spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, orthopedic trauma and stroke, with one of the most comprehensive rehabilitation programs in the region.
Bryn Mawr Rehab provides a full range of outpatient care in nine locations across the region treating patients with various diagnoses including cancer rehab, pelvic floor rehab, comprehensive concussion rehab, driver rehab, assistive technology and vestibular (balance) rehab.
About Main Line Health
Main Line Health® is a not-for-profit health system serving the greater Philadelphia region. The System comprises five hospitals, seven health centers, more than 160 outpatient and physician practice locations, over 14,500 employees and more than 2,200 employed and independent physicians and advanced practice providers.
Founded in 1985, Main Line Health includes four of the region’s most respected acute care hospitals — Lankenau Medical Center, Bryn Mawr Hospital, Paoli Hospital and Riddle Hospital — as well as Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital, one of the nation’s premier facilities for rehabilitative medicine. The System also includes Mirmont Treatment Center, which provides treatment and support for substance use disorders; Main Line Health HomeCare & Hospice; Main Line HealthCare, its employed multispecialty physician network; Lankenau Institute for Medical Research, a leading biomedical research organization; and Main Line Health Centers offering primary and specialty care, lab, radiology and other outpatient services in Broomall, Collegeville, Concordville, Devon, Exton, King of Prussia and Newtown Square.
Main Line Health brings together physicians, advanced practice providers, nurses, researchers and other healthcare professionals across a broad network of inpatient, outpatient, home-based and community-based services. Through this integrated approach, the System delivers high-quality, comprehensive care across the continuum — from primary care and preventive services to complex specialty, surgical, trauma, emergency, rehabilitative, behavioral health, home care and hospice services — with a focus on making care accessible in the communities where people live and work.
Main Line Health also collaborates with leading clinical partners to expand access to specialized care. Through its affiliation with Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, pediatric care is provided at select Main Line Health locations, including neonatal intensive care units at its acute care hospitals and Bryn Mawr Hospital’s Inpatient Pediatric Unit and Emergency Department. Jefferson Health neurosurgeons and neurointerventionalists also provide 24/7 specialized care, including neurointervention and lifesaving stroke care.
Contact
Phil Ellingsworth, Jr.Director, Communications
Office: 484.580.1182
EllingsworthPh@mlhs.org