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, part of Main Line Health, is a leader in the field of physical medicine and rehabilitation. The 148-bed, not-for-profit hospital offers the full continuum of rehabilitation services, including acute inpatient care, as well as outpatient services for adults and adolescents. The hospital is accredited by the Joint Commission, designated as a Nurses Improving Care for Healthsystem Elders (NICHE) facility and is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital treats patients with traumatic and non-traumatic brain injury, stroke and other neurological disorders, traumatic and non-traumatic spinal cord injury, amputations, cancer and orthopaedic injuries. Bryn Mawr Rehab Outpatient Network treats individuals with a wide range of conditions and injuries from brain injury, spinal cord injury and Parkinson’s disease to concussions, pelvic floor disorders and lymphedema. Our outpatient rehabilitation services are conveniently located throughout the western suburbs of Philadelphia.
About Main Line Health
Founded in 1985, Main Line Health is a not-for-profit health system serving Philadelphia and its suburbs. Main Line Health's commitment — to deliver safe, high-quality, equitable and affordable care for treating and curing disease, playing an important role in prevention and disease management, as well as training physicians and other health care providers — reflects our intent to be the region's premier choice for clinical care, research, and education. A team of more than 13,000 employees and over 3,500 employed and independent physicians and advanced practice providers care for patients throughout Main Line Health.
At Main Line Health's core are four of the region's most respected acute care hospitals — Lankenau Medical Center, Bryn Mawr Hospital, Paoli Hospital and Riddle Hospital — as well as one of the nation's premier facilities for rehabilitative medicine, Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital.
Main Line Health also includes Mirmont Treatment Center for drug and alcohol recovery; Main Line Health HomeCare & Hospice, which includes skilled home health care, hospice and home infusion services; Main Line Health Centers, primary and specialty care, lab and radiology, and other outpatient services located in Broomall, Collegeville, Concordville, Exton, King of Prussia and Newtown Square; Lankenau Institute for Medical Research, a biomedical research organization; and Main Line HealthCare, one of the region's largest multispecialty physician networks.
Main Line Health is the recipient of numerous awards for quality care and service, including the prestigious American Hospital Association Quest for Quality Prize, highest tier ratings from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for Overall Hospital Quality and systemwide recognition in the 2023-2024 U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals rankings. Main Line Health is committed to creating an environment of diversity, respect, equity and inclusion, has proudly received awards in this area and has embraced the American Hospital Association's #123forEquity Pledge to Act to eliminate disparities in care. We are dedicated to advancing patient-centered care, education and research to help patients stay healthy and live their best lives.
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