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 eight locations across the region treating patients with various diagnoses including cancer rehab, post-COVID rehab, comprehensive concussion rehab, driver rehab, assistive technology and vestibular (balance) rehab.
About Main Line Health
Founded in 1985, Main Line Health® is a not-for-profit health system serving the Philadelphia region and beyond. Main Line Health consists of five hospitals, six health centers and over 150 medical practice locations. The System has more than 14,000 employees and over 2,100 employed and independent physicians and advanced practice providers.
At its 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, providing skilled home healthcare, 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; and Lankenau Institute for Medical Research, a biomedical research organization.
Main Line Health's medical staff benefits from a collaborative relationship including independent physicians, community healthcare professionals and hospital-based experts from Main Line HealthCare, the employed multi-specialty physician network of Main Line Health.
Main Line Health collaborates with top experts to deliver exceptional specialty care. Through our affiliation with the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, doctors and advanced practice providers care for pediatric patients at select Main Line Health locations, including the neonatal intensive care units at Main Line Health's four acute care hospitals, as well as Bryn Mawr Hospital's Inpatient Pediatric Unit and Emergency Department. Jefferson Health neurosurgeons and neurointerventionalists provide 24/7 specialized care, including neurointervention and lifesaving stroke care, and trauma surgeons provide critical care to our patients. Through our affiliation with Sheppard Pratt — a nonprofit provider of mental health services, substance use, developmental disability and other comprehensive behavioral health support — patients receive compassionate care in a welcoming environment.
For more information, visit mainlinehealth.org and connect with us on social media:
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/main-line-health
Facebook: www.facebook.com/mainlinehealth
X (formerly known as Twitter): www.twitter.com/mainlinehealth
Instagram: www.instagram.com/mainlinehealth
Contact
Phil Ellingsworth, Jr.Director, Communications
Office: 484.580.1182
EllingsworthPh@mlhs.org