RIC opens Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, Raises 8 million

The Event: The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC) entered a new era with the grand opening of its Shirley Ryan AbilityLab on March 10. The gala celebration ushered in 750 premier civic leaders and visionaries prepared to put their money where their hearts are for the ‘medicine of tomorrow.’

The new facility is poised to provide state-of-the-art treatments by integrating science directly with clinical care.

Cause célèbre: “We’re answering questions that patients demand answers to,” said Richard Lieber of Chicago, chief scientific officer. Lieber has studied mouse muscle physiology for 30 years. “A lot of stuff we find out in lab animals doesn’t translate to people so (many) think you ought to just start with people – and that’s what we’re doing.”  

The AbilityLab will house patients and researchers on the same floors. “You will see patients being treated plus researchers working with them on even more advanced techniques,” said King Harris of Winnetka, foundation board member and former board chairman.

The AbilityLab was made possible through an undisclosed (and staff-termed “epic”) donation by Shirley and Pat Ryan of Winnetka, founders of the entrepreneurial organization, Pathways.

This integration between Pathways, RIC and the AbilityLab, said president/CEO, Dr. Joanne Smith of Hinsdale, “Makes possible a truly better future for children and adults from around the globe who need our support and services.”

Cook County Board President, Tony Preckwinkle, said: “(RIC) has always done wonderful work and now they have a world-class facility to do it in.”

And foundation board co-chairman, Connie Coolidge of Kenilworth, called it a beacon of hope and enthusiasm for anybody with a physical challenge.

“It is going to change the future of rehabilitation. We don’t even call it rehabilitation anymore; we call it enhancing human ability,” said Coolidge.

Bottom Line: The grand opening gala raised 8 million dollars.