Mike Utley to fund Scholarships for Persons Recovering from Spinal Cord Injuries at DMC Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan
February 5, 2010 by Contributor
Filed under Healthy Happenings
Former Detroit Lion, Mike Utley, is supporting scholarship opportunities for persons with spinal cord injuries (SCI) to maximize their recovery and improve their quality of life.
Through the generous support of the Mike Utley Foundation, Utley will be funding three scholarships to Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan (RIM). The Scholarships will provide qualifying recipients with one free month of intense therapy and fitness training. The program will include nutrition consultations, physical therapy, personal training and biofeedback therapy.
As a leader in the treatment of spinal cord injury, RIM sees more SCI patients than any other program in Michigan, including the most complex cases. RIM is also home to the Center for Spinal Cord Injury Recovery (CSCIR). The CSCIR is one of the first hospital-based programs of its kind in the U.S. to provide long-term, high-intensity, activity-based therapy, to optimize health and function in persons with spinal cord injury. The program incorporates the latest scientific research and innovative therapeutic techniques, in the quest to make recovery from spinal cord injury a reality.
Utley, was paralyzed during an NFL game in 1991. In the years since his injury he has inspired others with his own drive, determination and incredible motivation to strive for optimal physical performance.
“Dedicating myself one hundred and ten percent to physical therapy and strength training is a big part of who I am and how much I have been able to achieve since my injury, says Utley. “That is why, I am so excited to be working with the Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan to bring this opportunity to other individuals with spinal cord injuries so that they too can have the opportunities and tools for success.”
Applications are now being accepted for the Mike Utley Scholarships. To download the scholarship application form, please visit www.RIMrehab.org. Under Community Programs, select Mike Utley Scholarship. The deadline for submitting the application is April 1, 2010.
DMC Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan Names Frank Torre Chairman, Board of Directors
February 4, 2010 by Contributor
Filed under Healthy Happenings
Detroit, MI – The Detroit Medical Center’s Board of Directors, recently approved the appointment of Frank Torre, Jr. as Chairman, Board of Directors, for DMC’s Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan (RIM).
Torre succeeds, Frank D. Stella. Stella has served on RIM’s board for over 10 years. Stella will remain Chairman Emeritus and continue to be a valued asset to the board and RIM’s leadership.
Torre, of Bloomfield Hills, is president and CEO of Torre & Bruglio, Inc. Torre joined RIM’s board in 2001 and had served as Chairman of RIM’s Fund Development Committee.
“I look forward to working with Frank Torre, his passion, energy and proven leadership uniquely qualify him for this role,” said William H. Restum, PhD, President, RIM. “I am confident that Frank along with the rest of our board can navigate us through these challenging times in health care and continue RIM’s legacy as a world-class provider of physical medicine and rehabilitation.”
”I’d also like to thank Mr. Stella for the outstanding job he did as Chairman of the Board,” Restum added. “He was a key figure in promoting RIM’s outpatient expansion in the community.”
In 1997, RIM operated three outpatient facilities. Today, RIM has one of the largest networks of outpatient rehab facilities than any other provider, with over 31 outpatient sites in 5 counties.
DMC Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan helps former patient compete in 267 mile wheelchair race
July 6, 2009 by Editor
Filed under Healthy Happenings
Detroit – Paraplegic, Scott Davidson from Shelby Township, is getting ready to compete in the Sadler’s Midnight Sun Challenge—the longest, hardest and most grueling wheelchair/handcycling race in the world. The race takes place over a 6- day period from Fairbanks to Anchorage, Alaska starting July 19.
This will be Davidson’s 5th Sadler’s Challenge, he won the race in 2007 in a time of 15 hours, 1 minute, however he contemplated not competing this year because lack of sponsorship money— that is until DMC Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan (RIM) agreed to sponsor his trip. Scott was a patient at RIM in 1974 following his motorcycle accident that resulted in a spinal cord injury.
Davidson will be making a stop at RIM’s Center for Spinal Cord Injury Recovery on Thursday, July 9, from 11:00 am -12:30 pm. RIM will present Davidson with a check for $1600. Davidson will also meet with other spinal cord injury patients at RIM to share his inspiring message of hope and perseverance. RIM is located at 261 Mack, Detroit, MI, on the campus of the Detroit Medical Center.
“I really appreciate the connection to RIM as I believe this sponsorship comes full circle as I was a patient there 35 years ago. At RIM I learned how to live and take responsibility for my life and now it is where I can give back,” says Davidson.
Davidson, an accomplished wheelchair racer and handcyclist, has been competing locally, nationally and internationally since 1990. In 2007 Scott was named an alternate for the USA Hand Cycling Team for the 2008 Paralympics in Beijing and represented the USA Hand Cycling Team in the Tour De France.
He was also inducted into the Athletes with Disabilities Hall of Fame in 2008. The Hall of Fame is on display at DMC Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan.
