Rehabilitationships

During National Rehabilitation Awareness Week, we're shining a light on the people who help patients reclaim their independence every day.

In a special episode of Rehabilitationships, we featuring a recent conversation from our livestream.

Join Mick DeBoer, a physical therapist, and Kate Armstrong, a speech-language pathologist, both from Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital in Grand Rapids, along with Lauren Huebner, an occupational therapist at Mary Free Bed at Covenant HealthCare, for a conversation about rehabilitation, recovery and the teamwork that helps patients move forward after an illness, injury or life-changing diagnosis.

Whether you're searching for rehabilitation services, looking to refer a patient or considering a career in rehab, you'll get an inside look at the people and purpose behind our mission of restoring hope and freedom through rehabilitation.

#RehabilitationAwarenessWeek #MaryFreeBed #PhysicalTherapy #OccupationalTherapy #SpeechLanguagePathology #PatientRecovery #HealthCareCareers

This episode of Rehabilitationships takes listeners inside Mary Free Bed’s Physical Therapy Residency Programs through a conversation originally recorded as a livestream.

At Mary Free Bed, we believe exceptional patient care starts with exceptional clinicians. In this episode, we sit down with Christy Olgine-Bolt, orthopedic residency coordinator, Bo Smith, a graduate of our pediatric physical therapy residency, and Adam Gutting, a current neurologic physical therapy resident, to discuss what residency training is really like.

Together, we explore why physical therapists choose to pursue an additional year of advanced training, how expert mentorship shapes clinical decision-making, and the role evidence-based practice, teaching and interdisciplinary collaboration play in developing specialized rehabilitation expertise. The conversation also highlights how these experiences help clinicians better serve patients and families while preparing them for leadership in their profession.

Whether you're a physical therapist considering a residency program, a student exploring career opportunities, or simply interested in the expertise behind rehabilitation at Mary Free Bed, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at the commitment to learning, growth and clinical excellence that helps us restore hope and freedom through rehabilitation.

Enjoy the episode!

A brain tumor. Bacterial meningitis. A stroke.

Rehabilitationships is back with another episode, and it's one of our recent conversations from the livestream.

What Farmington Hills residents Drew and Candace call a "perfect storm" changed their lives forever.

After multiple brain surgeries, Drew arrived at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital in Grand Rapids unable to sit up in bed on his own. Two months later, he walked out the front door.

Watch as Drew and Candace share their journey through adversity, rehabilitation and recovery, and the hope that carried them forward.

Their message: Never give up hope.

Enjoy the conversation! Thanks for listening to Rehabilitationships, a podcast from Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation.

#MaryFreeBed #Rehabilitation #StrokeRecovery #BrainTumor #PatientStory #HopeAndFreedom

Listen to a preview of The Hartford Nationals as leaders from Move United, the West Michigan Sports Commission and Mary Free Bed Wheelchair & Adaptive Sports share what makes this competition so meaningful and exciting. Learn about the athletes, the impact across our community and how you can be part of the experience in Grand Rapids July 10-16. 
  

#HartfordNationals #MoveUnited #MaryFreeBed #AdaptiveSports #GrandRapids #WestMichigan #RestoringHope #GetInvolved 

The KeyBank Gran Fondo is almost here, and the energy is building in downtown Grand Rapids. For this episode of Rehabilitationships we featured a livestream conversation about our upcoming event.

As riders prepare for the big day, we chatted with participants who are fundraising for Mary Free Bed to hear what keeps them coming back year after year.

They share why this ride matters to them, what inspires them to support rehabilitation, and how you can still get involved. Whether you’re riding, cheering, volunteering, or giving, there’s still time to be part of something meaningful.

Every story is different. Every mile makes a difference.

Give this episode a listen to hear how these riders community is helping restore hope and freedom through rehabilitation.

#GranFondo #MaryFreeBed #WhyWeRide #Rehabilitation #GrandRapids #Community #Fundraising #Cycling #Nonprofit #HopeAndHealing

Rehabilitationships is back with a new episode! We are featuring a conversation from a recent livestream previewing the upcoming KeyBank Gran Fondo. It’s a day that brings people together to move, connect and support life‑changing rehabilitation.

In this conversation with event organizers and returning riders we talk about what makes the Gran Fondo special, what it’s like to ride, and how fundraising efforts support Mary Free Bed programs that help kids, adults and athletes across our community.

Whether you’re an experienced cyclist, a first‑time rider, fundraiser or volunteer, there’s a place for you at this event.

Find information on how to register to ride, fundraise or volunteer at: www.keybankgranfondo.com

#KeyBankGranFondo #RidingForRecovery #MaryFreeBed #RestoringHopeAndFreedom #RideForEveryone #WestMichigan #AdaptiveSports #MaryFreeBedKids 

Rehabilitationships is back looking at the intersection of rehabilitation and relationships. This next episode is another in a regular "Meet the Team" series and it's with Mary Free Bed at Home.

Mary Free Bed at Home was just ranked among America’s Best Home Health Agencies by Newsweek for 2026. They ranked 5th in the state of Michigan, and were the only agency serving in West Michigan.

For the episode I interviewed Trey Kubizna, VP of Operations, Abby Hescott, a Physical Therapist, and Jen Arroyo, a Registered Nurse.

Together we talk about what sets our home health care apart, how we help patients regain independence, and why this recognition matters for both patients and clinicians.

Enjoy the episode!

#MaryFreeBed #HomeHealthCare #RehabilitationCare #ContinuumOfCare #PhysicalTherapy #NursingCare #NationalRecognition #NewsweekRanked #BestHomeHealthAgency #AwardWinningCare

Ten years ago, Marcus Fairfield survived a car crash that left him with a spinal cord injury and uncertain future. In this heartfelt conversation, Marcus reunites with his Mary Free Bed rehabilitation team, Kristen, Jamie, and Jess, to reflect on his incredible journey and express gratitude for the people who helped him during his recovery. It's a powerful reminder of what we can overcome when we have the right support and never give up hope.

#WhereAreTheyNow #SpinalCordInjury #RehabilitationJourney #InspiringRecovery #MaryFreeBed #GratefulForCare #HopeAndFreedom

Five years after a life-changing illness and complex surgery, Brad Mathis shares his incredible journey of recovery at Mary Free Bed. From being dependent on a ventilator to regaining his independence, Brad reflects on the care, hope, and determination that helped him rebuild his life. Join us as he reunites with his rehabilitation team who supported him every step of the way.

 #RehabilitationJourney #PatientSuccessStory #MaryFreeBed #InspiringRecovery #WhereAreTheyNow #HealthcareHeroes

Welcome back to Rehabilitationships a podcast from Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation. This is the podcast we talk about the intersection of rehabilitation and relationships. 

In another segment of "Where Are They Now?" we catch up with Mary Free Bed graduate and handcycle team member, Kate Brim.

She won a gold and bronze medal at the 2024 Paralympics in Paris in handcycling.

Kate's been traveling the world competing the past few years and living with Team USA in Colorado Springs, CO.

We are also joined by Christy VanHaver, she's a recreational therapist and a sport coordinator for Mary Free Bed Wheelchair and Adaptive Sports program.

Enjoy the conversation!

#Paralympics #Handcycling #TeamUSA #AdaptiveSports