Spinal Cord Injury Research

*** Originally recorded on July 22, 2016, updated June 17, 2020. ***

*** Mr. Canton is currently a MD/MS candidate at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine poised to graduate in May 2021.***

Read the podcast transcript.

Research assistants are on the front lines of our research studies—collecting data, conducting interviews, testing subjects—and are the face of Kessler Foundation to our research study participants. In 2020, Kessler Foundation was ranked among one of the Best Nonprofits to Work For and Best Places to Work in New Jersey (kesslerfoundation.org/press-release/…ork-new-jersey)!

Throughout this series, we’ll meet up with research assistants from our centers for mobility, spinal cord injury, stroke, traumatic brain injury, and neuroscience and neuropsychology who have been with the Foundation for over a year, and some who are now senior research assistants, nurses, medical students, graduate students, and post docs, and those who applied their experience to other professions.

Stephen worked as a biomedical engineer at Kessler Foundation from 2015-2016, where he performed research to improve the mobility of individuals with a spinal cord injury. Listen in as Stephen talks to Joan Banks-Smith, Creative Producer for Kessler Foundation about his experience at the Foundation.

Mr. Canton is currently a MD/MS candidate at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine poised to graduate in May 2021 with a concentration in Bioengineering, Biotechnology, and Innovation and a Master of Science in Clinical Research. He will be entering residency next year, pursuing a career in orthopedic trauma surgery. He is specifically interested in utilizing virtual/augmented reality and machine learning algorithms to improve surgical interventions, processes, and medical education curricula. 

Read more about Stephen on LinkedIn

For more about the Host: Joan Banks-Smith

2017 Future City Pittsburgh, 2018 Alumnus of the Month and Pittsburgh Alumnus of the Year, Stephen Canton

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Interested in working at Kessler Foundation?  Check out our career opportunities.

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This podcast was recorded on Friday, July 22, 2016 at 300 Executive Drive, West orange, NJ and was edited and produced by Joan Banks-Smith, Creative Producer for Kessler Foundation.

“The likelihood that you and your family will recover from and emergency tomorrow depends on the planning and preparation done today“

In this Spinal Cord Injury Grand Rounds podcast, Robin Bischoff, Nurse Manager of the Spinal Cord Injury Unit at Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation presented “UH-OH, The Sky is Falling: Emergency Preparedness for People with Spinal Cord Injury”

This presentation was recorded, produced, and edited by Joan Banks-Smith, Creative Producer for Kessler Foundation on Thursday, August 15, 2019 at the Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation, Conference Center, West Orange, New Jersey.

It was hosted by the Northern New Jersey Spinal Cord Injury System, which is supported by a grant from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR grant number 90SI5026). NIDILRR is a Center within the Administration for Community Living (ACL), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Be sure and download the presentation slides which includes emergency preparedness worksheets, lists, tips, and items to build an emergency to go bag at kesslerfoundation.org/sites/default/…ord-Injury.pdf

View the podcast transcript at kesslerfoundation.org/sites/default/…Transcript.pdf

Download our "Beat the Heat" tips card (kesslerfoundation.org/sites/default/…20Heat_WEB.pdf) and "Emergency Preparation Card" (kesslerfoundation.org/sites/default/…ration_WEB.pdf)

Listen to all of our SCI grand rounds podcasts at soundcloud.com/kesslerfoundation/sets/spinal-cord-injury-research

Listen in as Jeanne Zanca, PhD, Senior Research Scientist at Kessler Foundation welcomes our guests.

2019 SCI Conference “Connections: Sexuality & Relationships After Spinal Cord Injury

Day 2, Session 4 – Supporting Sexuality presented by Lauren Varriale

Learn about positioning, technologies, and strategies to enable safe and satisfying sexual activity after SCI.

Listen to all of the conference podcasts at soundcloud.com/kesslerfoundation/sets/2019-spinal-cord-injury

Join us to learn more about intimacy, sex, dating, long-term relationships, parenting and family life.

Spinal cord injury is life-changing. Much of the focus of rehabilitation care is on the medical and functional aspects of life with SCI, with less attention paid to the profound effects that SCI has on the dynamics of one’s relationships.

This conference is hosted by the Northern New Jersey Spinal Cord Injury System (NNJSCIS), a collaborative effort of Kessler Foundation (kesslerfoundation.org), Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation (www.kessler-rehab.com), and University Hospital (www.uhnj.org). NNJSCIS is supported by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR grant number 90SI5026). NIDILRR is a Center within the Administration for Community Living (ACL), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The ideas expressed during this conference do not necessarily represent the policy of NIDILRR, ACL, HHS, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.

For more information about Kessler Foundation and our researchers, go to www.KesslerFoundation.org

Like us on FaceBook, follow us on Instagram, listen to us on Soundcloud, and tweet with us on Twitter!

This presentation was recorded, produced, and edited by Joan Banks-Smith, Creative Producer for Kessler Foundation on Saturday, June 22, 2019 at the Wilshire Grand Hotel, West Orange, New Jersey.

2019 SCI Conference “Connections: Sexuality & Relationships After Spinal Cord Injury

Day 2, Session 3 – Opening the Door: Strategies for Talking about Sexuality presented by Mitchell Tepper, PhD, MPH, AASECT Certified Sexuality Educator and Counselor. To find out more about sexuality and disability, and additional opportunities to learn from Dr. Tepper, please visit www.drmitchelltepper.com/.

Learn practical tips and strategies for addressing questions about sexuality.

Join us to learn more about intimacy, sex, dating, long-term relationships, parenting and family life.

Listen to all of the conference podcasts at soundcloud.com/kesslerfoundation/sets/2019-spinal-cord-injury

Spinal cord injury is life-changing. Much of the focus of rehabilitation care is on the medical and functional aspects of life with SCI, with less attention paid to the profound effects that SCI has on the dynamics of one’s relationships.

This conference is hosted by the Northern New Jersey Spinal Cord Injury System (NNJSCIS), a collaborative effort of Kessler Foundation (kesslerfoundation.org), Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation (www.kessler-rehab.com), and University Hospital (www.uhnj.org). NNJSCIS is supported by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR grant number 90SI5026). NIDILRR is a Center within the Administration for Community Living (ACL), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The ideas expressed during this conference do not necessarily represent the policy of NIDILRR, ACL, HHS, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.

For more information about Kessler Foundation and our researchers, go to www.KesslerFoundation.org

Like us on FaceBook, follow us on Instagram, listen to us on Soundcloud, and tweet with us on Twitter!

This presentation was recorded, produced, and edited by Joan Banks-Smith, Creative Producer for Kessler Foundation on Saturday, June 22, 2019 at the Wilshire Grand Hotel, West Orange, New Jersey.

2019 SCI Conference “Connections: Sexuality & Relationships After Spinal Cord Injury

Day 2, Session 2 – Our Perspective: Panel Discussion with People with SCI and their Partners

Hear from people with SCI and their loved ones who experienced rehabilitation at Kessler about the questions they had post-injury and lessons they have learned over time about sexuality and SCI.

Join us to learn more about intimacy, sex, dating, long-term relationships, parenting and family life.

Spinal cord injury is life-changing. Much of the focus of rehabilitation care is on the medical and functional aspects of life with SCI, with less attention paid to the profound effects that SCI has on the dynamics of one’s relationships.

This conference is hosted by the Northern New Jersey Spinal Cord Injury System (NNJSCIS), a collaborative effort of Kessler Foundation (http://kesslerfoundation.org), Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation (https://www.kessler-rehab.com), and University Hospital (http://www.uhnj.org). NNJSCIS is supported by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR grant number 90SI5026). NIDILRR is a Center within the Administration for Community Living (ACL), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The ideas expressed during this conference do not necessarily represent the policy of NIDILRR, ACL, HHS, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.


For more information about Kessler Foundation and our researchers, go to http://www.KesslerFoundation.org


Like us on FaceBook, follow us on Instagram, listen to us on Soundcloud, and tweet with us on Twitter!

This presentation was recorded, produced, and edited by Joan Banks-Smith, Creative Producer for Kessler Foundation on Saturday, June 22, 2019 at the Wilshire Grand Hotel, West Orange, New Jersey.

Day 2, Session 1 – Facilitating the Process of Sexual Self-Discovery presented by Mitchell Tepper

Discuss the multi-faceted nature of human sexuality and how SCI affects sexual functioning and the experience of sex.

Join us to learn more about intimacy, sex, dating, long-term relationships, parenting and family life. 

Spinal cord injury is life-changing. Much of the focus of rehabilitation care is on the medical and functional aspects of life with SCI, with less attention paid to the profound effects that SCI has on the dynamics of one’s relationships. 

This conference is hosted by the Northern New Jersey Spinal Cord Injury System (NNJSCIS), a collaborative effort of Kessler Foundation (http://www.kesslerfoundation.org), Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation (https://www.kessler-rehab.com), and University Hospital (http://www.uhnj.org). NNJSCIS is supported by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR grant number 90SI5026). NIDILRR is a Center within the Administration for Community Living (ACL), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The ideas expressed during this conference do not necessarily represent the policy of NIDILRR, ACL, HHS, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.
 
For more information about Kessler Foundation and our researchers, go to http://www.KesslerFoundation.org

 Like us on FaceBook, follow us on Instagram, listen to us on Soundcloud, and tweet with us on Twitter!

This presentation was recorded, produced, and edited by Joan Banks-Smith, Creative Producer for Kessler Foundation on Saturday, June 22, 2019 at the Wilshire Grand Hotel, West Orange, New Jersey.

2019 SCI Conference “Connections: Sexuality & Relationships After Spinal Cord Injury

Session 4 – Love and Caregiving
Carol Gibson-Gill, MD, MSCS, VHA-CM, Chief, Spinal Cord Injury and Disorders Services (128), Director, ALS Program
Joyce Williams, LCSW, MSCS, Spinal Cord Injury/Disorders Service, Veterans Affairs New Jersey Health Care System

Learn strategies to preserve a healthy relationship and navigate the challenges that arise when an intimate partner also has a caregiving role.  

Join us to learn more about intimacy, sex, dating, long-term relationships, parenting and family life.

Listen to all of the conference podcasts.

Spinal cord injury is life-changing. Much of the focus of rehabilitation care is on the medical and functional aspects of life with SCI, with less attention paid to the profound effects that SCI has on the dynamics of one’s relationships.

This conference is hosted by the Northern New Jersey Spinal Cord Injury System (NNJSCIS), a collaborative effort of Kessler Foundation (www.kesslerfoundation.org), Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation (www.kessler-rehab.com), and University Hospital (www.uhnj.org). NNJSCIS is supported by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR grant number 90SI5026). NIDILRR is a Center within the Administration for Community Living (ACL), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The ideas expressed during this conference do not necessarily represent the policy of NIDILRR, ACL, HHS, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.

For more information about Kessler Foundation and our researchers, go to www.KesslerFoundation.org

Like us on FaceBook, follow us on Instagram, listen to us on Soundcloud, and tweet with us on Twitter!

This presentation was recorded, produced, and edited by Joan Banks-Smith, Creative Producer for Kessler Foundation on Friday, June 21, 2019 at the Wilshire Grand Hotel, West Orange, New Jersey.

2019 SCI Conference “Connections: Sexuality & Relationships After Spinal Cord Injury

Session 5 – Family Life a panel discussion
Hear stories and real-world advice from people with SCI about having children biologically or through adoption, parenting, and fulfilling other important family roles after SCI.

Join us to learn more about intimacy, sex, dating, long-term relationships, parenting and family life.

Spinal cord injury is life-changing. Much of the focus of rehabilitation care is on the medical and functional aspects of life with SCI, with less attention paid to the profound effects that SCI has on the dynamics of one’s relationships.

This conference is hosted by the Northern New Jersey Spinal Cord Injury System (NNJSCIS), a collaborative effort of Kessler Foundation (http://kesslerfoundation.org), Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation (https://www.kessler-rehab.com), and University Hospital (http://www.uhnj.org). NNJSCIS is supported by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR grant number 90SI5026). NIDILRR is a Center within the Administration for Community Living (ACL), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The ideas expressed during this conference do not necessarily represent the policy of NIDILRR, ACL, HHS, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.
 
For more information about Kessler Foundation and our researchers, go to http://www.KesslerFoundation.org

Like us on FaceBook, follow us on Instagram, listen to us on Soundcloud, and tweet with us on Twitter!

This presentation was recorded, produced, and edited by Joan Banks-Smith, Creative Producer for Kessler Foundation on Saturday, June 22, 2019 at the Wilshire Grand Hotel, West Orange, New Jersey.

2019 SCI Conference “Connections: Sexuality & Relationships After Spinal Cord Injury

Session 3 – Dating and Long-Term Relationships After SCI a Panel Discussion

Get advice on getting back into dating, finding a long-term relationship, and deepening bonds with loved ones from peers with SCI and their partners.

Join us to learn more about intimacy, sex, dating, long-term relationships, parenting and family life.

Listen to all of the conference podcasts.

Spinal cord injury is life-changing. Much of the focus of rehabilitation care is on the medical and functional aspects of life with SCI, with less attention paid to the profound effects that SCI has on the dynamics of one’s relationships.

This conference is hosted by the Northern New Jersey Spinal Cord Injury System (NNJSCIS), a collaborative effort of Kessler Foundation (www.kesslerfoundation.org), Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation (www.kessler-rehab.com), and University Hospital (www.uhnj.org). NNJSCIS is supported by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR grant number 90SI5026). NIDILRR is a Center within the Administration for Community Living (ACL), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The ideas expressed during this conference do not necessarily represent the policy of NIDILRR, ACL, HHS, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.

For more information about Kessler Foundation and our researchers, go to www.KesslerFoundation.org

Like us on FaceBook, follow us on Instagram, listen to us on Soundcloud, and tweet with us on Twitter!

This presentation was recorded, produced, and edited by Joan Banks-Smith, Creative Producer for Kessler Foundation on Friday, June 21, 2019 at the Wilshire Grand Hotel, West Orange, New Jersey.

2019 SCI Conference “Connections: Sexuality & Relationships After Spinal Cord Injury

Session 2 – Enabling Sexuality: Positioning and Assistive Technology
Learn strategies, technologies, and practical tips to help you have both safe and satisfying sex after SCI.

Presented by Lauren A. Varriale, MS OTR/L, Occupational Therapist, S.T.A.R.S. - Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation Services, Northwell Health Rehabilitation Network

Listen to all of the conference podcasts.

Join us to learn more about intimacy, sex, dating, long-term relationships, parenting and family life.

Spinal cord injury is life-changing. Much of the focus of rehabilitation care is on the medical and functional aspects of life with SCI, with less attention paid to the profound effects that SCI has on the dynamics of one’s relationships.

This conference is hosted by the Northern New Jersey Spinal Cord Injury System (NNJSCIS), a collaborative effort of Kessler Foundation, Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation, and University Hospital. NNJSCIS is supported by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR grant number 90SI5026). NIDILRR is a Center within the Administration for Community Living (ACL), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The ideas expressed during this conference do not necessarily represent the policy of NIDILRR, ACL, HHS, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.
 
For more information about Kessler Foundation and our researchers, go to http://www.KesslerFoundation.org

Like us on FaceBook, follow us on Instagram, listen to us on Soundcloud, and tweet with us on Twitter!

This presentation was recorded, produced, and edited by Joan Banks-Smith, Creative Producer for Kessler Foundation on Friday, June 21, 2019 at the Wilshire Grand Hotel, West Orange, New Jersey.