by Christin Brown | September 23, 2021 | News Releases
The Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program grant will support the expansion of robotics and technology rehabilitation spaces at Moss’ Brain Injury Center.
Philadelphia, PA – September 23, 2021 – State Senator Christine Tartaglione (D-2nd District) was joined by state Senator Art Haywood (D-4th District) today at MossRehab/Einstein Medical Center-Elkins Park to present a $1 million redevelopment grant to support the expansion of Moss’ Brain Injury Rehabilitation Center.
The Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) funding from the Commonwealth will be used to grow robotics and technology rehabilitation spaces at Moss and to renovate the on-site pharmacy in accordance with safety standards and regulatory guidelines.
“I know first-hand the difference Einstein and Moss are making in patients’ lives, how in our darkest hours, they provide a glimmer of hope and restore our will to overcome all obstacles,” Senator Tartaglione said. “That’s one of the many reasons I am honored to help them continue their mission.”
“Investing in quality healthcare builds community and generates jobs,” Senator Haywood said. “I want to thank Einstein Healthcare Network for their part in building opportunities that our neighbors and families greatly need.”
During a ceremonial check presentation, Dr. Alberto Esquenazi, Chief Medical Officer of MossRehab, expressed gratitude for the ongoing support that the senators have provided.
“We are delighted to have been able to count on the support of Senator Tartaglione and Senator Haywood to help us deliver the highest quality of care to residents in Montgomery and Philadelphia counties,” Dr. Esquenazi said. “Because of their vision and understanding of the needs of the community, the funds provided will improve our facilities, making them even more compatible with the level of clinical and research expertise available at MossRehab/Einstein Elkins Park. We are very grateful.”
Senator Tartaglione noted that September 20th through 26th is National Rehabilitation Awareness Week as recognized annually by the National Rehabilitation Awareness Foundation.
“This week, I encourage us all to focus our attention on the remarkable and transformative patient outcomes that are achieved through medical rehabilitation,” Senator Tartaglione said. “Rehabilitation increases access and opportunity for the 50 million Americans living with disabilities, and it helps them live up to their fullest potential.”
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by Christin Brown | April 13, 2018 | News Releases
MossRehab hosted the Thursday evening reception to open its annual All About Art exhibition featuring works by professional artists with physical and cognitive disabilities.
ELKINS PARK, PA, April 13, 2018 – State Sen. Christine Tartaglione took her first steps in 18 months on Thursday evening as she helped MossRehab honor two of her fellow patients while opening the facility’s annual All About Art exhibition, featuring dozens of works by professional artists with physical disabilities.
Senator Tartaglione has required the use of a wheelchair since she injured her spine in a 2003 boating accident, but she reached a major milestone in her rehabilitation when she walked to a podium with the assistance of the ReWalk exoskeleton and presented Empowerment Awards to fellow Moss patients Alysse Einbender and Jack Cavanaugh.
“I want to thank Doctor (Alberto) Esquenazi and I want to thank Moss. You’ve given me my life back,” Sen. Tartaglione said. “I’ve been sitting in that chair for 15 years and I can’t tell you what it feels like to be able to stand here today and have some air.”
Dozens of MossRehab patients and staff joined their families and friends to pay tribute to the senator and the Empowerment Award recipients. New, original paintings, photographs, sculpture, jewelry and other forms of artwork adorned the walls of the rehab facility for the reception and ceremony. The artwork will be on display through May 30 and is available for purchase.
Senator Tartaglione shared her distressing, yet inspirational story with the assembled guests. She was injured at the Jersey Shore in 2003 while on a small fishing boat. A much larger vessel approached at a high rate of speed and jarred her boat, causing the senator to crash to the deck. She broke her spine and lost feeling in her lower extremities.
“And just like that, my life changed,” she said. “I went through so many stages. I pitied myself. I was angry. But I finally realized that God wanted me to be an advocate for physically challenged people because I am in a place where I can do that. And I intend to do that.”
Seven years later, after extensive rehab and with the assistance of a brace and a walker, she was able to walk to her seat in the Pennsylvania Senate chamber for the first and only time to date. In October 2016, she rose to her feet once again to demonstrate the innovative ReWalk device at Moss. The unit is designed to allow the user broad freedom of movement to including sitting, standing, walking, turning and navigating stairs. While enhancing a user’s mobility for practical daily use, it is also a rehabilitative tool, assisting in physical training and therapy.
Unfortunately, while training on the device, Senator Tartaglione suffered a fall and broke both bones in her lower leg.
“When you have a spinal cord injury and you sustain a fracture, it takes a long time for it to heal,” Dr. Esquenazi said. “So we had to nurture the injury all of this time.”
Senator Tartaglione was still hospitalized with her leg fractures when Moss received delivery of the next generation ReWalk device. The unit sat in Doctor Esquenazi’s office as the senator continued her rigorous recovery and rehab regimen.
“Every time I went, he had me do the training to straighten out my legs and my abdomen,” Sen. Tartaglione said. “And I kept saying, ‘Please, just let me try the ReWalk. Please, just let me try it,’ And he would say, ‘In good time.’ ”
That time finally came on April 5, when the senator tested the new ReWalk for the first time. One week later, she used the device to walk from the rear of an auditorium to the front podium, where she spoke of two other Moss patients who are using their personal experiences to help others. The Empowerment Awards recognize current or past patients who have demonstrated extraordinary tenacity during their rehabilitation, the achievement of goals beyond expected outcomes, a commitment to serve others with disabilities and a commitment to support MossRehab.
Alysse Einbender suffered a spinal injury that resulted in paralysis to both legs and an inability to ambulate. But she has returned to work as a landscape architect while raising her two sons. She was the first person in the United States to test ReWalk. She is a member of the MossRehab Advisory Board and project manager for All About Art. She is co-director of the United Spinal Association of Philadelphia and volunteers for organizations that help individuals with disabilities.
Jack Cavanaugh sustained a severe brain injury over four years ago. Since then, the former track and cross country runner for Cardinal O’Hara High School has worked to regain his abilities, including speech and the ability to run and ride a bike. During his recovery, he learned how to surf and now volunteers for Moss’ annual They Will Surf Again event. He also volunteers while continuing to receive services at Moss’ Elkins Park facility. He has returned to college and is a member of a fraternity based on his academic success.
MossRehab’s Main Campus is at 60 Township Line Road, Elkins Park, PA 19027. For information on the All About Art exhibition, including opportunities to purchase art, visit mossrehab.com/all-about-art/
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If you would like more information about this topic, please contact William Kenny at 215-533-0440 or email at William.Kenny@pasenate.com.
by Christin Brown | June 17, 2016 | News Releases
Casey, Brady, Evans, Carrelli attend demonstration, discussion
Philadelphia – June 17, 2016 – State Sen. Christine Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia) employed a demonstration of ReWalk — a motorized exoskeleton suit that allows patients with lower limb paralysis to stand and walk – to detail her vision for a clinic to address specific rehabilitation needs of veterans.
“There are so many veterans who might be helped by this technology and other robotic rehabilitative technologies offered by MossRehab and other facilities,” Tartaglione said. “By working together, we can put a new clinic together that will prove beneficial for veterans and change lives.”
Tartaglione demonstrated the suit for U.S. Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.), U.S. Rep. Bob Brady (D-Phila.), state Rep. Dwight Evans (D-Phila.) and Acting Adjutant Gen. Anthony Carrelli at MossRehab in Elkins Park. Following the demonstration, Tartaglione detailed her plan for the clinic.
“Our men and women in uniform have made tremendous sacrifices for their country, giving what President Lincoln called the ‘last full measure of devotion,'” Casey said. “This state-of-the-art technology will change lives, and help in the rehabilitation needs of our nation’s veterans. I am grateful for Senator Tartaglione’s hard work and determination in improving the lives of our veterans and all persons with disabilities.”
“I thank both Senator Tartaglione for her continuing advocacy and Moss Rehabilitation for its commitment to utilizing the newest technology on behalf of our wounded hero men and women veterans,” Brady said.
“Given the extraordinary sacrifice by those in the military and the need for exceptional rehabilitation facilities for veterans, I felt it was important to detail how a clinic featuring technologies like those at MossRehab can assist veterans,” Tartaglione said.
Tartaglione is seeking federal and state assistance in constructing the clinic. Tartaglione’s idea was supported by officials at MossRehab.
“MossRehab commends Senator Tartaglione’s vision and commitment to the rehabilitation needs of our veterans,” said Thomas Smith, Assistant Vice President of Rehabilitation. “The application of state-of-the-art technology by our clinical experts with a caring personal touch allows MossRehab to further our mission of enhancing the lives of persons with disabilities.”
The senator said she knows from first-hand experience that rehabilitation is incredibly difficult and frustrating, but through the efforts of specialists employing new technologies veterans can receive life-changing services.
“We at MossRehab are thrilled with Senator Tartaglione’s progress and the increasing walking ability, endurance and gains in joint motion she has made by using ReWalk,” said Dr. Alberto Esquenazi, John Otto Haas Chair of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at MossRehab. “Her efforts and determination, combined with staff expertise and advanced technology at MossRehab make this improvement possible.”
Tartaglione said that while it may be challenging to try and address the funding needs associated with the establishment of a clinic to aid veterans, it is worth the effort because of the benefits for veterans.
“Veterans made the sacrifice for us and we need to come through for them when they return with medical issues that requires intensive rehabilitation,” Tartaglione said.
The lawmaker said that it will take a significant effort to educate her colleagues at the state level about the necessity of the clinic and was hoping that the demonstration and discussion with Sen. Casey, Reps. Brady and Evans and Gen. Carrelli will spur federal action.
“I can’t thank Senator Casey, Representative Brady, state Representative Evans and General Carrelli enough for their interest in learning more about the technology and my vision for a clinic to aid veterans,” Tartaglione said.
Tartaglione said she will seek state funding for the clinic in the state budget.
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by Christin Brown | December 8, 2015 | News Releases
HARRISBURG, Dec. 8, 2015 – Cutting edge robotic assistive technology designed to help people walk again gained an audience of leading state lawmakers today when Sen. Christine M. Tartaglione, representatives from the technology’s developer, and officials from Einstein Health Network’s MossRehab showcased the device.
The technology, Re-Walk, is a motorized exoskeleton that is helping people with paralysis to stand up, walk and regain a better quality of life. MossRehab’s Dr. Alberto Esquenazi has been working with Sen. Tartaglione and others with spinal injuries to use Re-Walk.
“Re-Walk has given me hope that I will one day be able to walk with its help,” Tartaglione said during the special demonstration. “I believe it will help many other people, too; especially members of our military who have been relegated to a wheelchair after suffering paralysis in battle.”
Sen. Tartaglione has practiced with Re-Walk but she did not demonstrate the technology today due to an ankle injury she suffered earlier this year.
“I am envisioning the day when I walk onto the Senate floor myself with the help of Re-Walk,” she said. “It’s also clear to me that this wonderful devise will return many Pennsylvanians to a way of life that is more familiar and independent.”
Re-Walk is an FDA-approved technology that can be used at home or work by individuals. It is also being used at rehabilitation facilities, like MossRehab.
According to its developers, Re-Walk is designed for “all-day walking” and even helps users go up and down stairs.
Sen. Randy Vulakovich (R-Allegheny) participated in today’s event.
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Contact: Mark Shade
mshade@pasenate.com
