Community News Events & Activities

Wheelchair Basketball is Back

Magee’s Wheelchair Basketball team, the Magee Spokesmen, is now back on the court after a hiatus during the pandemic. Wheelchair basketball is a great way to exercise, have fun and be challenged. Athletes have included amputees, and individuals living with a spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis or another lower extremity disability. The rules of wheelchair basketball are slightly modified to make the game more accessible from a seated position. Athletes must be able to push a manual wheelchair independently in order to play the sport.

For more information about joining the Magee Spokesmen, contact Magee’s wheelchair sports coordinator at 215-587-3412 or Sports@MageeRehab.org.

Teeing Off for the Segal Classic

The 32nd Jerry Segal Classic welcomed 200 golfers at two courses, Green Valley Country Club and Liberty Hill, on September 24, 2021. The event raised $500,000 to benefit Magee programs and patients. This is the first Segal Classic since Jerry Segal’s passing in June 2020. It was a wonderful testimony to the event Jerry started and built over 30 years ago.

Venturing Out to the Zoo

Magee’s Young Adult SCI Support Group ventured out to visit the Philadelphia Zoo in fall 2021. Group members enjoyed seeing the animals and an afternoon of beautiful weather. The Young Adult SCI Support Group hosted virtual meetings for over a year until pandemic restrictions were eased for a period of safe in-person gatherings.

For information about the group, contact Joann Rudi at joann.rudi@jefferson.edu, or check out the Facebook group: @sciyoungadult.

Wash and Tune

Magee’s Riverfront outpatient facility proudly hosted the Greater Philadelphia Chapter of the United Spinal Association’s annual Wheelchair Wash and Tune event. More than 60 people attended, including volunteers, vendors and participants, to clean wheelchairs and make minor repairs. Many thanks to the members of Team Magee for volunteering their time and elbow grease.

For more information on how to become a member of the Greater Philadelphia United Spinal Association and hear about upcoming events, visit: unitedspinalphiladelphia.org.

Humanitarian Award

Magee’s 2021 Humanitarian Award was presented to James E. George, MD during the annual Humanitarian Award Dinner at The Logan Hotel on November 16, 2021. The annual event recognizes those who contribute positively to the Philadelphia community and are dedicated to improving the lives of individuals with disabilities in our region. Proceeds from the event support Magee patient programs and services.

Dr. George is a former patient who first came to Magee for his spinal cord injury recovery. He is a medical leader, artist and generous benefactor. Dr. George has served as the Chairman of the Department of Emergency Medicine and President of the Medical Staff at Inspira Medical Center. He serves as a Vice Chair of the Magee Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation Board, and has donated hundreds of pieces of artwork to adorn the walls of Magee. He also serves on the Board of the Adam Taliaferro Foundation. He is widely acclaimed as a community leader in the Delaware Valley.

Left to Right: Fred D’Angelo, Chairman of the Board of Magee Rehabilitation Hospital; Bill Conrad, Chairman of the Board of Magee Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation; Rich Webster President, Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals and Magee Rehabilitation Hospital; and Dr. George (front)

Congratulations On Your Graduations!

These former patients achieved their college degrees following their discharge from Magee.

Catherine (Casey) Matthews

University of Pennsylvania Casey was a senior at the University of Pennsylvania when she had a stroke in April 2021. The timing of the illness was especially tough, as Casey was very close to completing two courses needed in order to graduate that May. Much to her surprise, the university called her name during Penn’s virtual ceremony on graduation day. Casey worked hard to complete inpatient and outpatient therapy at Magee and then went on to finish the remaining classes in the fall. This allowed her to earn her bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts in December 2021.

During her outpatient rehab at Magee Riverfront, her therapy team surprised her with a graduation party and gifts. Jackie Lithgow

Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania Jackie Lithgow graduated with bachelor of arts in Mass Communications/Media Studies from Bloomsburg University in 2021. He was a freshman at Bloomsburg in 2014 when he sustained a traumatic brain injury while trying to break up an argument. Jackie spent many months as an inpatient at Magee, where he relearned how to talk, walk, eat and care for himself again. He eventually re-enrolled in college. With several years of hard work and determination, Jackie graduated on May 16, 2021. Jennifer “Jenny” Fermaintt

LaSalle University Jenny Fermaintt had just started her spring semester at LaSalle University in 2020 and she noticed she wasn’t feeling well. Following several hospitalizations, doctors diagnosed Jenny as having a non-traumatic brain injury. She came to Magee for inpatient rehab for the next phase of her recovery. Jenny moved home with her parents in Chicago while she continued with outpatient rehab. When she was ready, Jenny was to pick back up with her studies, because LaSalle was holding classes online due to the pandemic.

Despite the challenges and setback with her health, Jenny was determined to earn her degree. On May 15, 2021 she received her bachelor’s degree in Psychology. Jenny and her parents attended an outdoor graduation ceremony at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. Jenny is looking forward to continuing her post grad education for a master’s degree in Psychology or Neuropsychology.