In March 2017, the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC) evolved to become the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab.

In March 2017, the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC) evolved to become the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab.

A 1.2 million square-foot facility described as the “first ever translational research hospital” will have a ribbon cutting Thursday, March 16, at The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC). The facility, known as the Shirley Ryan Ability Lab, was built at a reported cost of $550 million and is designed to enable scientists, clinicians, innovators and technologies to work together in the same space.

This approach aims to allow the lab’s staff to surround patients, discover new approaches and apply or “translate” research in real time on a continuous 24-hour cycle 7 days per week, according to a media release from RIC.

The ribbon cutting is scheduled to take place at the lab’s location at 355 E. Erie St., Chicago. Among the scheduled speakers are U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-Ill), Former U.S. Senator Mark Kirk (R-Ill), Cardial Blase J. Cupich, Archbishop of Chicago, and Shirley W. Ryan, director, RIC Board; Co-Founder and Board Chair, Pathways.

Also scheduled to speak at the ribbon cutting are Joanne C. Smith, MD, President and CEO, RIC, Jude Reyes, Chairman, RIC Board; Co-Chairman, Reyes Holdings, Patrick G. Ryan, Chairman and CEO, Ryan Specialty Group, and Brendan Reilly, Alderman, 42nd Ward

According to the RIC release 250 attendees will be present, including prominent friends of RIC, donors and board members.

A tour for members of the media will precede the ribbon cutting ceremony hosted by by RIC’s top executives, scientists and physicians. The ceremony will feature the Ryan family as well as leaders from RIC and the Chicago civic and political community.

More information is available at the new facility’s website.

Source: Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago