Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation - Chester

10/08/2026

For nearly 40 years, Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation has helped shape the future of spinal cord injury care.

We're proud to announce that the Northern New Jersey Spinal Cord Injury System (NNJSCIS), a partnership among Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation, Kessler Foundation, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and University Hospital, has been awarded federal Spinal Cord Injury Model System funding for the 2026-2031 cycle, marking its eighth consecutive funding period.

This prestigious designation recognizes excellence in spinal cord injury research, rehabilitation and long-term patient outcomes. Over the next five years, we'll continue advancing innovative research, improving care and helping people with spinal cord injuries live fuller, healthier lives.

10/01/2026

Patients' goals are at the center of their rehabilitation journey.

In our inpatient rehabilitation hospitals, physical therapists provide intensive, individualized therapy built around what matters most to each patient. For some, that's returning home or getting back to work. For others, it's traveling, enjoying hobbies or participating in activities that bring meaning to their lives.

Whatever the goal, physical therapists create personalized treatment plans to help patients make progress toward achieving it.

The clinical team works together to address every patient's unique physical and cognitive needs, using evidence-based techniques and rehabilitation technology to support progress. From practicing walking to preparing for everyday activities at home and in the community, physical therapy helps patients build the skills and confidence needed for the next stage of their recovery journey.

10/01/2026

Ryan Lasko built his baseball career on always doing the hard work needed to achieve big goals. It's the same mindset driving his spinal cord injury recovery from inpatient rehabilitation to ongoing outpatient therapy at Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation.

Ryan Lasko was a promising outfielder in the Athletics organization on a path he hoped would one day make him a major leaguer, having established himself in Double-A ball.

09/30/2026

There’s no single definition of recovery after a spinal cord injury.

For one person, progress might mean walking again. For another, it could mean driving, returning to work or school, getting back home or becoming more independent with everyday activities.

Spinal cord injury recovery varies widely depending on the location and severity of the injury, overall health and other factors. Specialized spinal cord injury rehabilitation can help patients build strength, improve mobility, learn new ways to complete everyday activities and use adaptive equipment and technology to increase independence.

During Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month, learn more about spinal cord injury treatment and rehabilitation, what can affect recovery and what patients and families can expect as rehabilitation progresses.

09/24/2026

Jan Hooks was the picture of health.

At 60, she spent her days running a farm, caring for rescue dogs and staying active from sunrise to sunset.
Then she started feeling unusually tired.

Sometimes she pulled over to take short naps before continuing her day. She chalked it up to long hours and hard work.

She was wrong.

The fatigue was a warning sign of a serious heart problem.

What happened next would change her life in an instant.

09/18/2026

John Wilmes rebuilt his independence and now inspires others on the same journey.

After a spinal cord tumor left him without strength or sensation below his abdomen, John went from living life at "100 million miles an hour" to facing the challenge of rebuilding his independence one step at a time. His recovery journey led him through the inpatient rehabilitation, Neuro Transitional Center and Day Institute. Today, John is home living independently, returned to work and is again participating in many of the activities he enjoys.

From encouraging fellow patients, welcoming newcomers to rehabilitation or helping create opportunities for connection and support beyond therapy, John transformed his experience into a source of hope and inspiration for others navigating life after a spinal cord injury.

Read more about John’s rehabilitation: https://bit.ly/3SEp4kE

09/18/2026

Living with a spinal cord injury comes with unique challenges, but you don't have to navigate them alone.

Join Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation's SCI Thrive quarterly event featuring a panel discussion and Q&A focused on financial, legal and advocacy issues affecting individuals living with spinal cord injury. Hear from experts and advocates who will share valuable resources, practical strategies and insights to help you move forward with confidence. Lunch is included.

📅 Wednesday, Sept. 23, 1-3 p.m.
📍 Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation - West Orange
Can’t make it in person? Join us virtually: https://kesslerfoundation-org.zoom.us/j/88537959531

RSVP to Dina Gavenas at [email protected]

09/17/2026

Environmental Services (EVS) team members do more than ensure cleanliness of rooms.

Their contributions protect patients from infection, offer a reassuring presence and often are one of the brightest parts of a patient’s day.

09/17/2026

For Ryan Lasko, going home marks an important step forward in a recovery journey that began after a life-changing spinal cord injury. After two months at Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation - West Orange, he left Wednesday with a celebratory clap-out and plenty of people cheering him on.

Read more about Ryan’s journey and what comes next: https://apnews.com/article/ryan-lasko-injury-athletics-paralyzed-03267e8a6d83c58409045a8599e9df7c #

Ryan Lasko, a minor league prospect with the Athletics who was paralyzed in an outfield collision more than two months ago, has been released from an in-patient rehabilitation hospital.

09/15/2026

Advanced technology enhances rehabilitation care, empowering patients to make meaningful progress, regain function and work toward greater independence.

By combining advanced technology with the expertise of our compassionate clinical professionals, we help patients maximize their potential and return to the activities they value most.

Explore the technology behind today’s personalized rehabilitation experience: https://www.kessler-rehab.com/why-choose-us/advanced-technology-meets-rehabilitation/

04/23/2026

Enjoy a day of learning and connection through a unique, dual‑program experience from Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation. The First Swing Seminar offers professional education and training for therapists and golf professionals, focused on helping individuals continue to enjoy—or begin—golf after a disabling injury or illness.

The Learn to Golf Clinic is a free, hands on clinic designed for people with disabilities, as well as the therapists and golf professionals who support them, at Indian Spring Country Club Driving Range. Participants can learn the game, return to play after limb loss or injury and explore adaptive techniques to strengthen confidence and performance on the course.

For more information, call Anne Marie Chesterman at 201.368.6012 or email [email protected].

04/22/2026

Join us at the Bowser Family Senior Center to learn practical ways to continue living safely and independently at home. Experts from Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation will share guidance on:

🧠 Maintaining balance, vision, strength, cognition and memory
🚶‍♀️ Diet and exercise
🏡 Home setup and environmental safety
📍 Location: 90 Halsted Street in East Orange, NJ 07018

We hope to see you there!

04/21/2026

Join us at the Belleville Senior Center to learn practical ways to continue living safely and independently at home. Experts from Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation will share guidance on:

🧠 Maintaining balance, vision, strength, cognition and memory
🚶‍♀️ Diet and exercise
🏡 Home setup and environmental safety

📍 Location: 125 Franklin Ave, Belleville, NJ 07109

We hope to see you there.

10/23/2025

Behind every patient with a spinal cord injury is a licensed pharmacist. The pharmacist—an essential member of the physician-led multidisciplinary team—helps to manage the patient’s pain, prevent secondary complications, and assists with transition and discharge planning.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) patients require a complex level of care. Pharmacists play an integral role in a patient’s care journey, providing expertise on SCI pain management, secondary complications, avoidance of adverse drug effects and a safe discharge to home.

09/23/2025

We’re pleased to announce the DAISY regional award winners for our critical illness recovery hospitals and inpatient rehabilitation hospitals. Recognized by patients, colleagues and families for the extraordinary care they provide, these nurses are fully invested in their patients’ recoveries: https://bit.ly/3KiGxKG

Critical Illness Recovery Hospitals DAISY Winners
Select Specialty Hospital – Camp Hill: Bhawana Baskota
Select Specialty Hospital – Columbus: Caroline Weber
Select Specialty Hospital – Ann Arbor: Cheryl Moran
Regency Hospital – Cleveland West: Ivana Gacic
Select Specialty Hospital – Wheeling: Jill Blake
Select Specialty Hospital – Belhaven: Kallie Law
Select Specialty Hospital – Fort Myers: Marsha Reid
Select Specialty Hospital – Grosse Pointe: Nicole Riley
Select Specialty Hospital – Downriver: Sanar Hermiz
Select Specialty Hospital – Springfield: Thomas Klouse

Inpatient Rehabilitation Hospitals DAISY Winners
Banner Rehabilitation Hospital West: Cecille “Joy” Alima
Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation - Chester: Divina Macagba
California Rehabilitation Institute: Fely Ann Vilk
Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation - West Orange: Izabela Skorupski
Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation - West Orange: Peyton Taylor

Learn more about exciting employment opportunities with Select Medical by viewing our openings here
https://bit.ly/4nLKxBX

DAISY Foundation

We’re pleased to announce the DAISY regional award winners for the second quarter of 2025. These nurses have earned praise for their extraordinary care from patients, families and colleagues. Here’s what makes them special:

05/22/2025

Jon Olson has a passion for mountain biking and working with children. He worked for an interscholastic bicycle organization and while riding his bike with colleagues in May 2024, Jon began experiencing weakness on his right side and memory loss.

He was brought to the hospital and diagnosed with bleeding in his brain, along with hydrocephalus, a condition in which pressure builds up in the brain.

Following surgeries to help reduce the pressure, he was transferred to Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation in Chester, New Jersey, for continued medical care which included physical, occupational and speech therapy to start his recovery journey.

One of Jon's biggest challenges was communication, particularly speaking with one-word responses and frequently struggling to find the correct word. He was diagnosed with aphasia, a language disorder that affects various aspects of language, including a person's ability to speak, understand spoken language, read and write.

After completing inpatient rehabilitation, Jon continued outpatient therapy at our center in Flanders, New Jersey. Jon has come a long way throughout this year, achieving his physical and occupational therapy goals. He recently resumed driving, riding his bike and has returned to work.

He's currently demonstrating strong motivation and determination in speech therapy to regain his independence. He also attends the Adler Aphasia Center's virtual group sessions to supplement his individual therapy.

Jon is now able to have meaningful conversations at home, in his community and at work with greater success.

We look forward to seeing you continue to regain your independence, Jon!

05/06/2024

Registered Nurses (RNs) are the backbone of health care delivery, according to the American Nurses Association.

“Nursing integrates the art and science of caring and focuses on the protection, promotion, and optimization of health and human functioning; prevention of illness and injury; facilitation of healing; and alleviation of suffering through compassionate presence.” (ANA (2021). Nursing:Scope and Standards of Practice, Fourth Edition, p.1)

Throughout Nurses Week, we’ll be highlighting our nursing team across the Select Medical network of hospitals. To learn more, visit: https://www.selectmedical.com/about-us/

04/16/2024

Attention New Jersey-New York metro area medical professionals – just one week left to register for Excellence in Neurotrauma Rehabilitation: 75 Years and Counting.

This free full-day seminar will explore advancements in technology and care delivery for survivors of brain injury and spinal cord injury in the post-acute setting. An expert panel including Kessler’s director of spinal cord injury services and Kessler Foundation’s director of neuropsychology and neuroscience research will lead individual sessions. Lunch will be provided and continuing education credits are available to qualifying participants.

To learn more and register, visit: https://bit.ly/4aThvuq

03/13/2024

Barbara Weeks, a 76-year-old New Jersey native, conquered the aftermath of a stroke with determination and the guidance of therapists at Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation - Chester. From struggling to sit up to mastering the art of walking with a walker, Barbara's story of resilience and progress is inspiration for anyone recovering from a stroke.

Read about Barbara’s experiences: https://bit.ly/3SXOPbF.