Rehabilitation Institute

About The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago

The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC) was founded by Dr. Paul B. Magnuson in 1954 in a renovated warehouse on Ohio Street. Dr. Magnuson was a renowned orthopedic surgeon who became a devoted and passionate advocate for people with disabilities as the result of witnessing the personal tragedies of World War II while serving as the medical director for the Veterans Administration. Carrying on Magnuson’s legacy, Dr. Henry B. Betts came to RIC in 1963 and was directly responsible for advancing the medical mission of the Institute, construction of RIC’s Flagship Hospital, direction of Institute research along with training education and advocacy for those with disabilities.  Since RIC’s humble beginning it has grown to become the recognized leading provider of physical medicine and rehabilitation services. In fact, every year since 1991, U.S.News & World Report has ranked RIC as the “#1 Rehabilitation Hospital in America.”

Meditation at The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago

Two senior meditation instructors, Alice Dan and Barbara Wolkowitz currently lead a short meditation session weekly for staff, patients, family and visitors at the Rehabilitation Center of Chicago. The program is advertised widely within the Institute, and participation varies with beginners, on-going meditators, and drop-ins.

Sessions are broadcast on the internal TV network, so patients can watch and participate from their rooms.

The project has been going on for over 2 years.  Staff  have repeatedly expressed appreciation for the on-going opportunity to practice mindfulness.

If you would like to learn more about this project or the work being done with the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, email Alice Dan.