Sheltering Arms Institute Names Chief Medical Officer 06.04.2019 RICHMOND, Va. (June 4, 2019) — Sheltering Arms Institute, a collaboration with VCU Health, announced today the appointment of Richard Kunz, MD as chief medical officer. Kunz currently serves as an assistant clinical professor in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the VCU School of Medicine. He is also the medical transitional team leader on the Sheltering Arms Institute project. Kunz earned his bachelor of science in psychobiology and a master’s degree in behavioral neuroscience from the University of Southern California. Additionally, he holds his doctorate of medicine from Virginia Commonwealth University, where he completed a clinical fellowship in brain injury rehabilitation. “We are confident that Dr. Kunz will successfully lead the continued development of a transdisciplinary rehabilitation team that delivers on our vision to reinvent rehabilitation for a life beyond limits,” said Alan Lombardo, CEO of Sheltering Arms Institute. “His leadership experience in medicine, hospital operations, and administration will be valuable assets. Additionally, his enthusiasm for advancing person-centered care and elevating the quality of rehabilitation care will play a leading role for the organization.” Scheduled to open summer 2020, the new rehabilitation facility situated on 46 acres in the West Creek Medical Park off Broad Street Road, just east of the state Route 288 interchange in Goochland County. The joint venture combines the strengths of both organizations to provide exceptional care for individuals who have survived strokes, spinal cord injuries or brain injuries, as well as those in need of general rehabilitation for various neurological diseases and disorders. Sheltering Arms and VCU Health will consolidate several of their locations to create one 114-bed hospital. Sheltering Arms Institute will combine 68 beds from Sheltering Arms’ two inpatient hospitals, located in Midlothian and Mechanicsville, with 46 beds from VCU Medical Center located in downtown Richmond. All outpatient services for both organizations will operate separately for now and into the foreseeable future. About Sheltering Arms Institute Sheltering Arms and VCU Health System have formed a joint venture, Sheltering Arms Institute, a state-of-the-science physical rehabilitation hospital, to bring together the brand and clinical reputation of Sheltering Arms and the nationally ranked programs of VCU Health. The institute, opening summer 2020, will blend advanced technology, research, and evidence-based clinical treatment to create an innovative, transdisciplinary model of rehabilitative care that will facilitate superior outcomes for patients. For more information, please visit www.shelteringarmsinstitute.com. CONTACT:Stephanie SulmerAssociate VP, Marketing and Business DevelopmentSheltering Arms Physical Rehabilitation Centers804-342-4329 (o) or 804-201-5808 (c)ssulmer@shelteringarms.comMichael R. PorterAssociate VP, Public AffairsVirginia Commonwealth University804-828-7037mrporter@vcu.edu
Cross-Country Ride for Paralysis Wheelchair Journey to Stop in RVA 05.21.2019 RICHMOND, Va. (May 10, 2019) – Nearing the end of his 3,000 mile wheelchair journey, Janne Kouri, President and Founder of NextStep, will stop in Richmond before concluding his cross-country Ride for Paralysis in Washington D.C. Sunday, May 12, 20193 p.m. – Interview opportunities with Kouri and Lombardo2000 Wilkes Ridge Drive, Henrico, Virginia 23233 Kouri embarked on this journey on March 10 in order to raise funds and awareness for the six million individuals and wounded service members living with paralysis in the U.S. Participants in the Ride for Paralysis fundraising and awareness campaign have biked, run and rolled alongside Kouri for part of or the entire journey across fourteen cities–starting in Los Angeles, Ca.–over the last two months. Sunday, May 12, Kouri and his dedicated team will stop in Richmond for a construction site tour of Sheltering Arms Institute, a collaboration with VCU Health, before finishing the last leg of the ride. Throughout the course of the trip, Kouri and his dedicated team have visited rehabilitation centers, universities and various communities to provide quality-of-life grants, donate much needed medical equipment and host charity events. “The idea of riding my wheelchair from LA to DC is both exhilarating and terrifying,” said Kouri. “The journey will be a true test of endurance, strength and camaraderie but we will have a lot of fun along the way. I am looking forward to the unknown, the daily challenges, meeting new people, and experiencing this amazing country from such a unique perspective.” Kouri has lived with paralysis since August 2006 after diving into a wave and hitting his head on a sandbar, breaking two vertebrae in his neck. After being forced to move 2,000 miles to access the rehab services he needed to survive, he pledged to bring a better solution to those living with paralysis and founded NextStep. “We are thrilled Janne and the Ride for Paralysis team have chosen to stop in Richmond on their journey across the country and are excited to be a part of this campaign to raise awareness for those living with paralysis,” said Alan Lombardo, CEO of Sheltering Arms Institute. ### About NextStepNextStep is an internationally recognized non-profit that makes life-changing rehab and fitness accessible and affordable to individuals living with paralysis. Founded in 2008 by Janne Kouri, NextStep’s vision is to open paralysis recovery centers across the country to ensure an improved quality-of-life and a continuum of care for this underserved population. By offering state-of-the-art equipment, world class certified trainers, and cutting-edge therapies, NextStep centers provide the best chance for recovery, health, and independence.NextStep’s paralysis recovery centers are located in Los Angeles (HQ), Atlanta, Orlando, Kansas City, Raleigh, Phoenix, and Las Vegas. About Sheltering Arms Institute Sheltering Arms and VCU Health System have formed a joint venture, Sheltering Arms Institute, a state-of-the-science physical rehabilitation hospital. We are bringing together the brand and clinical reputation of Sheltering Arms and the nationally ranked programs of VCU Health. The institute, opening spring 2020, will blend advanced technology, research, and evidence-based clinical care to create an innovative, transdisciplinary model of inpatient rehabilitative care facilitating superior outcomes for patients. CONTACT:Stephanie SulmerAssociate VP, Marketing and Business DevelopmentSheltering Arms Physical Rehabilitation Centers 804-342-4329 (o) or 804-201-5808 (c) ssulmer@shelteringarmms.com Janne Kouri President and Founder NextStep310-621-6176jannek@nextstepfitness.org
