A large charitable gift from Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan will be used to support the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago’s (RIC) research hospital, AbilityLab.

The AbilityLab, set to open in March 2017, will be named the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in recognition of this gift—the amount of which is the largest in RIC’s history and is confidential.

Along with this gift, Pathways—the Ryans’ entrepreneurial organization—will be integrated with the RIC immediately and the AbilityLab upon its opening. Pathways is a resource in early detection and intervention tools that help maximize children’s motor, sensory, and communication development.

As part of the integration, Pathways will retain its brand, clinic, and website. The organization’s awareness, messaging, and reach will be expanded in coalition with AbilityLab, according to a media release from RIC.

“The integration between Pathways, RIC, and the AbilityLab is historic — it makes possible a truly better future for children and adults from around the globe who need our support and services,” says Joanne C. Smith, MD, RIC president and CEO, in the release.

“Through this transformational gift and the growth of the Pathways and AbilityLab family, we will build upon our collective strengths to advance the science, medical care, and outcomes for patients everywhere,” she adds.

“[Both RIC and Pathways] share a long-standing commitment to the advancement of abilities and, with this integration, AbilityLab and Pathways are poised to deepen knowledge, expand therapy and training, and spread global influence further and faster,” states Shirley Ryan in the release.

[Source(s): Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, PR Newswire]