[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 51 (Thursday, March 23, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E376]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   CONGRATULATIONS TO THE SHIRLEY RYAN ABILITYLAB, THE FUTURE OF THE 
    REHABILITATION INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO ON THE OPENING OF THEIR NEW 
                                FACILITY

                                  _____
                                 

                          HON. DANNY K. DAVIS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 23, 2017

  Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate 
the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC) on the opening of their 
new state of the art facility, the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, opening on 
March 25, 2017.
  RIC has been named the ``No. 1 Rehabilitation Hospital in America'' 
by U.S. News & World Report for 26 consecutive years. Their new 
facility will be the first research hospital in which clinicians, 
scientists, innovators, and technologists work together in the same 
space, surrounding patients, discovering new approaches and, applying 
research in real time.
  The Shirley Ryan AbilityLab will significantly expand RIC's overall 
footprint of 1.2 million square feet, of which 800,000 are dedicated to 
clinical research. Their inpatient capacity will grow by 40 percent 
increasing their total beds to 242. The facility growth will include 
outpatient and research space along with expanding to five 
translational Ability Labs. RIC's applied research and therapeutic 
space will integrate patients in the process of discovery and 
innovation, providing the highest quality medical care and state-of-the 
art equipment for patients with Brain; Spinal Cord; Nerve, Muscles & 
Bone; Cancer; and Pediatric conditions.
  RIC's dedication to providing the best rehabilitation care in the 
world and conducting cutting edge research in my Congressional District 
is resulting in medical discoveries and innovations that benefit 
patients all over the world. For that, Mr. Speaker, I applaud RIC and 
congratulate them as they open the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab.

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