The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago was renamed The Shirley Ryan AbilityLab.

A Chicago institution's most recent name change is the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, previously known as the "Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago." The name change occurred in 2017, and the lab was renamed to recognize Shirley Ryan's philanthropic contributions to the organization.

The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC), 345 East Superior Street, Chicago, was founded in 1954 and has a rich history as a pioneer and global leader in physical medicine and rehabilitation. It quickly gained recognition for its innovative approach to patient care, focusing on restoring function and maximizing independence for individuals with complex conditions such as traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, stroke, and amputation.

RIC's interdisciplinary team of experts developed groundbreaking therapies and rehabilitation programs, pushing the boundaries of what was possible in the field. The institute's commitment to research and education further solidified its reputation as a center of excellence, attracting top talent and fostering collaboration among doctors, clinicians, scientists, and engineers.

In 2016, Shirley Ryan and her husband, Patrick G. Ryan, made a record donation to the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago. The donation amount was not disclosed, but it was the largest in the organization's 63-year history. Rumors suggest it was over $1.5 million.

In 2017, RIC underwent a transformative change in its name and facilities. The newly christened "Shirley Ryan AbilityLab," a state-of-the-art, 1.2-million-square-foot facility, opened its doors, representing a new era in rehabilitation medicine. The name change honored the remarkable contributions of Shirley Ryan, a tireless advocate for people with disabilities and a driving force behind the institute's growth and success.

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Shirley Ryan's connection to the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago began with a personal tragedy. In 1961, her then 13-year-old son, Patrick Ryan, sustained a severe brain injury during a swimming accident. This life-changing event led Shirley Ryan to seek the best possible care and rehabilitation for her son, ultimately bringing her to the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago.

Inspired by Patrick's transformative care at RIC, Shirley Ryan became a passionate advocate for individuals with disabilities and their families. She recognized the critical need for comprehensive rehabilitation services and cutting-edge research to improve outcomes for those with complex conditions.

In the following years, Shirley Ryan became deeply involved in RIC, dedicating her time, energy, and resources to advancing its mission. She served on the RIC Foundation Board of Directors for over 35 years, including 14 years as its chair. During her tenure, she spearheaded numerous fundraising campaigns, securing millions of dollars to support research, education, and patient care programs.

Shirley Ryan'Ryan'son extended beyond financial support. She played a pivotal role in shaping RIC's strategic direction, advocating for innovative approaches to rehabilitation and pushing for the development of new therapies and technologies. Her unwavering commitment to excellence and deep understanding of patients' families helped establish RIC as a global physical medicine and rehabilitation leader.

This life-changing event fueled her passion for improving the lives of individuals with disabilities and their families. She became a tireless fundraiser, advocate, and visionary leader, pivotal in securing the resources and support needed to build the world-class facility that now bears her name.

The Shirley Ryan AbilityLab represents a culmination of RIC's legacy and Shirley Ryan's unwavering commitment to advancing the field of rehabilitation. The facility's design integrates research, education, and patient care, reflecting a new model for delivering comprehensive and personalized rehabilitation services.

The Patrick and Shirley Ryan Family made Northwestern University's largest single gift, $480 million, in 2021. The gift will accelerate biomedical, economic, and business research breakthroughs, enabling the University to redevelop Ryan Field and construct a best-in-class venue for the Northwestern community.

Beyond its cutting-edge facilities, the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab upholds RIC's tradition of excellence in research and education. The institute's scientists and clinicians are at the forefront of developing new therapies and technologies to improve outcomes for patients with complex conditions. Through its educational programs, the AbilityLab trains the next generation of rehabilitation professionals, ensuring that the field continues to evolve and innovate.

Extensive landscaping and green space at the street level and throughout the upper spaces afford access to gardens. A green roof system tops the building. These features promote a healing environment and provide practical benefits, such as the absorption of heat on the roof and the diversion of rainwater from entering the city sewers.

With an average stay of 24 days, inpatient rooms were designed to provide visual access to restrooms, places for personal keepsakes, and sweeping views of the city oriented to encourage movement and progress. What a beautiful single room.

Water therapy has a specially equipped swimming pool and waterproof wheelchairs and equipment.

Each of the five ability labs — 1) "Think + Speak," 2) "Legs + Walking Lab," 3) "Arms + Hands Lab," 4) "Strength" Endurance Lab," and "5) "Pediatric Lab" — provide for both active and visible "front" stage" patient work with clinicians and researchers, as well as private, heads-down "backstage" space for analysis and planning.

An innovative "Wet Lab" allows researchers to study diseases, conditions, and injuries that can only be solved at the cellular level. Scientists can increase the number and speed of discoveries because they are co-located with clinical teams and patients.

In summary, the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, now the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, has a storied history of innovation, leadership, and unwavering commitment to improving the lives of individuals with disabilities. The institute honors Shirley Ryan's conRyan'sions, whose tireless advocacy, visionary leadership, and management abilities have shaped its trajectory. The Shirley Ryan AbilityLab is a testament to the power of collaboration, innovation, and unwavering dedication to a noble cause.

Compiled by Dr. Neil Gale, Ph.D. 

The Museum of Science and Industry has been renamed the Kenneth C. Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago.

The Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago

In a move that will forever etch the name of a visionary philanthropist into the annals of Chicago's revered cultural institutions, the Museum of Science and Industry (Museum of Science and Industry.) is set to undergo a transformative rechristening, paying tribute to Kenneth C. Griffin's generosity and foresight. 

This esteemed recognition follows a historic $125 million donation by Ken C. Griffin, the founder and CEO of Citadel, a leading global investment firm, and Founder of Griffin Catalyst, which encompasses Griffin's philanthropic and community impact efforts, focusing on identifying critical areas of need and delivering meaningful and scalable results that transform lives and better communities. 

The donation in 2019 is the largest in the museum's history. To celebrate its first official day as the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, the Museum will offer free admission on Sunday, May 19, 2024.

The Museum of Science and Industry changed its name to honor the philanthropist Kenneth C. Griffin.

Griffin's remarkable contribution is a testament to his unwavering commitment to advancing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education. 

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STEM education is an interdisciplinary approach to learning that focuses on the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. It aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills to succeed in the 21st-century workforce and solve complex, real-world problems.

STEM education will profoundly impact the museum's ability to inspire future generations of innovators, thinkers, inventors, and leaders. This landmark donation will enable Museum of Science and Industry. to expand its reach, enhance its exhibits, and foster a culture of curiosity and discovery, cementing its position as a premier destination for scientific exploration and learning.

In recognition of Griffin's extraordinary philanthropy, the museum will henceforth be known as the Kenneth C. Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, a fitting tribute to a champion of education, innovation, and progress. This naming honor acknowledges Griffin's transformative gift and serves as a lasting reminder of his dedication to empowering individuals and communities through the power of science and education.

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"We are incredibly grateful to Ken Griffin for his historic and generous investment in our Museum, our mission, and our long-term future," said Dr. Chevy Humphrey, President and CEO of the Griffin MSI. "This gift helps us create exhibits of the future geared toward the next generation of scientists and leaders; it allows us to dig our heels in deeper to support science education in local schools and neighborhoods in new, more profound ways; and it enables us to carry out our mission to inspire the inventive genius in all of us."

As the Kenneth C. Griffin Museum of Science and Industry embarks on this exciting new chapter, it does so with a renewed sense of purpose and a deepened commitment to its mission of inspiring and educating the public about the wonders of science and technology. Griffin's generosity will have a lasting impact on the museum's ability to spark imagination, fuel curiosity, and shape the minds of tomorrow's leaders, ensuring that the museum remains a beacon of innovation and discovery for generations to come.

The donation has helped the institution launch several new immersive experiences, including the Griffin Studio, a one-of-a-kind digital space. It also aided the renovation of the Henry Crown Space Center.

The gift supported a new home for the SpaceX Dragon Spacecraft. This mission-flown Dragon spacecraft undertook two missions to deliver cargo and scientific experiments to the International Space Station (ISS)
in 2017 and 2019.

"The renaming provides an opportunity for us to celebrate the Museum's legacy and embrace its future," said David Vitale, Griffin Museum of Science and Industry. Board Chairman.

Kenneth C. Griffin - Chicago Philanthropy.

• Griffin had contributed millions to the Art Institute of Chicago, public education, the Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago, the Chicago Public Library, and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Griffin also contributed to the Museum of Contemporary Art, the "Evolving Planet" at the Field Museum of Natural History, and endowed professorships at the University of Chicago. 

• In October 2006, the Griffins and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation funded and supported the opening of Woodlawn High School, a new charter school in Chicago.

• In 2007, Griffin donated to the Art Institute of Chicago a $19 million addition designed by Renzo Piano.

• In October 2009, Griffin and his wife founded the Kenneth and Anne Griffin Foundation. The foundation's contributions include $10 million for the Chicago Heights Early Childhood Center, $16 million for Children's Memorial Hospital, and total funding for the University of Chicago's Early Childhood Center.

• In December 2016, Griffin gave $12 million to the Chicago Park District to help fund separate paths for cyclists and pedestrians along the city's 18-mile lakefront.

• In November 2017, the Kenneth C. Griffin Charitable Fund made a new $125 million gift to support the Department of Economics of the University of Chicago, which he was honored with the department being renamed the Kenneth C. Griffin Department of Economics.

• A $16.5 million donation allowed the Field Museum to purchase a cast of the largest dinosaur ever discovered in 2018, a 122-foot-long Argentinian titanosaur named Máximo.

• In October 2019, the Kenneth C. Griffin Charitable Fund announced a $125 million gift to the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago, the largest gift in the museum's history. The museum intends to change its name to the Kenneth C. Griffin Museum of Science and Industry. 

• In 2024, Kenneth C. Griffin donated $125 million to the Museum of Science and Industry. The museum's name was changed to Kenneth C. Griffin Museum of Science and Industry.

Compiled by Dr. Neil Gale, Ph.D.