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Sister Kenny Rehabilitation Institute

Sister Kenny Foundation

Current needs

The Sister Kenny Foundation distributes philanthropic funds exclusively to Sister Kenny Rehabilitation Institute programs, services and research.

To make a donation to the
Sister Kenny Foundation
Give now online
or call 612-863-4145.

Grants are made in three priority areas to achieve the Institute's mission of making lives work:

  • Professional Development and Education grants promote continued professional development among Sister Kenny Rehabilitation Institute team members while enhancing the Institute's existing programs and services.
  • Programmatic grants support the development of new or enhance and expand existing programs or services to achieve improved health status for persons served by the Institute.
  • Rehabilitation research with a focus on neurorehabilitation with a technology emphasis to produce related basic applied and translational research that enhances patients' quality of life through effective evidence-based treatment procedures.

Philanthropy makes a difference

At Sister Kenny Rehabilitation Institute, it is often said, "Patients are the reason we exist. People are the reason we excel." Our benefactors make that excellence possible.

Sister Kenny Rehabilitation Institute is extremely fortunate to benefit from the generosity of our community. In turn, we use the gifts we receive to serve the needs of our patients and our community.

With the support of philanthropy, the Institute provides exceptional patient care and conducts breakthrough clinical research to enhance the quality of life for those who entrust us with their care.

Board and staff

The Sister Kenny Foundation is led by a volunteer board of directors consisting of leaders in business, health care and the community.

The board is dedicated to safeguarding each donor's intent when making philanthropic donations to the foundation. The board is also committed to communicating how each gift is being used for the benefit of those who entrust their care to Sister Kenny Rehabilitation Institute.

Board of directors officers

Chair

Todd Langevin, president and COO, Functional Neuromodulation Inc.

Vice chair & treasurer

John Ryan, community volunteer

Secretary

Winifred Smith, vice president and COO, Aeon

Board of directors

Amanda Abdo Sheahan, director of marketing, Abdo Markethouse

Scott Appelwick, assistant director - financial services, University of Minnesota, College of Liberal Arts

Karl Dedenbach, community volunteer

Tim DeLapp, senior director of global movement disorders, Medtronic

Brian Doughty, VP commerical operations, Cardiovascular Systems, Inc.

Erik J. Ekstrom, MD, Institute for Low Back and Neck Care

Pete Gallus, community volunteer

Sherry Gorman, senior technology consultant

Barry Hix, executive director, Healthcare Solutions at 3Cinteractiv

Sandy Jacobs, senior director of Indirect Tax, Best Buy Enterprise Services, Inc.

Michael McDonnell, partner, SavvySherpa, LLC

Neal N. Peterson, partner, Dorsey & Whitney, LLP

Ed Pluimer, partner, Dorsey & Whitney, LLP

Karl Sandin, MD, MPH, physician-in-chief, Sister Kenny Rehabilitation Institute

Sarah Walbert, Bioscience/Medical Device Sector specialist, Minnesota Department of Employment & Economic Development

Honorary directors

W. Don Conley
Mary Lee Dayton
Vernon H. Heath
Robert A. MacDonald
Philip J. Orthun
Gordon M. Sprenger

Staff

Sandy Landberg, executive director

Marjorie Rolland, manager, foundation accounting

Pamela Chapman, administrative assistant

Possibilities newsletter

Sister Kenny Foundation's newsletter, Possibilities, is intended to convey the same hope and optimism that Sister Kenny Rehabilitation Institute inspires in its patients and families.

Latest issues

Sister Kenny Research Center Briefing newsletter

Briefing is an occasional newsletter highlighting the accomplishments and activites of the Sister Kenny Research Center.

Annual reports

Annual Report 2009 thumb

Sister Kenny Foundation publishes its annual report, which includes yearly financial statements, information about grants made, and ways donors have affected the lives of patients.