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The Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, formerly the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC), is a not-for-profit physical medicine and rehabilitation research hospital based in Chicago, Illinois. Founded in 1954, the AbilityLab is designed for patient care, education, and research in physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R). The AbilityLab specializes in rehabilitation for adults and children with the most severe, complex conditions ranging from traumatic brain and spinal cord injury to stroke, amputation and cancer-related impairment.[1] Affiliated with Northwestern University, the hospital is located on Northwestern’s Chicago campus and partners on research and medical efforts.[2]

Key Information

Since 1991, the hospital has remained the top ranked rehabilitation hospital in America as ranked by U.S. News & World Report.[3][4] Applied research focuses in the areas of neuroscience, bionic medicine, musculoskeletal medicine and technology transfer.

Upon opening in March 2017, its 1.2-million-square-foot facility became the first “translational” research hospital in which clinicians, scientists, innovators and technologists work together in the same space.[5]

History

[edit]

Rehabilitation is a relatively new medical specialty, becoming certified as such in 1947.[6] Immediately following World War II, which had a significant impact on the specialty of rehabilitation, General Omar Bradley, the head the Veterans Administration, recruited Dr. Paul Magnuson,[7] a U.S. Army orthopaedic surgeon, who created the infrastructure for the VA to provide rehabilitation for veterans. Magnuson served until 1951 and, shortly thereafter, declared his vision to establish a medical rehabilitation hospital for American citizens. With modest philanthropic means, he then purchased a vacant printing building at 401 E. Ohio Street in Chicago, Ill., and a new organization was formally incorporated as the not-for-profit Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC). By the spring of 1953, the building was converted into a small rehabilitation hospital and began serving a limited number of outpatients.

In 1958, the building was renovated, enabling the hospital to serve inpatients. In 1967, RIC formed an academic affiliation with Northwestern University, establishing a residency program in physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R), and soon thereafter appointed its first Chief Scientist. In 1974, it moved into a new location at 345 E. Superior Street in Chicago, Ill., and became the first free-standing rehabilitation hospital in the nation.[citation needed]

In December 2009, RIC announced that it had purchased the site of the former Chicago CBS building site (355 E. Erie Street) on which to build a new hospital, expanding its capabilities and capacity. Groundbreaking took place on July 1, 2013.[8]

In 2016, principal philanthropists Pat and Shirley Ryan named the new research hospital, which would be called Shirley Ryan AbilityLab. Pathways.org, the organization founded by the Ryans 30 years prior, became part of Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in 2017.[9] On March 25, 2017, RIC officially became known as the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab.

Patient populations

[edit]

Shirley Ryan AbilityLab serves adults and children with the severe, complex conditions – from traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury to stroke, amputation-related and cancer-related functional impairment (i.e., physical/cognitive impairment or loss of function). They have introduced a model of care through five Innovation Centers focused on areas of biomedical science:

  • Brain Innovation Center
  • Spinal Cord Innovation Center
  • Nerve, Muscle & Bone Innovation Center
  • Pediatric Innovation Center
  • Cancer Rehabilitation Innovation Center

Central to applying research during care are working labs in which interdisciplinary teams develop new research and insights to help patients gain more function and achieve better outcomes. These include:

  • Think + Speak Lab: Treatment for fundamental brain functions – arousal, lucidity, awareness, thinking, communication, perception, memory and learning.
  • Legs + Walking Lab: Improvement of locomotion, gait and walking via trunk and pelvis stability; positioning and control of the hips, knees and ankles; as well as stepping and propulsion.
  • Arms + Hands Lab: Improvement of hand function and movement, body and upper-limb coordination, strength, reaching and hand/finger control.
  • Strength + Endurance Lab: Improvement of stamina and resilience, complex motor and endurance activities, coordination, and higher-level activities of daily living (ADL) (e.g., cooking, housekeeping, exercise, sports).
  • Pediatric Lab: A customized approach for the developing brains, bodies and conditions unique to children (infants to teens).

Research scope and diversity

[edit]

The organization's research budget is US$139 million. The research division has been granted $50 million in external funding.

Research labs and centers

[edit]

The hospital is also home to a number of other research groups.

The Center for Bionic Medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab is the largest bionic research group in the world. Discoveries and innovations include:

  • The first thought-controlled bionic arm[10] and leg[11]
  • The first manual wheelchair[12] to offer users mobility in either a seated or standing position
  • Pattern recognition-based myoelectric control of partial-hand prostheses
  • Lightweight powered lower-limb prostheses
  • Targeted muscle reinnervation (TMR), a surgical technique that “rewires” amputated nerves and allows intuitive control and sensation of bionic arms and legs

Biologics laboratory

[edit]

The Biologics Research Lab at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, founded by Dr. Richard L. Lieber, Chief Scientific Officer and Senior Vice President of Research, focuses on developing biological approaches to treat various neuromuscular diseases, including spinal cord injuries, peripheral nerve injuries, muscle disorders, and conditions like cerebral palsy and cancer. As a "wet" lab, it is equipped to research living human tissue, allowing scientists to study movement impairments at the cellular level. This setup enables the exploration of mechanisms underlying injury and recovery and supports the development of novel therapeutic strategies, such as advanced biomaterials and nerve stimulators.

Led by a diverse team of Principal Investigators (PIs), the lab integrates expertise in tissue engineering, neurophysiology, biomechanics, and regenerative medicine, fostering a collaborative environment that bridges basic science and clinical applications. The collective goal is to leverage current scientific knowledge and innovative ideas to significantly advance patient outcomes and the field of rehabilitation.

Max Nader Lab for Rehabilitation Technologies and Outcomes Research

[edit]

This lab develops and executes both industry-sponsored and investigator-initiated research in prosthetsesics, orthosestics, rehabilitation robotics, as well as other assistive and adaptive technologies. Scientists have worked with more than two dozen industrial wearable robotics collaborators, including Ottobock, Honda, Össur, Ekso Bionics, ReWalk Robotics, Parker Hannifin, Hocoma, B-Temia Inc and Samsung to create pathways and practice guidelines for the use of technologies for individuals with conditions including stroke, spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis and cerebral palsy.[citation needed] It also conducts outcomes-based research using advanced wearable sensors[13] in addition to traditional performance-based and patient-reported measures

Academics and PM&R Residency Program

[edit]

Shirley Ryan AbilityLab also serves as a clinical partner of Northwestern University's McCormick School of Engineering, and the academic home of Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PM&R) Department.[14]

The organization was among the first rehabilitation hospitals to offer a medical residency program in this specialty, and remains one of the largest. It is a four-year program. Shirley Ryan AbilityLab also has six fellowship programs: Pediatrics, Pain, Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders, Sports Medicine, Traumatic Brain Injury and Spinal Cord Injury.

References

[edit]
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Ryan AbilityLab

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from Grokipedia
The Shirley Ryan AbilityLab is a leading hospital located in , , specializing in the treatment of adults and children with severe and complex conditions such as , spinal cord injuries, and traumatic brain injuries. Founded in 1953 as the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, it has been ranked the number one rehabilitation hospital in the United States by for 35 consecutive years since 1991, treating more patients for these conditions than any other facility in the country. In 2017, the institution was renamed the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab following a record $120 million philanthropic gift from Shirley W. Ryan and her husband, Patrick G. Ryan, which supported the construction of a $550 million, 1.2-million-square-foot facility at 355 East Erie Street in Chicago's neighborhood. This state-of-the-art hospital is recognized as the world's first " hospital, uniquely integrating clinical care, basic research, and applied science under one roof to accelerate the development and implementation of innovative therapies. The facility features 262 private patient rooms, specialized Innovation Centers for conditions like brain innovation, pediatric innovation, and innovation, and advanced labs such as the Legs + Walking Lab and Think + Speak Lab, where patients participate in cutting-edge clinical trials alongside rehabilitation. Over its history, the AbilityLab has treated more than one million patients and contributed to groundbreaking advancements in rehabilitation science, including customized treatment plans that emphasize functional improvements exceeding national averages. Its multidisciplinary teams of physicians, therapists, and researchers focus on holistic care—addressing physical, cognitive, and emotional needs—while advancing global standards through affiliations with institutions like and ongoing initiatives.

History

Founding and Early Development

The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC) was founded in 1953 by Dr. Paul B. Magnuson, a pioneering orthopedic surgeon and former of the Veterans Administration, to meet the growing demand for specialized rehabilitation services for wounded veterans and civilians with disabilities. It was incorporated as an not-for-profit corporation in 1951. Magnuson, drawing from his experience reforming VA rehabilitation programs during and after the war, aimed to create a comprehensive facility focused on (PM&R) that integrated medical care, therapy, and research. The institution opened in in a converted at 401 East Ohio Street in , operating initially as a 45-bed freestanding dedicated to inpatient and outpatient PM&R services. Early operations emphasized an interdisciplinary model, bringing together physicians, therapists, and prosthetists to address conditions such as amputations, spinal injuries, and neurological impairments through innovative therapies and assistive devices. Under Magnuson's direction as founding medical director, RIC pioneered efforts in starting in 1957, establishing specialized clinics and programs that set standards for rehabilitation practice. In 1967, RIC formalized an academic affiliation with (now the ), launching a residency program in PM&R and fostering joint educational and research initiatives. This partnership enhanced RIC's clinical training capabilities and integrated its expertise into university-based medical education, with Dr. Henry B. Betts appointed as the first chairman of Northwestern's Department of PM&R that year. By the 1970s, RIC had solidified its position as a leading center for rehabilitation research and care, advancing treatments for complex disabilities through early clinical trials and technology development that influenced national standards in PM&R.

Expansion, Renaming, and Recent Milestones

In 1974, the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC) relocated to a new 20-story facility at 345 E. Superior Street in Chicago, marking a significant expansion. This move allowed for enhanced capacity and specialized care, building on the institution's early growth while solidifying its role as a national leader in physical medicine and rehabilitation. The institution underwent a transformative in 2017, renaming to Shirley Ryan AbilityLab following a record $120 million donation from philanthropists Pat and Shirley Ryan, which supported the shift toward a model integrating clinical care, science, and innovation. On March 25, 2017, the new 1.2-million-square-foot facility at 355 E. Erie Street opened, replacing the Superior Street location and physically integrating with Northwestern University's campus to foster interdisciplinary collaboration in rehabilitation sciences. Recent milestones underscore the AbilityLab's ongoing impact, including the 2024 Impact Report, which highlighted donor-funded initiatives supporting community-based programs for individuals with disabilities. It continues to hold multiple designations as NIDILRR Model Systems, including for and , emphasizing advancements in outcomes for rehabilitation. This sustained excellence aligns with its continued recognition as the #1 rehabilitation hospital in rankings for the 35th consecutive year.

Facilities and Organizational Model

Physical Infrastructure and Design

The Shirley Ryan AbilityLab occupies a 27-story, 1.2 million square foot (111,484 m²) facility at 355 East Erie Street in , which opened in March 2017 as the world's first translational research hospital dedicated to . Designed by HDR in collaboration with and Clive Wilkinson Architects, the building integrates patient care, scientific research, and educational spaces within a single vertical structure to foster real-time collaboration among clinicians, scientists, and patients. This relocation from the institution's earlier site marked a pivotal advancement in its , enabling a more holistic approach to rehabilitation. Central to the design are five two-story Ability Labs—Think + Speak, Legs + Walking, Arms + Hands, Strength + Endurance, and Pediatric—that simulate real-world environments to support functional recovery through everyday activities. These labs incorporate public and private zones resembling homes, communities, and workplaces, equipped with ceiling-mounted lift tracks engineered for safe walking and stair practice, as well as floor-to-ceiling windows that flood the spaces with natural light and offer views of the skyline. Therapeutic color palettes, such as vibrant oranges and reds in the Legs + Walking Lab or calming peach-to-blue gradients in the Brain Innovation Center, enhance the sensory experience, while museum-quality artwork and intuitive graphics (e.g., hand motifs for the Arms + Hands Lab) aid navigation and inspiration. The facility's layout emphasizes and fluidity, featuring curved walls to guide natural movement, a 10th-floor with therapy gardens and extensive , and a for environmental sustainability. Inpatient floors include private rooms along the perimeter for optimal views and privacy, with state-of-the-art bathrooms featuring and accessible showers; outpatient clinics, exam rooms, , and services are similarly designed for ease of use by individuals with mobility challenges. permeates the , from complex mechanical systems supporting the labs to custom, adaptable furniture that accommodates diverse therapeutic needs. With 262 licensed inpatient beds across eight dedicated floors, the AbilityLab supports extended stays averaging approximately 21 days, while its outpatient programs serve thousands of patients each year as part of a broader system treating over 50,000 individuals annually.

Translational Care and Innovation Centers

In 2017, the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab pioneered a model as the first of its kind in the United States, integrating scientific discovery directly into clinical care through co-located, interdisciplinary teams comprising clinicians, scientists, technologists, and innovators. This approach enables real-time collaboration, where breakthroughs in rehabilitation science are tested and refined alongside patient treatment, accelerating the translation from lab to bedside. The model's core is embodied in five dedicated Innovation Centers: the Brain Innovation Center, focused on neurorehabilitation; the Innovation Center; the , Muscle & Innovation Center; the Pediatric Innovation Center; and the Cancer Rehabilitation Innovation Center. Each center organizes care around specific biomedical domains, housing specialized environments, , and personnel to address functional impairments holistically. Within these centers, discoveries are applied immediately to patient therapy, fostering iterative improvements in real-world settings. For instance, in the , Muscle & Innovation Center, bionic technologies from the Regenstein Foundation Center for Bionic Medicine—such as powered prosthetic limbs—are integrated into routine sessions to enhance mobility and strength. Similarly, the Legs + Walking Lab employs custom therapeutic rigging systems for training, allowing patients to practice walking in simulated community environments while therapists adjust interventions based on ongoing data. This structure yields accelerated innovation, with patients achieving functional gains that surpass national benchmarks, such as extended therapy distances in . The centers' design within the 1.2-million-square-foot facility further supports this by providing contiguous spaces for seamless team interaction and deployment. Over 50,000 patients receive care annually across these integrated programs, many accessing cutting-edge therapies derived from ongoing .

Patient Care

Served Populations and Conditions

The Shirley Ryan AbilityLab primarily serves adults and children with complex physical disabilities, emphasizing those facing severe, life-altering impairments that require intensive rehabilitation. The patient population includes individuals across all ages, with a particular focus on inpatients—about 64% of whom present with neurological impairments—such as those recovering from acute events or managing chronic progressive conditions. This demographic spans a wide spectrum of needs, from pediatric patients with congenital issues to older adults with degenerative disorders, all united by the goal of restoring function and independence. Key conditions treated at the AbilityLab encompass traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and strokes, which represent some of the most common admissions due to their prevalence and impact on mobility, cognition, and daily living. Additional focal areas include amputations requiring prosthetic adaptation and rehabilitation, neuromuscular disorders like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and multiple sclerosis (MS), pediatric congenital conditions such as cerebral palsy, and cancer-related impairments involving post-treatment recovery from surgeries or therapies. These conditions often involve multidisciplinary care tailored to the severity of the impairment, with the AbilityLab's Innovation Centers providing targeted support for specific challenges, such as neuromotor recovery in stroke patients. Annually, the AbilityLab cares for more than 50,000 patients through its inpatient units, outpatient clinics, and services, prioritizing severe cases that demand extended, specialized intervention. The institution demonstrates a strong commitment to demographic diversity and equity, actively serving underserved groups including veterans as a provider and low-income individuals through community outreach programs and the Charity Care Financial Assistance Program, which offers free or discounted services to eligible patients. In 2024, this program provided $17.8 million in unreimbursed care to 7,413 vulnerable patients. The AbilityLab also serves international patients, treating nearly 100 individuals from 21 countries in 2024 through its Global Patient Services. This approach ensures broader access to high-quality rehabilitation for vulnerable populations facing barriers to care.

Specialized Treatment Programs

The inpatient rehabilitation programs at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab emphasize intensive, multidisciplinary approaches tailored to complex conditions such as , , and . Patients typically receive a minimum of three hours of per day, incorporating physical, occupational, and speech-language therapies within customized care plans developed in collaboration with physicians and families. For , these programs integrate advanced interventions like , leveraging research-driven technologies to enhance functional outcomes. Outpatient and day rehabilitation services support community re-entry by bridging with , offering flexible options for ongoing recovery from injuries or chronic conditions. The DayRehabCenter® provides full- or half-day sessions with 2-3 hours of 2-5 times weekly, focusing on reintegration through involvement and practical skill-building; 88% of patients on return-to-work tracks successfully resume post-program. Tele-rehabilitation expanded significantly post-2020, with a full pivot to HIPAA-compliant virtual models in March 2020 to maintain continuity for approximately 800 patients, now available across multiple states for physical, occupational, and speech therapies. Specialized initiatives address targeted needs, including the Regenstein Foundation Center for Bionic Medicine, which applies powered prosthetic technologies clinically for limb loss patients to improve mobility and daily function. The Pain Management Center delivers interdisciplinary care for , involving physicians, psychologists, physical therapists, and occupational therapists in active, supportive programs to develop long-term coping strategies. Quality-of-life programs, such as , adaptive sports, and , collaborate across disciplines to holistically support emotional and social well-being, with community-based efforts funded through the 2024 Impact Report to enhance patient engagement beyond physical recovery. Program outcomes demonstrate high efficacy, with 74.5% of patients discharged to home or community settings in 2024, ranging from 70.7% for to 82.3% for orthopedic conditions, tracked through the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) Model Systems designation. These rates reflect improvements in mobility (average gain of 12.9 points) and (11.3 points) from admission to discharge, contributing to sustained independence for diverse populations including those with neurological impairments.

Research

Scope, Funding, and Impact

The research enterprise at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab centers on (PM&R), bionic medicine, neuromuscular biology, and outcomes , integrating clinicians, scientists, and patients in translational settings to advance recovery and for individuals with disabilities. With over 200 researchers led by the Scientific , the program conducts more than 140 active projects annually as of 2024, emphasizing interdisciplinary across five specialized Ability Labs. This scope supports innovative approaches to complex conditions, tying directly to enhanced patient care through real-time application of findings. Funding for the research totals more than $170 million annually from grants and donations as of fiscal year 2024, enabling large-scale studies and infrastructure development. External support exceeds $50 million, primarily from federal agencies including the (NIH) and the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR); notable awards include an $8.7 million NIH grant for bionic arm and a $4.375 million NIDILRR grant for employment outcomes . The Center for Rehabilitation Outcomes Research (CROR) alone manages over $14.5 million in , as detailed in its 2024 annual report, which focuses on home- and community-based services (HCBS) through measures for access and caregiver support. The impact of this research extends globally, with contributions to high-profile advancements such as thought-controlled bionic limbs that restore natural movement for amputees. Participation in federally designated Model Systems, including the Model System and Model System, informs national policy on rehabilitation standards and long-term outcomes. CROR's efforts alone produced over 40 peer-reviewed manuscripts in 2024, while the broader program generates hundreds of publications yearly, influencing clinical practices worldwide. Interdisciplinary teams, comprising scientists, engineers, therapists, and community stakeholders, prioritize diversity and equitable access, as exemplified by initiatives like the EQUATE project addressing disparities in for patients. This approach ensures benefits underserved populations, fostering inclusive innovations in rehabilitation.

Key Laboratories and Research Initiatives

The Regenstein Foundation Center for Bionic Medicine at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab focuses on neural prosthetics and thought-controlled devices to restore function in individuals with limb loss or . Key developments include the open-source bionic leg, an artificially intelligent prosthetic designed for community-wide scientific use, and advancements in implanted (EMG) signals with sensory feedback to improve prosthetic control through . The center has also pioneered evaluations of the Armeo Power for rehabilitation, enabling precise arm movement support in clinical settings. These innovations stem from interdisciplinary efforts integrating , engineering, and clinical testing, with publications such as "Implications of EMG channel count: enhancing online prosthetic testing" highlighting improvements in real-time prosthetic . The Biologics Laboratory advances on and biologics to address neuromuscular diseases, emphasizing tissue processing and regenerative therapies. A core focus involves investigating muscle dysfunction in conditions like , a neuromuscular disorder, through and drug repurposing to mitigate muscle impairment and promote regeneration. Related work in affiliated labs explores systemic transplantation of multipotent muscle-derived (MDSPCs) to rejuvenate aged or diseased tissues, with potential applications to neuromuscular recovery, as demonstrated in studies on signaling in accelerated aging models. The lab's unique tissue processing capabilities support innovative biologic interventions for muscle and regeneration. The Max Näder Center for Rehabilitation Technologies and Outcomes Research evaluates emerging technologies to optimize rehabilitation outcomes, including , for , and cost-effectiveness assessments. Notable projects include the Variable Friction Shoe trial, which uses AI-driven sensors to analyze and adapt to patterns in chronic patients with , improving locomotor stability. The center also conducts the BO2ST trial, combining robotic spinal stimulation with low-oxygen breathing to enhance walking recovery post-spinal cord injury, alongside haptic feedback systems for in gait-impaired individuals. Cost-effectiveness studies integrate wearable sensor data to predict rehabilitation trajectories, as outlined in frameworks like "Automate, Illuminate, Predict: A Universal Framework for Integrating Wearable Sensors in Healthcare," ensuring scalable technology adoption. Additional research validates robotic hip exoskeletons for outpatient care, demonstrating safety and efficacy in real-world settings. Recent initiatives include ongoing 2024-2025 research into (POTS) treatments, led by physician Benjamin Katholi, MD, which emphasizes rehabilitation-based approaches to improve patient through multidisciplinary interventions. Complementing this, expansions in the Rehabilitation and Training Center on Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) focus on person-centered outcomes measurement and integration to support for people with disabilities, with updates in 2024 highlighting improved service delivery models. These efforts are bolstered by substantial institutional funding dedicated to .

Education and Training

Academic Affiliations and Partnerships

The Shirley Ryan AbilityLab maintains a longstanding primary academic affiliation with , established in 1967 when the institution, then known as the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, formed a formal partnership to advance (PM&R) and . This integrates the AbilityLab as a key clinical partner for Northwestern's and McCormick School of Engineering, facilitating joint faculty appointments where physicians and scientists hold dual roles across both entities to bridge and patient care. The partnership provides shared access to Northwestern's advanced laboratories, infrastructure, and interdisciplinary resources, enabling collaborative projects in areas such as neurorehabilitation and . In 2019, the AbilityLab expanded its network through an alliance with UChicago Medicine, aimed at enhancing rehabilitation services by embedding AbilityLab clinicians and expertise at UChicago facilities like Mitchell Hospital and Ingalls Memorial. This partnership supports joint educational initiatives and knowledge transfer in PM&R, without overlapping into direct research outputs. Additionally, the AbilityLab collaborates with the (UIC), particularly through its College of Applied Health Sciences, where students contribute to shared projects like updating the Rehabilitation Measures Database, fostering practical training and resource development. The AbilityLab participates in national networks supported by the National Institute on Disability, , and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR), including hosting a Rehabilitation Research and Training Center focused on home and community-based services, funded through multi-year grants exceeding $4 million. These ties enable joint funding opportunities for PM&R advancements and position the AbilityLab as a designated within the broader U.S. rehabilitation ecosystem, contributing to the establishment of evidence-based national standards through its academic integrations.

Residency, Fellowship, and Educational Programs

The (PM&R) residency program at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, in collaboration with , is a four-year ACGME-accredited training program that admits approximately 12 residents per year (4 categorical positions including and 8 advanced positions), making it one of the largest in the nation. The curriculum emphasizes comprehensive clinical skills through rotations in inpatient units covering brain injury, , , cancer, amputee care, and medically complex conditions, as well as outpatient experiences in , , (EMG), and prosthetics/. Residents also engage in daily didactic sessions, including lectures, , and journal clubs, alongside hands-on training in , interventional spine injections, and musculoskeletal , with dedicated elective time for and specialized interests. In May 2024, the AbilityLab announced a new combined and PM&R residency program, a five-year ACGME-accredited track offering integrated training across both specialties to prepare physicians for leadership in pediatric rehabilitation. Shirley Ryan AbilityLab offers six specialized fellowship tracks in PM&R, each lasting one to two years and focusing on advanced subspecialty training. These include Pediatric Rehabilitation, , , Pain Medicine (a one-year ACGME-accredited program emphasizing interdisciplinary pain management), , and and Neurorehabilitation. Fellows receive intensive clinical exposure at the AbilityLab's specialized centers, integrated with research opportunities and multidisciplinary collaboration to prepare them for leadership in rehabilitation subspecialties. Beyond residency and fellowships, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab supports broader educational initiatives through its , which provides (CME) credits via accredited courses, webinars, and hands-on workshops on topics such as patient-centered care, decisional-capacity evaluation, and translational ethics in . The institution also conducts interdisciplinary workshops and community outreach training, exemplified by the LIFE Center's delivery of over 1,500 in-person sessions for patients, families, and clinicians in 2023, alongside resource support reaching 174 countries. Program outcomes demonstrate strong preparation for professional success, with the residency ranked No. 1 in reputation by the survey as of 2023 and alumni frequently assuming leadership roles in academic and clinical rehabilitation settings.

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