Gift by Gregory and Christy Schiano to JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute Names Spinal Cord Injury Treatment Room in Honor of Former Defensive Tackle Eric LeGrand

A $250,000 gift by Rutgers football coach Greg Schiano and his wife Christy, will name a spinal cord treatment room at Hackensack Meridian JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute, located at Hackensack Meridian JFK University Medical Center in Edison, NJ, after former Rutgers University defensive tackle Eric LeGrand, who suffered a devastating spinal cord injury during the 2010 college football season. The new name, called the Eric LeGrand Spinal Cord Injury Patient Care Room, was unveiled to LeGrand in a surprise ceremony on June 14 at JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute where Schiano, his wife Christy, and leaders from across Hackensack Meridian Health dedicated the treatment room in his honor.

“Coach Schiano and Eric LeGrand have such a special bond and we are so grateful to be the recipients of this generous gift by Greg and Christy, which will help us to continue delivering groundbreaking, compassionate care,’’ said Robert C. Garrett, FACHE, CEO of Hackensack Meridian Health.

The Spinal Cord Injury program at JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute offers both inpatient and outpatient treatment, support services, technology and techniques to maximize recovery. Included in the Institute are two dedicated spinal cord injury (SCI) treatment rooms that include a variety of tools and technologies in an accessible space, combined with the clinical expertise needed to treat spinal cord injuries. The Institute also offers the ZeroG Gait and Balance System, a robotic apparatus that supports a patient’s weight during therapy to assist in walking while preventing falls.

“Since his injury, Eric has worked tirelessly to make life better for others impacted by spinal cord injuries,” says Coach Schiano. “Making this gift in his honor was our opportunity to do the same. We are so proud of Eric for all that he has achieved and know that he has come so far thanks to a dedicated spinal cord program. Our gift ensures that others have the same options afforded to them so that they can receive the best care possible and live their lives to the fullest.”

According to the New Jersey Commission on Spinal Cord Research, approximately 6,000 New Jersey residents suffer from traumatic injuries or diseases that damage the spinal cord, with approximately 300 new injuries occurring each year. After patients are cared for in the hospital, many benefit from rehabilitation services, which can include physical therapy to strengthen muscles, communication and mobility; training in the use of assistive or adaptive devices; occupational therapy; coping strategies; and techniques to help with everyday activities such as self-grooming.

“This generous gift from Greg and Christy will help us to bolster our existing Spinal Cord Injury program,” says Sara Cuccurullo, M.D., chair, vice president, medical director, JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute. “In addition to offering the latest in technology and treatment options for those living with SCI, we have recently added Dr. Jennifer Chui as director of the Spinal Injury Cord program. We are so grateful to Coach Schiano and his wife Christy for their compassionate giving, which will help so many people live life to their highest potential by ensuring we have the best clinical team and most state-of-the-art treatment options.”

To learn more about how you can support spinal cord or rehabilitation services at Johnson Rehabilitation Institute, please visit GiveHMH.org/JFKJRI or contact Sheri A. Marino, MA, CCC-SLP, executive director of JFK University Medical Center Foundation, at sheri.marino@hmhn.org or 732-632-1540.