Ernest Health, Inc., and The University of Toledo announce the groundbreaking for the Rehabilitation Hospital of Northwest Ohio. The hospital will be constructed and operated by Ernest Health and located on the Health Science campus of The University of Toledo.

The new hospital, which will be known as the Rehabilitation Hospital of Northwest Ohio, will provide intensive physical rehabilitation services to patients recovering from strokes, brain and spinal cord injuries, and other impairments as a result of injuries or illness.

As an affiliate of The University of Toledo, the hospital will provide training opportunities for resident physicians of the university through a physical medicine and rehabilitation residency program and for students through clinical rotations for physical, occupational, speech therapy as well as nursing.

“We are excited to work with The University of Toledo and establish our first physical medicine and rehabilitation educational program. It’s been rewarding to collaborate with the university’s leadership to meet this community need.” said Angie Anderson, senior vice president of development for Ernest Health.

Ernest Health currently operates 23 post-acute care hospitals, including 15 rehabilitation hospitals that have consistently been recognized as being in the top 10 percent of inpatient rehabilitation hospitals nationwide for care that is patient-centered, effective, efficient and timely. The national ranking is provided by the Uniform Data System for Medical Rehabilitation (UDSMR), a not-for-profit corporation that was developed with support from the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research, a component of the U.S Department of Education.

“We have been supported and warmly welcomed by the University of Toledo and other healthcare and community leaders,” said Darby Brockette, CEO of Ernest Health. “We consider it a privilege to be able to serve the area and look forward to becoming an active member of the community.”

As part of the agreement between the two organizations, the Rehabilitation Hospital of Northwest Ohio will absorb operations of inpatient rehabilitative services currently offered through the medical center. There will be no interruption of services, and current staff can retain employment with the university or apply for positions at the new hospital. Officials estimate approximately 120 jobs will be created.

“This collaboration is an important step forward,” said Dr. Christopher Cooper, senior vice president for clinical affairs and dean of the College of Medicine and Life Sciences, “and signifies the value we can create for our community when we bring together the University’s assets with forward-thinking, well run community partners.”

Ernest Health will break ground on the 49,000-square foot facility at 10 a.m., May 12 during a ceremony on the site located at 1445 West Medical Loop. The public is invited to attend.

“I am pleased to welcome Ernest Health and the Rehabilitation Hospital of Northwest Ohio to Toledo. Our community will only be strengthened by the care and support given to Toledo residents by this hospital. Welcome to Toledo and thank you for enhancing our community,” Toledo Mayor Paula Hicks-Hudson said.

Media Coverage
WTOL 11 (May 12, 2015)
13 ABC, NBC 24 and WTOL 11 (May 12, 2015)
The Blade (May 13, 2015)

The National Football League announced Tuesday that it is relinquishing its tax-exempt status.

“I think there are two things the NFL is trying to avoid – hassle and exposure,” said Geoffrey Rapp, Harold A. Anderson Professor of Law and Values for The University of Toledo. “It’s tax-exempt status, like baseball’s antitrust exemption, adds little real value but it gives Congress a lever to hold hearings on any aspect of the NFL’s operations. By voluntarily giving this up, the NFL avoids future headaches at the hands of Congress.”

The NFL has been tax-exempt since 1942. However, all 32 teams pay taxes on their income, so the change will have little effect on the operation or function of the league.

During the annual meetings in March, the finance committee voted to change the tax status of the NFL’s league office and management council. Beginning with the 2015 fiscal year, the league office and management council will file returns as taxable entities.

“The NFL had attracted negative attention regarding the salaries it is forced to disclose as a nonprofit,” Rapp said. “Now, it has the same level of privacy as any non-publicly traded entity, to keep that information out of the public eye.”

To schedule an interview with Rapp, contact Aimee Portala at 419.530.4279.

Students from the Toledo School for the Arts and The University of Toledo Colleges of Communication and the Arts and Engineering will unveil a mural they created at UT that depicts the evolution of engineering and includes representations of multiple engineering disciplines.

The mural is part of a project celebrating collaboration between different fields of study.

A dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place Tuesday, April 28 at 11:45 a.m. in the Tom and Betsy Brady Engineering Innovation Center. The “Connections” mural is located on the 158-foot wall connecting the Tom and Betsy Brady Engineering Innovation Center and Nitschke Hall Auditorium.

Speakers at the event will include Dr. Steve LeBlanc, interim dean of the College of Engineering; Dr. Nagi Naganathan, interim president; Deb Davis, dean of the College of Communication and the Arts; Marty Porter from the Toledo School for the Arts; and Tom and Betsy Brady, project sponsors.

Media Coverage
13 ABC (April 29, 2015)
The Blade (April 29, 2015)
The Blade (May 4, 2015)

As a response to the more than 29.8 million people worldwide trapped in modern-day slavery as victims of human trafficking, The University of Toledo Board of Trustees voted in November to establish the Human Trafficking and Social Justice Institute.

A ribbon-cutting and dedication ceremony will take place Tuesday, April 28, at 2 p.m. in Health and Human Services Building Room 2638.

Scheduled speakers for the event include John Carey, chancellor for the Ohio Board of Regents; State Rep. Teresa Fedor; Dr. Nagi Naganathan, UT interim president; and Dr. Celia Williamson, UT professor of social work, institute director and an international expert in the fight against human trafficking.

“This institute will increase UT’s prominence as an international leader in the effort against human trafficking,” Naganathan said. “We are proud to have someone of Dr. Williamson’s caliber as an expert in this area at UT, and this initiative will further highlight her work.”

The mission of the institute is to respond to human trafficking and social justice through teaching, research and service. Programs will be established to help victims become survivors and for survivors to become “thrivers,” individuals who have completed the healing process and established stable and productive lives.

“This institute will build upon and extend the efforts of Dr. Celia Williamson to publicly address and help alleviate the evils of human trafficking regionally, nationally and globally through a multi-faceted blend of teaching, impactful research and targeted community partnering,” said Dr. Thomas Gutteridge, dean of the College of Social Justice and Human Service. “My thanks also to everyone involved in this initiative for their commitment to helping the institute become a major force in further reducing human trafficking and its impact upon those enslaved by this system.”

One of the key areas of focus for the institute will be educating practitioners to serve on the front lines of efforts to combat human trafficking and assist victims. Educational activities will focus on a wide range of professions, including social work, criminal justice, law, medicine, psychology, education, counseling and public health.

“I applaud The University of Toledo for providing the leadership necessary to establish the Human Trafficking and Social Justice Institute, which will provide research, education and outreach to combat this issue,” said Ohio Board of Regents Chancellor John Carey. “I look forward to having all of Ohio’s colleges and universities collaborate with the Institute to further strengthen our efforts across the state in the fight against human trafficking.”

After receiving a Jefferson Award earlier this year for her work, Williamson addressed the broad impact that human trafficking has: “Human trafficking affects more than just the victims, it affects the whole community.”

The institute also will work to advance the body of knowledge on human trafficking issues and track effective solutions to these problems.

Media Coverage
The Blade (April 28, 2015)
The Highland County Press (April 28, 2015)
NBC 24, 13 ABC and WTOL 11 (April 29, 2015)
Political News (April 30, 2015)

The University of Toledo will host a Health and Wellness Exposition as part of the Glass City Marathon activities this weekend.

The expo, which is free and open to the public, will be 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, April 25 in Savage Arena. More than 40 vendors will be on hand, including the UT Department of Kinesiology offering BodPod Assessments to determine body composition.

The expo also serves as the registration and packet pickup for marathon participants.

Organized by the Toledo Roadrunners Club, the Glass City Marathon on Sunday, April 26 features different running events, including a marathon, half marathon, five-person marathon relay, a 5K and kid’s marathon.

All events start on UT’s Main Campus and finish on the field of the Glass Bowl Stadium, with the exception of the kid’s marathon, which is held on the track outside of Savage Arena.

“This event really highlights the University’s beautiful campus and brings a lot of people from all over to Toledo,” said Andrea Masters, assistant director in Rocket Wellness. “Last year, we had at least one representative from all 50 states participate.”

More than 8,000 runners are expected to participate in the marathon’s events.

For more information, visit glasscitymarathon.org.

Jim Brickman didn’t realize how comforting his music could be until two years ago when he hurt his knee and needed an MRI. The technician cued up two of his discs, No Words and By Heart.

Brickman

“I never listen to something after I’ve already recorded it because then it’s out of me. I’ll play it in concert, but I don’t listen to the recording,” he said during a call from his Cleveland home. “There were a couple songs that I thought were beautiful.”

While fans have escaped through his music for three decades, it was the first time he found solace in his serene sound.

That one-hour test made Brickman recognize it was time to admit it: He was a stress junkie. The musician decided to make finding tranquility a priority.

His new project offers a soundtrack to relax to and advice on how to create quiet moments in stress-filled lives.

Brickman will play selections from Soothe — Music to Quiet Your Mind & Soothe Your World Volume 1 and read from a companion book, Soothe — How to Find Calm Amid Everyday Chaos, Wednesday, April 29, at 7 p.m. at Barnes & Noble University of Toledo Bookstore at the Gateway. Fans are advised to arrive early for the appearance, which will include an autograph session and photo opportunity.

To help gain control of his hectic life and share that message with others, he contacted professionals he featured on his syndicated radio show, “Your Weekend With Jim Brickman,” heard locally on 101.5 The River, to offer advice in the 192-page book. Chapters cover how to soothe your mornings, kingdom, family and relationships.

“I feel like almost everything in the book is relatable to most of us, especially for aging baby boomers,” he said.

Since his 1994 debut, the Cleveland native has sold more than seven million records with songs that inspire, heal and comfort. He has collaborated with a list of stars, including Martina McBride, Collin Raye, Jane Krakowski and Lady Antebellum.

“I really do believe in accomplishing whatever you set your mind to do,” Brickman said. “Because once you do and you see that’s possible and that it works, it changes the way you look at the world.”

Media Coverage
Toledo Free Press (April 25, 2015)

Explore the mysteries of the universe at The University of Toledo’s fourth annual Astronomy Day.

The free, public event on Saturday, April 25 will feature shows in the Ritter Planetarium and UT astronomers sharing their latest research using the Discovery Channel Telescope.

“Astronomy Day is an opportunity for us to invite young people to campus to learn about our solar system and to thank the community for their support of our programs,” said Alex Mak, UT associate planetarium director.

Shows featured during Astronomy Day will be:

•  “The Case of the Disappearing Planet” at 1 p.m. Join Skye Watcher as he explores what happened to the ex-planet Pluto as she tracks down clues that stretch back hundreds of years.

•  “Black Holes, The Other Side of Infinity” at 2 p.m. Narrated by actor Liam Neeson, this production features high-resolution visualizations of cosmic phenomena, working with data generated by computer simulations, to bring the current science of black holes to the dome screen.

•  “Scanning the Skies” at 3 p.m. This documentary produced by the Discovery Channel looks at the rich history of the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Ariz. and their decision to build a new state-of-the-art observatory in the Coconino National Forest.

Following the final documentary show, UT astronomers will talk about their role using the Discovery Channel Telescope and will share a few images they have taken. The day will conclude with a live feed from the telescope.

Throughout Astronomy Day, guests also will have the opportunity to tour the Ritter Planetarium’s one-meter telescope and use it to view Venus, weather permitting. And members of the Toledo Astronomical Association will be available to answer questions about telescopes and provide solar observing, weather permitting.

For more information about Astronomy Day and the Ritter Planetarium, visit utoledo.edu/nsm/rpbo.

Media Coverage
The Blade (April 23, 2015)

With 5 percent of the world’s population and 25 percent of the prison population, the United States ranks as the top incarcerator on the planet. The reasons for these statistics will be explored in a talk this week.

Dr. Marie Gottschalk will present a lecture titled “Caught: The Future of Penal Reform, the Carceral State and American Politics” Wednesday, April 22, at 7 p.m. in the Libbey Hall dining room.

A reception will precede the free, public event starting at 6:30 p.m. hosted by the School for Interdisciplinary Studies and the UT Inside/Out Prison Exchange Project.

The University of Pennsylvania political science professor published her most recent book, Caught: The Prison State and the Lockdown of American Politics, in 2014. In it, she examines the political dynamics that have resulted in growing numbers of people in the American prison system, significant racial disparities in those who are incarcerated, and other dramatic flaws in the criminal justice system. Her lecture will outline her basic argument and offer insights into reform initiatives.

Dr. Renee Heberle, UT interim director of the School for Interdisciplinary Studies, coordinator for the UT Inside/Out Prison Exchange Project, and professor of political science, said Gottschalk offers a challenging perspective on the American prison system; her book is receiving widespread acclaim.

“This book is receiving national attention and influencing the ongoing and increasingly urgent discussions about our broken criminal justice system,” Heberle said.

Gottschalk also has written The Prison and the Gallows: The Politics of Mass Incarceration in America and The Shadow Welfare State: Labor, Business, and the Politics of Health Care in the United States.

She is a former editor and journalist and worked as a university lecturer for two years in the People’s Republic of China. She also has served as a visiting scholar at the Russell Sage Foundation in New York and was named a Distinguished Lecturer in Japan by the Fulbright Program. She serves on the American Academy of Arts and Sciences National Task Force on Mass Incarceration and was a co-author of its report on the Causes and Consequences of High Rates of Incarceration.

Heberle is excited to welcome Gottschalk because she is also an instructor for the Inside/Out Prison Exchange Program at the University of Pennsylvania. This national initiative works to bring college courses into prisons and jails across the country. In The University of Toledo’s program, UT students and incarcerated students at the Toledo Correctional Institution take courses together each semester that work to foster intellectual development and break down barriers to human understanding.

“Many people are not aware of the depths of the crisis we face in our system of incarceration, even while it is dramatically affecting our ability to spend public resources on infrastructure, education and other public goods,” Heberle said. “We need to educate ourselves about this crucial aspect of our collective lives.”

For more information, contact Heberle at renee.heberle@utoledo.edu.

Hillary Clinton’s recent visit to Chipotle in Maumee brought national media attention to northwest Ohio. Commentary on Clinton’s fiscal policy, the driving theme behind her Presidential campaign and even an examination of what she ordered – a chicken burrito bowl – have appeared on numerous news broadcasts, web sites and blogs.

“Hillary Clinton is something of a pop culture icon, and the attention surrounding her visit increases awareness of the restaurant and creates a great deal of excitement,” said Dr. Ainsworth Bailey, associate professor of marketing at The University of Toledo. “We like to tell ourselves that we aren’t impacted by the habits of celebrities but the truth is, we are. If we weren’t, celebrity endorsements of brands and events would not exist.”

Celebrities, athletes and politicians alike have long been tied to the fashion, beauty and food industries whether as paid or, in the case of Clinton, accidental brand ambassadors.

“I think any kind of “celebrity effects,” in terms of increased visits, would be limited to the Maumee store, so people would be more likely to want to shop there as opposed to others in the Toledo area,” Bailey said. “Those who may not have been aware that there was a Chipotle in Maumee now know, and can visit.”

Bailey also explained how Clinton’s visit could be polarizing for some, due to political dynamics. It will increase interest for certain groups, and negatively impact others.

“I do not think there is going to be a sustained “Clinton effect,” though. However, if Hillary Clinton were to become President, the Maumee store could actually capitalize on that. ‘Congrats to the first female President. Thanks for having stopped in!’”

The University of Toledo Alumni Association and the Richard R. and Barbara R. Perry Program Excellence Fund are co-sponsoring “Alumni Sing for Alma Mater,” a free afternoon music performance.

“Alumni Sing for Alma Mater” will feature singers who are alumni of the university; each of whom have achieved success in opera, stage performance and the teaching of classical, Broadway and jazz.

The event will be 3 p.m. Sunday, April 26 in Doermann Theatre on the UT Main Campus. The concert will be followed by a reception in the lobby just outside the theatre. The event is free and open to the public.

Accomplished and renowned performers Michele Fredericks, Jo-Anne Chrysochoos, Jodi Jobuck, Joyce Rush, Kim Buehler, Sam Mason, Kevin Foos, Christopher Jakutowicz, Janet Ziegler, and Emily Holsclaw will entertain and educate with their vocal repertoire. Robert Ballinger, associate lecturer (piano, accompanying, music history, and music theory), will serve as accompanist.

Parking is free in the lots nearest University Hall, Areas 2, 13, 1N and 1S. A shuttle bus will transport guests from Area 17 outside the Driscoll Alumni Center to Doermann Theatre.

This event is free, but reservations are encouraged online at toledoalumni.org or by calling the Office of Alumni Relations at 419.530.2586 or 800.235.6766.