December 6, 2023

PM&R Receives Legacy Gift for Research About Adults with Cerebral Palsy

Adults with Cerebral Palsy face unique challenges as they age. The Adults with Pediatric Onset Disabilities Group in PM&R at Michigan Medicine/The University of Michigan has been a leader in discovering and describing the health issues associated with growing up with Cerebral Palsy. Mr. Paul Hansen recognized the value of this work and has made a Legacy Gift of $100,000 from his estate to the department of PM&R to help support this work.

Paul, a Nebraska native, had a long and successful career in the logistics and supply chain industry. He has a passion for helping others - including students, nurses, researchers, physicians, and other healthcare professionals. He was born with cerebral palsy and has been served by our Adults with Cerebral Clinic.

We really appreciate the future support Paul has given to our research efforts. These funds will be used as an endowment to support our growing presence in the Cerebral Palsy Research Network, a national network of medical centers that treat cerebral palsy. The network includes many centers that have clinics that provide care for adults as well as children.  Many thanks to Paul Hansen for this wonderful gift!

The Adults with Pediatric Onset Disability Group includes Drs. Heidi Haapla, Ed Hurvitz, Mark Peterson, Mary Schmidt, Brigid Waldron-Perrine, and Dan Whitney, as well as therapists Dayna Ryan and Mary Meyer. Michigan’s Cerebral Palsy Research Network site leader is Dr. Angel Bowman, who collaborates with Dr. Neena Marupudi of Neurosurgery and Dr. Noelle Whyte of Orthopedics.

On the left is a photo of a post-it note that says thank you! The right side contains text quoted from the article body.