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OUR MISSION

The mission of The Rehabilitation Institute Foundation is to manage foundation assets as a permanent endowment to provide long term financial support for comprehensive medical and vocational rehabilitation services historically provided by The Rehabilitation Institute for children and adults with disabilities in the greater Kansas City metropolitan community.

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Building Brighter Futures

We help the organizations that provide medical and vocational rehabilitation to children and adults so they can live successful and fulfilling lives

Our History

 

To ensure that children and adults with disabilities would always be able to receive the needed comprehensive medical and vocational rehabilitation services in the Kansas City metro community, regardless of any changes the rehabilitation services environment, The Rehabilitation Institute Foundation was formed in 1990 by the board of directors of one of the premiere rehabilitation facilities in the metro area at that time, the Rehabilitation Institute. Ownership of financial assets was transferred to the foundation to manage as a permanent endowment along with the building and property at 3011 Baltimore. The foundation was incorporated as a separate legal entity with a self-perpetuating board of directors. 

 

Along with supporting the continued growth of the endowment, the foundation was charged with supporting metro Kansas City rehabilitation services and to carry out or support research and professional education that fosters the advancement of rehabilitation services. 

 

In 2017 the foundation affiliated with the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation.  This relationship was undertaken to further support the goals of the foundation by remaining a public charity (as a Type 1 509a3 organization) and to have access to resources that would ensure that the foundation’s mission and purpose continue to be aligned with and can address the challenges faced by the children and adults in our community with disabilities.

 

Through effective management of the foundation’s assets and with the oversight of its board of directors, the RIF has provided over $18 million dollars in cumulative support though 2023.

 

The Rehabilitation Institute Foundation’s goal remains to be to ensure that the programs and services historically provided by The Rehabilitation Institute of Kansas City remain available for people with disabilities in the Kansas City metropolitan community.

Our Board Members

Howard (Buddy) Jones, Board President

 

Buddy joined Rehabilitation Institute Foundation board in 1998 after first joining the Rehabilitation Institute Board in 1991 where he served as board chair and treasurer. His other not for profit board service includes the National Down Syndrome Congress Foundation, Health Midwest System, Operation Discovery School and St. Michael's Day School. His dedication to medical and vocational rehabilitation was amplified by the birth of his son who happened to have Down syndrome. He is a retired Vice President of Hallmark Cards Inc and has BSIM and MBA degrees from the University of Arkansas.

Beth Shand Hall, Board Vice President

 

Beth joined Rehabilitation Institute Foundation board in 2006. Prior to that she served on the board of Rehabilitation Institute (now AbilityKC) from 1991 to 1996 and served as Vice Chairman. Other not for profit board service includes chairing the board of Harvesters, the Community Food Network, the Women's Employment Network, and Powell Gardens. She retired as Sr. Vice President of Seafield Capital Corporation (formerly BMA). Her professional and volunteer interests have focused on individual and organization development opportunities and she is inspired by the achievements of people with disabilities as they meet their challenges. She received her BA from Duke University and MBA from Southern Methodist University.

Edward J. (Ned) Reitzes, Board Vice President and Investment Manager

 

Ned joined the Rehabilitation Foundation Board in 2009.  His professional career consists of wealth management, financial planning and legal services for individuals and small businesses. Other community service includes past chairman and current member of Overland Park Planning Commission, past board member of Village Shalom and volunteer at Ronald McDonald House, Harvesters, and Johnso County Community College. Ned has a B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania, an M.B.A. from the University of Kansas, and received his J.D. from Washington University in St. Louis. Ned's passion consists of using his wealth management and legal skills to help the foundation successfully achieve its mission to support vocational and medical rehabilitation services in the Kansas City metropolitan area.

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Teri Salach, Board Secretary

 

Teri joined the Rehabilitation Institute Foundation board in 2013.  Teri is a Senior Vice President, Wealth Advisor and Portfolio Management Director at Morgan Stanley, were she serves as a retirement planner and investment manager for clients. Prior employment was with Hallmark Cards in IT and Marketing. Teri has BS in mathematics from Central Michigan University and a CIMA from Wharton School of Business.Teri's community activities include Girl Scouts and community education through the Church of the Resurrection. Teri's personal relationship with friends who have had life-changing benefits from utilizing rehabilitation services has impacted her desire to support these services in the Kansas City area.

Michael Biagioli, Board Treasurer

 

Mike has been on the Rehabilitation Institute Foundation board since 2009. As the Treasurer he is involved in financial statement and 990 tax document preparation as well as cash management activities for the foundation. Michael retired from Hallmark Cards and Crown Center Redevelopment Corporation in 2017 after more than 31 years of service in the financial and operational disciplines. After more than 10 years with the RIF, Michael continues to enjoy partnering with board members to contribute toward making a difference in the lives of children and adults with disabilities.

Sara Baker, Board Member

Sara joined the Rehabilitation Institute Foundation in 2018.  Her professional career includes over 30 years of experience as a rehabilitation service provider and administrator, including 31 years at AbilityKC, 25 of which were in leadership roles, with her final position as COO. She currently conducts research in multiple sclerosis treatment. She received her BA from the University of Northern Iowa and her MA from the University of Kansas Medical Center, both in Speech/Language Pathology and is licensed to practice in Kansas and Missouri. Sara's current community service includes board membership for Falling Forward Foundation and as a volunteer at the American Stroke Foundation.  Previous board service includes the American Stroke Foundation, Mid America MS Achievement Center and Stokes of Support.  She has also served on the clinical advisory committee of the Mid-America MS Society Chapter. Having seen first-hand the impact of rehabilitation services, Sara is pleased to be able to continue to support rehabilitation services through the work of the Foundation.

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Charles (Chuck) Connely IV, Board Member

 

Chuck joined the Rehabilitation Institute Foundation in 2012. Currently, he is an Associate Teaching Professor at the University of Missouri — Kansas City, Henry W. Bloch School of Management. Previously, he served as the Director of the Lewis White Real Estate Center. He has served on the CCIM Institute national board of directors and as its Treasurer. He also has served as the Past President of the CCIM Kansas City Chapter. He retired as the General Manager of Butler Real Estate (a subsidiary of Butler Manufacturing Company, a BlueScope Steel Company). Chuck has a BBA and MBA from the University of Missouri — Kansas City and is a graduate of the Stonier Graduate School Banking from Georgetown University. He holds a CCIM and previously held the CFP, CPM designations.

Henry (Butch) Dougherty, Board Member

Butch has been on the Rehabilitation Institute Foundation Board since 2017.  Prior to joining the Board, he served on the Board of AbilityKC (formerly the Rehabilitation Institute of Kansas City) for over twenty years and was Board Chair for one year.  Currently, he is a Partner at B+A Architecture. Prior to this position he was the Director of Architectural Services at Selective Site Consultants and a Senior VP at Gould Evans.  While he has been involved in a variety of project types, he has been devoted to the evaluation and the improvement of accessibility to facilities per the Americans with Disabilities Act for over twenty-five years. In addition to his work with AbilityKC and the Foundation, he has been very involved with the Optimist Club as past president and currently the treasurer. 

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Shelly Rout McVay, Board Member

 

Shelly joined Rehabilitation Institute Foundation board in 2018. Other not for profit board service includes Kansas City Young Matrons, National Charity League, Blue Valley North High School, Inclusion Connections and International Trade Council Kansas City. Shelly retired from 30 years in various marketing-related ventures at Hallmark Cards Inc. and as a full-time Assistant Professor of Business at William Jewell College. She holds a BBA from Baylor University and an MBA degree from Rockhurst University. Her youngest daughter, who has Down syndrome, helps drive her commitment to helping those needing medical and vocational rehabilitation.

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Atul T. Patel, MD, Board Member

Dr. Patel joined the Rehabilitation Institute Foundation board in 2021. He is a practicing physiatrist (rehabilitation specialist) and the Vice President of Kansas City Bone and Joint Clinic, PA. He is a Research Associate Professor in the School of Medicine at the University of Missouri Kansas City. Dr. Patel received his medical degree from Baylor College of Medicine and completed his physiatry residency at the University of Washington.  His clinical areas of interest are wide-ranging and encompass nerve and muscle diseases, musculoskeletal medicine, and general neuro-rehabilitation medicine. He is active in several professional organizations, including the American Association of Neuromuscular & Electrodiagnostic Medicine (AANEM), the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (AAPMR), and the American Board of Electrodiagnostic Medicine (ABEM).  He serves on several committees and is on the board of the AAPMR. He has authored several journal articles and book chapters and lectures regularly on electrodiagnosis, sonography, neurotoxins, and various other subjects.

Dr. Patel has spent his professional career focused on improving the lives of people with disabilities. He hopes to use his experience and knowledge to help the Foundation make decisions to appropriately allocate funds for comprehensive medical and vocational services.

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Kathy Smith, Board Member

Kathy joined the board in 2018 and is retired from a career focused on assisting individuals with disabilities in achieving their career goals. She has consulted with businesses on inclusion of individuals with disabilities and developed human services programs in urban and rural areas. Other not for profit board service includes the Center for Disability Inclusion and the Association of Persons Supporting Employment First. Kathy received her bachelor’s degree in Rehabilitation Services from Emporia State University, her Master of Public Administration from the University of Kansas and certification as an ADA Coordinator from the University of Missouri.

Emeritus Directors

The Rehabilitation Institute Foundation is pleased to have the support of former board members who, due to their continuing interest in the foundation and its mission, serve as advisors to the current board members.

 

 

 

Directors Emeriti:

 

Scott Adams

Debra Box

Steve Liggett

John Parker

George Parkins II, MD

Margo Shepard

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Supporting the Rehabilitation Institute Foundation's mission to help people with disabilities receive the services they deserve

 

Your support ensures our long-term ability to fund programs and provide equipment for organizations in our community.  We pride ourselves in keeping essential services available that otherwise may not find funding.

 

100% of your contribution goes to the mission of supporting children and adults with disabilities.  The foundation is a volunteer organization with no paid employees.

There are several options for supporting the Rehabilitation Institute Foundation including one time or automatically recurring donations and planned or legacy giving.

To make a donation use the DONATE button below.

To learn more about planned and legacy giving opportunities, use the PLANNED GIVING button below.

Thank you in advance for your generous support that allows us to make a difference in the lives of people and their families each year.

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