Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago, IL, is not just another rehabilitation center. It’s a groundbreaking medical and research hospital where the focus is on helping people recover better and faster. Ranked consistently as the No. 1 rehabilitation hospital in the U.S. by U.S. News & World Report, this facility is changing the way we think about recovery and mobility.
In this article, we’ll dive into what makes Shirley Ryan AbilityLab so unique, how it’s transforming the field of physical medicine and rehabilitation, and why patients from all over the world choose this Chicago-based hospital for their recovery journeys.
Located in the heart of downtown Chicago, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab is a one-of-a-kind rehab hospital that combines clinical care with scientific research under one roof.
Formerly known as the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC), the center was renamed in 2017 to honor philanthropist Shirley W. Ryan, whose generous support helped fund the creation of a next-generation rehabilitation hospital.
Here, the focus is on helping patients with brain injury, spinal cord injury, stroke, amputation, and other complex conditions regain their independence. But it’s not just about physical therapy — it’s about using science, technology, and real-time research to speed up recovery and improve outcomes.
Shirley Ryan AbilityLab is the first-ever “translational” research hospital in the world. What does that mean? It brings doctors, researchers, therapists, and engineers together to work side-by-side in the same space.
This setup allows discoveries in the lab to be tested and applied directly to patient care in real time — a model that bridges the gap between research and treatment.
In most hospitals, research happens far away from patient beds. At Shirley Ryan, researchers are embedded in the clinical environment, which means new ideas can be tried and refined quickly, directly benefiting patients.
To achieve its mission, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab is divided into five unique “Ability Labs”:
Each lab focuses on a specific condition or patient need. Inside these labs, patients receive therapy while surrounded by cutting-edge research and technology designed to support their specific rehabilitation goals.
The facility itself was built from the ground up to support healing. Bright, open spaces, natural light, and colorful therapy areas create a welcoming and inspiring environment for patients and families.
Patient rooms are designed with mobility in mind. There are therapy areas on each floor, so patients don’t have to go far to access treatment. This allows therapy to happen more often, increasing the chances of a better outcome.
The hospital treats a wide range of conditions, including:
Patients range in age from infants to older adults. Whether someone is recovering from a car accident or learning to walk again after a stroke, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab has personalized programs to meet their needs.
Technology plays a huge role in the care patients receive at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab. Some of the most advanced rehab tools and devices in the world are used here, including:
The hospital also uses AI and machine learning to analyze data from therapy sessions, which helps tailor treatment plans even more closely to individual needs.
Research is not just a side project here — it’s central to everything. Shirley Ryan AbilityLab publishes hundreds of peer-reviewed studies each year and leads many clinical trials to test new therapies, drugs, and devices.
Recent breakthroughs include:
This cutting-edge research helps improve care not only within the facility but also around the world, influencing how rehab is done globally.
Every year, thousands of patients walk through the doors of Shirley Ryan AbilityLab with the hope of getting their lives back. And many leave stronger, more confident, and with a new outlook on life.
Take, for example, Brian, a college athlete who suffered a traumatic brain injury in a car crash. When he arrived at Shirley Ryan, he couldn’t speak or walk. After months of hard work in the Brain Innovation Center, he’s now back at school, walking and talking again.
Or Maria, a stroke survivor in her 60s, who regained the ability to use her arm thanks to targeted therapy and real-time brain feedback.
These stories — and many more like them — highlight why this hospital is a beacon of hope for so many families.
Shirley Ryan AbilityLab has earned worldwide praise for its work. It has:
It’s not just a local Chicago hospital — it’s a global leader in rehabilitation medicine.
Admission to Shirley Ryan AbilityLab requires a referral from a physician and approval from the hospital’s admissions team. Here’s how the process generally works:
They also offer telehealth services, outpatient care, and day rehabilitation for those who don’t need inpatient care but still require expert support.
Shirley Ryan AbilityLab doesn’t stop caring after a patient leaves. They offer:
Recovery is a long journey, and Shirley Ryan understands that patients and families need ongoing guidance, even after discharge.
Looking ahead, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab continues to invest in biotech partnerships, artificial intelligence, and wearable rehab technologies that promise to make recovery even more efficient and personalized.
By staying at the cutting edge of science and patient care, this Chicago hospital is setting the bar higher — not just for rehabilitation, but for how we define what’s possible in human healing.
Shirley Ryan AbilityLab is more than just a place where people come to recover — it’s a place where science meets compassion, and where innovation meets determination. For anyone facing a life-altering injury or illness, this hospital offers more than just treatment. It offers hope, possibility, and real results.
With its strong reputation, groundbreaking work, and unwavering focus on the patient, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab is a shining example of how medicine can evolve — and how lives can be transformed in the process.
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