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Daemen College to open new robotic-assisted rehabilitation facility in Spring 2022

Andrew Mangan, a tall white man with brown hair, wearing a white dress shirt, speaks in front of a blue Daemen backdrop.
Emyle Watkins
/
WBFO
Andrew Mangan shared his experience trying to find advanced continued rehabilitation services in WNY after a spinal cord injury.

This story originally aired on June 30, 2021.

On Tuesday, Daemen College unveiled plans for a new robotic-assisted rehabilitation facility that will open in Spring 2022. The college shared what it will mean not only for the region, but most importantly what it will mean to the people served.

Andrew Mangan, who shared his story, is one of the people who could benefit from a center like this one. After a spinal cord injury, Mangan came back to Western New York only to end up searching seemingly everywhere for the equipment and resources he needed to continue his rehabilitation, without much luck. He believes this institute will be a gamechanger for many patients.

“I think this is a great opportunity not only for the students who can experience firsthand with the patients, but also for the patients who get new eyes, get young energize therapists working with them every day," said Mangan.

Both the Town of Amherst and Daemen see this as an innovative opportunity to expand medical offerings around what they are calling the I-290 medical spine. Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the college Dr. Michael Brogan says the institute will be an opportunity shared by many in the community.

"Individuals, local healthcare systems, researchers, area colleges and universities, and community based clinicians will have access to this premier facility in a collaborative, non-competitive manner. Our intent is to provide access and resources to the under-served and those in need. Nothing like this exists in our region today," said Brogan.

The institute is expected to open in the spring of 2022 and will treat a variety of conditions including spinal cord injuries, stoke and cerebral palsy.

Emyle Watkins is an investigative journalist covering disability for WBFO.