At ALYN Hospital, 2021 flew by in the blink of an eye, despite battling waves of COVID with the challenges of worrying about patients’ health, dealing with staff quarantines and working with cumbersome protective gear. At ALYN, we were determined to see the children’s future assured by continuing to provide the highest levels of rehabilitation, medical and educational services.

In 2021, over 3,000 children received inpatient care or were seen in ALYN Hospital’s various clinics and services. In addition, we:

• launched several new services including our Swallow Study Lab, which is the first child-friendly and special-needs oriented radiology environment for assessing swallowing issues,
• used our advanced Motion Analysis Lab to identify children who can benefit from inserting Deep Brain Stimulators (in cooperation with Hadassah Medical Center) to treat intractable dystonia, a motor condition which is painful and debilitating,
• launched the ALYN Pediatric Rehabilitation Research Center (PARC) with the support of The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust, which has generously gifted us with funds to establish a solid clinical research center. With this in place, we will now pursue national and international research grants,
• published several papers on our experience over the pandemic, especially regarding the way Remote Therapy was used to preserve and enhance our work during lockdowns and quarantines,
• held remote trainings through our Educational Center for health care, education and welfare professionals across Israel on a variety of topics,
• produced numerous assistive-technology solutions in ALYN’s Innovation Space to address the day-to-day challenges of children with disabilities,
• developed a year-round program in the Maslul Afterschool Therapeutic Sports Center,
• expanded our cultural competency program with additional Arabic interpreters, reaffirming our commitment to inclusion and welcoming children of all cultures and nationalities.

Looking forward to the year ahead, ALYN Hospital’s 90^th anniversary year, we are excited to share that we are planning to:

• renovate and expand the Respiratory Rehabilitation Department,
• install a new state-of-the-art medical nutritional formula kitchen for our tube-fed and specialty care children,
• create a new Child & Family Outdoor Recreation and Leisure Area,
• remodel the entrance hall to create a warm, welcoming, child-friendly space.

As we move into 2022, we remind ourselves that children who need rehabilitation cannot wait for times to get better. It is our challenge to make the HERE and NOW better for children facing disease, disability and discouragement, and to turn their world into a place of opportunity, hope and independence.

Your support is what enables us to make this happen!

With gratitude,

Maurit Beeri

Director General of ALYN Hospital