Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital
Non-profit rehabilitation system delivering specialized therapies
Information Technology Intern
About the job
- Completed coursework in information technology.
- Be a junior- or senior-level student at an accredited college.
- Be proficient with Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, and Outlook.
- Communicate effectively verbally and in writing, including explaining complex technical concepts to technical and non-technical audiences.
- Demonstrate initiative and responsibility, manage multiple tasks, attend to detail, meet deadlines, adapt quickly to changes, and respond well to feedback.
- Exert up to 35 pounds of force occasionally; lift, carry, push, and pull up to 35 pounds occasionally; sit for extended periods with some walking or standing; and use a keyboard frequently.
- Work a required number of hours while coordinating with the supervisor to avoid conflicts with academic participation in classes.
- Follow all Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital policies and procedures.
- Support day-to-day operational needs of the Mary Free Bed IT Department and project-based tasks.
- Assist with installation and maintenance of physical networking infrastructure.
- Analyze existing processes and recommend efficiency improvements.
- Assist with IT asset inventory management and support hardware deployment projects.
- Support project management functions.
- Validate IT solutions and project deliverables.
- Create and maintain technology documentation for internal and external audiences.
- Identify problems and seek solutions as part of quality improvement.
- Promote patient and family satisfaction where possible, and participate in departmental efforts to monitor and report customer service.
- Promote teamwork and direct communication with coworkers, and handle confidential information discreetly and sensitively.
- Participate in a formal evaluation midway through and at the end of the internship in relation to individual learning goals.
About the company
Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital is a nonprofit rehabilitation system in Grand Rapids, Michigan, offering more than 100 specialized rehab programs for conditions like brain injuries, strokes, spinal cord injuries, amputations, cancer, and COVID-19. It delivers care through its own hospitals and the Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Network, extending expertise to over 30 acute-care hospitals across Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, and Virginia. A multidisciplinary team designs individualized rehab plans across physical, occupational, speech, and related therapies to restore function and independence. Its mission-focused rehabilitation approach and broad regional network aim to achieve strong clinical results and renewed hope for patients and families.
Company Size
1,001-5,000
Company Stage
Grant
Total Funding
$3M
Headquarters
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Founded
1891
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- Kent County approved $60 million bonds on August 27, 2026 for upgrades.
- East Beltline Northeast opened in May 2026 as Mary Free Bed's fifth outpatient site.
- Mary Free Bed began using ONWARD's ARC-EX system in May 2026 for spinal cord therapy.
What critics are saying
- The $60 million bond issue adds long-term fixed debt through 2056.
- Nursing commitments can break down, leaving vacancies and slowing 2026-2028 expansion.
- Persistent staffing shortages can cut census and threaten Mary Free Bed's rehabilitation model.
What makes Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital unique
- Mary Free Bed operates 120 specialized rehabilitation programs across inpatient and outpatient care.
- East Beltline Northeast bundles therapy, orthotics, prosthetics, and bionics in one site.
- GVSU and Cornerstone partnerships lock in nurses through tuition-for-service pipelines.
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Benefits
Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Paid Vacation
Paid Holidays
Student Loan Assistance
Tuition Reimbursement
Growth & Insights and Company News
6 month growth
5%1 year growth
5%2 year growth
5%Vandalia Health, Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation break ground on $50 million hospital in Charleston. October 7, 2026 - 2:50 pm CHARLESTON, W.Va. - CAMC/Vandalia Health is expanding its footprint in the Capital City with a new $50 million rehabilitation hospital. The organization is collaborating with Michigan-based Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation for the project, a partnership launched in January last year. Local leaders joined Vandalia Health and Mary Free Bed officials on Wednesday to officially break ground on the project at the corner of Washington Street and Morris Street in Charleston. The site is located just across the street from the CAMC General Hospital. The 93,000 square foot facility will be dedicated towards providing comprehensive rehabilitation care. CAMC/Vandalia Health General Hospital Chief Administrative Officer Heidi Edwards said while they currently offer such services throughout the Vandalia system, this new facility will meet a growing demand. "You never know when you're going to need inpatient rehab," Edwards said. "It could be a car wreck; it could be many of the different scenarios that happen in life that you don't expect. Our current inpatient rehab has served many patients over the last 40 years. The issue is it only has 25 beds. We have a greater need in this community." Edwards said it's all about centralizing the care. She said this facility will do just that. "To be able to provide both inpatient and outpatient services in one facility and keep our patients here in this community is going to be huge," Edwards said. "With state-of-the-art technology, innovative care, and outstanding clinicians, it's just the right time to do the right thing for our community." Mary Free Bed began in Grand Rapids, Michigan 138 years ago, founded by a group of women. Current Chief Operating Officer Bruce Brasser said the founding women launched a fundraiser calling upon families to donate 10 cents if they had a family member named Mary. From there, those women created a guild that serves as the community representatives for the modern-day Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital. Brasser expressed optimism for the expansion into the Capital City. 'We are going to be expanding access to rehabilitation care for patients here in Charleston and surrounding communities," Brasser explained. "Mary Free Bed is a rehabilitation hospital only. We're passionate about caring for patients that have these needs, and we are very pleased to be partnering with Vandalia to make that happen." Brasser said he's spent a quarter century working with Mary Free Bed and had a unique first experience with their services. "My background is a nurse, and my first experience with Mary Free Bed and a rehabilitation hospital was as a parent whose child needed care," Brasser said. "25 years ago this week, I joined Mary Free Bed and have been able to see us grow tremendously and serve more patients." Edwards pointed out that sometimes, West Virginians may have to go out of state to receive care. This is a dedicated effort to keep those people in West Virginia with more healthcare offerings. "When you're talking about spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, those types of injuries, and being able to have the comprehensive care, a lot of people, we don't have the level of access that's needed," Edwards said. "So, a lot of people do go out of state for that care. But that's a very a huge stress for families. It's an out-of-pocket expense to stay somewhere. So, being able to be right here at home in the community, with people that they know and people that they trust, that makes a difference." Also at the groundbreaking celebration, two-time stroke survivor Marshall Murray gave a speech. He serves as the director for the local Martin Luther King Jr. Male Chorus. He received care within the CAMC/Vandalia system for his second stroke and said it was a night-and-day difference from the first stroke care. "I've got friendships with a lot of the staff and stuff now that I didn't have with the first one," Murray said. "I couldn't tell you one name of the first one. So, I'm tickled to death. I stop by every now and then to try to see patients and tell them, 'Hey, I was you, and I'm up.' If you do what they tell you, you'll make it." Construction on the facility is set to be complete in 2029.
Brave the Shave celebrates Corewell Health Helen DeVos Children's Hospital, Mary Free Bed. Posted: Aug 27, 2026 / 11:49 AM EDT Updated: Aug 27, 2026 / 11:49 AM EDT GEORGETOWN TOWNSHIP, Mich. (ABC 4) - At a recent golf fundraiser near Grand Rapids, local nonprofit Brave the Shave awarded checks to two of their partners for helping provide support for child patients: Corewell Health Helen DeVos Children's Hospital and Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation. Resources that Brave the Shave offers to patients and their families include funding for travel expenses, mortgages, utilities and more. "We help families and pay for things that insurance doesn't," said Pat Schrager, founder of Brave the Shave. Through its partnerships with Corewell Health Helen DeVos Children's Hospital and Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation, Brave the Shave helps take part of the financial burden away from patients and their families. "(Brave the Shave) provides our patients and their families with financial relief during their cancer journey," said Melissa Wittlinger, pediatric cancer and blood disorders coordinator with Corewell Health. To celebrate these partnerships, Brave the Shave awarded $25,000 to Mary Free Bed and $40,000 to Corewell Health Helen DeVos Children's Hospital.
Growing recognition: 12 Mary Free Bed physicians named Top Doctors. August 12, 2026 GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., July 7, 2026 - Physicians at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation occupy 12 spots on Grand Rapids Magazine's Top Doctors list, doubling last year's total. This reflects the growing recognition of Mary Free Bed's expertise in rehabilitation care. The annual list highlights physicians across West Michigan who are nominated by their peers for clinical excellence and compassionate care. Mary Free Bed's honorees represent a wide range of specialties in rehabilitation that support patients recovering from injury, illness or complex medical conditions. "We're proud to see our physicians recognized by their peers, because it reflects the way they show up for patients every day," said Emily DeFouw, vice president of Mary Free Bed Medical Group. "This recognition speaks to their expertise, but just as important, their commitment to listening, building trust and helping people move forward with hope and greater independence." The Top Docs list is compiled by Professional Research Services, which surveys physicians throughout Kent, Ottawa, Muskegon and Allegan counties. Participants vote for peers they believe deliver outstanding care across 71 specialties. The final list is reviewed and verified to ensure each physician is in good standing with the state of Michigan. For patients and families across West Michigan, this recognition reinforces access to trusted rehabilitation care close to home. Mary Free Bed physicians work with patients in both inpatient and outpatient settings, guiding them through recovery with personalized treatment plans that support physical, emotional and functional progress. Mary Free Bed physicians named Top Docs. Kelly Armstrong, M.D., specializes in musculoskeletal medicine and interventional spine care, helping patients manage pain and improve mobility through targeted, evidence-based treatments. Benjamin Bruinsma, M.D., Mary Free Bed's chief medical officer, focuses on amputee and stroke rehabilitation. He leads interdisciplinary programs that support patients throughout their lifetime, helping them reach meaningful goals after life-changing conditions. Douglas Henry, M.D., provides pediatric rehabilitation care for children with complex physical and cognitive needs, including cerebral palsy, chronic pain conditions and traumatic injuries. Kyle Josephson, M.D., offers expertise in spine and musculoskeletal conditions, including electrodiagnostic testing and ultrasound-guided procedures to support accurate diagnosis and treatment. Naomi Kaplan, M.B.B.S., specializes in cancer and chronic pain rehabilitation, helping patients navigate symptoms related to treatment as they go about their daily lives. Andrea Kuldanek, M.D., focuses on pediatric rehabilitation, specializing in treating brain injuries and neurological conditions in children. Christopher Morelli, D.O., provides interventional spine care, sports medicine and musculoskeletal treatments, helping patients return to activities safely and confidently. Christopher Rizik, D.O., treats spine and musculoskeletal conditions using a combination of diagnostic tools and targeted therapies to improve function and reduce pain. Bridget Rizik, M.D., specializes in brain injury and stroke rehabilitation, supporting patients through recovery with coordinated inpatient and outpatient care. Yunna Sinskey, M.D., focuses on amputee rehabilitation for both adults and children, helping patients adapt and regain independence after limb loss. Meagan Smith, D.O., leads cancer rehabilitation efforts as director of the Betty Bloomer Ford Cancer Rehabilitation Program, supporting patients through treatment and recovery. Jonathan VandenBerg, D.O., specializes in spinal cord injury care and complex rehabilitation, working with patients to build strength, function and independence. About Mary Free Bed Medical Group Mary Free Bed has more than 300 physicians and advanced practice providers across its system, including two dozen psychologists. Together, they offer comprehensive rehabilitation services for adults and children. Its physicians lead teams of therapists, nurses and specialists who work closely with patients and their support systems to set goals and create a personalized path forward. Whether care begins in the hospital or an outpatient setting, the focus stays the same: restoring hope and freedom through rehabilitation.
Grand Rapids hospital ranked No. 1 in Michigan for rehabilitation services. Posted: Aug 11, 2026 / 03:29 PM EDT Updated: Aug 11, 2026 / 03:29 PM EDT GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - In a recent scoring of rehabilitation hospitals nationwide from U.S. News & World Report, Mary Free Bed Grand Rapids was ranked No. 1 in the state of Michigan. "This recognition reflects the extraordinary people who make Mary Free Bed what it is," said Kent Riddle, president and CEO of Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital, in a statement. "Every day, our teams bring expertise, compassion and determination to help patients and families move forward. We're honored to be recognized nationally for the impact our teams make in the lives of the people we serve." This is the sixth consecutive year that Mary Free Bed has been recognized by U.S. News & World Report, with Mary Free Bed Grand Rapids ranked No. 17 nationally. At each of its locations, Mary Free Bed provides medical services for thousands of patients who are recovering from stroke, brain injury, amputation and more.
Mary Free Bed recognized among nation's leading Rehabilitation Hospitals. August 4, 2026 GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - U.S. News & World Report has ranked Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital as number 17 in its 2026-27 Best Rehabilitation Hospitals rankings. In the state of Michigan, Mary Free Bed Grand Rapids ranked number 1, and Mary Free Bed at Munson ranked number 4. The recognition marks the sixth consecutive year Mary Free Bed has been ranked among the nation's top 20 rehabilitation hospitals. Among the 1,131 hospitals evaluated nationwide, Mary Free Bed ranked in the top one percent and is the top rehabilitation hospital in Michigan. For patients and families facing a life-changing injury, illness or diagnosis, finding the right rehabilitation program can make a meaningful difference in their recovery and future independence. Rankings like U.S. News & World Report are designed to help patients, families and physicians identify hospitals equipped to care for individuals with complex conditions and rehabilitation needs. As recognition grows, so does awareness of the specialized rehabilitation services available to patients and families across Michigan and beyond. Each year, Mary Free Bed team members care for thousands of people recovering from stroke, brain injury, spinal cord injury, amputation and other medically complex conditions. Through specialized inpatient rehabilitation, outpatient therapy and Orthotics & Prosthetics + Bionics, clinicians are helping patients regain function, confidence and independence after some of life's most challenging events. "This recognition reflects the extraordinary people who make Mary Free Bed what it is," said Kent Riddle, president and CEO. "Every day, our teams bring expertise, compassion and determination to help patients and families move forward. We're honored to be recognized nationally for the impact our teams make in the lives of the people we serve." Since 1891, Mary Free Bed has grown from a single bed in Grand Rapids into one of the nation's leading rehabilitation systems. Today, more than 120,000 patients each year receive care through a growing network of inpatient, outpatient and specialized rehabilitation services designed to meet people where they are on their recovery journey. About Mary Free Bed. Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation is a not-for-profit, internationally accredited and nationally recognized leader in rehabilitation. What started with a single bed in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in 1891 has grown to a rehabilitation system with more than 2,500 team members across 70 locations in Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Virginia and West Virginia. Last year, Mary Free Bed restored hope and freedom through rehabilitation for more than 120,000 children and adults. With more than 120 specialized medical and sports rehabilitation programs and an exclusive focus on rehabilitation, its specialized teams help patients achieve extraordinary clinical results. U.S. News & World Report and Newsweek rate Mary Free Bed as a national Best Rehabilitation Hospital for 2025-26. To learn more or schedule care, visit maryfreebed.com.