State College (August 2001)— A contingent of professionals from Magee Rehabilitation Hospital will attend Penn State’s opening game against Miami at Beaver Stadium in State College on September 1. The Magee group will be there to cheer on former Magee patient Adam Taliaferro as he leads his teammates onto the field.

Taliaferro was injured in the closing moments of the Penn State-Ohio State game on September 23, 2000. He received immediate expert medical attention on the field, and was transported to Ohio State Medical Center where he underwent successful spinal fusion surgery. Soon after, he was transferred to Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, and was admitted to Magee in October 2000. Magee and Thomas Jefferson University Hospital comprise the Regional Spinal Cord Injury Center of Delaware Valley, one of only 16 model SCI centers in the United States.

Despite a challenging initial prognosis, Adam Taliaferro ended his inpatient stay at Magee Rehabilitation Hospital in January 2001. Using crutches, he left Magee on his own two feet. Taliaferro now walks unassisted and has since resumed his freshman class schedule at Penn State. Although he is unable to play football, he has rejoined his teammates in an advisory capacity.

Jerry Segal, Magee’s leading benefactor and a fellow Magee patient, was Adam’s mentor and inspiration in the rehab process. He will be on hand to see Adam emerge from the tunnel. Segal was at Adam’s side from the very beginning, urging him to make the most of his athletic ability and determination in order to assure his recovery.

Members of Taliaferro’s treatment team attending will be: Magee physiatrist Michael Saulino, MD, Ph.D.; Magee Spinal Cord Injury Program Director Mary Schmidt-Read; Magee physical therapists Amy Bratta and Cheryl West, and Magee rehab attendant Dave Wilcher. Magee Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Loretta M. McLaughlin, and Ronald W. Siggs, Vice President, Development and Marketing will also attend.