It’s been a year since Daemen University opened the doors of the Kennedy Institute for Mobility Innovation & Technology at Villa Maria College with Buffalo Rehab Group.
Seven years in the making, grounded in the four pillars of Clinical Care, Advocacy, Research, and Education (CARE), the Kennedy Institute has been bustling with patients of all abilities and diagnoses since its doors opened in April 2025. It’s an upbeat space featuring state-of-the-art robotic devices and assistive technology and is staffed with compassionate physical therapists dedicated to improving the lives of others.
From welcoming the first patients, to an increase in organic referrals and an ongoing need to increase staff, word is spreading quickly about the unique benefits of the Kennedy Institute. “We are beyond pleased with the growth and outcome of the Kennedy Institute since our inaugural day of treatment began,” said Dr. Michael Brogan, executive vice president for academic affairs and provost. “We couldn’t be more proud of how the institute has evolved in such a short period of time.”
Patient feedback has been incredibly positive. Parents of a patient with a neurologic condition who has regular appointments with Tom Danat Jr., PT, DPT, clinical director of the Kennedy Institute, recently told him that they’ve seen things click with their daughter since she’s been going to the institute. “They’re seeing carryover for the first time in over a year, including an improvement in her walking ability, that they haven’t experienced before. This is wonderful to hear because it means we’re doing something right,” said Danat.
The institute not only benefits patients through post-acute physical therapy rehabilitation, it also provides physical therapy students with hands-on patient care experience, including clinical reasoning, chart review, and interpreting diagnoses and treatments. “To finally be up and running as a resource for students is huge,” said Danat.
Donors have been instrumental in driving the Kennedy Institute forward. “Donors are everything to the institute,” said Dr. Greg Ford, founding dean of the Scott Bieler College of Health Professions and executive director of the Kennedy Institute. “Without their generosity to help support operational costs, we couldn’t function. They’ve created critical momentum to ensure our long-term sustainability and growth.”
The ongoing collaboration between Daemen and Buffalo Rehab Group has positively impacted patient care. “These two units work so well together,” said Ford. “It’s been great observing how they bounce ideas off each other and learn from each other as physical therapists to improve overall patient care.”
The Kennedy Institute is one of a limited number of facilities across the country that features state-of-the-art equipment and technology, including the Hocoma Lokomat®, the world’s leading robotic exoskeleton; the AlterG® Anti-Gravity Treadmill™, which uses NASA differential air pressure technology; Bioness Vector®; and Restorative Therapies Xcite®.
There is something for every patient at the Kennedy Institute. “Regardless of where they are in their journey and what they’re dealing with, we can help,” Danat said.
