Dr. Cristina Sadowsky headshot.

Director’s Letter

I hope this email finds you enjoying the sunshine and warmer weather. And since spring has arrived, with it comes our latest newsletter—packed with growth, progress and news we’re excited to share from the International Center for Spinal Cord Injury (ICSCI). 

The beginning of 2026 has found the ICSCI very busy and active, not only in our community but across the nation. From professional conferences to publications to adaptive ski trips, we continue to be active participants in the local, national and international spinal cord community. 

And as we “spring forward” with our time keeping devices each March, I’d like to next underline how we spring forward with our clinical, research, advocacy and participation efforts. 

Please enjoy the spring weather, and we hope to see you in the next few months at one of our upcoming activities or events. 

Warm regards, 
Cristina Sadowsky 
Clinical Director, Co-Founder
International Center for Spinal Cord Injury Kennedy Krieger Institute

2026 Annual Trends in Spinal Cord Rehabilitation Symposium

On March 2, the ICSCI held its annual Trends in Spinal Cord Rehabilitation Symposium, hosted by Dr. Cristina Sadowsky, our co-founder and clinical director, and Dr. Rebecca Martin, our manager of clinical education and training. At each symposium, we award staff members who have provided outstanding service and leadership during the past year. This year’s award winners were: 

  • Occupational therapist Kristin Johnston, OTR/L, OTD, manager of therapy services at our White Marsh location, who received the Janet Dean Improving Lives Award, which acknowledges and honors a current Kennedy Krieger Institute employee who demonstrates consistent dedication to the center’s mission of improving lives
Kristin Johnston and Rebecca Holsinger.
  • Physical therapist Rebecca Holsinger, DPT, PT, NCS, CVTP who received the Leader in Spinal Cord Research and Education Award, in recognition of her outstanding dedication to improving scientific and educational knowledge within the spinal cord injury community 

This year’s presentations included: 

  • Gordon Mitchell, PhD (University of Florida): “Therapeutic Acute Intermittent Hypoxia: How Does It Work, How Well Does It Work, and What Are The Next Steps?”

  • Randy Trumbower, PT, PhD (MGH Institute of Health Professions): “Reclaiming Independence After Spinal Cord Injury: Using Therapeutic Intermittent Hypoxia to Drive Motor Recovery"

    Dr. Katherine Ellis and Dr. Cristina Sadowsky
  • Katherine Ellis, DPT (International Center for Spinal Cord Injury at Kennedy Krieger Institute): “Clinical Applications of AIH in Spinal Cord Injury Rehab”

Unite 2 Fight Paralysis 20th Annual Science & Advocacy Symposium

The Unite 2 Fight Paralysis 20th Annual Science & Advocacy Symposium took place Feb. 15–17 at the Renaissance Arlington Capital View Hotel just outside Washington, D.C. Nearly 250 people attended the two-day event. As a title sponsor, the ICSCI was represented at the conference by Dr. Cristina Sadowsky, and therapists Becca Martin, Becky Holsinger, Lia Brunn, Lizzie Neighbors, Jeremy Wallick, Natalie Albright and Scott Meyer. Becca Martin moderated a talk, “Emerging Spinal Cord Stimulation Strategies.” Jeremy Wallick and Katarina Stankovic also participated in the Roll on Capitol Hill event on Feb. 17 to meet with congressional staff and advocate for increased funding for spinal cord injury research.

Professorship Announcement

We are thrilled to announce that ICSCI Clinical Director, Dr. Cristina Sadowsky, has been promoted to the position of Professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Over the past 20 years, the ICSCI has flourished under her leadership. The center started with fewer than 10 employees at 707 North Broadway, and now has close to 150 spread out over four locations, treating more than 1,000 patients a year. 

Her promotion recognizes all of the exceptional work she has done, not only in developing this program, but also in her many contributions to the clinical and academic community pioneering innovation in spinal cord injury care and research

Poolside at Maple Lawn

The aquatic therapy center at our Maple Lawn location officially opened in June 2025. The center was made possible through the generosity of donors who advocated on behalf of our patients and understood the importance of aquatic therapy for individuals with paralysis in improving strength, endurance and mobility. During these initial nine months, over 120 patients have benefited from the new aquatic center, and we have completed more than 575 appointments. Since the new year, interest in aquatic therapy at Maple Lawn has grown tremendously, and we’ve been able to expand the center’s hours to meet the needs of even more patients.

Adaptive Sports Update

Team Kennedy Krieger at the Adaptive Sports Center.

Ski Travels

In January 2026, patients and staff members traveled to Crested Butte, Colorado, for a weeklong ski adventure at Adaptive Sports Center. The trip was filled with joy, determination and new experiences, as everyone hit the slopes and embraced the thrill of adaptive skiing. 

The following month, we hosted our local ski day at Whitetail Resort, with six adaptive participants along with many family members and friends. The weather was very cold, but everyone had a blast! 

Upcoming Events 

1st Pickleball Clinic at Dill Dinkers in White Marsh 
Wednesday, April 1, 5:30–7 p.m. 

  • Join us for an evening of pickleball open to players of all skill levels. A sports chair can be available upon request and provided on a first-come, first-served basis to help ensure accessibility for participants who may need it. If you have your own chair, please bring it. Registration required (use sign-up link below).
  • Pickleball 101 sign-up
  • Coached Open Play sign-up 

Coast Guard Marathon 
Sunday, April 12 

  • Five Team Kennedy Krieger athletes will be competing in the Coast Guard Marathon in North Carolina. Be sure to cheer on:
    • Jim Morrison
    • Yaz Yasir
    • Madeleine-Camille Preuninger
    • Jordan Christman
    • Jerry Sersen 

ROAR for Kids 
Sunday, April 12, at The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore 

  • Team ICSCI is participating to raise funds for our Adaptive Sports Program.
  • For more information and to join our team, visit: KennedyKrieger.org/ROARForKids

Team Kennedy Krieger Boston Marathon shirts.

Boston Marathon 
Monday, April 20 

  • Two Team Kennedy Krieger athletes, Jordan Christman (for the third year in a row) and Scott Sussman, will be competing in the Boston Marathon. If you purchased a limited-edition shirt to help support our athletes competing in the Boston Marathon, please wear your shirt on April 20 to help cheer them on! 

Future Events 

  • Wheelchair Lacrosse practice begins in May. Contact Thunderwclax@Gmail.com for more information
  • The Impossible Dream catamaran: June 2026 (exact date TBD) 

Get in Touch 

To inquire about any upcoming events or if you have any questions, please email us at: AdaptiveSports@KennedyKrieger.org 

And don’t forget to follow us on social media: 

  • Facebook: Team Kennedy Krieger Adaptive Sports
  • Instagram: TeamKennedyKrieger

Spinal Cord Injury Medicine Fellowship Program

Applications Open Soon! 

At the ICSCI, we are committed to increasing the number of patients we treat and training the next generation of physicians, physical therapists and occupational therapists in treating spinal cord injury and dysfunction.

The Spinal Cord Injury Medicine Fellowship Program at Kennedy Krieger Institute and The Johns Hopkins University was established in July 2007 under the auspices of the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation between Kennedy Krieger and Johns Hopkins Medicine. It is an ACGME-accredited program offering one fellowship position each year.

Applications open soon for next year’s fellowship. To learn more about the program, read the program’s newsletter. 

Publications

The International Spinal Cord Injury (InSCI) Community Survey group, whose four USA sites are led by Dr. Cristina Sadowsky, co-published several new, exciting articles in the Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 

They are all online ahead of print: