Foundation 214 has awarded a $300,000 grant to the Todd & Leslie Shatkin Institute for Mobility Innovation and Technology (IMIT) at Daemen College.
To date, more than $1.8 million has been raised for the ambitious venture, which is set to open in the summer of 2022.
Michael Brogan, announcing IMIT, June 29, 2021
To be devoted to the diagnosis and treatment of neurodegenerative and orthopedic conditions, IMIT will be a state-of-the-art facility that provides robotic-assisted gait training, while serving as a hub for research and education for students, patients and their caregivers.
“Nothing like this exists in our region today,” said Michael Brogan, dean and senior vice president for academic affairs at Daemen. “We’d like to thank Foundation 214 for its generous support of a project that will provide hope and access to unique technology for so many.”
The comprehensive rehab center will be positioned to become a destination for people with a wide range of mobility and walking challenges—and will specifically address the special health needs of the elderly, disabled, chronically ill, disadvantaged, children, and veterans.
In addition to serving patients, IMIT will be used for research on the optimal usage of assistive technology with different patient populations, including those with respiratory and neurological conditions.
Foundation 214, Inc. is a family-funded foundation engaged in serving Veterans of the U.S. Military, children and elderly in healthcare and education within the eight counties of Western New York.
Serving approximately 50 veteran and military-aligned students annually through the Nancy Haberman Gacioch Center for Veterans, Daemen also participates in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ Yellow Ribbon Program which provides additional benefits to veteran students.
The college has also been selected as a “Military Friendly School” for the ninth consecutive year by Victory Media.
Earlier this summer, the Dr. Todd & Leslie Shatkin Philanthropic Fund provided $740,000 toward the project.
* As of November 2022, Todd and Leslie Shatkin are no longer affiliated with the IMIT project.