The Rehab Medical team at SAWs’ 5000th ramp build.
Servants at Work (SAWs) has named Rehab Medical its Corporate Partner of the Year, citing the Complex Rehab Technology provider’s support of ramp-building projects for wheelchair riders.
“Rehab Medical’s commitment to accessibility and active support of our mission in 2024 have made a powerful, measurable difference for the people we serve,” said SAWs founder Rik Hagarty in an Oct. 22 news announcement. “They’ve not only helped us bring ramps to those who need them — they’ve helped restore independence, safety and connection for families across Indiana.”
Hagarty noted that Rehab Medical employees have put in hundreds of volunteer hours to build ramps, have helped with fundraising, and have shared SAWs’ efforts and goals with health-care industry peers.
SAWs is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization focused on building accessibility ramps for consumers’ homes. “Guided by faith and the belief that everyone deserves dignity, we serve others with compassion and create lifechanging access to the world beyond their front door,” SAWs said in its mission statement.
SAWs is based in Indianapolis, Indiana, and now builds ramps throughout Indiana, Arizona and Virginia. The organization focuses on building ramps for people with permanent disabilities living in low-income households.
Rehab Medical’s Jessi Harris, the company’s employee experience manager, accepted the award during a volunteer appreciation dinner on Oct. 18.
“We’re honored to be recognized as the SAWs 2024 Corporate Partner of the Year,” said Harris. “SAWs’ mission to provide freedom and independence aligns beautifully with our own mission to improve lives — especially those of our patients who benefit directly from this important work. Together, we’re able to amplify our impact and make a meaningful difference in our community. We deeply value the service SAWs provides and are grateful for the opportunity to partner in advancing such life-changing efforts.”
The Rehab Medical team provided funding and volunteer labor for SAWs’ recent project on behalf of a family with a child with autism and epilepsy. The ramp was the 5,000th build in SAWs’ history.
“When we looked at SAWs’ work — building wheelchair ramps and creating safe access into and out of the home — the partnership was a natural fit,” said Rehab Medical President Kevin Gearheart. “Both organizations serve the same purpose from different angles. We focus on independence inside the home, while SAWS focuses on accessibility to the home and community. Together, we remove barriers — literally and figuratively. Our missions align perfectly, and that makes this collaboration not only meaningful, but essential to improving lives in a more holistic way.”
Rehab Medical, based in Indianapolis and serving more than 22,000 patients in 18 states every year, provides volunteer time-off to its employees to encourage their participation in local service projects.
