BOSTON- Ernst van Dyk, 7 time Boston Marathon Champion Men's wheelchair division will be speaking at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital Friday April 17th in morning from 9:30 to 10:30am. Ernst will be speaking to patients recovering from various traumatic injuries and sharing his inspiring story of dedication and triumph.

Ernst will also be speaking for Spaulding later that afternoon at the Museum of Science at 2:30pm in a special presentation entitled, 'Making History and Breaking Barriers; a Discussion with Ernst van Dyk.'

Over the years, Ernst has become a world-renowned motivational speaker, speaking about overcoming adversity, setting goals, making sense out of setbacks in life and living a dream. He instills hope in audiences of all ages and abilities about finding meaning in life and dedicating yourself to achieve your dreams.

This year Ernst will be going for his record-breaking eighth win in Boston which would place him alone as the winnings marathoner of all time in any division in Boston?s rich history.

Since 2005, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital Network has had its 'Race for Rehab' fundraising program, captained by seven time Boston Marathon Champion men's wheel chair division, Ernst Van Dyk participate in the Boston Marathon. The team has raised over $230,000 dollars for Spaulding Rehabilitation's programs and research. The Boston Athletic Association? has selected Spaulding as an official charity of the Boston Marathon Charity Program. You can learn more about the Race for Rehab team by visiting www.firstgiving.com/spauldingrehab or calling 617 573 2900 for more information.

About Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital

A member of Partners HealthCare, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital is the flag ship facility of the Spaulding Rehabilitation Network, which includes the Spaulding main campus, a 196-bed facility, located in Boston, MA, Shaughnessy-Kaplan Rehabilitation Hospital and three skilled nursing facilities: North End Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, Boston Center for Rehabilitation and Sub-Acute Care, and the Clark House, as well as sixteen outpatient sites throughout the Greater Boston area. Spaulding is a teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School as well as the official rehabilitation hospital of the New England Patriots. Spaulding is the only rehabilitation hospital in New England continually ranked since 1995 by U.S. News and World Report in its Best Hospitals survey. For more information, please visit www.spauldingrehab.org.

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