Press Release

Tammy Nosek, a Senior Project Manager with Tectonic Engineering, joined four unlikely groups together in hopes of getting Jennifer Turner, a 39-year old heartwarming young lady who was rendered a quadriplegic from a hit and run accident since the age of thirteen, the medical help she desperately needs. The Mid-Hudson Branch of the American Society of Civil Engineers, Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation in West Orange,  New Jersey, Angel Flight Northeast and the Homewood Suites by Hilton in New Windsor have volunteered their time and services.

Due to specialized medical issues that cannot be further treated in the State of Maine and insurance restrictions preventing her to seek treatment outside the State, Jennifer and a CNA are being flown into Newburgh Stewart Airport on Wednesday, September 23rd by a volunteer Angel Flight pilot so she can meet the Kessler Institute medical team specializing in the treatment of individuals with spinal cord injury.  Transportation to and from the airport to the hospital will be provided by Tammy Nosek who is also an active Earth Angel with the Angel Flight Organization.  Jennifer’s three day stay in New York will be provided by Homewood Suites, who has opened their hearts to provide her with a wheelchair accessible suite and a warm welcome.  On Friday afternoon, a second Angel Flight volunteer pilot will fly her back home. 

Jennifer Turner was first was introduced to ASCE (all the New England Chapters) nearly two years ago when Tammy Nosek’ s Mother forwarded her an article regarding Jennifer’s plight to live independently.  The City of Auburn (Maine) where Jennifer lives had donated City property and was trying to build a modest home for her to live and prevent her from going into a nursing home at such a young age.   ASCE Mid Hudson Branch Committee members voted and agreed to create the Turner Project and help bring the dream of independence to a reality.    When Jennifer’s chronic medical issue became more prominent and the insurance was not allowing treatment outside the State, Tammy realized there may be more that she could do to help and decided to reach out.  The response was overwhelming.  To learn more about Jennifer Turner and the Turner Project, please visit the website at http://theturnerproject.cfsites.org/.

About Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation

Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation, the nation’s largest single rehabilitation hospital, provides comprehensive care and specialized treatment to address the complex needs of individuals with spinal cord injury, brain injury, stroke, amputation, neurological disorders and orthopedic conditions. Kessler is one of only six federally-designated Model Systems in the nation for the treatment and research of both spinal cord and brain injuries.  Ranked as one of the top two rehabilitation hospitals in the nation and best in the East by U.S. News & World Report, Kessler has three hospital campuses in West Orange, Saddle Brook and Chester, N.J., and more than 75 outpatient centers throughout the state.  For more information, visit www.kessler-rehab.com.

Todd L. Linsenmeyer, M.D., Director of Urology at Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation, is one of only two physicians in the nation to be triple board certified in urology, physical medicine and rehabilitation, and spinal cord injury medicine.  (www.kessler-rehab.com/patient-center/staff/DoctorDetails.aspx?ID=18). He provides a range of specialized urological services, including the treatment of individuals with neurogenic bladder, a condition often related to a spinal cord injury (SCI).  Dr. Linsenmeyer is widely recognized for both his clinical work and scientific research, and has been honored by numerous organizations such as the American College of Surgeons, the American Spinal Cord Injury Association and the American Paraplegia Association.

About Angel Flight Northeast

Angel Flight Northeast is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit, tax-exempt organization that provides free air transportation to patients whose financial resources would not otherwise enable them to receive treatment or diagnosis, or who may live in rural areas without access to commercial airlines. A volunteer corps of over 1,100 private pilots and "Earth Angels" who combine the love of flying with the spirit of grassroots volunteerism by flying patients and their families to the critical health care they need. For more information, please visit: http://www.angelflightne.org/

About The Homewood Suites by Hilton

The Homewood Suites by Hilton® Newburgh-Stewart Airport hotel is located in New Windsor, New York.  The hotel offers ideal accommodations featuring 125 suites, consisting of studios and one and two-bedroom suites, each with an array of amenities.  For more information, please email Patti Earl, Director of Sales: Patti.Earl@hilton.com