Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital employee spotlight: Meet the foundation team

The development team

Meghan Sayer, Executive Director
Melissa Pizarro, Director of Development
Rocìo Gonzalez, Associate Director of Development
Becca Newman, Development Representative

About the foundation

The Bryn Mawr Rehab Foundation supports the efforts of Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital to deliver advanced rehabilitation services to individuals recovering from traumatic illness or injury. We are able to do this in large part thanks to our friends and donors whose generosity helps to provide patients with continued access to state-of-the-art technology and therapeutic amenities that make us unlike any other rehab hospital in the region.

Donors are impacted by great care and reinvest in that care. Some recent investments made to the hospital:

• Refurbishment of the Outpatient Gym. Conference space was converted and renovated to provide a larger gym with new carpeting, equipment and sinks.
• An Anne Nursing Simulator (who we call Mary Rehab), a patient mannequin simulator, has been acquired and is used for a variety of fundamental skills trainings such as intubation, resuscitation, pulse checking, and safe patient-handling.
• Virtualis Goggles, which are therapeutic virtual reality goggles used to divert the attention of patients and keep them focused on the task to achieve and not on their pain or pathology.

Each fall, Bryn Mawr Rehab hosts Art Ability, an event dedicated to creating community awareness of people with disabilities and encouraging people with disabilities to reach beyond their limitations and find fulfillment and inspiration through art. Proceeds of the Art Ability celebration help support Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital patient and community programs.

Get to know the team

The thing I enjoy most about my job is _________.

MS: Learning from our grateful patient donors the impact of the care they received and hearing about their immense gratitude.

MP: Seeing miracles happen in our hallways every day, firsthand. It is truly remarkable to witness our therapists and care teams working with our patients and making breakthroughs in their abilities that they initially didn’t think was possible.

RG: I truly enjoy getting to know our donors and discovering their personal connections to Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital. Learning about what inspires their support is very rewarding and highlights the impact our work has on the lives of so many.

BN: I love seeing our donors give to programs that directly benefit patients and employees of Bryn Mawr Rehab. It’s incredibly moving to know that grateful patients, their families, and community members are passionate about the mission of Bryn Mawr Rehab.

Do you have a non-work goal you’re working toward right now? What is it?

MS: Enjoying moments with my teenage son who will be off to college next year. I know time is limited and soon my husband and I will be empty nesters.

MP: I try to walk/jog at least two miles every day as I prepare for my first ‘official’ 5K in Walt Disney World in April. My husband and sons (ages 10 and 12) will be participating as well!

RG: One of my goals is to learn how to play the piano. I’ve always loved classical music and I am intrigued by the elegance and versatility of the piano as an instrument.

BN: I’ve been reading a lot more in the past year and have enjoyed what my life feels like now that I’ve dedicated time for reading. I either read the physical copy of the book, listen to the audiobook, or read on my kindle. I’ve made a goal to read 24 books (2 books/month) in 2025.

What’s something on or near your work area that brings you energy and joy?

MS: My venti iced americano ;-)

MP: My peace lily from the Bryn Mawr Rehab Horticultural Center, which sits on my window and is currently in gorgeous bloom!

RG: A smiley face bell we ring when we secure donations!

BN: Photos of my partner, Chris, and our two cats, Roger and Gus.

If you were an athlete, what would you choose as your walkout song?

MS: Girl on Fire – Alicia Keys

MP: Thunderstruck – AC/DC

RG: Quevedo: BZRP Music Sessions, Vol 52

BN: Anything Could Happen – Ellie Goulding

What's your favorite hobby?

MS: I love to read. Whether a book on tape while on my morning walk or cleaning the house or curled up on the couch (in winter) or on the back patio (spring/summer/fall) I love an enjoyable book. Since 2021, I have recorded every book read in a log and kept a running list of books I wish to read. I am a library girl and most often get my books from the library or through the Libby app. I read about 50 books a year.

MP: I love to travel, especially with my family, to new and exciting destinations. It is especially thrilling to watch my young sons take in new places and international landmarks that they’ve learned about in school, as well as the different cultures, languages – and new cuisines! We’re definitely a “foodie” family.

RG: Dancing and traveling! I absolutely love to dance, and over the years, I've come to appreciate how dance is a universal art form that connects people across cultures. Exploring new places and watching how people express themselves through dance is one of my favorite ways to experience and celebrate the diversity of the world.

BN: I have always found joy in creating art. My passion is pottery, and I try to get into a pottery studio any chance I can get. When I’m at the pottery wheel, I can turn off the racing thoughts in my head and focus on the clay in my hands. I have found creating art to be therapeutic and encourage everyone to get involved in the arts.