A crowdfunding campaign is underway for the Susan E. Bennett Memorial Fund, which will support students in the Department of Rehabilitation Science who demonstrate promise in the field of physical therapy.

Family, friends and colleagues of Bennett, a longtime faculty member in the School of Public Health and Health Professions, created the fund to honor her life and legacy, with the goal that it ultimately become an endowed scholarship.

A pioneer in rehabilitation practices for people with multiple sclerosis, Bennett worked tirelessly on behalf of others for more than 40 years, serving her patients, students and profession. She died June 4 after a battle with cancer.

“I knew Sue for many years and have always admired her remarkable commitment to her work, patients and students,” says Jean Wactawski-Wende, SUNY Distinguished Professor and SPHHP dean. “She was an incredible leader, had the highest integrity and was generous in every aspect of her life.” 

Bennett had been a full-time faculty member at UB since 1998, holding clinical professorships in the departments of Rehabilitation Science and Neurology. During her time at UB, she served in a number of leadership roles, including as director of the Physical Therapy Program, director of the Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Comprehensive Care Center and interim chair of the Department of Rehabilitation Science.

Bennett founded her physical therapy practice, Bennett Rehabilitation Institute, in 1992. The practice is a leader in treating patients with neurological conditions. She was the first rehabilitation professional to receive the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers’ Lifetime Achievement Award, which recognizes an individual whose decades-long commitment has driven significant advances in the care of people with MS.

To build on Bennett’s legacy of work with patients with MS, preference in scholarship awards will be given to students with a desire to work in neurological rehabilitation or an interest in treating MS patients.

To donate, visit the campaign’s webpage.