WALLINGFORD, CONNECTICUT, September 4, 2026 - Gaylord Specialty Healthcare, a nonprofit rehabilitation-focused healthcare organization headquartered in Wallingford, has launched The Gaylord Foundation to strengthen philanthropic support for Gaylord’s mission to enhance health, maximize function, and transform lives.
The Foundation demonstrates a commitment to enhancing philanthropic efforts, building community partnerships, and creating new opportunities to support the programs, services, and the individuals served by Gaylord.
“The Gaylord Foundation gives us an exciting opportunity to build on the generosity that has been a vital part of Gaylord’s story for nearly 125 years,” said Sonja LaBarbera, President and CEO of Gaylord Specialty Healthcare.
“Through the Foundation, we can bring even more people together around the possibilities of rehabilitation and help make an even greater impact on the lives of our patients recovering from life-altering injuries and illness through innovative programs, research, technologies, and compassionate care.”
Wallingford resident and Associate Vice President of Development Roslyn Gilhuly was tapped to lead The Gaylord Foundation’s fundraising and community engagement efforts as Executive Director.
The Gaylord Foundation board of directors is co-chaired by Lucy Sirico and Robert Lyons, Jr. Board members include Kim A. Healey, Todd Renz, Jerrold Kaplan, MD, John Motley, Rebecca Y. Robinson, Tom Rutledge, and Leonardo Suzio.
“Our board has created a strong foundation for growth and has already generated tremendous enthusiasm for what’s ahead,” said Gilhuly.
“The Gaylord Foundation will be an important partner in advancing Gaylord’s strategic goals while strengthening community investment, building meaningful relationships, and creating new opportunities to support the exceptional care we provide to residents of Connecticut and beyond for years to come.”
To learn more about The Gaylord Foundation or to explore opportunities to support Gaylord Specialty Healthcare, visit giving.gaylord.org.
About Gaylord Specialty Healthcare:
Gaylord Specialty Healthcare is a rehabilitation-focused, nonprofit health system headquartered in Wallingford, Connecticut that provides inpatient and outpatient care for people at every point in their journey from illness or injury to maximum recovery.
Gaylord Specialty Healthcare is anchored by Gaylord Hospital, a long-term acute care hospital, and includes Gaylord Outpatient Services and Gaylord Physical Therapy for patients who require diagnosis and treatment on an outpatient basis. Gaylord's Milne Institute for Healthcare Innovation is a hub for accelerating world-class rehabilitative research, technology development and innovation to improve the quality of life and function of people around the world. Together, these entities deliver a complete continuum of rehabilitative care driven by clinical experience, innovation and human compassion.