ARC-EX
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The first system approved for non-invasive spinal cord stimulation for people with spinal cord injury (SCI). The results from Onward Medical's Up-LIFT pivotal trial were published in Nature Medicine, one of the world’s preeminent scientific journals.
The Up-LIFT study evaluated the safety and effectiveness of non-invasive electrical spinal cord stimulation (ARCEX Therapy) to improve hand sensation and strength in people with chronic incomplete tetraplegia. The clinical study enrolled 65 people at 14 leading SCI centers in the US, Europe, and Canada
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Highlights* include:
-Primary safety and effectiveness endpoints met.
-90% of participants improved strength or function of their upper limbs.
-Upper extremity sensory scores improved significantly with device use.
-87% of participants reported improvement in quality of life.
-Improvement was demonstrated in participants up to 34 years post-injury.
Dr. Aubree Fairfull
Dr. Fairfull is a UR Attending physician and Assistant Professor who specializes in spinal cord injury medicine. She earned her Medical Degree in 2019 at Penn State College of Medicine in Hershey, PA. In 2023, she completed residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Washington in Seattle. Last year she completed her fellowship in Spinal Cord lnjury Medicine at MetroHealth in Cleveland. Her clinical interests include autonomic dysfunction and interventional spasticity management. She has additional interest in medical education.
Outside of work, Dr. Fairfull enjoys playing volleyball, watching crime documentaries, and caring for her pet mini pig, Guinness.
Pebble Kranz, MD
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Pebble Kranz, MD, FECSM, IF, MSCP, a family physician, menopause medicine, and sexual medicine specialist, graduated from Brown University’s Medical School in 2007 and completed residency with the University of Rochester Family Medicine Residency Program in 2011 with a focus on psychosocial aspects of primary care. After serving as residency faculty and a primary care doctor for the University of Rochester, Dr. Kranz pursued additional training in sexual, menopause, and gender medicine, earning fellowships from the European Committee on Sexual Medicine, the International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health, certification from the Menopause Society as an expert menopause medicine practitioner, as well as status as an Advanced Practitioner in Optimal Sexual Experiences Group Couples Therapy.
She is founder and medical director for The Rochester Center for Sexual Wellness, providing comprehensive care for sexual, relational, and gender concerns in Western New York. Dr. Kranz is committed to educating healthcare professionals at all levels and the community on medical care for sexual concerns.
Jean Nickels, MD, University of Rochester Medical Center
Jean Nickels, MD, is an associate professor in the Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PM&R) at the University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC) in Rochester, NY. She received her medical degree from the Medical College of Wisconsin and completed her residency in physical medicine and rehabilitation at the University of Rochester. Dr. Nickels has been working in general Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation for the past 30 years. She is currently the director of the skilled nursing service line of the URMC PM&R department. She is also currently serving in the consult, inpatient and outpatient settings in the Medically Complex and Spinal Cord Injury Service line at Strong Memorial Hospital.
Chris Hilderbrant, Executive Director, Rochester Spinal Association
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Injured in a diving accident at age 14, Chris Hilderbrant has served as an eloquent and effective advocate for people with disabilities for nearly three decades, helping to expand rights on the local, state, and national level. Prior to becoming the Executive Director of RSA in 2019, Chris worked in numerous roles at the Center for Disability Rights and served as chief operating officer at Common Ground Health before starting his own consulting business and teaching adjunct at Monroe Community College. Chris is committed to diversity, equity, and integration for all and proudly serves as a connector between numerous communities.
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Chris co-founded and serves as captain of the WNY Wreckers—Western New York’s only wheelchair rugby team. He lives in Brighton with his wife, Jill Hilderbrant, and their children, Annika and Kyle. He holds a bachelor's degree in sociology from Nazareth University and received an Honorary Doctorate from Nazareth in 2025 when he gave the University's Commencement Address.