Author: Reliant Communications

Clinicians Who Inspire – Meghan Vaughn – August 2025

This month, we would like to honor Meghan Vaughn, Speech Language Pathologist, DOR, and Champion Level I Therapist, at Enumclaw Health and Rehab as our August Clinician Who Inspires. Meghan’s passion for working in long-term care and ability to create fun, effective, and meaningful interventions was evident throughout the interview. 

Just last month, Meghan and the therapy team hosted a July 4th festival.  Patients were able to participate in corn hole, “plastic” ax throwing (fan favorite), and a parallel bars obstacle course with resistance bands.  She explained that PT and OT incorporated patient specific goals such as hand-eye coordination, strengthening, balance, and ambulation into the activities.  By adding a special popsicle treat to the festival line up, even those patients working with her on dysphagia needs were able to participate in feeding trials.  Interdisciplinary collaboration is a staple for Meghan and her team. In the fall, OT and ST team up for mobility, sequencing, and safety skills while performing fun tasks such as baking pumpkin-shaped pizza goodies.  

Meghan discussed how two of Reliant’s proprietary resources have been crucial to enhancing patient care within her facility.  She credits the Vitality Behavioral Health Program for helping to bridge the gap in providing strategies that improve participation, especially for patients with frequent refusals.  She also frequently turns to Reliant’s Clinical Resource Medication Use and Its Impact on Swallowing to stay mindful of certain medications that can affect swallow function.

A helpful tip shared by Meghan for building the partnership between therapy and nursing is the use of a white board with the names and times of the patients needing assistance to be up and ready for therapy.  This proactive approach allows nursing to look ahead and plan for the day to prevent last minute scrambles.

Meghan, your creativity, collaboration, and dedication to patient engagement is truly inspiring! Thank you for thinking outside the box and finding creative ideas to keep everyone involved.  You are a Clinician Who Inspires!

Clinicians Who Inspire – Alicia Bayird – July 2025

This month we had the pleasure of speaking with Alicia Bayird, COTA/DOR and Champion Level I Therapist at The Blossoms at White Hall Rehab and Nursing Center, who discovered her passion for rehabilitation through real life experience. After witnessing her father’s incredible recovery from a devastating accident, thanks to a team of dedicated therapists, she knew she was called to do the same for others. That early experience shaped her deep commitment to helping people regain not just strength, but the ability to live again with purpose and independence.

Alicia strives to make a powerful impact by focusing on what many overlook: the basics.  Her team has “ADL focus” days where they dedicate Monday therapy sessions to hygiene and oral care, Wednesdays to showers, and Fridays to self-feeding and dressing.  All disciplines participate to address their unique goals. Alicia expressed that this team approach helps residents reclaim their ability to care for themselves, and more importantly, feel the pride that comes with it. She believes those “small wins” are often the most life changing.

She also discussed the creation of “Leisure Legends”, a daily group focused on leisure engagement, technology skills, and meaningful peer interaction. The residents named the group themselves and took ownership of it from day one. Whether helping one another to reach goals or learn new skills, the group has become a space of community and empowerment. Residents are now not only participating—but leading and supporting each other. One resident even donated games, while another taught a peer to use a card holder with one hand. It’s these everyday moments that remind us how capable and connected our patients truly are.

Outside of patient care, she strives to lead by example; not only is she climbing Reliant’s Clinical Ladder, but her whole team is as well!  Alicia promotes open, respectful communication between therapy and nursing, and helped roll out “Tag-In Therapy,” where nursing staff alert therapists when a resident may benefit from an extra set of skilled eyes. Whether she’s championing teamwork or showing up with a smile, Alicia is an inspiration to all!

Clinicians Who Inspire – Debra Switzer – June 2025

This month, we had the pleasure of speaking with Debra Switzer, PTA/DOR and Champion Level I Therapist at Hawkeye Care Center. In our conversation, Debra emphasized the value of creativity in therapy, specifically the need to think outside the box and connect each treatment session to something meaningful for the patient. For example, if the patient needs to work on balance, she might incorporate golf movements for a golf enthusiast or mimic household cleaning tasks if that better fits that patient’s interest.

Debra discussed the importance of educating on fall prevention. She explains that she works with patients on self-righting, core strengthening, rotational strategies while ambulating, and even teaching patient’s how to get up off the ground.

One of Debra’s favorite group activities was the “duck blind”.  Debra and her team created a deer hunting group activity where the therapists were the deer and the patients were the hunters.  The “hunters” were supplied with nerf guns while the therapists weaved between cardboard deer blinds trying not to get caught. 

Debra also discussed an ongoing project at her facility to foster encouragement between patients.  Hung on the wall are three canvases with the words “With helping hands, you can accomplish great things”. When someone discharges from therapy, they sign the canvas with a pen, handprint or thumbprint as a reminder to other patients to continue working hard and following in the graduate patient’s footsteps.

Debra also encourages her team to grow professionally by hosting students and through professional development.  All full-time therapists at Hawkeye Care Center are on Reliant’s Clinical Advancement Ladder.  Debra, you are a true motivator, not just within your facility, but to all of your therapy peers as well! Thank you for being a Clinician Who Inspires.

Clinicians Who Inspire – Kaylee Walter-Friede – May 2025

This May, Kaylee Walter-Friede, SLP/DOR, and Champion Level I therapist from Missoula Health and Rehabilitation Center, shares some insight and inspiration as Reliant’s featured Clinician Who Inspires.

In conversation, Kaylee’s passion for learning shines bright! Kaylee discussed the importance of continual growth and development as a therapist, encouraging others to take advantage of the many courses available on Reliant University and stay abreast of the latest recommendations in best practice rehabilitation. She then shared some of the learning experiences she has encountered as a clinical instructor for SLP students, as well as in her role as a DOR. Through her willingness to take on these roles and responsibilities, as well as providing services as an SLP, Kaylee finds herself continually learning from the unique clinical presentation of each resident, experiences of her students, and dynamic processes and communication of her interdisciplinary team.

While Kaylee continues to refine her ability to provide the highest quality of therapy to her residents through learning experiences, she also recognizes the importance of tailoring interventions and recommendations according to the individual needs and preferences of each resident. Though therapists may possess knowledge and expertise of a specific condition, Kaylee reminds us that we must consider what matters to the resident in everything we do. Kaylee shared several creative interventions that demonstrate her efforts to incorporate resident-specific interests and goals into the therapy session. One of Kaylee’s residents was a farmer with a goal to return to his duties that included vaccinating his cattle. Kaylee and her team prepared a treatment session that incorporated visual scanning, dual-task attention, cognitive organization, and dynamic balance to simulate this duty. Though color-coded cow printouts and a makeshift “swamp” may not be commonly used materials in Kaylee’s therapy sessions, they proved worthwhile for this particular resident. Kaylee shared that “if the resident sees the purpose of the task, we can get their buy-in”.

Through a passion for learning and resident-centered therapy treatments, Kaylee sheds light on a few practical ways that we, as therapists, can ensure we provide our residents with the highest quality of therapy services. Thank you, Kaylee, for your passion. Your example is an inspiration to us all!

Clinicians Who Inspire – Danielle Hodges – April 2025

This April, we feature Danielle Hodges, COTA/DOR and Champion Level II Therapist at Diversicare of Eupora, as Reliant’s Clinician Who Inspires!

In speaking with Danielle, her dedication to her work and desire to help others was evident. As Danielle shared a story of success that she experienced with one of her residents, she spoke with a spirit of gratitude for the opportunity to walk with this woman through her personal journey. Danielle discussed the impact that this resident’s success has had on her, and how she often recalls her role as a therapist in assisting this resident to achieve her goals, when facing a challenging day in her facility. It is through these types of success stories that Danielle has further developed her desire to help others and incorporated it into her everyday work as a therapist: “[Our residents] become our family. We are with them all the time! We celebrate every little victory, and we want them to know we are there for them. Not just for the physical stuff, but to connect on another level too. To know that we care about them.”

Beyond her inspiring dedication to resident well-being and connection, Danielle also provided some practical tips to ensure success as a therapist in the skilled nursing facility. Danielle believes her organization skills and flexibility to adapt according to the resident’s needs have allowed her the ability to keep up with the fast-paced environment, while always maintaining a focus on the highest quality of life for her residents. She also seeks out opportunities for growth and learning through participating in Reliant’s Clinical Ladder program and actively engaging with members of the interdisciplinary team.

Danielle, thank you for your dedication and desire to achieve the highest quality of life for your residents. Your efforts are an inspiration to us all!

Five-Star Refresh: A Look at Quality Measures

With the January Five-Star refresh on Care Compare, 1/3 of nursing homes in the nation saw a drop of at least 1 Star, leading many to wonder, what’s going on?

Although fifteen measures impact the quality measure Five-Star rating, last April four measures were paused, essentially halting their impact on the quality measure rating. Three long-stay measures required realignment from Section G to Section GG Pressure Ulcer/Injury, Ability to Walk Independently Worsened, and Increased Need for ADL Assistance; and the new Discharge Function Score measure (which replaced the improvements with function measure) required data collection.

The most recent refresh reflects the inclusion of these four previously paused measures. In reviewing the data and preparing for the quarterly release, CMS lowered the point ranges for long-stay, short-stay, and overall quality measure rating star thresholds, but the impact still remains. Whether a facility saw a positive or negative outcome with this refresh, best practice strategies can be implemented to ensure consumer facing platforms appropriately reflect the quality of care within each facility.

    1. Access and review CASPER reports (i.e., Resident Level QM Report and Facility Level QM Report) to determine what measures were outliers and which residents triggered, or in the event of the Discharge Function Score, did not trigger for inclusion in the calculation.
    1. Continue to monitor CASPER reports prior to Care Compare’s quarterly refresh and review confidential feedback reports from iQIES to identify necessary corrections.
    1. Get to know the measures and understand the impact of Section GG data:
      • The Discharge Function Score reflects the percentage of Medicare A residents who achieved or met an expected discharge function score. CMS uses a complex calculation from the admission MDS to calculate an “expected” discharge function score for each qualifying resident. There are 26 risk adjustors based on clinical characteristics within the Initial Medicare Assessment, but the functional levels are derived from 10 Section GG items. Then the patient’s usual performance on discharge, as documented on the discharge MDS Section GG is used to calculate a discharge function score that is compared to the expected score. Residents who met or exceed that expected score trigger for this quality measure. Again, for the discharge function score, triggering is a positive event. CMS does not publish the expected score. 
        • This measure also impacts SNF QRP compliance, and data collection now will impact the FY2027 VBP program.
      • The two measures, Need Help with ADLs Increased and Ability to Walk Independently Worsened are long-stay measures and are calculated from Section GG OBRA assessments. The late loss ADLs (Sit to Lying (GG0170B), Sit to Stand (GG0170D), Eating (GG0130A), and Toilet Transfer (GG0170F) generate the ADL measure, and Section GG item Walk 10 Feet (GG0170I) generates the ability to walk measure. The functional ability is compared to qualifying prior assessments to determine if the resident has demonstrated a decrease in ability.
    1. Consider training and support needs
      • Ensure the team has a thorough understanding of the impact of Section GG.
      • Consider whether discharge GG levels align with observed patient outcomes.
      • Develop plans of care and care plans that target functional, person-centered goals.
      • Section GG is interdisciplinary and reflects usual performance. There is no “rule of 3” to guide coding, so review of all data collected is crucial.
      • Access and review quality measure reports from iQIES.

Reliant Rehabilitation team members are skilled in functional ability assessments and interventions. Support is available for analysis and training to achieve quality measure goals.

Clinicians Who Inspire – Kayla Bennett – March 2025

This month’s Clinician Who Inspires is PTA and Champion Level I Therapist, Kayla Bennett from Carter Nursing and Rehab. During her interview, Kayla explained that her love of mentoring students helps keep her skill set fresh.  Though Kayla guides them in learning about rehabilitation in the long-term care setting, she shared that she typically gleans new knowledge from her students as well.  Sometimes it’s a new technique they learned in school while others may reveal a different way of facilitating patient care.

In treatment sessions, Kayla loves to use music for motivation.  She described how using the rhythm of the music can help residents decrease festinating gait patterns, facilitate a more normal cadence, and even help with motor planning. One of her favorite group activities utilizing music is “hot potato”.  Kayla explained that using this well-known game through intermittent music allows her to work with the resident on their targeted goals of standing balance, coordination, bending and reaching, weight shifting, and even visual perception.

When asked about her team, Kayla shared that though she’s worked on her team for eleven years, she is “the baby of the group”, surrounded by experienced therapists with a wealth of wisdom. Kayla states that she feels like she works for “one of the absolute best teams,” where they help, motivate, and encourage each other to think outside the box for treatment ideas.  

Kayla, we appreciate you and your efforts to provide the absolute best care to each and every resident by continuing to grow yourself as a clinician and inspiring students to do the same in the future. You truly are a Clinician Who Inspires!

Clinicians Who Inspire – Emily Morgan – February 2025

This February, we feature Emily Morgan, SLP and Champion Level I Therapist at Aurora Health & Rehab, as Reliant’s Clinician Who Inspires! While speaking with Emily, it was clear that her passion for team unity, eagerness to learn, and positive “spunk” (as described by her teammates) are key components to her success as a therapist.

Emily has been an SLP for 14 years and shared that her current work environment at Aurora Health & Rehab is one of the best she has ever experienced. From the beginning of her time in her facility, Emily recognized a unique sense of trust and cohesiveness with her team members. When asked how they have been able to accomplish this team unity, Emily shared that though different therapists have different personalities, all share a common respect for the knowledge they can glean from one another. Emily’s team constantly communicates barriers, progress, research related to evidence-based treatments, and needs of their residents. This communication allows her team to feel confident in their ability to improve their residents’ quality of life.

In our interview, Emily also shared her passion for her residents. As a speech therapist, Emily values the opportunity she has to significantly impact swallowing function. Though she feels that dysphagia evaluation and treatment is one of her strengths, Emily continues to seek out ways to expand her knowledge base to ensure that the latest and greatest approaches to care are provided to her residents. Furthermore, Emily shared the importance of working with each resident’s family as closely as possible. She has learned that family education and involvement is crucial in facilitating lasting success.

Emily, thank you for your passion to your team and quality care. Your efforts are truly an inspiration to us all!

Clinicians Who Inspire – Anna Brown – January 2025

January’s Clinician Who Inspires is Anna Brown, OT and Champion Level I Therapist at South Shore Nursing and Rehabilitation. In our interview, Anna shared that she has been an OT for more than 27 years and her biggest takeaway is that we should always treat patients as if they are family. Anna spoke with heartfelt sincerity about how helping patients with even the simplest but meaningful actions can create lasting impacts on their quality of life.

Anna likes to dive deep into each patient’s history including careers, hobbies, and traditions to intertwine them into treatment interventions. She says getting to know patients on a personal level and taking time to customize interventions shows your dedication for truly making an impact.

Anna talked with the same enthusiasm when discussing group activities. Whether it’s crafting or creative projects, patients love having their work displayed throughout the facility – a chance to highlight their talents and achievements!  Similarly, patients love when Anna and her team fully participate in group exercise with them. These moments of shared camaraderie create a sense of community and motivation.

Beyond patient care, Anna radiates positivity within her team. She strives to keep the atmosphere upbeat, focusing to see the best in every situation. Her approach includes providing consistent feedback and showing her appreciation for all caretakers in the facility; it takes the whole village to provide the best quality care!

Anna, thank you for your enthusiasm, care, and passion in all that you do. Your efforts are an inspiration to us all!

Clinicians Who Inspire – Jermie Jackson – December 2024

This month’s Clinician Who Inspires is Jermie Jackson, PTA and Champion Level II Therapist, at Diversicare of Tupelo. During the interview, Jermie discussed the importance of adaptability during treatment sessions. Jermie explained that no matter how much planning goes into a session, there is always the possibility of a situation that will require the therapist’s flexibility. With an open mind, Jermie has found the ability to be flexible while always maintaining focus on the patient’s goals. Another key to Jermie’s approach to care is incorporating aspects of the patient’s home environment into his treatments as much as possible. Jermie explained that home simulations help keep patients focused on their goals and allows them to understand their strengths and weaknesses.

Jermie and the team at Diversicare of Tupelo pride themselves on challenging each other daily. Jermie was excited to speak about the entire full-time team climbing Reliant’s Clinical Advancement Ladder, as well as their collaborative relationship. Therapists often discuss treatment suggestions with each other to optimize each patient’s therapy session. With the holidays in full swing, therapists plan their treatments to not only challenge their patients but also bring the season’s festive spirit to the therapy gym.

Thank you, Jermie and the team at Diversicare of Tupelo, for consistently raising the bar with flexibility, patient-centered care, and a collaborative approach that allows your patients to achieve their highest potential. You are an inspiration to us all!

Clinicians Who Inspire – Amy Hill, SLP/DOR – November 2024

November’s Clinician Who Inspires is Amy Hill, SLP/DOR and Champion Level I Therapist at Portland Health and Rehabilitation Center. In our interview, Amy shared a valuable perspective on resident communication, innovative strategies to ensure interdisciplinary communication, and creative treatment approaches that motivate her residents.

With the unique ability to speak three languages, experience working for a translation company, and current livelihood as a speech language therapist, Amy demonstrates a vibrant passion for communication. She spoke on the importance of a resident’s ability to communicate their needs, regardless of their native tongue or medical history. In her practice Amy has seen great benefit from the use of communication boards using pictures, visual aids and tools for use of resources, as well as continual education with all staff and caregivers on individualized speech strategies for each resident.  

Along with resident communication, Amy esteems interdisciplinary communication of the utmost importance as well. In her building, Amy has implemented various communication strategies to allow therapy staff to provide valuable information related to resident appointments, planned groups, notable changes in function, and discharge plans. Through the use of communication binders and white boards, the therapy staff has found a way to remain connected, even when they are working at different times of the day.

One of Amy’s greatest learning experiences working in a skilled nursing facility has been to adapt her approach according to what is most meaningful and functional for each resident. She stated that “without patient buy in, you’re not going to get anywhere”. Amy always takes time during her initial encounter to interview the resident to learn about their interests, motivators, and what areas of function are most important to them, to in turn, develop goals and treatment approaches tailored to the individual. Some examples include treatment that focuses on turn taking and math to allow a resident to perform better at their weekly poker match or practicing finances with a short-term resident to allow them to pay their bills when they return home.

Amy, thank you for your enthusiasm, care, and passion in all that you do. Your efforts are an inspiration to us all!

Clinicians Who Inspire – Beth Sines – October 2024

This October, we feature Beth Sines, OTA/Director of Rehab and Champion Level II Therapist at South Shore Nursing and Rehabilitation, as Reliant’s Clinician Who Inspires! In speaking with Beth, her passion for her profession, residents, and teammates was radiant.

Beth has been an OTA for 17 years and is currently studying to achieve a master’s degree in occupational therapy. Through her studies she has reignited a vision for therapy interventions that are individualized and purposeful to each resident, without sacrificing fun. Beth uses Tik Tok, Pinterest, and Reliant group emails to spark ideas for individual and group activities that might be a little unexpected for residents who are used to ‘run of the mill’ therapy exercises. Take, for example, an activity that incorporates residents shooting Nerf guns at therapists wearing deer antlers (for the hunters of the group), or at helium balloons with pictures of ghosts on them for a ‘Ghostbusters’ twist. Another example Beth shared was providing the opportunity to prepare silverware sets as a functional task that would also allow residents to give back to their community. Beth continues to see increased enthusiasm in residents as her team garners creativity and meaning into their therapy interventions.

In our interview, Beth also discussed the importance of interdisciplinary relationships. Beth expressed gratitude for the support she and her therapy team receive from their facility partners. She highlighted the importance of being adaptable in her interactions, mediating challenges with open communication, and being open to constructive feedback as a few key ways to interdisciplinary success.

Beth, thank you for your passion for quality care. Your efforts are an inspiration to us all!

Clinicians Who Inspire – Jonathan Perkins – September 2024

This month’s Clinician Who Inspires is Jonathan Perkins, PTA/DOR, Champion Level II Therapist at Canton Oaks. Jonathan shared many thoughts on the role that having a positive attitude plays on both team members and each patient’s success. He believes that his playful and joyous demeanor sets the tone for having great workdays and therapy sessions. Even if he is having a bad day, he does what he can to turn things around and be a positive, light-hearted motivator for all.

Jonathan shared that on every Thursday, his therapy team leads “Fun with Therapy” for the facility. They walk throughout the facility encouraging residents to come out of their room to get them moving, stretching, and communicating. The activity motto is to “keep moving” and the therapy team also uses it as an opportunity to talk with residents and keep open communication about any changes that they may be experiencing.

Another unique activity that Jonathan helps to coordinate is working with the Activities Director to facilitate a daily activity for residents in therapy.  The Activities Director comes into the therapy gym each day to initiate activities and/or discussions that are beneficial to each patient’s goal achievement.

Jonathan also discussed the importance of continuous education and sharing newfound knowledge with others. He has taken a plethora of courses centered around fall prevention and shares learned tips through daily communication with both the therapy team and facility staff.  He encourages everyone to continually learn new things and share!

Jonathan, you are an inspiration to all of us! We appreciate your dedication to your patients, your team, and your entire facility’s success. Thank you for being a Clinician Who Inspires!

Clinicians Who Inspire – Julie Kidd – August 2024

This month’s Clinician Who Inspires is Julie Kidd, DOR and SLP at Faith Community Nursing and Rehabilitation. In conversation, Julie spoke of the importance of keeping patients involved both in the facility and out in the community. Since Faith Community Nursing and Rehabilitation is embedded within the city, a favorite activity for patients is signing out and walking/propelling to the nearby Dollar Store with therapy. Of course, Julie and the therapy team at Faith make this a functional activity by planning in the days prior – making a list of items needed, planning anticipated rest breaks needed with walking, and problem solving the best time of day for this adventure, in lieu of the Texas heat. Using an interdisciplinary approach, PT works with the patients on navigating around obstacles like potholes on the journey while ST works on memory tasks, such as remembering the items from the list, and safety awareness. A main goal that Julie hopes to accomplish this year is setting up the opportunity for patients to read books to the children in the nearby school. This would be another great way for them to connect with the community.

Julie proudly shared other fun and interactive activities that her team coordinates. They host a wheelchair “car wash” day.  Using a multidisciplinary approach, the patients get to plan and then participate in washing their wheelchairs to make them sparkly clean. Patients also routinely water plants outside of the facility. Therapists make the activity functional for speech sessions by working on memory, sequencing, and problem solving throughout the watering task.

As a speech therapist, Julie spoke in detail about the importance of rounding during meals. She explained that it’s important to interact with the patients during mealtime to promote socialization, but also to allow for a closer eye on patients with dysphagia to ensure carryover of tasks from therapy to their real-life environment. 

Julie, your out of the box approach to treatment and patient care challenges us all to stretch our imagination and put the “fun” back in function. You truly are a Clinician Who Inspires!

Clinicians Who Inspire – Andrew Gerben – July 2024

This month’s Clinician Who Inspires is Andrew Gerben, COTA/DOR, and Champion Level I Therapist at The Woodlands. Andrew shared that taking an interdisciplinary, “all hands-on deck”, approach to patient care has been a huge factor in his team’s success. He emphasized that getting along and working well with team members allows the utmost focus to be on the patient. They see great value in co-treatments and multi-disciplinary group activities, which are common practice in their gym.

Andrew discussed unique group ideas and said that his team utilizes Reliant’s monthly activity idea emails and A Year of Wellness themes for inspiration. Some of the groups gain such positive feedback from the residents that they are made into yearly traditions, such as the blooming spring gardening.

Andrew’s “team” mentality goes far beyond his therapy team. He also takes pride in his role of being a facility liaison and bridging communication and education between therapy and nursing. He hosts monthly in-services for all staff to review proper transfer techniques and make sure that everyone feels confident. He enthusiastically shared that everyone knows if there is a question, he will find the answer!

Andrew discussed the importance of continuous learning. His entire team is now part of Reliant’s Clinical Ladder, and each therapist is focusing on a different track. He said that this allows for them to share knowledge and be more well-rounded as a team.

Andrew, you are an inspiration to all of us! We appreciate your dedication to not only your patients but your facility’s success as a whole. Thank you for being a Clinician Who Inspires!

Clinicians Who Inspire – Stephanie Garza – June 2024

This month’s Clinician Who Inspires is Stephanie Garza, Champion Level II Therapist, PTA, and Director of Rehabilitation at Lone Star Ranch Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center. Stephanie discussed the importance of therapy for our residents and therapists’ responsibility to provide tools that will allow them to be as functional as possible.

In conversation, Stephanie spoke about the residents’ love for group therapy, sharing that the excitement is palpable on their journey to the gym to participate in a fun group sessions. Stephanie and her team are constantly thinking of creative ways to perform therapy, citing a deer hunt interdisciplinary group as one of her favorites. During this activity, they brought blow up deer and Nerf guns to the facility and gathered the residents outside for a “deer hunt”.  PT worked with the residents on standing balance, OT focused on fine motor skills and hand eye coordination, while ST worked on following Nerf gun instructions. These interactive experiences during group therapy allowed residents to enjoy themselves while working on functional progress.

Professional growth is of utmost importance to Stephanie; not just for herself, but the growth of her team as well. Stephanie explained that most of the therapy staff at Lone Star are also clinical instructors. With the new addition of the Clinical Instructor path on Reliant’s Clinical Advancement Ladder, Stephanie has encouraged her team to continue to climb the ladder. She added that it’s important to share education with the team because “the more knowledge you have, the more effective you are.”

Stephanie, you are an inspiration to all of us. Thank you for being a Clinician Who Inspires!

Clinicians Who Inspire – Tricia Peña – May 2024

Join us in celebrating this month’s Clinician Who Inspires: Tricia Peña, SLP and Champion Level I Therapist from Westgate Hills Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center! As the month of May welcomes bright skies, colorful blooms, and National Speech-Language-Hearing Month, it seems only fitting to shine a light on Tricia’s positivity and fresh take on speech therapy in skilled nursing homes. 

Tricia didn’t initially see herself working with geriatrics, but as she became aware of the perseverance and wisdom this population embodies, she saw it as a privilege. Tricia recognizes that some of her residents feel as though they are nearing their final stages of life. She believes that her attitude, as well as yours and mine, have the capacity to bring joy to these moments that may be precious to our residents.

Practically speaking, Tricia shared three factors to success as an SLP in the skilled nursing setting. First: teamwork. Tricia painted the picture of an SLP siloed in their efforts with a resident and contrasted this image to one of an SLP working in collaboration with PT, OT, social work, nursing, and the physician. In her comparison of these two scenarios, it was evident that not only the SLP’s training and techniques, but those of all disciplines, were more effective when carried over by all members of the interdisciplinary team. Next, Tricia discussed the importance of implementing her interventions within an authentic, functional context. She shared that she tries to provide her treatments outside of the resident’s room and incorporate real-life scenarios, to increase meaning and relatability to the task. Finally, Tricia touched on the value of continued learning throughout her career as an SLP. Tricia has taken advantage of some of the courses available on Reliant University, as well as the opportunity to participate in the Clinical Ladder program. Specifically, she highlighted the course “Disorders and Medications That Impact Swallowing,” describing it as eye-opening and beneficial to her everyday practice.

As Tricia shared her experiences, her light and her love for speech language therapy shined bright. Thank you, Tricia, for your inspiration, and Happy National Speech-Language-Hearing Month!

Clinicians Who Inspire – Diane Heiderman – April 2024

Join us in celebrating April’s Clinician Who Inspires — Diane Heiderman! As an aspiring Champion Level II Therapist, COTA and Director of Rehab at Collingswood Nursing and Rehab, Diane shared that she contributes much of her success to being proactive versus reactive. She explained that being proactive with communication regarding any changes noted to a resident can help the entire care team intervene early, which in turn is a win for the patient. She loves nothing better than celebrating those wins with her patients!

Diane spoke of the importance of working together as a care team. She said it is important to always be teachable and moldable because many times we wear many different hats in a day. Working together to make the whole patient story come together is what she feels maximizes the patient’s quality of life and leads to successful discharge.

For fun team building, Diane and her team celebrate wacky holidays! Recently they celebrated National Cereal Day. Each team member brought a different box of cereal, and they had many laughs throughout the day trying the different cereals.

Diane loves her profession and says that helping people is what drives her endless commitment. Thank you, Diane, for sharing your passion and inspiring other clinicians to continue the important work we do every day! Happy Occupational Therapy month!

Clinicians Who Inspire – Rochelle Healy – March 2024

This month’s Clinician Who Inspires is Rochelle Healy, SLP and Champion Level II Therapist at St. Sophia Health and Rehabilitation Center.

Rochelle reminisced on how she wanted to become an SLP for as long as she could remember.  With her love of all things language, her fascination with the brain and its many functions, and her love of helping others it seemed that speech language pathology was the perfect fit. 

To this day, her passion for speech and language persists. As a way of paying it forward and building the future of SLP, Rochelle mentors students and facilitates their growth. She enjoys giving students as many opportunities as possible to build their knowledge base and provide them with practical application scenarios to build on their classroom studies. She stated, “I actually learn just as much from them as they do me, their fresh take on things is invaluable.”

When she’s not educating students and learning from her peers, she is implementing “Fun Fridays” with her patients.  On each Friday they have fun groups which entail patient-led ideas to address focused goals.  From modified “catch phrase” to learning new card games, Rochell ensures a FUN time is had by all. Rochelle shared that her primary motivation as a therapist is getting to watch her patients succeed.  She said that the biggest factor in success with her patients is allowing them autonomy to lead their sessions, letting them use their voice to decide how the treatment session will flow.

Thank you, Rochelle, for sharing your passion and inspiring other clinicians to continue the important work we do every day!

Clinicians Who Inspire – Blake Allen, PTA – February 2024

When Blake Allen, PTA from St. Simeon’s in OK, experienced a neurological event that resulted in loss of function on her right side, her entire world changed in a moment. Through this life-changing experience and her journey through rehabilitation, she attained an unanticipated capacity to serve others through example and inspiration.

In conversation, Blake shared how her empathy equips her to relate to her patients’ fear, frustration, or weariness when a medical event like a fall or onset of a new condition alter how they function in daily life. She uses her personal experience as a relatable example of the power of therapy, and how dedication to treatment sessions “really works”, even if it is a slow race to the new normal.

Through Blake’s story, clinicians are inspired to embrace the power of empathy with each patient we encounter. Though we may not have the same experience as Blake or our patients, we are equipped with the ability to imagine what our patients may be thinking or feeling. We have the opportunity for conversations to seek understanding and guidance in developing patient-centered goals and encouragement. Each interaction impacts those in our care. As Blake puts it, “we are the friendly face that the patient gets to see every day.”

Thank you, Blake, for sharing your incredible resiliency, recovery, and the important reminder that our care matters. You serve as an inspiration to us all!