Category: Clinical

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!