Celebrate

By Cathy Champlin DOR, Cedar Health and Rehab, Cedar City, UT

I’m Cathy Champlin, the DOR here at Cedar Health and Rehab in Cedar City, UT. My counterpart is Trent Neilson, the DON here. Cedar was a new acquisition on Jan. 1, 2019. I initially came on board at that time to assist with the transition, with the intention of returning to my home facility after a few months. The DON at acquisition had already given her notice prior to Jan. 1, and the position was temporarily filled by Jeremy Wood, our resource until May when Trent came on board. By the end of January, I had decided to transfer here as DOR and was working closely with Jeremy (and Spencer our ED) on helping to bring CAPLICO to Cedar.

When Trent came on in May, it was a very smooth transition. Perhaps because neither Trent nor I had a long history at the building and were both new in our roles, we were able to help each other without any territorial disagreements. We just put our heads together, bounced ideas off each other and got to work. We have worked hard to ensure that there is no “That’s Nursing’s job” or “I’m the therapist — I don’t do that.” The nurses here are very open to listening when Therapy notices a change in condition, and Therapy does not hesitate to toilet and answer call lights when able.

When asked what our “secret” was, I truly didn’t know. Perhaps, like I said, it was that we were both new to our roles and did not feel the need to “defend our territory” or that we had a similar vision for the building as shared by our ED. I will point out, though, that Trent and I carpooled to work most days for the first six months (45 minutes each way). That much one-on-one time definitely gave us a chance to talk, exchange ideas and get to know each other in a way that just time at work does not offer. So maybe that is the key.

As far as PDPM goes, I feel like we do well working as a team. Trent, Robert (MDS coordinator) and I look at all of the patients together. Trent and Robert have access through iCentra to all of the acute care records for most of our referrals, and I bring in the patient report piece as well from the therapy evals. We hand out assignments and use a color-coded tab system to keep track of where we are on each patient so we don’t waste time re-looking at things. Red is for new and not yet really started, yellow is for still looking for NTAs, but GG, BIMs, etc., are in green for “ready for fine tuning” and white is for sent. We often tease Robert, who gets nervous going to green, that it’s not easy being green!

 
Wishing you the Happiest of Holidays from all the Ensign-affiliated Therapy Teams and Resources!

By Dennis Baloy, DOR/ OTR/L /OTD/s

St. Elizabeth was one of the facilities recently acquired by Ensign in May 2019. Coming in new to the facility as a rehab director in a team that has been together for a significant number of years, I had both feelings of uncertainty and excitement. This was until I met our Director of Nursing, Madelyn Tan. I’ve heard of her reputation to be one of the best in the industry — clinically, operationally and personally. The first time I met her, I instantly felt her warmth and genuine compassion. She openly welcomed me to our team and even prepared and cooked a special chicken dish (which we both grew up eating). Talk about hospitality!

Ever since then, I’ve held the highest regard on how she and our administrator manage the Nursing department and also the entire facility. The collaboration and open discussion during our stand-up meetings are efficient, healthy, and straight to the point and patient-centered. She always upholds the best interests of our residents and staff. Our interactions have always been professional and informative and at the same time enveloped with respect and love.

Early on, we already developed and implemented a robust facility-wide Fall Program that resulted in decreased overall falls. The Rehabilitation team and nurses also conduct a weekly graduation program that celebrates the successes of each resident who go back to the community. Also, both departments hold joint in-services and training for the staff and residents, such as use of correct biomechanics, transfers and RNA training.

With Ms. Mady’s sweet demeanor and strong vision for our facility, together with my creative and go-get-it attitude, Nursing and Rehab’s tandem has never been more fun, efficient and effective!

In St. Elizabeth, the CAPLICO values truly live on!

By Patty Fantauzzo, COTA, CTO, Therapy Program Manager, and Julia Temple Healthcare, Englewood, CO

I often get asked the same question regarding the success of our LTC programming here at Julia Temple. My answer is always the same: You need to have the support of your DON first and foremost. Imagine going to work every day with great ideas for programming. Your Therapy team endorses your great ideas, but frustration sets in when there isn’t any carryover or follow-through after Therapy steps out. The struggle is real and can lead to burnout, not only for DORs, but for therapists as well.

A huge part of our programming success is the result of our DON, Wendy Power, sharing the same goals and seeking the same outcomes as Therapy for our residents. Of course, it’s a two-way street and both the DOR and DON need to be open to hearing the cold hard facts and collaborating on ideas for solutions, whether it be related to a Nursing or Therapy concern. Mutual respect and trusting one another opens the doors for trial and error without judgement on both sides.

Wendy embraces our ideas, and holds all parties involved accountable, including my own team and vice versa. She truly understands that there isn’t just “one way,” especially with regards to our population of residents with dementia and Alzheimer’s, when addressing needs and care. This allows the Therapy team to be creative with treatment approaches and care planning interventions.

Physicians being able to change a DX from “pain” to a sensory integration deficit with DC of pain medication; CNAs providing care without resident resistance; improved QMs, especially related to skin, falls and weights; staff being able to quickly identify and correct resident equipment mix-ups and cognitive abilities — these are just a few of the many important benefits that are a result of Wendy and I working together to ensure our residents and staff have what they need to provide compassionate, effective and quality care to our residents. In the end, it’s the residents who ultimately benefit, which is also a win for Nursing and Therapy.

Our team at Arvada has been such a great learning environment, and I am just happy to be a part of all the exciting things we have been able to achieve in the two years I’ve been working there. Below are the answers to the therapist profile questions.

FYI the picture of me flying is me testing out the comfort level of a new harness system I acquired for our gym.

What inspired you to become a physical therapist?

Unfortunately, I never had a single moment that inspired me to go to PT school and become a therapist. I have always enjoyed teaching others, challenging myself and being active. I began running out of appealing options to pursue with my bachelor’s degree and decided PT school was my last option. Only once I was in PT school did I realize that this profession encompassed all of my passions together and ended up being a perfect fit for me.

What is your favorite thing about your work?

My favorite thing about work is getting to see patients and residents make big breakthroughs in functionality and independence.

How do you stay motivated and passionate about what you do?

My patients are my motivators. This profession allows me to have a front-row view of how fragile our health is and how most of us, including myself, take that for granted in our younger years. Knowing that I play a large role in helping my patients regain their independence is a very rewarding and humbling feeling that fuels my passion and motivation.

What is one thing you would change about your job if you could?

More vacation days!

What is one thing that would surprise people to know about you?

I used to have a mohawk in high school.

What is your favorite Disney character, and why?

Nemo because that was my nickname when I was younger.

What makes your team at Arvada special?

Our Therapy team is truly incredible for many reasons, but the thing that stands out most to me is our ability to effectively create a laid-back, comical, approachable and professional environment that helps us be so successful. We really get along well and enjoy our time together.

What is your favorite core value in CAPLICO, and why?

My favorite core value is easily customer second! When I was first introduced to CAPLICO, that core value really stood out. It was backwards from the popular phrase “The customer is always right.” After putting some thought to it, I realized its brilliancy. Health care professionals play a vital role in society and subject themselves to stressful and emotional situations every day. We must make sure that each and every day we offer the best versions of ourselves to our co-workers, patients, families, etc. The only way to offer the best version of ourselves is to make our own health and well-being the top priority. Customer second really captures this philosophy.

Why is Colorado the best state to live in?

Colorado is the best state to live in because of the mountains. This state is a gigantic playground for all outdoor enthusiasts such as myself.

What is your favorite way to spend time when you are not working?

I try to spend all of my free time outdoors. The more physically and mentally challenging the activity, the better.

By Jamie Funk, Therapy Recruiting Resource

I am pleased to introduce Kelsey Martindale, a physical therapist who has been a key member of the therapy team at St. Joseph Villa in Salt Lake City for the past two years. “Kelsey is passionate about making the lives of our LTC residents better. She loves to work with neuro patients, especially those with Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders. She takes our core value of celebration seriously and likes to plan events and parties for our team outside of work. She is flexible, kind, giving, generous and considerate. She is part of what makes me want to come to work every day,” says Lisa Brook, our dedicated and passionate rehab director at SJV.

Kelsey graduated from the University of Utah’s DPT program and was inspired to become a therapist while working in a store selling running shoes. She enjoyed working with people on biomechanics and injury prevention. Simultaneously, she was going to a physical therapist for treatment and realized that PT would be a challenging career that would allow her to grow and continue to learn.

Kelsey loves her team at SJV. “I feel like we are all unique individuals who have a special way of working together. There is a fundamental undercurrent of serving each other and our residents. We can take on a task easily and meet our goals and expectations, but this ultimately is not the driving force of our job. We do well because of who we are as people, not because we are obsessed with matrix. Everyone has it in them and wants to be here every day,” she explains. “If I could change one thing about my job it would be to spend more time with my patients and less time in documentation — and to know what happens to the patients that we work so hard with once they leave SJV.”

Patient care, hugs, gratitude from patients, helping people know they are not alone, and knowing that she can make a difference even if it is small help Kelsey stay energized and passionate about her work. Kelsey has an amazing 6-year-old daughter who she loves to spend time with when she is not at work. She also enjoys traveling, watching sports and spending time with people she cares about. She says she is not a homebody! Her favorite Disney character is Mulan because she rose above everyone’s expectations of her and was strong, powerful and beautiful all at the same time.

Kelsey’s favorite thing about being part of our organization is that the people here want to be here. The culture of caring, celebrating and working together is present every day and in every meeting. “Celebration is valued here and our facility is especially great in all areas of CAPLICO,” she says.

Kelsey believes that she is the very best version of herself when she is at SJV working with her colleagues and residents.

Submitted by Jamie Funk, Therapy Recruiting Resource

Kiran Sahota is Director of Nursing Services at Park View Post-Acute Care Center in Santa Rosa, California. Kiran exudes a warmth and friendliness that makes a person want to know her. She joined Parkview in 2006 as a certified nursing assistant, working full time while earning her RN and MSN. She quickly assumed the DON role where she has been successfully leading and inspiring those around her ever since.

As a clinical leader, Kiran loves the many opportunities she has to work as a team and collaborate with her colleagues on a multitude of levels. As a clinician, she finds great joy in taking care of her staff and her patients. She conducts regular meetings with her staff not only to address issues that come up, but also to celebrate with them in their successes. She is on the floor in the facility daily, doing rounds and stepping in to help her team with anything at any time. Kiran’s office door is always open, and it is a welcome place for everyone in the facility.

When asked what makes her team special, Kiran says, “My team at Park View is exceptional. Everyone at Park View works very well together and we are all here for each other. The entire Park View team is selfless and truly takes ownership. Our therapy team is amazing and their passion to collaborate with the nursing team is special.”

Balancing work and a personal life is not an easy task as a DON, but Kiran feels fortunate to work with a team who respects each other’s boundaries. “The trick is to have the right people on the bus. If you have the right people on the bus in the right seats, work and life balance will fall into place automatically — and that is the beauty of Park View,” she explains.

Kiran’s favorite recreation is playing with her two small children in her favorite place — her home. “I am a homebody and not very fond of traveling and adventuring. I love to stay home and spend quality time with my family and kids — this is the most beautiful place for me,” Kiran says.

Kiran recharges her battery by reflecting on each day and journaling about the day’s events. “I look at what went right and what went wrong and look in the mirror to see what I could have done differently in these situations,” she explains. “I look for ways to have fun in my work and make it fun for those around me — to smile and make everyone around me smile through the hard times.”

Kiran’s favorite Disney character is Mufasa, who says, “We are all connected in the circle of life.” This is meaningful to Kiran, who believes that there is a bigger reason that we meet our work colleagues and patients — we all meet because we are connected in the circle of life. I feel fortunate to have this connection with such an amazing leader.

 

Submitted by Kelly Schwarz, Therapy Resource

Gordon Murray, Rehab Tech, has worked at North Mountain Medical and Rehab Center for over 14 years. Gordon has built many friendships with residents over the years due to his calm, gentle approach with residents. Gordon has a gift for motivating therapy patients, builds special bonds with them and has been referred to as “The Patient Whisperer” by his peers!

Gordon discovered that one of the therapy patients, Leigh Gholston, was very apprehensive about getting his hair cut in the facility. Upon hearing this, Gordon spoke with his own barber to see if he would come in with Gordon to cut Leigh’s hair. Gordon’s barber was anxious about going to a “nursing home;” his barber pictured a dark, impersonal building and did not want to come in to do the haircut. Gordon was able to convince him that our facility is not at all what he was imagining, and finally he agreed to come cut Leigh’s hair.

Gordon drove his barber here on his day off for the haircut. He was amazed at how North Mountain is such a bright, cheery, welcoming facility, and he really enjoyed his time with Gordon and Leigh! Further, Leigh was thrilled with his new haircut and enjoyed his “guys’ day” as well!

Thank you, Gordon, for making a difference in Leigh’s life and improving all our residents’ lives with your special “gift!” And thank you for providing our guest with a great North Mountain experience, which impressed and awed him!

Through Moments of Truth, we will dignify post-acute care in the eyes of the world.