Jones Memorial Hospital Rehabilitation Services

Today is World Kindness Day. Spread some kindness to your neighbors, friends, family. Don't forget to be kind to yourself as well. 2020 has not been an easy year, spreading kindness around benefits us all...

To all those who served and to those who continue to serve....Happy Veteran’s Day....thank you for your service.

Jones Memorial Hospital has announced that after four decades in healthcare, President/CEO Eva Benedict will be retiring in July 2021. The hospital board of dir...ectors has appointed a search committee that will work with UR Medicine leadership to conduct a national search to fill her position. Check out our website: jones.urmc.edu for the rest of the story and please share this post. See more

We closed out PT Month today with Super Hero Day! Since super heroes try to keep their identities hidden, we are unable to identify our heroes.... but I bet if you look closely you’ll see some familiar faces.......PT is our super power, what’s yours??

Our final spotlight for the month is Cathy Talbett, Director of Rehabilitation Services and Physical Therapist. A graduate of D'Youville College in Buffalo, Cathy has been a physical therapist for 25 years, coming to JMH in 2001. Cathy has worked in the acute, out-patient, home, school and early intervention settings. In 2004 she became Certified in Mechanical Diagnosis and Treatment through the McKenzie Institute. In 2005, Cathy earned her Doctorate of Physical Therapy d...egree from Daemen College. In 2016, Cathy became a Board Certified Clinical Specialist in Pediatric Physical Therapy. Cathy had no prior experience with physical therapy before she began looking into it as a potential career when she was in high school. She observed at a local facility and was so impressed with the way the therapist worked with a pediatric patient, that she knew then that physical therapy was for her. Cathy has practiced in multiple settings in physical therapy, but pediatrics is her favorite. She states that the relationships that she has developed with her patients and their families is one of the aspects she likes best. Being able to see a child work so hard to achieve milestones or skills that most of us assume just happen in childhood development is one of the most rewarding parts of working with children. Plus, as Cathy says, she doesn't have to "adult" for a while. Pediatric therapy, especially with infants and toddlers needs to be fun and playful. She says she can be silly and goofy during a session and it's completely appropriate. Cathy says that what she wishes people knew more about pediatric physical therapy is that "play is therapy and therapy is play." Play is such an important part of a child's development. A child's ability to safely explore their environment, moving through it, hearing different sounds, feeling different textures is all important for a child to be able to move, talk, and interact with their families and peers. Outside of work, Cathy enjoys spending time with her kids and family, reading, and Notre Dame football. Happy PT Month Cathy

Today's spotlight is on physical therapist Christy Hart. A Wellsville native, Christy came to JMH in 1996 following her graduation from Daemen College. Christy has worked in the acute, out-patient, pediatric/school based, aquatic and home care settings. Christy attended extensive training in Vestibular Rehabilitation at Emory University in Atlanta, GA in 2017 to achieve competence in that area. In 2018, Christy completed certification in LSVT BIG, a specialized exercise pr...ogram for individuals with Parkinson's Disease. Christy continues to treat patients with vestibular issues and Parkinson's Disease in our out-patient department. Christy says that she decided to go into PT because she liked to work with people of all ages and in a variety of settings. Being able to help people was a main reason she chose PT as her career. Christy's favorite part of being a PT is seeing patients when they are happy and able to resume their previous activities after they have experienced dizziness. When asked what she wished people know more about PT and Vestibular Rehab, she said that there are certain types of dizziness that PT can help with, that "living with it" or taking medication isn't the only option. She also says that movement is very important; that staying active and moving is needed to maintain the highest and safest level of function for a person. Outside of work, Christy is busy with her four children, spending time with her family and friends and reading. Happy PT Month Christy!

Today's physical therapist spotlight is Kaitlyn Cooney. Kaitlyn joined the JMH team in 2019 following her graduation from Gannon University. Kaitlyn works in our out-patient area, seeing patients with a variety of orthopedic and neurological conditions. Kaitlyn states that in college, she had a Bachelor's degree in pre-med and was unsure what direction to take after obtaining her degree. She states that she began participating in exercise and enjoying it so she turned to... physical therapy. Kaitlyn says that watching people grow in accountability and motivation to improve their lives is one of her favorite parts of being a PT. When asked what she wished people knew about PT is "that it works!" She says that PT's have education and training in multiple body systems and medical conditions that are considered when developing a patient's plan of care. As a PT, it is important for Kaitlyn to listen to her patients; to appreciate and discuss what motivates the patient and what events are occurring within their life helps her tie in with the patient what they learn in PT. Outside of work, Kaitlyn enjoys running, hiking and being with her family. Happy PT Month Kaitlyn! See more

Today's spotlight shines on Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA), Melissa Falandys. Melissa has been a part of the JMH PT team for over 5 years and graduated from Niagara County Community College in 2014. Melissa works both in the out-patient area and the in-patient hospital setting. Melissa became interested in the physical therapy profession at a young age as her older sister has cerebral palsy and received physical therapy services. She also has personal experience rece...iving PT services due to sports injuries. Melissa says, "I have been around PT my entire life." Melissa states that her favorite part of being a PTA is being able to educate and help people get back to their daily lives and interests after an injury. When asked what she wished people knew more about physical therapy she said the importance of exercises as a regular routine for general health and to avoid injury. As a PTA, Melissa works with patients based on a plan of care initially developed by the primary physical therapist and the patient. Melissa says that she also likes to find out from patients what their personal goals are and what they would like to be able to do before completing their physical therapy services. When not at work, Melissa enjoys spending time with her family and enjoying the outdoors. Happy PT Month Melissa!! See more

A COVID-19 resurgence in Allegany County has led to a zero visitors policy at Jones Memorial. Please share.

Today we shine the spotlight on physical therapist Carolyn Smith. Carolyn has been a PT at JMH for 8 years, and a physical therapist for 36 years. Carolyn working in the aquatic, home care, out-patient and school based settings. When Carolyn was in junior and senior high school, her grandmother told her she would make a good PT after Carolyn helped her alleviate pain she was having due to her work. After volunteering in a PT department of a local hospital she decided tha...t this was going to be her career. Carolyn is our primary aquatic therapist, a service provided at JMH since 1993. Aquatic therapy uses the benefits of water immersion to help improve a patient's strength, function, and pain. Carolyn says that she has seen people do thing sin the pool that they could not have do "on land." Carolyn says that her favorite part of being a PT is seeing a person improve, whether it be function, mobility, pain or strength because of the guidance they received in therapy. Outside of work, Carolyn is very involved in her church, and her faith is very important to her. Two years ago, Carolyn spent time in China to work with orphans and foster children. She also likes to garden and knit hats for her church's pantry. See more

Today's PT spotlight shines on Shanna Winters. Shanna has been a physical therapist at JMH for 18 years, joining our team following her graduation from Utica College in 2005. She then went on to earn her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Daemen College in 2007. Shanna has worked in multiple settings during her time at JMH, including pediatrics, out-patient, home care and is currently our primary acute care physical therapist. Shanna also became wound care certified fo...llowing extensive training and sitting for a certification exam. Prior to choosing a career in PT, Shanna knew that she wanted a career where she could help and interact with people. Her aunt suggested she look into physical therapy. After volunteering at a local clinic, Shanna knew that she wanted to be a physical therapist. Patients who have open wounds often have diagnoses or comorbidities that impede wound healing and sometimes these wounds can become very chronic and infected. Shanna helps manage a patient's wounds by cleaning and debriding, or removing, tissing that isn't viable. Based on the condition of the wound and the patient's history, she also decides which dressing is best for them. Wound care is something that Shanna decided to obtain further education in when she became the primary acute care physical therapist and knew that she was going to be seeing wounds regularly. Shanna states that her favorite part of being a PT is "hands down patient interaction and seeing a patient succeed with their functional goals." When asked what people should know about PT, she said that often a patient will state that they have to come to PT in order to get an MRI or surgery. They are already under the assumption that PT isn't going to help. It is proven that PT can often help patients with their pain and function without imaging or surgery. Outside of work, Shanna loves spending time with her family. She states that they recently started kayaking this summer and they love to go camping. Happy PT Month Shanna!!

Each year for National Physical Therapy Month, the PT department has a calendar of fun activities to celebrate. Today was "Celebrate Your College Day". Pictured here are from the left, Kaitlyn Cooney, PT, DPT (Gannon Univeristy), Christina Hunt, Rehab Tech (Onondaga Community College), Cathy Talbett, PT, DPT (D'Youville College) and Chelsea Leahy PT, DPT (Upstate Medical University). Stay tuned for further PT Month updates!!

Today we spotlight physical therapist Chelsea Leahy. Chelsea came to work at JMH following her graduation from Upstate Medical University in 2019. Chelsea works in the outpatient setting, seeing a diverse range of patients with orthopedic or neurologic conditions. Chelsea states that she decided to pursue PT as her career because she loves the life transformation physical therapy can provide for patients through natural movements and exercises. She feels that physical the...rapy empowers people to improve their function and relive their symptoms. Chelsea's favorite part of being a PT is seeing the joy that emanates from patients as they reach their goals...saying "it's priceless." When asked what she wished more people knew about PT, Chelsea stated that she wished people knew the wide variety of conditions that can benefit from PT, from dizziness and balance, to back pain, to women's health. She also stated that many times, PT can help avoid having to have invasive procedures or having to take more medications. When working with patients, Chelsea states that she tailors every session to the individuals' personal goals and what is important to them, i.e. getting down on the floor to play with their grandkids or being able to throw a baseball. Outside of work, Chelsea enjoys spending time with friends and family, including doing anything outdoors, such as hiking, skiing, and running. Happy PT Month, Chelsea!

October is National Physical Therapy Month! This month we will introduce you to our physical therapists and physical therapist assistants, provide information regarding the services we provide here at JMH, as well as providing educational information for you regarding physical therapy. Happy PT Month!!