VOL. 4 NUMBER 2 :May-June 2008 First, I’d like to take the opportunity to say how grateful I am to work with such amazing, hard-working people, both in the field and in the office. You guys make coming to work a treat. One thing I can say is that Central likes to have fun. Highlights for 2008 * We picked our first-quarter Division Diamond: Danielle Collins, SLP. * Our second-quarter Division Diamond was recently named: Marc Fagnan, SLP. * We all survived the March for Respect. If I had known it was 1.5 miles, I would have faked sick that day. * We won the massage chair (we only charge 25 cents a minute and we always accept bribes) * The DSs are feeling more comfortable with their positions (at least that is what they are telling me). * We have increased our frequency audit compliance from 85 percent to 94 percent (proves that time outs still work). * We hired a new RN, Kimmy Gibson, and a new SLP, Mishon Arbuckle. Keep up the good work guys (only 20 more therapists to go). * We started our First Monday event. We have had great participation, which shows in our increase in audit compliance. * We are all getting to know everyone better and look forward to a great Second quarter! Angela Lawson, RN Central Division Manager PT REPORT: Big Wow for THERAPY 2000 • 2 March For Respect: A Day For Fun and Respect • 3 HR REPORT: Moving On Up! • 4 INSIGHTS: The 80/20 Rule • 5 Wow Corner • 6 March for Respect 2008 • 8 COMMUNITY RELATIONS: April Clement • 11 NORTH DIVISION: Making a Difference • 12 EAST DIVISION: What’s Happening? • 13 WEST DIVISION: Update • 14 CASE MANAGER UPDATE • 15 FAMILY UPDATE 1 • 6 Inside This Issue: THE INSIDE EDITION from the Administrator, Jerre van den Bent, PT This section will return on the next issue. CENTRAL DIVISION REPORT by Angela Lawson, RN
Transcript
VOL. 4 NUMBER 2 :May-June 2008
First, I’d like to take the opportunity to say how grateful I am to work with such amazing, hard-working people, both in the field and in the office. You guys make coming to work a treat.
One thing I can say is that Central likes to have fun.
Highlights for 2008
* We picked our first-quarter Division Diamond: Danielle Collins, SLP.
* Our second-quarter Division Diamond was recently named: Marc Fagnan, SLP.
* We all survived the March for Respect. If I had known it was 1.5 miles, I would have faked sick that day.
* We won the massage chair (we only charge 25 cents a minute and we always accept bribes)
* The DSs are feeling more comfortable with their positions (at least that is what they are telling me).
* We have increased our frequency audit compliance from 85 percent to 94 percent (proves that time outs still work).
* We hired a new RN, Kimmy Gibson, and a new SLP, Mishon Arbuckle. Keep up the good work guys (only 20 more therapists to go).
* We started our First Monday event. We have had great participation, which shows in our increase in audit compliance.
* We are all getting to know everyone better and look forward to a great Second quarter!
Angela Lawson, RNCentral Division Manager
PT REPORT: Big Wow for THERAPY 2000• 2March For Respect: A Day For Fun and Respect • 3HR REPORT: Moving On Up!• 4INSIGHTS: The 80/20 Rule• 5Wow Corner• 6March for Respect 2008• 8COMMUNITY RELATIONS: April Clement• 11NORTH DIVISION: Making a Difference• 12EAST DIVISION: What’s Happening?• 13WEST DIVISION: Update• 14CASE MANAGER UPDATE• 15FAMILY UPDATE 1• 6
Inside This Issue:
THE INSIDE EDITIONfrom the Administrator, Jerre van den Bent, PTThis section will return on the next issue.
CENTRAL DIVISION REPORT by Angela Lawson, RN
Congratula-tions THERA-PY 2000! Way to represent T2K at the District level of the Texas Physical Ther-apy Associa-tion (TPTA). I recently vis-ited the Web site for up-dates on the North Texas District (NTD)
of the TPTA (www.TPTA.org) and noticed that THERAPY 2000 has four members on the execu-tive committee. A big WOW goes out to the fol-lowing THERAPY 2000 family members for the dedication and commitment to the Physical Therapy Profession: Jerre van den Bent, PT, Dis-trict Chair and Membership Chair; Karen Crain, PT, Vice Chair; A’Donna Corbin, LPTA, Secretary; and Kelly Roach, PT, Communications Chair.
Not sure if your presence could influence change? Think about this: These committee members were able to be a part of the changes that took place at the last District meeting, in-cluding bringing in a pediatric speaker rather than having the typical orthopedic speaker.
The next district meeting is coming up, the line-up for May 20, 2008:
Evidence-based physical therapist treatment of spinal injuries, Presented by: Michael Lucido, PT, OCS, COMT, FAAOMPT.
Balance: What’s dizziness got to do with it?, Pre-sented by: Tonya Fuller, PT, MS & Chad Swank, PT, MS, NCS.
Differential Diagnosis in Pediatric Physical Ther-apy, Presented by: Mary Elizabeth Parker, PT, MS, PCS.
Speaker info and RSVP: http://www.ersvp.com/reply/ntdmay20.
There is always room for more T2K employees to join these people in representing the wonder-ful world of Pediatric Physical Therapy. The TPTA has many opportunities, both at the local dis-trict level, as at the statewide level. Just attend-ing the district meetings can bring awareness to other practitioners, not to mention it’s great networking. The North Texas District is also or-ganizing four Membership Recruiting events this year. These events will enable you to serve your profession for a few hours without having to make an ongoing commitment, and have a great time doing so. The next one is a Pool Party call out event scheduled for June 7, the location, you guessed it, Jerre and Angel’s!!
PT REPORTBY IVY SHELMADINE, PT, DPT
BIG WOW TO THERAPY 2000!
THERAPY 2000 will auction tablets, fitness equipment, chairs, desks, etc. Friday, May 9.
Visit MyT2K for pictures of these items. All proceeds will go to Chari-T2000.
T2000 Auction!
Editorial Staff
Jerre van den Bent, PTEDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Francisco RodriguezCOPY EDITOR
Angel MendozaMANAGING EDITOR
Maicol NietoGRAPHIC DESIGNER
Donna Trantham BUSINESS OFFICE
Kristin Mycke, LMSWCASE MANAGEMENT
Belinda Williams, OTRINSIGHTS
Wayne Wilson, PHRHUMAN RESOURCES
Jennifer RileyCOMMUNITY RELATIONS
Danielle Harston, OTROCCUPATIONAL THERAPY
Ivy Shelmadine, PT, DPTPHYSICAL THERAPY
THERAPY 20002535 Lone Star DriveDallas, Texas 75212
The day began early for the THERAPY 2000 team of folks that prepared the agency’s area at the March for Respect early in the morning on March 29 at the West End, in Dallas. There were 1,000 balloons to be inflated, about 600 T-shirts to fold and unfold, lots of popcorn to pop and tons of fun to be had, and not even the gray skies could put a damper on anyone’s spirit.
The March for Respect is an event sponsored by the De-velopmental Disabilities Network of North Texas that pro-motes respect for people with developmental disabilities. Thousands of people marched the 1.5-mile route to show their respect that Saturday morning.
The program began at about 9 a.m. when Aretha Franklin’s “Respect” was played over the central stage’s loudspeakers. Activities continued with presentations and several musi-cal numbers, as well as performances by area high school cheerleaders.
Kimmy Gibson, who began to work for THERAPY 2000’s Central Division a month ago, said this was the first visit to the March for her and her son Regan. Kimmy said that before she worked for the agency, both her sons received therapy services there.
“He’s excited about it, he wants to walk around and get some free stuff,” she said. “It’s a lot of fun!”
The March began at 11 a.m. and took participants about a half an hour to cover the route through the West End, with marchers and onlookers cheering from the start line all the way to the finish line.
“People that have been here before have had a great time and they come back to enjoy the event every year,” said Jerre van den Bent, president of THERAPY 2000. “The March is a grass-root effort that communicates among several agen-cies, and that insures that people keep on returning.”
Hiram Trillo set up an area where about 35 families had their picture taken. The pictures will be sent to the families in the weeks to come.
Taneisha G. stopped by the booth with little Alexa K., a for-mer patient, to have her photo snapped. This was the first time they had attended the March. “We missed out on the popcorn, but we had a lot of fun.”
At the end of the day, THERAPY 2000 was awarded third place in the Spirit award category, and most importantly all participants were shown the proper respect they deserve!
MARCH FOR RESPECTBY FRANCISCO RODRIGUEz, COPY EDITOR
Attention All AssistantsSpeech-Language Pathologists!
Career Track Assistance applications are now being accepted. For more information visit MyT2K under Training / Handouts. Deadline is June 15, 2008.
A DAY FOR FUN AND RESPECT
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2007 will be remem-bered as a year of phe-nomenal but structured growth for THERAPY 2000. We have initi-ated several programs to help facilitate our growth while retaining the “family of therapists” culture that we all cher-ish. The most important secret to our success is actually not a secret at all… it’s our employees. It’s no secret that our employees are the best of the best! Without our
employees – “family members” — THERAPY 2000 could not have enjoyed the success we experienced in 2007.
As we move into 2008, our success depends on each other, with each family member meeting and exceeding his or her expectations. It is also no secret that we place a high value on internal promotions. As such, listed below are the responses from four of our fellow family members who recently chose to “move up” in position to part-time or full-time and increase their caseload.
What initially attracted to you to THERAPY 2000?* Tania, SLP: There is enormous enthusiasm with all employ- ees at the Agency. Also my graduate advisor, who used to work for THERAPY 2000, was always saying good things about the Agency.
* Rebecca, SLP: My friend (a fellow SLP) spoke very highly about THERAPY 2000 and how it cares for its employees.
* Rachel, OTR: I heard good things about the Agency from other therapists, and had a great interview experience.
* Tara, PT: A client I was assisting spoke highly of THERAPY 2000 and encouraged me to apply.
What made you consider moving on up?* Tania, SLP: My situation was a bit unique; I was in a difficult work situation with my previous employer. An opportunity arose to work more at THERAPY 2000 and I took it. Some- times tough times lead to great situations.
* Rebecca, SLP: My heart is in the job. I get fantastic support from the Agency, and there are so many opportunities for personal and professional growth. And I LOVE the families we serve.
* Rachel, OTR: Benefits. Great benefits and generous PTO leave and holiday pay.
* Tara, PT: Great experience working as a PRN. I look forward to becoming more involved with the Agency and on committees. What has been the biggest difference you have no-ticed between contractor/PRN to PT/FT?* Tania, SLP: I get to have more time to spend helping kids and their families!
* Rebecca, SLP: I’m able to give more of my time and effort to the clients, families and work.
* Rachel, OTR: MORE visits. From four clients to 12 clients a week.
* Tara, PT: The need to focus more on time management skills and meeting your visit expectations.
And finally…What advice would you give to other employees considering moving on up?* Tania, SLP: Ask questions. Learn what the expectations are, and communicate, communicate, communicate.
* Rebecca, SLP: Just Do It! Plan accordingly – we came into this profession because we care for our patients, our friends, our families, and our communities. We must also remember to care for ourselves and plan our schedules accordingly to meet our commitments.
* Rachel, OTR: Ensure that you have enough of a case load to meet and exceed your visit expectations.
* Tara, PT: Flexibility to manage your own schedule. Take charge of your day.
2008 promises to be every bit as bright as and even better than 2007. As we continue to grow we will have more need for Full-Time and Part-Time employees to help facilitate our goals for 2008. If you are thinking about moving on up from PRN or PT, please talk with your district supervisor.
HR REPORTBY WAYNE WILSON, PHR
MOVING ON UP!
T2K RECRUITING GOAL: We will
hire 100 NEW EMPLOYEES by
Dec. 31, 20084
In the last issue I introduced an anti-pro-crastination strategy called “Frog Eating” — getting the most dreaded AND urgent task of each day tackled first. I’d love to hear from those of you who have tried this and found it helpful. Today I’m introducing an-other simple yet powerful principle called the 80/20 rule.
The 80/20 rule, also known as the Pareto Principle, named after an Italian econo-mist originating the same path of thought, states that 20 percent of our activities ac-count for 80 percent of our results. Think of it in terms of how you spend your time. When we choose tasks carefully and attack
them with a high level of focus, that time spent produces more than a whole day of doing endless less strategic tasks. This is quality time at its finest!
As promised, I am first experimenting with the strategies to defeat procras-tination before sharing them with you. During the last couple of months, I’ve gradually moved into this mode of time management and have enjoyed an exhilarating sense of accomplishment from crossing off big items from my to-do list as opposed to numerous small items. As a bonus the resulting energy gives me just enough “oomph” to go ahead a cross a few more of the small items before ending each day. Brian Tracy, the author of “Eat That Frog”, summarizes this rule as: “Resist the temptation to clear up small things first.”
When I timed myself in doing two job-related tasks I found that they each took about the same amount of time to do, even though I initially perceived the more important task as taking more time. We often look at more weighty tasks as being more demanding of time and energy. However, I was invigo-rated by the satisfaction I got from doing the task most crucial to my job function first and in less time than first imagined. For me this was personal corroboration of Tracy’s research that shows we are most stimulated by ac-tivities that really make a difference.
Beware of the following procrastination traps when applying the 80/20 rule:
1. Don’t mistakenly convince yourself that you don’t have time.
2. Take care of that more purposeful and meaningful task first!
3. Keep small things in their place: lower priority, done in less time.
Finally, ask yourself each day: “Which task would have the greatest impact on my chosen occupation?” The answer to this question is sure to put you on you on the right track.
INSIGHTS BY BELINDA WILLIAMS, OTR
THE 80/20 RULE
Upcoming EventsDate: Friday, June 6Event: CPR TrainingTime: 8:30 – 12:30
Date: Friday, June 13Event: Second FridayPT: TIMEOT/ST/CSS: Down Syndrome/CP
Date: Saturday, July 26
Event: Family DayTime: 1 - 5 p.m.
Date: Friday, Aug. 1Event: CPR TrainingTime: 8:30 – 12:30
Date: Friday, Aug. 8Event: Second FridayAll: Sensory Integration
Date: Friday, Sep. 12Event: Second FridayAll: Sexual Harassment/Infection Control/HIV/TB/Back Safety
Date: Saturday, Sep. 27
Event: T2K Day!Time: Meet for lunch from 2 - 4 p.m.Where: At Six Flags all day
If you have events that you would like to see listed here, please e-mail at [email protected]
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MARCH FOR RESPECT 2008
MARCH FOR RESPECT 2008
Karen Vardiman had an unusual reaction when she was named one of three recipients of the Burtis-Vogel Community Service Award from the Texas Speech-Language Hearing Foundation.
“I was speechless.”
The award is presented to speech-language pathologists who exceed expectations in providing services that benefit the com-munity at large. In Karen’s case, the award recognizes her work as the director of the Spoken Word Ministry, a communication support group for adult stroke survivors with residual commu-nication challenges.
Karen received a monetary sum, a laptop, and other computer equipment as part of the award. She says she is flattered by the award, and that she will use the computer equipment during treatments to run functional communication software, and ac-cess speech therapy websites.
“I’m a speech-aholic, I didn’t need an award to keep doing it, but it’s very helpful,” she said. “The most important thing is that my church considers this a ministry, the Spoken Word Ministry.”
The Spoken Word Ministry began in 2006 at Loving Fellowship Baptist Church as a support service for stroke survivors who still have speech impairments. The mission of the group is to provide Christian education and support to communicatively impaired community members and their families.
“It is the love of my life, it’s just so much fun,” Karen said. “Origi-nally I wasn’t telling too many people about it, but I thought that if I told more therapists, they can find people who can use our support service, and they can refer stroke survivors who still have speech impairments to our groups.”
She said that when she told two of group’s members, who are stroke survivors, they started to cry. “They were so happy for me, and that really touched me, she said.”
The support group was formally a part of the South Dallas Communication Group that was sponsored by a grant for more than three years. When they weren’t able to renew the grant, the people in the group no longer met. Karen’s pastor was con-tacted about reviving it so that people would have the social communication group again.
“That’s how we kept it alive,” Karen said. “It’s kind of sad that you only get help if you have money. When they got back together, one of the stroke survivors said to me, ‘We’re going to be to-gether forever now, because Karen’s not going to quit on us.’ ”
Karen said that the members of the group knew too, that at any point when the money ran out from insurance, or Medicare or a grant that their therapy would end, or that other people would decide how much treatment to provide.
“It’s a lot to think about. I think it’s a wonderful thing for them, and it’s the greatest thing for me,” she said. “They help me be a better person. All of them are older than I am, and the wisdom that they are able to share even through some of them broken sentence is worth getting up on Saturday mornings”
Karen has been a speech therapist since 1981. She works full time for the Duncanville school district and handles six patients for THERAPY 2000. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia and did her graduate work at California State University-Los Angeles.
In her spare time she reads, does water aerobics, crochets and engages in other exercises at home. She also enjoys her two dogs, an Akita and a German shepherd. She collects vintage dolls from the 50s and 60s. She has about 100 dolls in her col-lection, although they numbered more than 400.
For more information about the Spoken Work Ministry, e-mail [email protected].
Q
and A with April Clement, Community Rela-tions Representative.
A BIG WOW GOES OUT TOKAREN VARDIMAN, MA CCC-SLP
Vital Stim graduates proudly display their certificates after two days of hard work that ended Sunday, April 27 at 4 p.m.
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April Clement recently joined the Community Rela-tions department.
Q: What did you do before you came to T2K? A: I was a stay-at-home mom of 3-year-old twins, an infant and a 9-year-old in school. I was also assist-ing my mother with caring for my physically disabled brother.
Q: How did you hear about T2K? A: Jerre was my brother’s PT.
zeke was his PTA. Janet Smith was his OT, and Lauren Matthews was his ST.
Q: When did you begin your job at T2K? A: In September 2002. Can I just tell you one thing? When I in-terviewed with Jerre, he said “I don’t care what you wear to work. You can wear your PJs for all I care as long as you’re clean.”
Q: Wow! Times have changed! How many patients did T2K have then? A: I think our census was right around 100.
Q: What did you do then? A: I worked part-time as Donna’s assistant coordinating Medicaid authorizations.
Q: What all have you done for T2K? A: When it comes to the business office, I’ve dabbled in every-thing but Human Resources.
Q: Why did you want to apply for the marketing position? A: Because I am a networker at heart — which really translated into “I like to talk a lot!”
Q: What do you think about your new position after being a couple of months at it? A: It is challenging and exciting.
Q: Is it easy for you to sell T2K? A: It doesn’t feel like I’m selling. It feels like I’m empowering people with the passion for T2K that I have!
And she does have passion! When I started with T2K in 2005 I remember thinking, “I can’t wait to someday have the passion for T2K that April has!” Thank you, April, for your passion for the chil-dren and the families that we serve! Welcome to the Community Relations Department!
APRIL CLEMENT
COMMUNITY RELATIONSBY JENNIFER RILEY
April Clement
MORE MFR 2008 PICS
During stressful times, do you ever ask yourself “why?” Why do I have to complete seven evalu-ations by Monday? Why do I have to finish 10 physician updates Sunday night? Why do I have to put call logs in the patients’ charts before 9 a.m.? Why do I have to reschedule five visits before the end of the month?
The best answer to all those “whys” is the impact we make on each and every patient’s life. This is a wonderful story about the journey made by a patient of ours, Cody. This is a journey he and his family couldn’t have made alone, since it required the help of OT, PT, and ST. Cody is currently receiving services from Amy Peterman (OT) and Monica Espedal (ST), who were kind enough to share this story with us.
Cody is an engaging four-year-old boy that has been re-ceiving services from THERAPY 2000 since April 2006. When Cody was born he was diagnosed with a genetic disorder, Ornithinetranscarbamylase deficiency. This dis-order affects the body’s ability to get rid of ammonia, a toxic breakdown product of the body’s use of protein. As a result of damage to the liver, Cody received a transplant in October 2005.
When Cody was evaluated at the age of two, he crawled, didn’t talk nor made gestures and had poor fine motor skills. His grandparents were concerned that he didn’t eat. His primary source of nutrition was given through a nasogastric tube. He refused all attempts to put anything in his mouth.
Fast-forward two years: Cody begins to use a Picture Ex-change Communication system and gestures to commu-nicate his wants and needs. He can even say “bubbles,” one of his favorite activities. He walks and climbs up stairs with little assistance. He is able to mark and scribble on paper, stack blocks and pick up small objects with his fin-gers. His most recent achievement has been surpassing his biggest challenge, eating. Over the past two years, we
have tried several times to decrease Cody’s oral aversion-swithout success, until recently. It has not been an easy or quick process but Cody now consistently eats yogurt, applesauce and smooth-textured foods. He is even ges-turing for food outside of therapy sessions. His grandpar-ents are excited and pleased by all his progress.
The progress that Cody has made is proof that with pa-tience and hard work, we can all make a difference in the life of a child. Amy, Monica, Cody and his family are ex-cited to see how far he will go.
Lee Kellams, MS CCC-SLPNorth Division Manager
NORTH DIVISIONBY LEE KELLAMS,MSP, CCC-SLP
MAKING A DIFFERENCE
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THERAPY 2000 will take part in the Walk Now for Autism on June 14, 2008 at the Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. Not only will we participate in the resource fair, but we have set a goal of recruiting 50 T2K Family members to raise money and walk! If you raise $100, you will earn your commemora-tive Walk Now for Autism t-shirt! To join the T2K Walk Now for Autism team, please email [email protected]. For more information about the event, please visit www.walknowforautism.org/dallas.
WALK FOR AUTISM
Our New Home: As Dor-othy said: “There’s no place like home, there’s no place like home.” We love our new office! We are seeing so many of our East Division Thera-pist’s bright and shiny faces every week and love it. Our dining table is always full with thera-pists coming by to share lunch with us. Thera-pists are stopping by to complete paperwork on their breaks, drop off pa-
perwork, take advantage of our “clean restrooms” or just to say “hi.” There has also been “lots” of networking and coordination of care between therapists. Our case man-agers, new staffing coordinator and therapists are getting to know each other on a different and improved level. Of course, Alejandra already knew everyone fairly well and has been on hand to help everyone with their tablet needs. All in all, it has been a very positive and rewarding change. We are still working out all of the “kinks” and have a lot of decorating to do, but we are planning an open house in the next couple of months.
Welcome to Our Family: We have added several new members to our East Division Therapy 2000 family during the last two months.
Karen Copple, M.S. Ed., CCC-SLP, joined District 11 as a full-time therapist. She recently moved here from Lubbock. She is married and has four grown children. She has de-grees in Music, Drama and Speech Language Pathology, for which she is currently pursuing her doctorate. Her husband will be joining her from Lubbock this summer, but meanwhile she is living with her son, granddaughter and daughter-in-law (our own Patia Kinzler-Copple, PT).
Priscella Rodriguez joined the East Division family as the new staffing coordinator. She lives in East Dallas and has two little boys, ages 6 and 7. She is pursuing a degree in education and spends most of her spare time being a cheerleader for her sons at all of their sporting activities.
Angel Butler, OTR, joined District 12 as a PRN therapist.
She lives in Combine and enjoys participating in rodeos. She has been an OT for 14 years in public schools and as a hand therapist.
Kristin Stooksberry, OTR, will soon be joining District 12 as a PRN therapist. She lives in Forney with her husband and 18-month-old son. She has worked for ECI and has recently been fabricating DocBands for Cranial Technolo-gies. She enjoys scrapbooking, spending time with her family, watching Aggie sports events and golf.
Amber Foster, BS., STA, transferred from the North Division to District 12 and she is building a house out in Fate, near Rockwall. She graduated from UTD in December 2007 and plans on pursuing her Master’s Degree next summer after her October wedding to Jimmy.
Lucy Liu, who needs no introduction, has recently moved from the Central Division to the East Division, District 10… we are very glad to have her.
Sad News: One of the members of our family, Marcia Thrall, LPTA, is moving to Arkansas at the end of April. She will surely be missed by all as she was a “shining star” for our division. We hope that she stays in touch. If I remember correctly, she spent two years in Hawaii and still managed to find her way back to THERAPY 2000. We must really be special. I’ll keep my fingers crossed that she’ll find her way back again.
That’s all for now!
Vanessa Richardson, OTREast Division Manager
EAST DIVISION REPORT BY VANESSA RICHARDSON, OTR
WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE EAST DIVISION?
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It seems that this quarter has been the quarter of team building in different ways:
First, we moved to a much more accessi-ble location. It seems that “location, loca-tion, location” really does matter.
Second, we officially kicked off our divi-
sion with our first meeting on March 7. In the spirit of “Gung Ho!” our primary purpose was to recognize worthwhile work. To break it down even more, we discussed the primary values of the agency and how they relate to what we do and what is expected of us on a daily basis. We also wanted to recognize the impact we have on each other, regardless of our role within the division. We began to develop team goals for which we all have a role accomplishing of the tasks. In the end, the journey toward meeting our goals will benefit our patients and families in the quality care they will receive.
Third, the first brown bag lunch for speech therapists took place to discuss specific patient cases. Hope-fully, this will set a precedent for similar future meet-ings for all disciplines as we grow, so we continue to network and learn from each other.
And last, as we have settled here in Fort Worth and the surrounding areas, we have discovered a key need to market carefully and recruit heavily. This area has not been marketed since T2K opened its doors. The market has grown as West therapists have joined the agency and slowly migrated their caseload westward — kind of an “If you build it, they will come” mental-ity. If we put therapists in the right places, our pa-tients will come.
While I was truly afraid to market because of the overflowing caseloads at the beginning of the year, February and March patient illness and insurance in-
eligibilities has definitely proved that strategic mar-keting is a must. Thank you, Jennifer and April — we now see the light. We have developed a plan to mar-ket key areas of need west of I-35 and the cities of North Richland Hills and Richland Hills. This should help therapists move into true hot zones that may ri-val our Dallas team members. Soon enough, our hot zones hopefully won’t simply mean that each thera-pist has a quarter of the Fort Worth pie.
We have begun to market in the far, far west; we have begun to recruit and hire in eastern areas, east of I-35, where our waiting list seems never-ending.
Once we start to get the hang of the delicate balance between marketing and recruiting, I think the West division is poised to explode with therapeutic poten-tial.
I feel privileged to be a part of this team, and I am very excited to see what’s around the corner in the next quarter.
Kim Spirrison, OTRWest Division Manager
WEST DIVISION REPORTBY KIM SPIRRISON, OTR
WEST DIVISION UPDATE
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Disclaimer: This article is meant for fun and self-reflection. It is not meant as a medical assess-ment or treatment tool!
Personal Life Events analysis
To learn the level of stress (dis-tress) in your life, circle the value at the right of each of the following events if it has occurred within the past 12 months:
Event Value Death of spouse 100 Divorce 73 Marital separation 65 Jail term 63 Death of close family member 63Personal injury or illness 53Marriage 50Fired from job 47Marital reconciliation 45Retirement 45Change in family member’s health 44Pregnancy 40Sexual difficulties 39Addition to family 39Business readjustment 39Change in financial status 38Death of close friend 37Career change 36Change in number of marital arguments 35Mortgage or loan over $10,000 31 Foreclosure of mortgage or loan 30Change in work responsibilities 29 Son or daughter leaving home 29Trouble with in-laws 29Outstanding personal achievement 28Spouse begins or ceases working 26Starting or finishing school 26Change in living conditions 25Revision of personal habits 24Trouble with boss 23
HOW STRESSFUL IS YOUR LIFE?
CASE MANAGERS REPORTBY KRISTIN MYCKE, LMSW
Change in work hours, conditions 20 Change in residence 20 Change in schools 20 Change in recreational habits 19 Change in church activities 19 Change in social activities 18Mortgage or loan under $10,000 17Change in sleeping habits 16Change in number of family gatherings 15 Change in eating habits 15Vacation 13Christmas season 12Minor violation of the law 1
How to analyze your score:
Add the circled values. If your total score is more than 150, find ways to reduce stress in your dai-ly. The Higher the score, the harder one needs to work at staying physically well.
How to reduce your stress level:•Eachdaytakesometimeforyourself.•Attheendoftheday,thinkabouthowyoufeltthroughout the day and why. •Atleastonceaweek,meetupwithyourfriendsand laugh a bit. •Stopandtakeafewslowdeepbreaths.•Takeperiodicandregular timeofffromyourmost stressful activity. •Getenoughsleep.•Exercise.•Watchyourdiet
Info modified from:Coping.org: Tools for Coping with Life’s Stres-sors: http://www.coping.org/growth/stress.htm
Phil for Humanity: http://www.philforhuman-ity.com/Reducing_Stress.html
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Welcome to Our Family
Anniversaries Birthdays
New Employee Position Division Butler, Angel OT East 12Carnine, Pat OT North 2Conner, Christi ST West 4Copple, Karen ST East 11Hughes, Dion ST West 6Kretchmar, Carol ST West 6Racho, Rachel ST West 4Robinson, Ericka Social Worker WestRodriguez, Priscella Staffing Coordinator EastStooksberry, Kristin OT East 12Tally, Ann PT West 5Tebes, Leonardo Translator Corporate
1-Year AnniversariesBrianne Richardson MayErin Byer MayKeane Byrom June
2-Year AnniversariesJuan Garcia May Karin Whitla-Simons May Connie Glenn MayCherish Flanagan MayJennifer Negron JuneIvy Shelamadine JuneDanielle Harston JuneJanie Yanez June 3-Year AnniversariesKaren Gillum May Miranda Beckmann May Nancy Trillo MayMelissa Sneed JuneJan Yount JuneChandra Hayes-Burke June 4-Year AnniversariesTonya Ferguson MayAmy Peterman MayRenallie Arcinas June Kristin Mycke June
5-Year AnniversariesMary Jane Palasciano May
6-Year AnniversariesAida Castillo MayKaren Crain June
7-Year AnniversariesBecky Neal May Janet Smith May Jerre van den Bent May Yvonne Roulston May
May Birthdays
May 1 Marty PfluegerMay 2 Guillermo MonjaresMay 4 Monica DavilaMay 12 Janie YanezMay 13 Erin BellueMay 13 Joy CaryMay 14 Maria SanchezMay 17 Vanessa RichardsonMay 18 Angela LawsonMay 19 Galen GregoryMay 22 Sarah LessmanMay 24 Rachel RachoMay 25 Lynn WattersMay 26 Lauren BlackwoodMay 26 Lee KellamsMay 26 Darlene WarnerMay 28 Kelly RoachMay 28 Belinda Williams
June Birthdays
June 1 Karen CrainJune 1 Yeisha CulpJune 1 Angel MendozaJune 5 Marisela MartinezJune 15 Shona RichardsonJune 17 Kate LundgrenJune 20 Miranda BeckmannJune 20 Gloria HeteyJune 21 Gale VaughanJune 22 Monica EspedalJune 25 Susan Case
Family UpdateBabies
Kelly Roach gave birth to Kaden Roach March 30 at 1 p.m., weigh-ing 5 pounds and 9 ounces.
Kim Mayfield gave birth to Riley Elizabeth Mayfield on April 8th weigh-ing 5 pounds, 2 ounces and is 17 inches
Jennifer Asbill gave birth to Dan Jackson April 22. weighing 7 pounds and 11 ounces.
ProfessionalAchievementsKate Lundgren, OT, North Divi-sion therapist recently completed her SIPT (Sensory Integration and Praxis Tests) certification.
