Holzer Recognized National Rehabilitation Awareness Week
Holzer Health System joined the National Rehabilitation Awareness Foundation, sponsor of National Rehabilitation Awareness Celebration, and more than 6,500 facilities nationwide in observing the occasion in September. This year marked the 27th anniversary of Holzer’s Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit in Gallipolis, Ohio.
National Rehabilitation Awareness week is designed to promote the value of rehabilitation; highlight the capabilities of people with disabilities; salute the professionals who provide service to people with disabilities; and increase awareness of the value and impact of rehabilitation.
The Inpatient Rehab recognized the week with their Annual Rehab Reunion. Former rehab patients and members of the community were invited for lunch, live entertainment, and door prizes. As part of the celebration, Holzer Inpatient Rehab Unit staff selected Betty Campbell, RN, as the Inpatient Rehab Employee of the Year.
Campbell is a graduate of the University of Rio Grande Holzer School of Nursing and has been a part of the nursing staff on the Inpatient Rehab Unit since August 2017. Valery Weaver, Holzer Inpatient Rehab Unit Clinical Coordinator shared, “Betty is an amazing person, nurse, and co-worker. She always goes above and beyond. Betty's skills and knowledge along with her top-notch kindness and patient advocate skills make her the model nurse. I am blessed to work with Betty and the rehab department is very glad to have her on our team. Betty exhibits the values and missions of the Holzer legacy.”
In addition, a Patient of the year was chosen at the Annual Rehab Reunion. This year’s recipient was Gary Walker, who was a patient on the Inpatient Rehab Unit in January/February 2018. Walker came to Holzer Rehab following a stroke, where he underwent therapy to recover including learning how to walk again. “Everyone cares so much about the patients here,” shared Walker. “The staff is wonderful and I was treated so well.”
Rehabilitation is a medical specialty that helps restore those who are affected by a potentially disabling disease or traumatic injury to good health and functional, productive lives, in addition to minimize physical or cognitive disabilities. It often centers on an interdisciplinary team approach to care by physiatrists (physicians specializing in rehabilitation); physical, occupational, respiratory and recreational therapists; speech and language pathologists; rehabilitation nurses; and other professionals who work with patients to restore the greatest level of function or independence. The rehab team helps individuals overcome obstacles and accomplish normal tasks of daily living.
Most Americans will require at least one rehabilitation service at some point in their lives. Rehabilitation is individualized so that each patient can progress at his or her own ability level. Statistics show that medical rehabilitation improves lives and saves money. For every $1 spent on rehab care, it is estimated that $11 are saved on long-term disability costs. People participating in rehabilitation programs of care are able to regain productivity and return to work, school and independent living.
The Holzer Health System – Gallipolis Medical Center Inpatient Rehab is located on the Fifth Floor of the hospital at 100 Jackson Pike, Gallipolis, and has provided services since 1991. The primary purpose of the Rehab Unit is to assist patients and their families with the transition from an acute hospital setting to home. Patients participate in a comprehensive rehab program consisting of at least three hours of therapy a day, five days a week.
“Our mission at the Holzer Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit is: We will provide the highest quality rehabilitation services to restore each patient to his/her maximum level of independence at home and in the community,” stated Nikki Roe, MA, CCC-S, Program Director, Inpatient Rehab Unit.
Holzer’s Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit is Accredited by CARF International 2018-2021. This accreditation decision represents the highest level of accreditation that can be awarded to an organization and shows the organization’s substantial conformance to the CARF standards. An organization receiving a Three-Year Accreditation has put itself through a rigorous peer review process. It has demonstrated to a team of surveyors during an on-site visit its commitment to offering programs and services that are measurable, accountable, and of the highest quality. Further, an organization accredited for three years clearly indicates that present conditions represent an established pattern of total operations that is likely to be maintained or improved in the foreseeable future.
The Unit features a remodeled therapy area and LiteGait® equipment, the only one available in the area. The LiteGait® is an innovative gait-training device that enhances our services during the recovery process. Appropriate for use with a wide range of impairments, LiteGait® provides proper posture, reduces weight-bearing, eliminates the risk and fear of falling, and helps coordinate lower-extremity movement. Its unique harness design not only permits unilateral or bilateral support that allows progression of the weight-bearing load from non to full weight-bearing, but it also frees the therapist to observe gait patterns and make manual corrections in limb placement, weight shift and step timing.
For more information, call (740) 446-5902 or email info@holzer.org.
Holzer Inpatient Rehabilitation Patient of the Year was recognized at the recent Rehab Reunion. Holzer staff is shown with the individual honored. Left to right: Josh Jackson, PTA, Tammy Hill, SLP, Gary Walker, Patient of the Year, and Michaela Bolen, COTA.
Photo is of Betty Campbell, RN, Holzer Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit Employee of the Year
