If there’s one thing Claire Kitchen, M.Ed., CCC-SLP, has discovered
in her work as a speech-language pathologist, it’s the importance
of keeping an open mind. “Anyone interested in this profession must
be prepared to learn and relearn things. This profession is constantly
changing, but you make meaningful connections with co-workers, patients
and families. Be ready to be amazed by the human spirit.” Kitchen
is a member of the outpatient pediatrics rehabilitation team of
Wolfson Children’s at Southeast Georgia Health System. Her department is within Rehabilitation Services, a multi-faceted program
that helps people recover from injury, illness and other debilitating
conditions.
Happy to Help
As the coronavirus pandemic persists, a flexible attitude helps the rehabilitation
team serve the hospital and its patients. Paul Trumbull, P.T., MBA, is
director of Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine Services. He recalls COVID-19’s
impact on his department when the virus reached the Golden Isles. “Outpatient
rehabilitation therapy visits dropped significantly. People did not want
to go to the hospital. Families did not bring children to therapy appointments
because they had no one to care for their other children who were not
in school.”
His team soon filled the void in their schedule. “Our staff volunteered
to do whatever was needed while the Health System formulated a plan to
keep patients and team members safe. Therapists and athletic trainers
worked countless hours, often overnight and on weekends, screening staff
and patients at the hospital entrances. Many of them told me they were
just happy to be working and helping out,” Trumbull says.
A Silver Lining
Simply showing up for work puts therapists and trainers at greater risk,
but this does not dim their dedication. Early on in the pandemic, Susan
Ashburn, R.N., P.T., advocated for COVID-positive patients who needed
therapy. Ashburn is a physical therapist and nurse who has worked at the
Health System for 13 years. She was among the first team members from
Rehabilitation Services who volunteered to care for seriously ill patients.
“Susan brings a quiet confidence to our inpatient Rehabilitation
Services team, leading by example and providing care to the sickest of
our hospitalized patients,” Trumbull says.
Every hospital department observes strict safety protocols, and Rehabilitation
Services is no exception. To reduce the risk of spreading the virus, a
great deal of time is spent cleaning and fewer people are allowed to enter
the patient rooms.
Ashburn sees a silver lining in the current challenge. “COVID-19
brought an amazing opportunity for teamwork. All staff, clinical and non-clinical,
are important for the care of our patients.”
Life Lessons
The Health System’s physical, occupational and speech therapists
and athletic trainers continue to work one-on-one with patients as they
regain strength, mobility, function and speech. They witness struggle
and triumph, little wins and major milestones. The job requires a level
of patience, persistence and positivity most of us can only aspire to.
Ashburn remembers volunteering at the hospital in the late 1970s when
there was only one physical therapist. Today, the department is well staffed.
Kitchen notes, “Our department is full of people doing an incredible
job in a challenging profession. We often co-treat patients and help each
other if we have a particularly challenging problem to address.”
Other team members would likely agree with Kitchen when she describes her
patient interactions. “They show me that I chose a meaningful profession
that teaches me life lessons daily.” Ashburn agrees. “The
best thing about my job is helping each patient achieve abilities that
are important to them. The patient and I become part of each other’s
lives.” How many jobs provide a daily opportunity to improve or
even save someone’s life? Ashburn recalls a patient who had surgery
on his forearm the day before physical therapy. “As we walked, his
left hand started slipping off the walker grip. I asked if his arm felt
weak. He denied any problem. I noted a change in his speech and got him
back to his room where we called a code stroke. He was sent to Jacksonville
for treatment and had improved by the following day.”
Life-changing moments happen nearly every day for the rehabilitation team.
Their caring, cooperative spirit benefits our community and sets an example
for others to follow. As Claire Kitchen acknowledges the lingering challenges
of 2020, she reminds us that, “We are stronger together and we are
going to get through this.”
To support your community hospital, call the Southeast Georgia Health
System Foundation at 912-466-3360.