Big Changes for PCH/FMC Rehab Department; Leadership, Providers, and Services Expanding

New leadership brought much change for the Paris Community Hospital/Family Medical Center (PCH/FMC) Rehabilitation Services Department in fall 2015. Morgan Kincaid, Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), was named rehab supervisor in October. This change, coupled with new providers, extended hours, and increased services, has continued to grow the department and its service to PCH/FMC patients and the community.

Kincaid, who attended Chrisman High School, graduated magna cum laude with a doctor of physical therapy degree from the University of Evansville (Ind.) in May 2010, after also completing her undergraduate degree in movement science at the U of E in 2008. She has worked at PCH/FMC since obtaining her degree. Kincaid has also been a Certified Lymphedema Therapist (CLT) since 2012.

“Our department works great together,” said Kincaid. “We have a full-service rehab department with local staff offering a wide range of services. The changes we’ve made have centered on quality of service and convenience for our patients—servicing both outpatients and inpatients.”

The comprehensive therapy department is a “one-stop-shop” for patients needing treatment in more than one discipline. For example, a patient who has suffered a stroke may need services from physical, occupational, and speech therapies. All three of those treatments can be coordinated within the department. Kincaid especially likes to see continuity of care when a patient transitions from an inpatient stay back to their home setting. 

“We see them on the inpatient side and help them return to home. Once they return home we continue to follow their care with outpatient therapies. It is very rewarding to see the patient’s progress throughout their entire recovery,” said Kincaid.

Kincaid continued: “Four, soon-to-be five, of our physical therapists are DPTs and many of them have additional trainings and certifications, making them specialists in their fields.” 

PCH/FMC physical therapists have special training/certification in lymphedema, pediatrics, orthopedics, geriatrics, neurological disorders, and vestibular disorders (vertigo/dizziness). Additionally, the department has a full-time occupational therapist who is a certified hand specialist, a speech-language pathologist, and two cardiac rehab nurses who offer cardiac rehabilitation programs and assist in performing stress tests. 

New Providers
Shortly after Kincaid began to lead the department, new therapists were added:

• Annie (Wooten) Barrett, PT, DPT, joined the staff in September 2015. She previously worked as a physical therapist in Terre Haute after earning her bachelor’s degree in exercise science and doctorate degree in physical therapy at the University of Evansville. She is a graduate of Paris High School. 
•  Danielle (Brinkley) Colvin, PT, DPT, OCS, joined the rehab team in January 2016. In addition to being a Doctor of Physical Therapy, she holds a specialty certification as a board-certified orthopedic specialist (OCS). Colvin has six-and-a-half years of experience as a physical therapist, working in Champaign and the Chicago suburbs. She was born and raised in Paris.
• Hetal Vora, PT, is the newest addition to the PCH/FMC team. She started in the department on February 9, 2016. Vora, who is the wife of Dr. Kumar Sodvadiya, has three years of experience and is currently in school to obtain her DPT. She will complete that program in June of this year. 

Lorie Edwards, PT, DPT, of Oakland, and Marty Williams, PT, of Brocton, complete the PCH/FMC team of physical therapists. Edwards has been at PCH/FMC since 2010 and Williams since 2007. Additionally, five physical therapy assistants (PTAs) are on staff to help carry outpatient treatment plans, including an athletic trainer and a massage therapist.

Athletic Trainers
In 2015, the department expanded the athletic trainer program it has offered to Paris High School for many years by providing a second trainer for Tri-County sports. The department is hoping to expand the athletic trainer program even more next year, looking for a third trainer to cover Chrisman athletics. 

“Even though we were unable to place a trainer at Chrisman this year, we did go to the school and complete baseline concussion screenings on their athletes,” said Kincaid. “That got us thinking—why not offer these services out of our department continuously?”

Free Screenings/Assessments
Rehab department staff is offering free baseline concussion screenings, as well as free injury assessments for local athletes in grades six through 12. Call the department to schedule an appointment: (217) 465-2606, Ext. 244.

Expanded Hours
The Rehabilitation Services Department has also expanded its hours. Staff now sees patients from 6:30 am to 6 pm, and offer appointments over the lunch hour. All appointments guarantee one-on-one treatment. 

“The 6:30 am appointment time has been popular for our patients who work the night shift,” said Kincaid. 

Therapy services are available to hospital inpatients seven days a week.

Chrisman Outreach
“There’s more to come,” Kincaid continued, including offering physical therapy services at the Chrisman Family Medical Center three days a week. A start date has not been set. 

“It’s something I’ve wanted to do since starting here,” Kincaid said. “This is an opportunity to better serve the northern Edgar County region by providing those patients with the convenience of physical therapy services closer to home.”