Horizon Health Rehab Adds Inpatient Physical Therapist

Most hospitalized patients would welcome a familiar face as they recover and prepare to return home.

“When someone is in the hospital, they're likely not feeling well to begin with,” said Abi Snyder, Doctor of Physical Therapy at Horizon Health. "Seeing the same physical therapist for their rehab is comforting to them because they know who to expect each time.”

Abi recently joined the Horizon Health Rehabilitation Services team as its dedicated inpatient physical therapist. In her role, Abi plays an integral part in the hospital’s Rehab to Home program, which provides ongoing skilled care to patients who have been treated for an acute condition. Physical therapy is among the criteria required for admission into the transitional care program.

“I help to ensure strength and mobility to support a patient’s safe return home,” Abi said.

Having a dedicated inpatient physical therapist will ensure care for the increasing number of post-operative patients at Horizon Health, said Morgan Kincaid, Director of Rehabilitation Services. Many of these patients are recovering from neck/back surgery or a total joint replacement.

“Our staff has always provided inpatient physical therapy, but we are expanding it to be a dedicated role,” Morgan said.

Abi is a native of Marshall, Illinois, and attended Marshall High School. She was manager for the varsity football team for four years alongside the team’s athletic trainer.

“Initially, I was interested in biomedical engineering. But I found physical therapy to be a better connection to patient care,” she said.

Abi earned her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from High Point University in North Carolina. She has a bachelor's degree in athletic training, with a concentration in applied medicine and rehabilitation, from Indiana State University. She has additional training in manual therapy, which utilizes specific, hands-on techniques to reduce pain and dysfunction in joints and soft tissues.

In her free time, Abi enjoys traveling, going for walks, and spending time with family.

About Rehab to Home

For patients to qualify for Horizon Health’s Rehab to Home program, they must have the following:

• An ongoing skilled need, which includes, but is not limited to:
  • Physical/occupational therapy
  • IV antibiotic therapy
  • Complex wound care
  • Speech therapy
• Prior authorization if required by their insurance plan
• Qualifying stay per Medicare criteria

Patients are not required to have their qualifying stay at Horizon Health; rather, they could be transitioning to Horizon Health from another hospital.

For more information about Rehab to Home, call the Horizon Health case management team at (217) 466-4749 or (217) 466-4340.