April is National Occupational Therapy Month: Remember to ASK for Your Local Occupational Therapists for Rehabilitation!
Kent McCormick of rural Waukon had been dealing with numbness of his left hand for multiple years. He underwent surgery in 2024 without success, so he continued to pursue medical consultation. Kent was referred to orthopedics at Emplify Health in La Crosse and underwent surgery at his elbow and wrist to release compression on his ulnar nerve. Following surgery, he was initially seen by an occupational therapist who worked in the surgeon’s office in La Crosse, however with his request, he was able to be referred for follow-up therapy at Veterans Memorial Hospital.
“Bigger isn’t always better,” Kent states during his therapy session. “I have talked with so many people around here and we all agree that the care here is so much more personal. Each time you come to therapy you basically have the same therapists who know where you left off last therapy session. So as a patient we can just keep on progressing and the therapist doesn’t have to go back to the chart to see what needs to be done. We are very fortunate to have a quality place in our backyard.”
Many patients, like Kent, have learned that they have to ask if their care could be provided locally and closer to home. Occupational Therapy is available five days a week, thanks to two full-time occupational therapists, Tami Gebel and Melissa Clarke, and an occupational therapy assistant, Amy Evanson, on staff.
Whether the injury is a broken wrist, finger, or elbow, tendonitis of the elbow or wrist, carpal tunnel or cubital tunnel syndrome, or an accident at work, occupational therapy services are offered locally at Veterans Memorial Hospital. The role of occupational therapists is to help people regain function following injuries and illnesses. Occupational therapists also treat people who have hip or knee replacement surgery, heart attacks, arthritis, pneumonia, strokes, diabetes, generalized weakness, breathing difficulties, lymphedema and many other diagnoses in order to regain strength, movement, and independence in daily activities.
If you would like to start receiving occupational therapy, or would like to transfer your occupational therapy services to Veterans Memorial Hospital, please contact the therapy department at 563-568-5528.
