Why Travel the State?

I had a dream before I was elected President of LPTA, but with the knowledge that I was running unopposed (and, basically, was sure to become the next President of LPTA).  In this dream, I saw myself all over our great state of Louisiana, meeting with therapists, assistants, and students where they live and work.  I saw myself in cajun country, with the spanish moss hanging from the trees.  I saw myself at the new PTA school in Alexandria area, talking to the new PTA students there.  I saw myself in Shreveport, where I am from and live and work, talking to therapists I've known since school.  And I was happy, in my dream.  And it felt right.

And, so, because of the inspiration of a dream and the fortunate ability to be able to afford the time and money to travel the state, I made the decision to do just that, and to go visit all of you therapists where you live, work, study.  Luckily, I do not live in California or Texas, for those states have large surface areas and would be difficult to travel alone.  Luckily, the timing of all of this is just right: with the passing of both of my parents, and my last child out of the house, I have little responsibility except for my job in home health and for the cats, and they can hang with my being gone a bit.

So, I made a plan to work closely with the District Chairs and when they had a meeting in 2011/2012, I decided I would make every effort to not only show up at the district meeting, but to take some time in each district to go to hospitals, rehab units, outpatient clinics, nursing homes, PT and PTA schools, to visit with therapists where they work and study.

 I imagine it will be quite a ride, and I am going to listen and learn.  My goal is to not just put names with faces, which is quite important, but to gain some history of physical therapy in this state, some knowledge of issues and concerns affecting therapists across the state, and to promote membership.  And I decided the best way to share a little of the knowledge gained on these journeys was to create this blog.  I've never "blogged" before, but this might be a great time to start.  I like to write, to create.  This also seems right!

Stay tuned for further updates as I make my first trip to Thibodaux and Houma!

In Memory of Chris

It was the holiday season 11 years ago, and I remember how excited we all were that we had successfully completed neuroanatomy in our first year of PT school on the campus of LSUHSC-Shreveport, and that we all passed and were moving on to the next grueling semester.  We were so excited to have a month-long break from the pressures and intensity of school, to enjoy friends and family, to relax and play and celebrate Christmas!  Oh, how filled up we were, full of knowledge we didn't really know how to apply yet, full of ourselves thinking what great therapists we would eventually become.  But, so ready for that break . . .

He was one of only 4 boys (men) in our class of 24.  (We were heavy on the estrogen that year.)  He was a cajun, and a bit of a rebel.  I distinctly remember his tattoo, the Vitruvian man by Leonardo DaVinci, the man with his arms and legs spread wide.  It was on his L scapula, and he was lean and built and was the perfect example of beautifully cut lats and serratus anterior we could actually visualize!  He was frequently our class's muscle model.  And, if I am not mistaken, he got that tattoo after he found out he had been accepted to PT school, in honor of his achievement.

He was not the most gifted student intellectually, but he was always ready to lend a helping hand, and his smile was infectious.  He friended a group of about 3 girls and they all sat in the back and pulled together when the studying got tough.  He needed a lot of coaching and the girls he chose were some of the smartest in the class, so Chris was no slacker when it came to knowing how to work the system!

The real test in PT school, as everyone knows, is that neuroanatomy class, and it makes or breaks everyone as we continued through our schooling.  I personally have never studied so hard for that final in any other class I have ever taken in all the years I had been in school.  And Chris needed lots of hours of coaching and group studying to make it through.  But, when we heard he'd passed with a "C" and was going to be able to continue, we were all so thankful and relieved.  And the girls in the back were thrilled!  They'd really helped him succeed.  We left for Christmas break happy.

It happened over Christmas break, and the details I shall not go into here, but during that break, we lost Chris.  It was tragic and unexpected and horrible.  Surrounded in drama, cloaked in sadness, we dragged ourselves back to class in January, and we were changed.  As a class and individually, we were forever changed.  Sharon Dunn, head of the dept, got us together as a class at her house, and with a counselor one-on-one.  We all had to mourn, in our own way.  We had been a very cohesive 24, and now we were only 23.  Such an odd number, so prime and alone, that number.

My way to mourn was to sing "Desperado" in the car when I was alone at the top of my lungs, tears streaming down my face, remembering Chris and how he always had anything you might need in that backpack of his, an Advil, or a highlighter, whatever it was.  He was truly a desperado, one of a kind, that boy.

The girls who were closest to him naturally had a much rougher time dealing with his death.  But, we all carried on and did what was asked of us.  Chris's death did bring us closer together as a class.  Any group that goes through something so horrible, so dark, must have changed in some fundamental way, and for us it was a closeness that no other class could ever rival, because we needed each other like no other class needs their classmates.

Of course, as a class, we had to do something to remember and memorialize Chris. If you are currently a student on the Shreveport campus, you will see a bench we had engraved in his memory out by the Student Center.  Take a moment to sit on that bench and give thanks for all your blessings, for your classmates that you depend on every day, and for the gift of innate intelligence and vibrant personality that make you a great PT student and will one day soon make you a great PT.

This time of year, many of us remember Chris and think of his family and how difficult this time of year must be for them.  With you reading this blog, I wanted to share this memory, as for some reason I am feeling especially sad at losing this potential colleague.  Gone too soon.  Gone too soon.

Zoom in on Zachary

At 2pm on 10/28/11, a Friday afternoon, I arrived in Zachary, LA, just north of Baton Rouge in the Baton Rouge District.  I have friends from PT school who are now practicing there and invited me to come see their practices, so I thought I'd include this small town as the last stop of my week-long swing through south Louisiana.

The road from Hammond to Zachary was winding and narrow, and I was glad to emerge from a tiring drive into a quaint small city.  I easily found Lane Regional Medical Center on Main St., and it was a three story hospital that offered more than its facade allowed.  

My friend Amanda Weilbaecher Partin, PT was a couple of years behind me in PT school.  She and her husband Jason, who worked with me at LSUHSC-Sh and also was a couple of years behind me in PT school are now residing in Zachary and raising their 2 young sons.  They both accompanied me to the wedding of a mutual friend in Pennsylvania the week before.  

Amanda works in acute care at Lane and she is now PRN there, but usually works close to 40 hours a week.  I met her on the third floor and she was documenting on computer patient care from the day, but graciously took me on the grand tour of this 137 bed hospital.  She helps cover acute care with another PRN PT and a full-time PTA. 

Jason and Amanda Partin

We walked across the parking lot to the outpatient clinic where I met Joy Petty, PT; Delois Brent, PT; and Bruce Williams who is an experienced tech.  Those two therapists were PRN in outpatient, and are from Zachary.  Neither were members, but Delois told me she was going to join that very evening.  (I hope she did.)  Amanda and Jason have let their membership drop and I encouraged at least one of them to re-join to help them in their practices.  

In another building separate from the hospital, Amanda took me to the rehab unit where I met Jessica Davis, PT and a speech and occupational therapist.  Jessica said she recognized me from the Facebook page, but is not a member.  Again I encouraged membership.

Next stop on our walking tour was husband Jason Partin, PT's clinic, which is a POPTS that is fairly new in Zachary.  Jason works there with Kathleen Neal, PT and that afternoon they were not too busy.  Jason tells me that the orthopedist group out of Baton Rouge that owns this clinic does not refer every patient to this clinic.  He is guaranteed a salary and for him this is working right now.  They utilize e-documentation from Therapy Source and he likes the program.  

After I'd had the full tour of this area handing out informational sheets and promoting membership, I did have a couple of clinics in Zachary I wanted to visit as well.  But, it was a Friday afternoon in a small town, and I found both Moreau Physical Therapy and Kleinpeter Physical Therapy closed for the afternoon.  I left an info sheet and my card in the door of those 2 clinics and hoped they got them after the weekend.

I drove back to Shreveport as darkness fell.  Thinking about my whirlwind week in New Orleans and the Northshore, I realized how many therapists and assistants there are serving the public in our great state.  Clinics differ, hospitals are different sizes and have different amenities, communities span the gamut from indigent to wealthy, but there we are in all these communities, working, practicing our craft, serving.  People need us to help them out of bed the first time after open heart surgery, educating them on sternal precautions and ensuring that they remain physiologically stable for their first walk.  People need us when their back hurts so bad they cannot work or move, to educate them on pain reduction exercises and to place hands on to heal.  Babies need us to work on feeding and positioning, educating mothers and fathers on proper techniques to help baby grow and thrive.  The elderly need us to help them adapt to the changes the body goes through as it ages, to keep them safe from falling and to care for them at home.  

Our profession is unique and we as therapists need to own that distinctiveness.  What we do is rare, special, and healing.  We are one of a kind, and without fail, I have seen evidence of that on my travels across the state so far.  I am blessed beyond measure to be serving you for the next three years.  I hope I can rise to the challenge!

Northshore District, Part Two

Marching Through Mandeville/Covington

As I was heading toward Mandeville on the early morning of Friday, October 28th over the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway, I had only addresses of clinics in Mandeville, and somehow my GPS did not directly take me there, but, amazingly, I ended up exactly where I needed to be when I needed to be there (as has happened frequently throughout these travels, as if someone somewhere were looking out for me).

On a very busy corner, I stumbled upon a beautiful campus-like setting for the Lakeview Regional Medical Center in Covington, with exquisite landscaping and a beautiful facility.  There I met Leigh Ann Krieger, PT, Director of Rehab Services at this Medical Center.  She was busy preparing for the second annual BooFest (http://www.lakeviewregional.com/online-tools/video-library-youtube.dot).  They have sponsors who purchase a cardboard "house" or "mansion" or "haunted house" at various levels of sponsorship $$, and have for the public a free and safe fall festival.  They are raising over $15,000 each year so far for children with disabilities.

Leigh Ann stated some issues she faces are staffing issues, especially for pediatric PT's.  She does encourage her clinicians to be CI's which always helps in recruitment.  She is a member and I told her I appreciated her membership.

She invited me to drive just to the other side of a busy street across from the hospital to check out their outpatient clinic, and I did just that, where I met Anna Boler, PT and Katie Kersch, PTA busily treating patients.

Yancey and Joe, Audubon Physical Therapy 

Next stop was Audubon Physical Therapy back in Mandeville and I met Yancey McWilliams, PT (who trained with Greg and Kinta LeBlanc in Shreveport) and Joe Zimmerman, PT.  Their clinic was busy, but they took a moment out for a pic and a brief conversation.  Joe told me that in the past year, there have been 7 new POPTS spring up all in this area, where there were none before, and naturally, these physician-owned practices take away referrals.  He said the problem with POPTS would lessen if we just had a more free direct access.

A Facility Challenge clinic was next, and I drove down N. Causeway Blvd to find Rehab Dynamics in Covington which was in an upscale office complex.  Unfortunately, neither Susan Blanchard, PT nor Crystal Cook Ferris, PT who are co-owners, were there that day.  The only PT present was Devon C. Nolan, PT, a new grad who was busy with pt care, so I left a handout and told the receptionist to please make sure all the therapists receive a copy and and I wrote a personal note on the info sheet to thank them for their commitment to their professional organization.

Heading back toward Mandeville, Northlake Physical Therapy was my next stop, and there I met Beth Albritton, PT who owns and runs this clinic alone, with only one contract OT.  She was a CI for Rayme (from Wellness PT).  She spoke for the single proprietor and did say that POPTS is a problem and has cut into her bottom line.

My last stop in Covington was at Jones Physical Therapy where I had the pleasure of meeting Paul Jones, PT who is from Scotland (I was expecting a bit more of a Scottish accent, but he said he'd been in the states for quite some time).  Paul had wonderful pictures posted in his waiting room of "before" and "after" ROM of, for example, knees, necks, and ankles.  He utilizes the privilege we have in this state to evaluate a patient without an MD order, and encourages referrals from family members and word of mouth.  He had a hopping practice.  He is a longstanding active member, and has worked with the state Board to help get wellness into our practice act so we can have Pilates, etc in our clinics.  He stated he was willing to help me in whatever capacity he could.  I also received a very nice follow-up email from him again offering to help.

Hoofing It In Hammond

A 30 minute drive from where I was in Covington, I arrived at the North Oaks Rehabilitation Hospital at 12:30pm and all the therapists were out at lunch.  This looked like an amazing facility with a large PT gym, and I left an info sheet with a nurse there to give to the PT in charge.

I also had no luck at Affiliated Therapy just across the street, because all those therapists were at lunch as well.  I spoke with Ann Marie, the very nice receptionist, who allowed me to tour this facility which had an indoor pool.

The next stop I had more luck!  It was Anatomix Physical Therapy owned by Mike Conlin, PT who was there along with Mike Alfort, PT.  Mike Conlin has trained recently with dry needling and did educate me a bit about why this is in our practice act, because there is a certain number of hours a therapist should have in experience before performing this procedure on patients. (The new changes state 50 face-to-face hours.)  They are on computerized documentation and use WebPT which they like and has a flowsheet for exercises.  They utilize 2 PTA's in their practice as well.  He is a member and friend of Greg LeBlanc, PT, immediate past president, and said he'd help out wherever he can.

My last stop in Hammond was at O2 Physical Therapy and this clinic is owned by husband and wife Karen Heap, PT and David Heap, PT who are not currently members.  Karen was just returning from some water therapy/aquatics, and they talked to me for a bit about Workers Comp concerns, POPTS concerns.  Karen is friends with Stephanie Keen, PT over in Bogulasa at Therapeutic Concepts.  I left them an info sheet and encouraged membership.


Thus concludes my second day tour of the Northshore District.  I truly enjoyed meeting all the therapists and seeing all the clinics and hospitals I visited.  I was well received all around and would love to see this district come together more.  It is so spread out, that attending meetings takes driving for almost everyone.  I do think holding meetings in Covington is the most centrally-located spot, so David's been doing a good job in that regard as district chair.  I just want everyone to know that David Hendricks, the Northshore District Chair, really does work hard for you all and that he is someone who will always go look something up when the need arises.  He comes from a position of facts, not emotions, and that is great!  He'll be there for you if you all in the Northshore just begin to become more active in your state organization.

Next blog, next stop: Zachary in the Baton Rouge District on my way home from this south Louisiana journey!

Noshing in New Orleans (in seven parts)

Before I dive into blogging about my visits with students and therapists, let me lead off by saying that driving around New Orleans is not that easy!  I didn't know it was the City Of U-Turns!  My GPS on every search had me "go 421 feet and make a U-turn" because of all the lovely boulevards.  The New Orleans I knew from my travels there (and I love to be a tourist in New Orleans) consisted of parking my car in the Royal Sonesta parking garage on Bourbon Street and walking the French Quarter (drinking hurricanes from Pat O'Brien's along the way) or taking the picturesque streetcar to my destination.  I had not strayed too far from the Quarter in the past, and this trip took me all over kingdom come!  This was good to see, and in some cases (such as St. Bernard parish) was still quite difficult to see, emotional even (can you say "Katrina"?).  Read on for more details. . .

Part One: Students, students, students!

LSUHealth New Orleans PT students and faculty

I was fortunate enough to be able to meet with physical therapy students on the New Orleans campus of LSUHealth at 11:30am on Wed, Oct 26th, 2011, but realized it's difficult to catch these busy students.  The first years didn't have class until 1pm, so not many showed up for the 11:30am meeting, and the second years had a test of some sort at 12:30 and were cramming for that, so turnout was not as large as I had hoped.  (Third years are off on rotation.) Jane Eason, head of the dept, was present, as was Ha Hoang, a professor there. To the students present, I let them know about what APTA/LPTA is doing for them as students and as new grads with the New Professionals program for the first five years after graduation as well as the half price trans membership the first year they graduate.  I let them know of our FB group and this blog and left that info on a board so the students who missed my visit could access that. They had some good questions about student loan forgiveness which I promised I'd check into with APTA.  (Haven't had time to do it yet, sorry!)

I had a very informative "power" lunch with Paul Hildreth, PT at a little hole-in-the-wall Chinese place on the LSU campus, and we discussed many aspects of being LPTA president (he served in the early 90's).  He had some great insight and advice.  Currently, he is LPTA's voice on a project with Medicaid in which they are interested in keeping folks out of nursing homes (because cost is higher) and trying to keep them at home, and they want therapy to be an integral part of that.  He said that Medicaid is willing to pay well for therapy and that as PT's we could even work on "maintenance" goals in those cases, which is unheard of in the home health arena in which I practice, the Medicare world.  Paul left telling me he's happy to be a resource for me at any time.  And he invited me to visit LSU outpatient clinic in the old Lord and Taylor's where he works.    I told him I'd be there tomorrow and I truly appreciate his and everyone else's support and positive attitude!

Delgado PTA students and faculty

At 1:30, I had an appointment with the PTA students at Delgado and was met by Amelia Leonardi, PT who is head of the program there and Diane Sehrt, PT who was helping with the lab.  (Note: Susan Welsh, PT also teaches there, but I didn't have the pleasure of seeing her that day.)  The entire class was working on a lab of some sort and they allowed me a few minutes to talk to them.   This class is a great mix of men and women, some with more life experience, shall I say?!  They were very attentive and had great energy.  I received many follow-up emails and calls from them asking great questions for some research they were doing on issues affecting PT's and PTA's in this state.  Terrific!

The students at LSUHealth and Delgado were so enthusiastic and committed; I am proud to see that the future of our profession is strong!  Committed educators are inspiring!

Part Two:  Meandering Through Metairie

The later afternoon on 10/26/11 I had saved to see some clinics in Metairie, and I was not disappointed.  Again, I was so thankful for my GPS and ability to map clinics that were close together in an area, so I could maximize my time/energy in this large city.

I stopped by Southshore Physical Therapy, one of the facilities which has 100% membership and is recognized by APTA in their Facility Challenge.  This 3pm time was very busy for this clinic and I briefly said hello to Rachel Chetta Whitley, PT and her student Quinn Asaro, SPT.  That clinic was hopping, so I left a handout and moved down the road, thanking Rachel for their commitment to their professional organization with their memberships.  Don't you think all CI's should be enthusiastic members and should mentor their students in that way as well?

Here are the other stops in Metairie I made that afternoon and the therapists I saw:

• Select Physical Therapy
• Rick Coogler, PT (was doing shoulder mobs on a pt; he is our former treasurer for last 2 terms and just won the Dave Warner Distinguished Service Award, so I wanted to stop by)
• East Jefferson General Hospital's outpatient clinic
• Mary Gregory, PT (all the therapists there looked like fairly recent grads. I left a informational handout and encouraged membership.  Later that evening at a Medicaid meeting I'd meet Robert Hughes, PT who also works there).  Large, busy clinic.
• OrthoPTic Physical Therapy
• Eric Waguespack, PT (this clinic was so busy I didn't have time to meet anyone else, but did leave them a handout.)

Last stop in Metairie was Baudry Therapy Center where I met Rick Baudry, PT and Jerri Barron, PT.  Rick is the owner of Wellness Physical Therapy in Slidell that I visited the day before, and it was good to meet him in his clinic.  He has a regular PT gym (and 2 other therapists were treating pt's as I walked by) as well as a focus on wellness with pilates.  I thanked him for his membership!

Part Three: Medicaid Meeting

That evening at 5pm back at LSUHealth's Allied Health lecture room, there was a meeting of key PT's, OT's, ST's  gathered to learn about the new Medicaid Coordinated Care Network's Bayou Health, a new initiative by Medicaid to try to get rid of some waste and provide better pt care to children and disabled people on Medicaid.  Apparently Louisiana is putting this new program in place as you are reading this, starting with south La and by end of Feb in north La.  Dr. Rodney Wise from Shreveport, Medicaid Medical Director had come down to give this ppt talk to therapists and how it would impact their practices.  

Apparently Medicaid recipients will have a choice among 5 companies in two plans (shared vs. prepaid), and as therapy providers, if we want to be reimbursed for treating these folks, we must sign up with any or all of the plans.  Quite frankly, most of the details of this doctor's talk went right over my head, but if you want more info, you may email Dr. Wise at rodney.wise@la.gov.  Hopefully if you are a private practice owner, and especially if you treat Medicaid patients, you have received some information about this new Medicaid plan already.  

Part Four:  New Orleans District Meeting

Lisa George, PTA    New Orleans District Chair

Lisa George, PTA, had set a 7pm meeting for the district, and I rushed from this Medicaid meeting out to Oschner's Outpatient Clinic on Clearview to catch up with the meeting, and there were about 15 folks in attendance.  No students present, and this surprised me as there is always amazing student participation in our Shreveport District Meetings.  But, the therapists that were there were very involved and interested as Lisa addressed:

•  What PT's did for PT month, 
• Therapy cap extension and what our pt's can do to contact their senator or representative, 
• New Rules and Regs, Medicaid changes and workers comp guidelines.  
• Jake McKenzie, PT, presented a you tube video about membership which was unable to play that evening.  You can find it at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0mN9CXJQBQ&feature=player_profilepage.  Lisa and Jake talked about membership and what it means to them.  Magnolia Physical Therapy, of which Lisa is co-owner, pays for all their therapists to be members.  At East Jefferson, they give points for participation.  First year students in PT school are required to be members which introduces them to the benefits of membership and sets them up for success.  Jake McKenzie will be the new Membership Chair of LPTA, taking my place, and he'll do a great job!

After the wonderful meeting, Lisa Schuler, PT took us on a tour of the new Oschner facility, and our mouths dropped open at the amazing spaces they have there: a pool with parallel bars built in it, a neuro area, and the largest gym with the highest ceilings you have ever seen.  State-of-the-art equipment abounds.  There is even a sense in the large gym that you are at a Saints game with fans waving patients on, and some of the fans faces have been photoshopped to be the doctor's faces.  It's really something to see!  

Part Five: St. Bernard Parish

St. Bernard Parish, hardest hit by Hurricane Katrina and containing the small town of Chalmette, was my first stop early in the morning of Thursday, October 27, 2011.  I'd done what I considered good "homework" to find therapy clinics and hospitals there, but I was taken by surprise at what I found in Chalmette when I looked for the hospital.

Former Chalmette Medical Center, lost in Hurricane Katrina

My GPS took me to an intersection and I expected to see a hospital, but the only thing I saw was a dilapidated sign overgrown by weeds with a concrete slab also overgrown where the old hospital used to sit at the time Katrina hit, over 6 years ago, in August, 2005. (see pic)  This hit me hard, and I fought back tears imagining what the people here had gone through and are still fighting to this day.

This is one of those life-changing events.

I was working at LSUHSC-Sh hospital in acute care at the time of Katrina, and New Orleans lost its charity hospital with the Level 1 Trauma Center, and during that first year after the storm, at least half the people I treated at the hospital in Shreveport were displaced Katrina residents.  Not only were they dealing with the pathologies that took them to the hospital, but the psychological burden was palpable from every patient from that area.  To this day, people from New Orleans have difficulty even saying the name of that horrific hurricane that wreaked so much havoc on this vulnerable but unique area.

Next, I went by what I thought would be a clinic, but it, too, was a slab.  After some research on my phone, I finally found a clinic called Bridges Physical Therapy and Wellness, owned by Jody Bridges-Lemoine who was not in yet that morning, but I did speak with Rachel Birdsall, PT, who told me they have recently moved into this remodeled clinic and that they are rebuilding the hospital about a mile down the road.

Rebuilding the hospital in Chalmette - a year away

This was the only clinic I could find.  I think there are others, but I was unable to locate them.  I did go by the new hospital that is going up and there are trailers in the vicinity that house MD offices and clinics in a very make-shift way until the new hospital is completed in about a year.  (see pic of new hospital)

Part Six: Back to New Orleans

As I drove back toward New Orleans, I realized I was passing through the now-infamous Ninth Ward, which was totally flooded out after the levee broke.  There was only minimal activity there, but I didn't linger as time was important now.

Magnolia Physical Therapy in the French Quarter

First stop was Magnolia Physical Therapy, co-owned by Lisa George, PTA, New Orleans District Chair, and Beth Winkler-Schmit, PT who have a clinic in the Quarter and another in Elmwood.  (see pic)  This clinic had a great feel, and I met Jessica Barrois, PT, a new grad from the N.O. campus as well as Sara Saenger-Ormand, PTA.  There was a student there as well, and I'm sorry I didn't catch her name.  Lisa and Beth were heading out to a meeting and I moved on as well.

Next stop, Performance Physical Therapy, owned by LPTA's Vice-President Joe Shine, PT.  He was out, but I did speak briefly with Paul Gallant, PT, also a new N.O. graduate.  Paul was busy with at least 3 patients in the clinic at once, so I left an information sheet and told him to tell Joe I stopped by!

On to Tulane Medical Center where Judith Halverson, PT runs the rehab dept there (she is currently LPTA's Treasurer, but has been Secretary and Governmental Affairs Chair as well!).  Parking was not easy, and finding the clinic on the 7th floor was a bit of a challenge, but I made it and met the following PT's:  Vicky Kennedy, PT who has twin daughters both applying for PT school this year; Razi Jaffri, PT; Deborah York, PT; Stephanie Fletcher, PT (neuro); and Michelle Benham, PT (acute, just coming down from the floors).  All but Michelle work in the outpatient clinic which had tight spaces but was efficient.

I thought parking was difficult at Tulane, but my next stop proved quite the challenge.  I went to LSU's outpatient clinic and, as I said earlier, it's in the old Lord and Taylor's building on Poydras that was converted after Katrina.  The marble floors are still there, and if you follow the marble around to the left, you pass by a lab, financial assistance, pharmacy, med clinic, and when you get to men's underwear, well, you have arrived at the space devoted to outpatient physical therapy for the indigent LSU pt population.  Talk about tight spaces!  Paul Hildreth, PT works there and has for years.  What I found most amazing is that each therapist there (Tookie Bruchhaus, PT; Karen Olinde, PT; Austin, SPT; Sayyeda Jaffri, PT (sister of Razi at Tulane)) has been there forever!  No new PT's here!  Simply amazing that they have stuck it out through thick and thin to serve these patients!  Inspiring!  I must admit, I was a bit jealous at the obvious camaraderie I felt among those therapists!  Great team!

The last stop before lunch was another clinic committed to membership that has met APTA's Facility Challenge, The Movement Science Center in Metairie.  Troy Bourgeois, PT owns this clinic and was past President of the Student Assembly.  Jake McKenzie, PT, LPTA's new Membership Chair, and Randy Hernandez, PT I also met in this clinic before heading down to a power lunch with Troy and Jake.  Troy, like the owners at Magnolia, pays the dues of the therapists for their membership in APTA/LPTA.  He lead us in a very energetic discussion about direct access and POPTS in the state.  Very eloquent and passionate, Troy inspired me to work toward a plan for this state for unlimited direct access.  The timing is crucial and that's what we pay David Tatman for, but I'd love to work with the LPTA Board of Directors to get a plan in place.  I told Troy that it will take lots of PT PAC money, lots of man hours, and a favorable legislature, but that I'd try my best to get the ball rolling toward making a plan, and I asked him to become more involved.  He's young with 3 young children, but to have someone as passionate and vocal as he involved would be most excellent!

Just after lunch, I visited Touro Rehabilitation Hospital which was very busy, but I did manage to speak with Stephanie Gioe, PT in outpatient therapy, and Stephanie Basinger, PT, in acute.  I told the first Stephanie to please share the info from LPTA with all the therapists there.  I know amazing things happen there, and maybe Katie Breeland, PTA will be heading there for her rehab.

Last stop in New Orleans was Crescent City Physical Therapy owned by Gini Davis, PT whom I'd met at the workers' comp meeting earlier in the month.  Unfortunately, no one was at that clinic as the building it was in had flooded recently, so I slipped a sheet under the door with my card, and hoped she received it.

Part Seven:  Kicking it in Kenner

The late afternoon found me in Kenner, west of New Orleans,  where I visited the following clinics, but they were quite busy at that time and I didn't have long conversations with anyone, but I did visit:

• Kenner Orthopedics and Sports Therapy
• Craig Dautribe, PT owns this but was too busy to see me.  I left him an info sheet.
• Babin Physical Therapy
• Michael Babin, PT saw me briefly and I gave him a sheet as well.
• Concerta Urgent Care
• This is a walk-in clinic that has therapy only on certain days, but not the day I visited.  I left a sheet at the front desk for any therapist that might be there the next day.

New Orleans area is so large and populated with so many physical therapy clinics and hospitals, that two days would no way be adequate to cover this area, so I concentrated on those clinics that had met the Facility Challenge, clinics and hospitals where active members work, and PT/PTA schools.  If I missed you, I apologize.  If I spelled your name wrong, I apologize.  So many names and places and faces over the last few days; you must forgive me a mistake here and there!  But, I'm loving the reception I am getting wherever I go.  Thank you all for that!

Next blog:  Northshore, Part Two (Mandeville, Covington and Hammond) and Zachary in the Baton Rouge district.

Northshore District, Part One

Northshore District (Part One) 

After returning from a friend’s wedding in the Poconos mountains of rural Pennsylvania on Sunday evening, October 23^rd, I was not so sure I was ready to hop in the car and take on South Louisiana, but I got busy and prepared for my trip and took off about 3pm on Monday, October 24^th.  That put me in Baton Rouge just in time for dinner with my son, a freshman at LSU, and we chose Parrain’s.  Watching him wolf down a dozen raw oysters, salad, and fish, I realized he probably had not had a good meal in a while, as he is living in an apt.  He appeared grateful for the to-go boxes, too.

I arrived in New Orleans at 10pm and was thankful for a dear friend who allowed me to stay with during this working trip!  Since I’d been a little sleep-deprived during the wedding festivities, I hit the sack, ready to hit the Northshore the next day.

I found the Northshore to be a lesson in contrasts.  From the affluence of St. Tammany Parish Hospital in Covington to the extreme poverty of the LSUHealth’s Bogalusa Medical Center, this district struggles with identity.  Read on for more details of my travels through the Northshore. 

Slipping Through Slidell

I awakened early on Tuesday, October 25th and drove up to Slidell to begin my tour of the Northshore there.  I arrived at Slidell Memorial Hospital at 8am and was met by the impeccably dressed Julia Thomas, PT who is rehab director at Slidell Memorial, and told me she was dressed for a ladies’ luncheon sponsored by the Women’s Health Alliance, and that she was to perform stroke screening at that luncheon.  Great way for PT's to educate women about the risk of stroke!

I toured the inpatient rehab department where I met Patti Cognevich, PT who works in rehab, in this hospital, a nine-bed unit.  I also had arrived early enough to meet the acute therapists who had not ascended to the floors yet.  They were Brenda Taylor, PT and Bob Rolston, PTA who stated they’d been doing this for a long time! 

Julia walked me over to a 5000 sq. ft. building adjacent to the hospital, which housed the outpatient therapy, and there I met Lyndsay Gonzales, PT and Laurie Boutte, PT who work that dept.  They were busy with pt care, so I did not question them much. 

I always ask the therapists I meet if they have any questions or concerns for me as the new President of LPTA and Julia, on our way back toward the hospital, expressed some concern that in our Practice Act will be dry needling competency.  She wondered if this left us open for future requirements for things we already do such as vestibular rehab, lymphadema, NDT, and even sharps debridement, which we already perform, but often do require continuing ed to become prolific.   I listened and will take this question to the powers-that-be.  I could not elucidate the history of this addition to our practice act, so will look into that.  I did mention that dry needling is invasive and not taught in the normal course of PT school.  She stated she had brought this up at one of the Board’s hearings in New Orleans earlier.

Rayme and Heather, Wellness Physical Therapy

I drove just down Gause Blvd. and was warmly met by two therapists at Wellness Physical Therapy: Rayme Pullen, PT and Heather Matula, PT  Rayme graduated the same year I did from PT school, 2002.  She has earned her Orthopedic Certification from APTA and is still a member.  She showed me around the facility, which is just next door to a wellness center where patients who “graduate” from therapy can go!  There is even an indoor pool they share for some water aerobics and pool therapy.  Rich Baudry, PT out of New Orleans owns this clinic in Slidell, so I made it a point to put him on the list to meet the next day.  Rayme expressed some concerns with policy and documentation, but states that referrals are good, and that they even get some referrals from chiropractors. 

From there I went futher down Gause Blvd. to Oschner Medical Center-Northshore, to the Neurorehabilitation Institute, which is a free-standing building behind the hospital, containing a 15-bed rehab unit (all private rooms) and, marvel of all marvels, a $250K piece of equipment called the Lokomat (look it up on YouTube – robot-assisted walking therapy).  It’s the only one in Louisiana, and the therapists there say most of their patients love it!  It’s an offweighted treadmill with the robotic component moving the legs.  I met Paul McCann, Director of the Neurorehabilitation Institute, who has a background in rehab counseling; Karen Barkman, PT, Therapy Director, Steve Malek, PT, Melody Restivo, PT who does peds; and Mark S., PT from Poland by way of Canada who said his last name was too long to spell! They are going to e-documentation in January, using the program LSUHealth is switching to in Nov, EPIC.  Concerns expressed by Karen include supervisory requirements for PTA’s as they have some that come in PRN only on weekends, and difficulty obtaining PRN PTA coverage. 

On the way out of Slidell, I stopped by Audubon Physical Therapy but the therapists were busy with patients.  I left my informational sheet and a card with the receptionist to give to the therapists there. 

Boogying in Bogalusa

As I drove up the winding Hwy 41 from Slidell to Bogalusa, I realized scenery was changing.  Spanish-moss filled live oaks made way to scrubby pines in various stages of growth.  This is timber country, and timber trucks slowed me down more than once.  I went through little communities named “Bush” and “Sun” on my way toward Bogalusa, which I rank as the poorest of the communities I have visited thus far on my journey through Louisiana.  Often, I was the only vehicle on the highway at the 10am hour on Tues, Oct 26.

The first clinic I visited in Bogalusa was one of APTA’s Facility Challenge winners, Therapeutic Concepts, whose 2 PT’s and 1 PTA are all members!  Stephanie Keen, PT, a Texas Women’s grad, Heather Melancon, PT , a graduate of S. Alabama and Kaite Breeland, PTA work at this clinic, and Stephanie teaches Silver Sneakers classes there twice weekly.  (This is a Humana program whose participants can go workout for free!  The clinic gets a small fee per participant.) 

There has been a tragedy at Therapeutic Concepts in Bogalusa recently.  Two weeks ago, Katie Breeland, PTA was in an auto accident and sustained a displaced L2 fracture requiring surgical stabilization with little to no LE movement.  She is still at University Hospital in New Orleans.  There are good signs that Katie will return some or all LE function with intensive therapy, and she needs prayer warriors.  Katie is a fighter, and was in great shape prior to the accident, expecting to run a half-marathon in two weeks.  (Katie’s mother, Tina, gave me permission to post this.  I told her that we’d all keep her in our prayers.)

I spoke mostly with Heather who state they are working toward computerized documentation but for outpatient that is more difficult than acute or rehab, so they are contracting with an individual to work on this for them.  They do train students clinically.

Next stop was LSUHealth’s satellite hospital in Bogalusa, which was a step back into the ‘60’s.  Boy, does this hospital need updating, but with the strapped cash of the LSU system, that is but a dream.  I found the therapists there eating lunch on the second floor, Dana Rosser, PT who trained in Shreveport and was a ’98 grad, and Lacey Pierce, PTA.  They had two therapists who were out: Debbie Shilling, PT and a new grad from St. Augustine, Marcus Houston, PT who was on his honeymoon and works outpatient there.

The therapists where surprised and pleased that I visited them in their hospital. They had no pressing concerns for LPTA, and were not members currently (note I add that word “currently,” for every therapist and student, if they are not members, are potential members!).  I shared the reasons I value my membership and encouraged membership. 

Bogalusa has a large paper mill factory there, Temple-Inland, and one therapist told me this has a distinctive odor at times, but the day I was there, it did not, thank goodness!

Before going for lunch myself, I popped by The Spine and Joint Center that is run by a chiropractor and Robert Bardy, PT, but no one except the Office Manager Denise was there.  I left her a handout and a business card, and she recommended a seafood restaurant called Bino’s, so I went and found a little diner full of customers, and ordered snapper with crawfish cream!

Jay Schultz, PT  Care Physical Thearpy

My last stop in Bogalusa was at Care Physical Therapy run by Jay Schultz, MPT who is from Chalmette, a graduate of LSU N.O. and had worked prior in Lafayette.  In the last few years, he was persuaded to move to Bogalusa to this Care clinic to be director, and took the position.  He, his wife and 2 children are making their home in Bogalusa.  Jay is an enthusiastic member who is quite positive and very supportive of APTA/LPTA.  I took his picture and thanked him for his membership.  He told me he believes Bogalusa is set to turn around and he and his family are committed to making it a better place!

Flying Through Franklinton

Making a large circle through the countryside of the northern part of the Northshore District, my next stop was Riverside Medical Center’s Rehabilitation Center, a free-standing outpatient clinic outside the hospital there.  I met Brooke Moody, PT, a Univ. of Miss. grad and a member of LPTA/APTA since ’89!  She is clinic director and quite knowledgeable.  They began CPSI e-documentation last November, and Brooke said it’s not very user-friendly.  She introduced me to Jessi Pounds, PT; Glenda Ritchie, PTA who was grandfathered in; and Wanda Freeman, PTA.  This clinic is Joint Commission certified and very well-run.  Brooke and I discussed the new Rules and Regs and I told her the Board will be coming around in the first quarter of the new Jurisprudence course to explain them, but that they are posted on the Board’s website and laptboard.org.

Close to this Medical Center was Care Physical Therapy run by Kevin McCain, PT, but often in this area the clinics close at noon on Tu/Th and this was the case here, so I left a handout in the door with my card. 

Casey Cassanova, PT  Heritage Manor

Last stop in Franklinton was at Heritage Manor, a SNF.  I arrived at 3pm and met Casey Cassanova, PT who moved there with his wife Brandi a little over a year ago.   She’s a PT also, who does home health in that area, and they have just had their first baby who is only 5 weeks old.  They are both St. Augustine grads who did some traveling contract PT before settling in Franklinton.  Casey states he was quite active as a student but that in the chaos of moving and having a baby, he has let his membership expire, but that he’d probably join again soon.  (see his pic)  He was glad I’d stopped by to visit. 

 Cruisin’ Through Covington (Part 1)

Driving down from Franklinton, toward Covington on Hwy 25, the views began to change.  I didn’t know this was the seat of the nursery business, but on either side of the road for many miles were many species of nursery plants, row upon row.  (Bring me a shrubbery! – Monty Python)  And the abodes began to change as well, from modest homes to mansions enshrouded in massive plantings, just barely visible from the road.  I could tell I was entering a more affluent part of this district. 

Because the afternoon was waning (it was 4:15pm), I rushed toward St. Tammany Parish Hospital and was amazed by the opulence of this facility!  Indoor and outdoor fountains, large bouquets of fresh flowers greeted me and I easily found the rehab unit in the hospital.  There, finishing some documentation from inpatient rehab, was Kathy Dunlap, PT who, with another PT and 2 OT’s work this 14 bed unit.  Just next to rehab was the acute PT office which was filled with PT’s and PTA’s finishing up their documentation.  I met Lisa Dantin, PT and Sara Borne, PT who both trained at the New Orleans campus.  I also met Kim Shockley, PT who was Northshore District Chair before David Hendricks.  She also trained in New Orleans and had a student, Brittany Bates, SPT from New Orleans campus, with her.  They also have a PTA, Randy Martinez who trained at Delgado.  Great group of therapists serving these patients!

The outpatient clinic associated with this hospital was just on the other side of the parking lot and was a former funeral home.  I had just missed Michelle Fell, PT, outpatient coordinator.  Deborah Deweese, PT gave me a tour of this first-class facility, and I met Kevin Mizell, PT.  They have an off-weight treadmill, and utilize 3 PTA’s in this clinic. 

That facility was all I had time to visit in Covington this day.  I’d return on Friday to visit more places in this area, and in Mandeville and Hammond to complete my Northshore tour.  It was approaching time for the Northshore District meeting, which I’d been talking up to everyone I’d met that day. 

Northshore District Meeting

David and Greg

David Hendricks, PT, Northshore District Chair, had planned a thorough, exciting meeting for his district at 6pm.  He’d bought sandwiches, drinks, chips and cookies for a crowd that, unfortunately, never materialized.  The only PT who showed up besides me and David was Greg Jones, PT who practices mainly now in MS, although he still has a clinic on the Northshore.  (See pic of David and Greg.)  Greg had been a delegate in the past. 

We talked fairly informally about the Workers’ Comp guidelines powerpoint prepared by Seth Kaplan, PT.  We also discussed LPTA’s updated website and the updated mission/vision statement and strategic plan, as well as the new rules and regs from the Board.  David is very good at researching topics, and had printed out everything we may have needed, including the 100-page Workers’ Comp guidelines and the entire new Rules and Regs. 

We talked a bit about how we can increase the attendance and enthusiasm of this typically low-participatory district.  There are no easy answers here.  Everyone makes time for what is important to them in their lives.  It was easy to see what is not important to the therapists in the Northshore District.  We could not fault lack of notice, as this was announced via email, snail mail and on Facebook 30 days in advance.  Quite disappointing for David and me.  Come on, Northshore, man up!

Thus ended my 13-hour day and I’d toured only half of the Northshore.  I made plans to finish up after spending a couple of days in the New Orleans District.

Nibbling in New Iberia

On my way home from the Houma/Thibodaux area, I decided I had time to stop by a few clinics in New Iberia on Wed., Oct 5, 2011.  I searched my smart phone and wrote down a listing of the names, addresses, and phone numbers of a few clinics and hospitals in that area and headed that way.

New Iberia is a beautiful community, rich in history (the salt domes are just south of there on Avery Island with which McIlhenny makes his Tabasco sauce), beautiful plantation homes, and lots of Spanish moss in the trees.  Plus, as I would find out later, some of the best shrimp po-boys in the state!

My first stop (and I made no prior appointments for these stops, as they were all spur-of-the-moment) was by the New Iberia Medical Center at 10:30am.  Having no clue where the outpatient clinic was, and seeing no sign for one, I started into the Medical Center proper when, luckily, I ran into a familiar face!  It was John Hardy, PT whom I know from our LPTA meetings.  He's been a PT for 37 years.  It just so happened that he was heading from his acute care duties over to the outpatient clinic to arrange his home health visits for that day.  He'd had to see 5 acute patients that morning in this 115 bed hospital.  The outpatient clinic was in a temporary building across the parking lot, with many ramps up into the building. (Obviously, this is a growing Medical Center.)  John remembered me as well and was happy to show me around and introduced me to Jacob Freyou, PT who manages the outpatient clinic.

At this time of day, the clinic was filled with patients and therapists.  I observed manual therapy techniques on a patient's neck, some gait training in parallel bars, and folks riding stationary bicycles.  Jacob told me that this was a full-service clinic providing peds, wound care, ortho, neuro, prosthetics.  He not only showed me around but showed me their new computerized software as well.  I met therapists there whose names, unfortunately, I did not get because they were so busy.  I left an information sheet with Jacob and asked him to share it with his staff.

At 11am I arrived at RehabXcel, Claude Tremblay's clinic.  Claude is from Canada and moved down to the New Iberia area to practice with John Musso, PT who is now doing home health. Claude got his Doctorate through Ola Grimbsy in manual therapy and has been a member all along.  He had many concerns and patient care at that time was light, so we sat and discussed direct access, POPTS.  He also has worked on the sidelines at high school ball games but was recently challenged by at athletic trainer there who says he is not qualified to be on the sidelines!  (We both beg to differ on that!)  Claude is very well-spoken and quite tall!  His concerns about the above issues are very legitimate as a solo practitioner.

I just happened upon the next clinic, which had not shown up on my search, run and managed by Dr. Ritter.  In that open clinic with many windows, I met Brian Hicks, PT and Lynn Inzerella, PT whose license number is around 100!  Lynn said she remembered me from the Fall Meeting and thanked me for stopping by. Both were busy with patient care, but did receive an informational sheet from me.

New Iberia: The Bon Creole

Best Shrimp Poboy I've ever had!

I asked Brian where I could find a good po-boy and he directed me to the Bon Creole, a very casual lunch counter with the most amazing food ever!   I stood in line to order my shrimp po-boy and then sat down to sip my iced tea and wait for my food to arrive.  When it did, WOW, was there a lot of shrimp on it, fully dressed.  So delicious!

After lunch, I popped into Iberia Rehab, a free-standing inpatient rehab, which in my area of the state is non-existent.  Mark Gagnon, PT worked there with one OT (both of whom were quite impressed with my visit) and some assistance of contract PTA's at times.  Mark stated he was working very hard and had little time off, that coverage assistance was difficult to find.  He stated he has been a member, and I thanked him for that, giving him an information sheet I had prepared.

Last stop in the New Iberia area, at Mark's urging, was Dautribe Hospital where I ran into a familiar face.  Courtney Romero, PT was a graduate of the program in Shreveport and I did remember her.  She worked the outpatient clinic there with a PTA, and said they are quite busy.  I also met Val Imvriotis, PT who worked on the third floor rehab unit.  Neither of these therapists are members and I did push membership with them and left them an information sheet with my contact information on it.

I drove through the beautiful, historic downtown of New Iberia on my way out.  This is in the Lafayette District, but I knew in my travels there in the future, I might not make it as far south as New Iberia, so I was so thankful I'd made the time to visit those therapists in those settings this trip.

Next visit will be far away for me, in the Northshore District and in the New Orleans District the week of Oct. 25-28.  Be ready, South Louisiana!  I'm heading your way soon!  Have Blog; Will Travel!

Traveling through Thibodaux and Houma (in four parts)

Part One:  Workers Comp Meeting in Baton Rouge

The sun rose as I was driving between Natchitoches and Alexandria on the morning of  Tuesday, October 4th, 2011, a beautiful sunrise with colors of purple and blue easing into hues of orange and yellow under a cloudless sky.  Low fog laced roadside ponds, soon to be burned off with the heat of the sun.  Traffic was light, the driving easy in my little grey Prius.

I was heading first for a 10am meeting at the Office of Workers Comp (OWC) in Baton Rouge with fellow PT's (Greg LeBlanc, Seth Kaplan (from BR), Gini Davis from N.O.), OT's (Keri Walker from N.O. and Angel Brown from B.R.), Kim Bueche Hardman with PTPN and Sherie Phillips a consultant from BPCC in Practice Management around the state and her co-worker Julie Bowers by conference call.  Also in attendance was Sue Newman who is the Medical Services Manager with the OWC.  She had called this meeting.  

I have stated in an earlier blog that I am here to listen and learn, and I was excited that I could be present for this meeting to do just that.  I know in my new role as President of LPTA that this early phase is a learning curve for me, so to be able to hear the issues first hand around a table with some very knowledgeable people is a blessing.  I was thankful I had the time off to make this meeting. 

What did we discuss?  This meeting was about the PT and OT codes for Workers Comp (WC) cases that were implemented after a great deal of hard work on the part of PT's and OT's back in 1994.  Gini and Keri had been initially involved and we were thankful they could make this meeting to give us some historical background.  I learned that Louisiana is the only state that has special codes for workers comp cases since 1994, and that they were initially put into place because at that time the coding technology (CPT codes) did not discern PT or OT skills and services provided.  Now, technology has improved (with the advent of therapy modifiers), and providers are now aware of who is billing for the services provided.  

So, the question became: Do we need these specially-created Louisiana-specific codes, or can we now use the 97000 codes with the modifiers as the rest of the country does? Discussion ensued.  Sue Newman was going to check into this, but the consensus was that this was not a legally-mandated change in our state, but that it arose out of a therapy-protective ideology back in the early 90's.  And the consensus quickly emerged that now with newer technology, the providers can indeed know by coding and modifiers who is providing the service, and that we probably should go back to the CPT codes for workers comp cases to be consistent with the rest of the country.  Sue Newman was going to meet with legal counsel at the OWC and make sure this will be legal, but it appears that we are on our way toward this change in coding for workers comp cases in our state.  The CPT codes are updated yearly from the AMA, and our Louisiana-created codes had not been updated since their implementation in '94, so this is also an advantage to using the CPT codes as well.  

Of course, during that discussion, the workers comp fee schedule was discussed and all agreed that this needs to be updated as well (as the fees have not been updated since 2004!), but that was not the purpose of this meeting.  Perhaps that can be the focus of future meetings at OWC!

Part Two: Hanging in Houma

After a brief stop at LPTA offices in Baton Rouge and a delightful lunch meeting with Bland O'Connor and Melinda Wilk from that office, I headed to Houma.  Passing fields of sugar cane, getting stuck behind slow-moving sugar cane trucks, I enjoyed the drive through pastoral scenes of southern Louisiana.  Loved seeing the moss-covered live oaks and plantation homes.  I was not in northern Louisiana anymore!  On my way, I made a call to Terrebonne General Medical Center in Houma, La, and arranged a meeting with some therapists there.  

Perhaps I had pre-conceived notions of what a medical center in Houma might look like, but I was surprised at the first class, multi-story, modern hospital that greeted me, with its banks of windows and clearly-marked parking areas.   I easily found the therapy clinic and was greeted by three therapists:  Ali Turner, PT who is rehab director and works in inpatient rehab, Blair T. Duthu, PT, who works in outpatient, and Terry L. Babin, PT, who works acute.  First, let me say that I was surprised and amazed by Ali's work to arrange therapists from all 3 areas to meet briefly with me at 3pm when I know that pt care was in full swing!  This meant so much to me!  They all three expressed surprise as well that I would personally come visit them from Shreveport as their President.  All were quite pleased.  We discussed concerns about Medicare rules changes in rehab, about staffing issues.  This facility has 8 therapists, PT's and PTA's in these 3 settings.  Most are from the Houma area.  Blair is a recent DPT grad from the N.O. campus and was in school when Katrina hit.  She has maintained her membership in APTA/LPTA and I thanked her for that.  I had prepared a memo to give to all I visit and went over the points with those 3 therapists, asking Ali to share this with the other therapists there.  At the conclusion of our brief meeting, they all said, "No one has ever done this before."  I told them I was there to listen and learn and meet you where you work and live.  I left them my contact information, and asked them to please contact me with any questions or concerns.  

I made no further appointments, but walked in to two other outpatient PT clinics in Houma unannounced but with the informational sheet in hand, a smile on my face, and a spring in my step.  At the first clinic, I was greeted warmly by Mark Kinnard, PT of Terrebonne Physical Therapy Clinic on Verret Street.  It just so happens he is a '96 graduate of the program in Shreveport, so we talked about Mary Denny and Sharon Dunn fondly.  He is in practice with his father Donald "Bo" Kinnard, PT who trained at Emory, and his brother Luke Kinnard, PT who has been out of PT school only 3-4 years!  What amazing history in this clinic!  Bo and Mark were quite willing to discuss issues that concern them, and these include the inability to find PT's to hire in that area of our state.  I asked if they are CI's and they do take students, so that does help in hiring issues.  They were worried about computerized documentation requirements.  More comprehensive direct access is also a desire for this practice, as you will see with most all the private practice owners I have come across in my travels.  Bo does FCE's, and we discussed workers comp issues a bit.  I got a nice tour of their facility, and I encouraged attendance at that evening's District Meeting in Thibodaux, leaving with a smile on my face.  

Thank goodness for GPS and smart phones, because my next stop I found easily.  It is my goal during this year-long tour of Louisiana to stop by each of the clinics and facilities that have met APTA's Facility Challenge in 2011, and this next stop was one of those, Donohue and Trahan.  John Donohue, PT graduated from New Orleans campus in '73 and dropped names of PT's he considers contemporaries such as Ken Barrilow, Max McCloud, Barney Stewart. (Rich history!) He is in practice with Monique Trahan who was unfortunately not present that day.  There was another therapist working on gait with a young child with CP.  John, a most delightful man, is very pro LPTA.  He had no concerns to discuss with me about our organization and offered support if I ever needed it.  His clinic, which he proudly showed me, is very open and airy with good spaces.  This was a delightful visit, as all had been that day. 

Part Three: Thibodaux District Meeting

Craig Pate, PT  Houma District Chair

On to Thibodaux for the district meeting at Craig Hebert's clinic, Thibodaux Physical Thearpy, with Craig Pate, PT, who is the District Chair for the Houma District.  Craig Pate had set up a dual-purpose meeting for that evening.  At 5:30pm, to a gathering of about 12 therapists, Craig Hebert, PT spoke about a new initiative in their city to perform comprehensive scoliosis screening in the private schools, which lack school nurses to perform these screens.  It seems that this is a personal issue for Craig H., because his son at age 15 was diagnosed with scoliosis, and he did not want this to slip by on any other child.  Craig H. got a copy of the Easter Seals guidelines for scoliosis screening and went over this handout with all present who signed up to screen 4th, 6th, 8th and 9th graders in the private schools.  Safety and privacy issues were discussed, as well as methods to flag those student who appeared to need follow-up with their physicians.  It is wonderful that this many therapists in that area are willing to give their time to screen children for scoliosis!  It is also a wonderful promotion of physical therapy in that community.  

At 6:30, the District Meeting began, with refreshments provided by Craig Hebert.  About 15 were in attendance at this meeting, and it is the first the Houma District has had in a couple of years.  Bo Kinnard, whom I had met earlier that day, was in attendance.  Craig P. spoke about issues he learned at the recent LPTA BOD meeting, and he had me speak briefly as well.  Craig H. also educated all present about the scoliosis screening initiative.  I suggested someone write this up for the Bayou Bulletin, as this is such positive news for this area in the world of physical therapy.  Of course, I encouraged membership, as I do everywhere I go.  I will not take off my Membership Chair hat ever.  Good members in good numbers are what make an association successful, even in the more rural areas of the state!  There was some discussion at the District Meeting as well about issues that LPTA may need to address.  These included Direct Access (see a trend here?), rules for PT signage (one therapist had seen "physical therapy" on a chiropractor's sign), and the community colleges (Fletcher and Unitech) in that area creating a "PT tech" college associates degree.  These issues I will bring up before the LPTA Board at our next meeting.  The meeting adjourned at 7:30.  Was terrific to see such good attendance at this meeting, and the therapists there appear to have a wonderful camaraderie.  

The Siegel Three:  Sydney, Abigail, Mason

I was invited by Mark and Cherry Siegel to stay at their house.  I truly appreciated this, because I am doing this tour on my own time, with my own nickel.  This was an idea I had on my own, and I want to do it early in my first year, so of course there is no budget for this.  And I am doing it gladly, for I love to give back.  Mark and Cherry both trained in Shreveport.  Cherry was in the class just ahead of me, and she worked at LSUHSC with me just as she was getting pregnant with their triplets.  So, we have a connection, and I was delighted to stay with them and catch up.  Sweet Mason gave me his bed, and Sydney and Abigail were delightful as well.  Triplets at eight years old are more manageable than triplets at one or two, I imagine.  What I loved about this visit was watching the interaction and separate, distinct personalities of these three precocious children!  High energy, but great respect for each other!  I think Mark and Cherry are doing a wonderful job of balancing parenting and therapy work.  Cheers to them!  

Was I tired after my long day?  Sure was!  But I was filled up with the warm reception I had received at all the facilities and clinics I had visited.  In talking with the therapists in the Houma/Thibodaux area, I was thrilled to be welcomed with open arms.  I made plans to visit some Thibodaux clinics the next morning before departing.  

Part Four: Thibodaux Therapists

At the District Meeting the evening before, I met many of the therapists I was to visit this Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2011.  They all invited me to see their hospitals and clinics, and I was happy to oblige.  My first stop was Thibodaux Regional Medical Center, a 185 bed multi-story hospital which had recently undergone renovation and was state-of-the-art, thanks to a very forward-looking CEO.  I walked into the entrance corridor and it was wide with marble floors and great art on the walls, very welcoming and upbeat with good lighting.  I went to the 4th floor rehab unit at 8am and there was Jason Ledet, PTA, who greeted me there.  Jason is over the entire 18 bed rehab unit and acute therapists.  All the therapists there spoke highly of the physiatrist who oversees the operation of the therapy at Thibodaux Regional, Dr. Cowan.  He is apparently a good friend of physical therapy and works well with all.  Jason has not been in this leadership role long, but is committed to providing the best quality care within the guidelines. Some of his concerns were a shortage of therapists and coverage for the therapy needs in this hospital.  He stated they do take students.  He also has concerns regarding the ever-changing rules for rehab admission and how some patients fall through the cracks.  Their rehab unit had also recently been updated and he showed me around.  It felt very clean, bright and upbeat.  Great OT areas with bathrooms and kitchens, as well as PT areas.  I met therapists showing up to work, including Cherry Siegel, PT and Cherry Aquino-de Lara, PT.

In that same Medical Center, but in a different building, I visited the outpatient clinic, and was greeted by Billy Naquin, PT who is our Federal Affairs Liaison and agreed to continue in that role (Thanks, Billy!).  Billy had been in New Orleans but the after-effects of Katrina pushed him back home to Thibodaux and today he heads the outpatient Spine Center and that outpatient unit, working closely with Dr. Cowan.  This is quite a diverse outpatient clinic, offering ortho and neuro rehab, PT/OT/ST.  They do some peds Medicaid, and some sports medicine. Also very interesting is that this clinic does drug screening for folks in the community.  There is a special team dedicated to the neuro rehab and I met Lauren Vedros-Jones, PT and the OT and ST that work with these neuro patients.  Good state-of-the art equipment and a nice OT kitchen with washer/dryer, stove, sink were there.  I went in to the ortho side and spoke with Lee Cortez, PT and J.D. Adams, PT whom I had met at the meeting the night before.  They were busy with patient care in a hopping clinic.  Check out the Medical Center's video at: http://pinkglove.co/37.  Features the therapists strongly!  Great video!

My next stop took me to the Daigle, Himel, Daigle Physical Therapy Clinic, another father/son clinic.  I went at 9am when patient care was in full swing, and that clinic was hopping!  There were senior citizens on the Total Gym, young athletes on the treadmills, folks riding bikes, lifting weights!  It was organized chaos with everyone working!  I got to meet briefly with Leslie John Daigle, PT, the father with 45 years of membership with APTA/LPTA and his son John Leslie Daigle, PT, with 20 years membership!  Wow!  Eddie Himel, PT was out that day.  I just thanked the team for their continuing support of our organization and gave hugs all around!  They thanked me for visiting.

All in all, my visit to Houma/Thibodaux was a huge success and I met many therapists in many settings where they work and live.  Great history, great support of LPTA!  I am listening and learning, definitely.  I welcome comments on these blog posts. Are they way too long?  Do you like the detail?  Any ideas, input for me as LPTA President are welcome.    If you want to message me privately, my email is bethwardpt@gmail.com.

Next stop, next blog:  New Iberia!