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!