by Jessie Dees, DOR, Willow Bend Nursing and Rehab, Mesquite, TX –
For months now, I have wanted to sit down and type up this article to share my thoughts and reflections on Willow Bend’s Rehab Department. I have been here for 15 months, and looking back, we have come so far. I walked into a department that was struggling to maintain a caseload and keep current on paperwork, while also considering an addition to the building that was a concrete slab and wood studs. Today, our department is quickly growing with team-oriented therapists and techs. Our long-term, short-term and outpatient caseloads continue to expand faster than any of us ever imagined. The timeliness of paperwork completion is much improved through numerous systems we have developed, implemented, and continue to modify. We have improved our presence within the building and in the community.
On January12 of this year, we accepted our first patient into “The Lodge,” our newly renovated Rehab space. We were all excited at the future possibilities and secretly anxious about the unknown. The Lodge has been a great learning experience filled with indescribable opportunities and lots of “growing pains.” As a physical therapist and a Director of Rehab, this opportunity is a dream come true. I am truly grateful to be able to work with a staff that is team-focused and willing to go above and beyond to provide quality treatment to patients. The facility is likewise a therapist’s dream and allows us to expand our creative therapy minds to focus on individualized care. Our therapy courtyard is both functional and provides entertainment and serenity for our patients. The state-of-the-art gym and equipment are exciting for both patients and therapists. The Lodge also has a full-functioning ADL apartment. It provides a great opportunity for patients to perform home tasks in a safe environment and to allow therapists to assess that the tasks are safe and that the patient is truly ready for a safe discharge home.
We accepted our first outpatient this past week with hopes of developing a truly successful outpatient department, not merely a SNF that offers outpatient care. I know that there will be challenges in the development of this program, but I am looking forward to continuing to grow with my team as we forge on into this new area.
It is important to acknowledge and thank all of the other departments at Willow Bend. They have supported the rehab department and have grown with us. Kevin has been nothing but supportive of our department from Day One. We tackle “bumps in the road” together, and while we might not always see eye-to-eye, we are always passionate about our patients and the care we provide.
I am truly excited about our future as a facility and a department. I know there will be long days ahead, some filled with headaches and others with laughter. I am confident that we will continue down the path together, keeping our patients’ best interests at the center of our thoughts, driven by our desire to continue to provide excellent service to our patients, their families, our employees and the community. If you ever find yourself in the Dallas area, please stop by and visit us. We would love to meet you and show you around!