Good Shepherd Rehabilitation

At Good Shepherd, our conviction is what drives us. Our compassion is what fuels us. And our spirit is Boundless.

Congratulations to Noreen Yamamoto, COTA, of Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Hospital who received Moravian University’s Shining Star Community Partnership Award at a ceremony in late April. A certified occupational therapy assistant, Noreen facilitates Good Shepherd’s Spinal Cord Injury Support Group. The group offers educational, recreational, and supportive resources to help individuals reconnect around living life with a spinal cord injury — and has existed for more than five years. As shared by Moravian: "Dr. Kimberly Dianne Wynarczuk, PT, DPT, PhD, MPH, CHES, from Moravian University reached out to partner with Good Shepherd’s Spinal Cord Injury Support Group to offer a valuable, educational experience for her students, Noreen didn’t hesitate to accept — and neither did the group’s members. Individuals in the Spinal Cord Injury Support Group met their students in the community at restaurants, sporting events and in as personal settings as each other’s homes. Support group members expressed enjoyment and deep satisfaction that their lived experiences were being valued. It was important that the struggles and frustrations they encountered through their injury and rehabilitation could act as the catalyst for changing a part of the health-care landscape —developing clinicians with a better understanding of patients’ needs and concerns. Noreen provided access to authentic, rich and beneficial experiences for Moravian University Doctor of Physical Therapy students that enabled them to learn to think about their future patients and clients as people — not just as diagnoses.” The Shining Star Community Partnership Award recognizes a business, organization or individual (excluding current students, employees, and alumni) that/who supports Moravian University's mission to prepare individuals for a reflective life, fulfilling career, and transformative leadership in a world of change. Strategic partnerships may include collaboration for shared resources, opportunities for innovation and philanthropic engagement. #GoodShepherdProud

JOIN US: Good Shepherd Rehabilitation invites you to an inspiring evening of music and dancing at the Gala in the Garden 2024! Our annual fundraiser benefiting Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Hospital Emily Howatt Pliskatt Pediatric Unit blooms once again on Saturday, June 1, 2024. Hosted on Good Shepherd’s South Allentown Campus, you'll enjoy cocktails, dinner, music, dancing and more in a climate-controlled tent. Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available, but going quick. 📍 850 S. 5th St., Allentown, PA 18103 ⌚ 6 p.m. 💙 Unable to join us for an evening of inspiration and fun? You can still support the event and our Pediatric Unit: https://lnkd.in/eU9GWdUJ

In the U.S., more than 6 million people live with vision loss from conditions that include macular degeneration, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. In fact, many people with uncorrectable low vision face a reduced quality of life once diagnosed. Those 65 and older with severe vision impairment are 48% more likely to suffer a fall. Good Shepherd’s new Low Vision Program, which is an extension of the Vision Therapy Program, aims to help people remain independent and safe. “There was a hole to be filled to prevent or slow down the loss of independence for people with low vision,” said Good Shepherd Occupational Therapist Devin Darby, MS, OTR/L. “We developed the Good Shepherd program to complement other community services, especially for those early in vision loss.” The program is open to patients with a physician referral. Jason Stauffer, a Good Shepherd employee with low vision from a congenital condition, never addressed his sight issue — until he fell, hit his head and suffered a concussion. Jason (pictured, at his specially designed Good Shepherd work station) was referred to a neurosensory optometrist and then began working with Good Shepherd’s experts to address his vision issue. The next phase was teaching Jason to use his sight more effectively since one eye drifts to the side. He did vision therapy for 18 months to learn how to use his “good” eye to support his other eye. Jason notes that he gained a 40% improvement in his left eye. During his last two months of therapy, Jason worked on his physical reaction time related to vision. Things went so well that he is preparing to enroll in Good Shepherd’s Adaptive Driving Program, with the goal of securing a driver’s license. “When I started the program, I could not read a standard print form and now I have regained some peripheral vision in my eye,” Jason said. “The program and the therapists are amazing.” Learn more 👉 https://lnkd.in/e48BqjcG

🎟 Tickets are going fast! Reserve your FREE spot for a family friendly evening with Chris 👇

On the newest episode of our “Boundless” podcast, host Grover Silcox sits down with Sue and Mike Recine to detail the couple’s life before and after Mike suffered two strokes. From finding Mike in their basement and rushing him to the hospital to Mike re-learning how to walk, talk and do daily tasks — like adding to his incredible collection of 35,000 fly fishing ties — Sue and Mike share their journey together. Watch the full video: https://lnkd.in/etAxFkvV #StrokeAwarenessMonth 🎧 Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and other podcast platforms. 🌐 https://lnkd.in/e_YjD_FG Thank you to our partners at Lehigh Valley Public Media (PBS39 & WLVR News).

📆 Mark your calendars for May 23; pre-registration is available and walk-ins are welcome, too.

Moravian University presented Good Shepherd Rehabilitation with the “Clinical Site of the Year Award” at their Clinical/Fieldwork Educator Appreciation & Graduate Research Expo event earlier this month. The Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Speech-Language Pathology departments recognized Good Shepherd for our new application process and redesigned student programming. Sara Memoli, MS, OTR/L (pictured, middle), who was on hand to accept the award on behalf of Good Shepherd, and Kandis Jones, PT, DPT, PCS, have led Good Shepherd’s student program to consider student learning goals and the expertise of our clinicians, resulting in a meaningful experience for all. Last year, Good Shepherd clinical supervisors mentored 91 full-rotation (hands-on, multi-week experience) students throughout our network. "This award recognizes the passion for training future clinicians demonstrated by Sara, Kandis, clinical instructors, fieldwork educators and preceptors," said Emily Eaves Lyter, PT, DPT, Administrative Director of Good Shepherd Learns, Creates and Research. #GoodShepherdProud 📸: Moravian University

Last month, Good Shepherd team members collected new shoes in honor of Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month. Recently, Ashley from Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Hospital delivered the donations to The Kindness Project. Thanks to all who contributed to the effort! #GoodShepherdProud

Earlier this month, nearly 30 Nursing and Therapy clinicians at Good Shepherd learned they are scholarship recipients. The Nursing and Therapy Scholarships provide financial assistance to Good Shepherd team members who seek to enhance their clinical excellence and passion through education. This year’s recipients represent a variety of disciplines and hail from long-term care, outpatient rehab and inpatient rehab locations — serving adult and pediatric patients as well as long-term-care residents. Senior Vice President of Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer Jeanne Dzurenko, MPH, BSN, NEA-BC, awarded 20 Oberly-Allen Nursing Scholarships. Vice President of Operations for Outpatient Services Karen Long, PTA, MBA, awarded nine Therapy Scholarships. Additionally, Lucy Nagy-Grube, a retired Good Shepherd nurse, received recognition for helping establish the nursing scholarship program a decade ago. Congratulations to all Nursing and Therapy Scholarship recipients! #GoodShepherdProud Karen Long Jeanne D. Gloria Pugliese Carol Domzalski MSN, RN, CRRN