Peninsula Home Care Salutes Physical Therapists During National Physical Therapy Month
Published on - October 17, 2016PHC Recognizes 3 Staff PT’s as “Outstanding Physical Therapist of the Year”
SALISBURY, MD – The high demand for physical therapists in the workforce isn’t going to slow down anytime soon. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of PT’s is expected to grow by 36 percent from 2012 to 2022, much faster than the average for all occupations. With an aging population and the trend toward increased health insurance coverage nationwide, the demand for physical therapists will continue to climb.
“We know first-hand because we continue to hire physical therapists to support our staffing needs,” said Nancy Bagwell, Area Director of Operations for Peninsula Home Care. “We treat patients for many different reasons but when it comes to helping them gain back their independence, physical therapy is key. Our team of PT’s take pride in helping every patient they treat learn how to do exercises on their own and why they are beneficial to their recovery and independence.”
Every year, Physical Therapy month falls in October and focuses on the impact that physical therapy has on individual lives. PT’s play a major role in helping people with long-term conditions achieve their goals, fulfil their potential and experience a better quality of life. The individuals who seek and need PT services range from babies to seniors, from people with disabilities to high performing athletes.
Excellence at work in Salisbury, Ocean Pines and Seaford
On World Physical Therapy Day, Peninsula Home Care is recognizing two staff PT’s as “Outstanding Physical Therapist of the Year.” Each winner was nominated internally by other staff members and all nominations were voted on by a team of PHC leaders and third party volunteers.
The following Peninsula Home Care PT’s were selected as “Outstanding Physical Therapist of the Year.”
Ivy Tuason – Ocean Pines Branch
Ivy joined Peninsula Home Care (PHC) in 2014 but has worked in the home care industry for 13 years. Her past work experience includes working with Varsity athletes at the University of the Philippines, time as a staff physical therapist at Saint Luke’s Medical Center and My Health Clinic in Manila, Philippines and a home health physical therapist with Gentiva Home Health in Charleston West Virginia.
Ivy earned a bachelor of science in physical therapy at the University of the Philippines, Manila. In her free time she enjoys volunteering at her church to support church missions.
“With home health, each day is an adventure even with the same patient. The privilege of helping them realize their potential and improve their quality of life is rewarding. Being a part of the dynamics in the home and knowing you have the opportunity to help them make sure they are safe at home is gratifying. My favorite part about what I do is that I have the opportunity to take care of my patients as if I am caring for my family and make a difference one patient at a time.”
Michael Jansen – Salisbury Branch
Michael Jansen has been with Peninsula Home Care since 2004 but working as a physical therapist since 1998. Mike evaluates and treats a diverse patient population in the home care setting as part of an interdisciplinary team striving for quality outcomes and patient satisfaction. He works with the patients and families on an ongoing basis in setting and adjusting patient-centered goals to increase their functional independence and increase safety in the home and during the process of community re-entry.
Mike graduated from James Madison University with a BS in Healthcare Administration and from the University of Maryland, Baltimore with a BS and Masters in Physical Therapy. He received the Donald J. Hobart Scholarship for being named the Best Anatomy and Physiology Student and is also a Credentialed Clinical Instructor for the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA).
His work experience includes three years as a staff physical therapist and then three more years as an Acute Care Supervisor for the Physical Medicine Department at Peninsula Regional Medical Center.
Mike’s favorite part of working in home care is the time he is able to spend one-on-one with patients and families. He enjoys working with the patients on their goals in the setting that matters most to them, their home. He thinks home care is rewarding because he gets to see the patients take great pride as they progress and work hard to maximize their functional independence and safety in the home.
In his free time, Mike volunteers as the treasurer of Cub Scout Pack 185 and is a board member for Wolfe Creek Homeowner’s Association.
Michelle Castronuevo – Seaford Branch
Michelle Castronuevo has been practicing physical therapy for eight years and Peninsula Home Care at Nanticoke was the first job she took after coming to the United States in 2015. She graduated from Brent Colleges in the Philippines in 2007 and after completing her licensure exam she worked for a hospital in the Philippines. Michelle also worked in an outpatient facility in the Middle East for two years but then returned home to the Philippines to continue working as a physical therapists in the home health care industry.
Michelle’s passion for working with patients is about being a part of their recovery and seeing their hard work pay off. She enjoys working for Peninsula Home Care at Nanticoke because of the company’s structure and attention to following specific protocol and standards of practice.
“The discipline within the company makes me a better clinician. I very much enjoy the people I work with but also find the structure within Peninsula Home Care at Nanticoke is what keeps me focused and always striving to provide the best care for my patients.”
About Peninsula Home Care
Providing skilled nursing, physical, occupational and speech therapy for more than 30 years, Peninsula Home Care ensures that all patients are involved in their plan of care and strives to give them every opportunity to maintain their independence in the home. The agency has served more than 50,000 patients in Wicomico, Worcester and Somerset counties in Maryland and Sussex and Kent counties in Delaware. In 2017, PHC and PHCN were designated as Preferred Home Care Provider by Peninsula Regional Medical Center and Nanticoke Health Services.
