Outpatient Rehabilitation Across the Good Shepherd Network
Listen as Karen Long, the Vice President of Operations for Outpatient Services, leads a discussion on her work and the range of services offered at Good Sheperd.
Featured Speaker:
Karen Long, BS, PTA
Karen Long is Good Shepherd's Vice President of Operations for Outpatient Therapy. She oversees all outpatient therapy operations, the MS Wellness Program and Good Shepherd’s contracts for providing outpatient therapy at a variety of assisted living facilities in the region. Transcription:
Outpatient Rehabilitation Across the Good Shepherd Network
Caitlin Whyte: Outpatient rehabilitation spans across the entire Good Shepherd Network. To tell us more about her work and the range of services that we offer is Karen Long, the vice-president of operations for outpatient services at Good Shepherd Rehabilitation.
This is Transforming Lives and Inspiring Hope, a Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network podcast. I'm your host, Caitlin Whyte. So to start off our show today, Karen, tell us how long you've been practicing in the physical therapy field.
Karen Long, BS, PTA: So I became a PTA in 1989. I graduated in May of that year and I started my career here at Good Shepherd in June. And my entire career has been here at Good Shepherd.
Caitlin Whyte: Oh, my gosh. I love that. How cool. You don't hear that anymore.
Karen Long, BS, PTA: Absolutely. It's been a really nice career in that Good Shepherd has so many areas to practice. I started in rehab. I worked there until 2008, and that's when I went into leadership, but I spent time in rehab, musculoskeletal, orthopedics, all kinds of places. So it's been good.
Caitlin Whyte: Well, that leads me into my next question. How did you decide to make the pivot from providing physical therapy services directly to patients to more of a leadership role overseeing multiple outpatient rehabilitation locations and additional services?
Karen Long, BS, PTA: So I did practice in rehab for six years, and that was before I actually went into outpatient. During that time, I became a certified massage therapist. So that led me naturally into more of a musculoskeletal orthopedic rehab path. After 19 years of working clinically, I looked to begin management. I had an amazing mentor that, you know, said, you know, "Here's the place. Spread your wings. Do what you do." And part of what I loved about that was that all of my previous career was in multi-disciplinary care, so having PT, OT and speech, and most of our outpatient satellites at that time were only physical therapy. So it was an opportunity for us to add those services. And when you start adding occupational and speech therapy services, you broaden your depth of services. You know, you can offer treatment to stroke patients and spinal cord injuries, brain injuries, because you're able to add that cognitive component into your care.
I went into management and I started with one satellite. I then tried my hand at doing observing and managing two. And then my two became five. My five became seven, seven became ten, and so on, to now the service line has really grown nicely.
Caitlin Whyte: Well, you've spent your whole career at Good Shepherd. Tell us what do you feel makes Good Shepherd's Outpatient rehabilitation stand out from the competition?
Karen Long, BS, PTA: So hands down, it is definitely our clinicians. My office is right outside of the waiting room of our neuro rehab department. And I witness every day the care that our clinicians provide. Many of our clinicians seek extra specialties, certification. But when I see a therapist sit down with a family caregiver, provider and just talk to them and listen to them. I actually saw a therapist sit and pray with a family. So it's really that personalized care and, you know, the relationships that our therapists build with our patients that I really think just helps us to stand apart from our competition.
Caitlin Whyte: Absolutely. That personal connection is so, so important. Now, shifting to the physical locations, how many outpatient locations does good shepherd have and what are the main types of services offered at each one?
Karen Long, BS, PTA: So we currently have 21 outpatient satellites. Our main campus also has the Highland Center. And in the Highland Center for Health and Technology, we have orthopedics, neuro rehabilitation, pediatrics, imaging, MS Wellness and aquatic program, a hand clinic, optimal fitness and a wheelchair clinic. And then we have six contract locations inside of assisted living facilities. But really that Highland Center for Health and Technology is kind of like the hub in that we look at our best practices and, you know, we try to create those clinical pathways to make sure that we're providing standardized care throughout our outpatient network.
Caitlin Whyte: So looking at those 21 outpatient locations, do services differ by location?
Karen Long, BS, PTA: So we have physical therapy in all of our locations. In specific locations, we do have multi-disciplines and that we have physical, occupational and speech therapy. We treat adults and we treat children. We treat musculoskeletal, developmental and neurological conditions. And then we offer pediatrics in all of our regions, but at specific locations throughout the region.
Caitlin Whyte: And now, do patients need a doctor's referral or recommendation prior to calling to book a rehabilitation appointment?
Karen Long, BS, PTA: So for occupational and speech therapy, a prescription is required. For physical therapy, a patient can be seen by a therapist that has what we call a direct access license. They can be seen for an evaluation. And then depending on the patient's insurance, treatment can begin on that first day. In some cases, we'll reach out, you know, to the patient's physician and request a prescription. A direct access physical therapists, they're specifically trained to look for, you know, those red flags that could preclude patients from having therapy. But we really do try to bridge that gap between someone that seeking that therapy and also needing that referral from their physician.
Caitlin Whyte: Well, you touched on my next question, always a big one. Are appointments covered by insurance?
Karen Long, BS, PTA: So Good Shepherd accepts most insurances, including no insurance. Good Shepherd has a robust uncompensated care opportunity for those that qualify. As a courtesy, one thing that I think helps Good Shepherd to stand out is we have verification specialists that will review the patient's benefits prior to their appointment. And that's in order to make sure that there's no surprises. You know, when they come for their first appointment and they see that they have a $40 copay, that they know that before they actually come in the door.
Caitlin Whyte: Wonderful. And Karen, as we wrap up our conversation here, what are some common conditions or injuries that you find people don't even realize that Good Shepherd specializes in?
Karen Long, BS, PTA: My goodness, we have so many, many specialty programs. I can start with the one that's sort of near and dear to my heart. And that is that Good shepherd has a fitness gym it's called Optimal Fitness. And it's led by physical therapists, occupational therapists, and even exercise physiologists. And it is open to people of all abilities. So we have equipment that is specially designed for a wheelchair user. The program focuses on a person's goal and it may be post therapy, between therapy. It really looks at that person and gets into the heart of, you know, what they would like to do. We have the LSVT or Lee Silverman Voice training, BIG and LOUD Program. We have the BIG Program at most of our outpatient satellites. That's specifically designed to enhance the lives of people that are living with the Parkinson's diagnosis. We do have voice training at one of our locations in Souderton, as well as our main campus. So that's a little bit of an additional approach to that BIG and LOUD program. We have eight in-ground and 92-degree therapy pools located strategically throughout our regions with aquatic specialists, which is the pool is a really nice thing for people that have a lot of, you know, chronic pain disorders. We have therapists with brain injury and stroke certification. Orthopedic and neurologic clinical specialists. One that I know that we're well known for is our vision program. Every neuro post-concussive headache patient, whether you're a pediatric or adult patients are screened for vision abnormalities. So we really do look at that whole person and really try to, you know, reach the goals of the patient and, you know, the caregivers and family. So that's just a couple of them, but truly I could go on and on about the amazing, amazing staff that we have here that just are always seeking to learn new ideas and techniques.
Caitlin Whyte: Well, it sounds just like an incredible place to work or be cared for. Karen, is there anything else that you want patients or the community to know as we end our conversation?
Karen Long, BS, PTA: I think probably the biggest thing is that we are different in that, you know, we do physical therapy and we have got many other excellent providers of physical therapy in the valley. But, you know, we do have that occupational, speech therapy, physiatry, psychology. We have care managers really look out for that whole human being mentally, physically, spiritually, all those things combined. It's nice to be able to speak about something that I love.
Caitlin Whyte: Absolutely. And you can definitely tell from just your voice how passionate you are.
Karen Long, BS, PTA: Yeah, love it.
Caitlin Whyte: Well, Karen, like I said, we can't thank you enough for being here with us today. Call 1-888-44-REHAB or visit goodshepherdrehab.org for more information. This is Transforming Lives and Inspiring Hope, a Good Shepherd rehabilitation Network podcast. I'm your host, Caitlin Whyte. Stay well.
Outpatient Rehabilitation Across the Good Shepherd Network
Caitlin Whyte: Outpatient rehabilitation spans across the entire Good Shepherd Network. To tell us more about her work and the range of services that we offer is Karen Long, the vice-president of operations for outpatient services at Good Shepherd Rehabilitation.
This is Transforming Lives and Inspiring Hope, a Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network podcast. I'm your host, Caitlin Whyte. So to start off our show today, Karen, tell us how long you've been practicing in the physical therapy field.
Karen Long, BS, PTA: So I became a PTA in 1989. I graduated in May of that year and I started my career here at Good Shepherd in June. And my entire career has been here at Good Shepherd.
Caitlin Whyte: Oh, my gosh. I love that. How cool. You don't hear that anymore.
Karen Long, BS, PTA: Absolutely. It's been a really nice career in that Good Shepherd has so many areas to practice. I started in rehab. I worked there until 2008, and that's when I went into leadership, but I spent time in rehab, musculoskeletal, orthopedics, all kinds of places. So it's been good.
Caitlin Whyte: Well, that leads me into my next question. How did you decide to make the pivot from providing physical therapy services directly to patients to more of a leadership role overseeing multiple outpatient rehabilitation locations and additional services?
Karen Long, BS, PTA: So I did practice in rehab for six years, and that was before I actually went into outpatient. During that time, I became a certified massage therapist. So that led me naturally into more of a musculoskeletal orthopedic rehab path. After 19 years of working clinically, I looked to begin management. I had an amazing mentor that, you know, said, you know, "Here's the place. Spread your wings. Do what you do." And part of what I loved about that was that all of my previous career was in multi-disciplinary care, so having PT, OT and speech, and most of our outpatient satellites at that time were only physical therapy. So it was an opportunity for us to add those services. And when you start adding occupational and speech therapy services, you broaden your depth of services. You know, you can offer treatment to stroke patients and spinal cord injuries, brain injuries, because you're able to add that cognitive component into your care.
I went into management and I started with one satellite. I then tried my hand at doing observing and managing two. And then my two became five. My five became seven, seven became ten, and so on, to now the service line has really grown nicely.
Caitlin Whyte: Well, you've spent your whole career at Good Shepherd. Tell us what do you feel makes Good Shepherd's Outpatient rehabilitation stand out from the competition?
Karen Long, BS, PTA: So hands down, it is definitely our clinicians. My office is right outside of the waiting room of our neuro rehab department. And I witness every day the care that our clinicians provide. Many of our clinicians seek extra specialties, certification. But when I see a therapist sit down with a family caregiver, provider and just talk to them and listen to them. I actually saw a therapist sit and pray with a family. So it's really that personalized care and, you know, the relationships that our therapists build with our patients that I really think just helps us to stand apart from our competition.
Caitlin Whyte: Absolutely. That personal connection is so, so important. Now, shifting to the physical locations, how many outpatient locations does good shepherd have and what are the main types of services offered at each one?
Karen Long, BS, PTA: So we currently have 21 outpatient satellites. Our main campus also has the Highland Center. And in the Highland Center for Health and Technology, we have orthopedics, neuro rehabilitation, pediatrics, imaging, MS Wellness and aquatic program, a hand clinic, optimal fitness and a wheelchair clinic. And then we have six contract locations inside of assisted living facilities. But really that Highland Center for Health and Technology is kind of like the hub in that we look at our best practices and, you know, we try to create those clinical pathways to make sure that we're providing standardized care throughout our outpatient network.
Caitlin Whyte: So looking at those 21 outpatient locations, do services differ by location?
Karen Long, BS, PTA: So we have physical therapy in all of our locations. In specific locations, we do have multi-disciplines and that we have physical, occupational and speech therapy. We treat adults and we treat children. We treat musculoskeletal, developmental and neurological conditions. And then we offer pediatrics in all of our regions, but at specific locations throughout the region.
Caitlin Whyte: And now, do patients need a doctor's referral or recommendation prior to calling to book a rehabilitation appointment?
Karen Long, BS, PTA: So for occupational and speech therapy, a prescription is required. For physical therapy, a patient can be seen by a therapist that has what we call a direct access license. They can be seen for an evaluation. And then depending on the patient's insurance, treatment can begin on that first day. In some cases, we'll reach out, you know, to the patient's physician and request a prescription. A direct access physical therapists, they're specifically trained to look for, you know, those red flags that could preclude patients from having therapy. But we really do try to bridge that gap between someone that seeking that therapy and also needing that referral from their physician.
Caitlin Whyte: Well, you touched on my next question, always a big one. Are appointments covered by insurance?
Karen Long, BS, PTA: So Good Shepherd accepts most insurances, including no insurance. Good Shepherd has a robust uncompensated care opportunity for those that qualify. As a courtesy, one thing that I think helps Good Shepherd to stand out is we have verification specialists that will review the patient's benefits prior to their appointment. And that's in order to make sure that there's no surprises. You know, when they come for their first appointment and they see that they have a $40 copay, that they know that before they actually come in the door.
Caitlin Whyte: Wonderful. And Karen, as we wrap up our conversation here, what are some common conditions or injuries that you find people don't even realize that Good Shepherd specializes in?
Karen Long, BS, PTA: My goodness, we have so many, many specialty programs. I can start with the one that's sort of near and dear to my heart. And that is that Good shepherd has a fitness gym it's called Optimal Fitness. And it's led by physical therapists, occupational therapists, and even exercise physiologists. And it is open to people of all abilities. So we have equipment that is specially designed for a wheelchair user. The program focuses on a person's goal and it may be post therapy, between therapy. It really looks at that person and gets into the heart of, you know, what they would like to do. We have the LSVT or Lee Silverman Voice training, BIG and LOUD Program. We have the BIG Program at most of our outpatient satellites. That's specifically designed to enhance the lives of people that are living with the Parkinson's diagnosis. We do have voice training at one of our locations in Souderton, as well as our main campus. So that's a little bit of an additional approach to that BIG and LOUD program. We have eight in-ground and 92-degree therapy pools located strategically throughout our regions with aquatic specialists, which is the pool is a really nice thing for people that have a lot of, you know, chronic pain disorders. We have therapists with brain injury and stroke certification. Orthopedic and neurologic clinical specialists. One that I know that we're well known for is our vision program. Every neuro post-concussive headache patient, whether you're a pediatric or adult patients are screened for vision abnormalities. So we really do look at that whole person and really try to, you know, reach the goals of the patient and, you know, the caregivers and family. So that's just a couple of them, but truly I could go on and on about the amazing, amazing staff that we have here that just are always seeking to learn new ideas and techniques.
Caitlin Whyte: Well, it sounds just like an incredible place to work or be cared for. Karen, is there anything else that you want patients or the community to know as we end our conversation?
Karen Long, BS, PTA: I think probably the biggest thing is that we are different in that, you know, we do physical therapy and we have got many other excellent providers of physical therapy in the valley. But, you know, we do have that occupational, speech therapy, physiatry, psychology. We have care managers really look out for that whole human being mentally, physically, spiritually, all those things combined. It's nice to be able to speak about something that I love.
Caitlin Whyte: Absolutely. And you can definitely tell from just your voice how passionate you are.
Karen Long, BS, PTA: Yeah, love it.
Caitlin Whyte: Well, Karen, like I said, we can't thank you enough for being here with us today. Call 1-888-44-REHAB or visit goodshepherdrehab.org for more information. This is Transforming Lives and Inspiring Hope, a Good Shepherd rehabilitation Network podcast. I'm your host, Caitlin Whyte. Stay well.