This week’s OISI Staff Spotlight features Kim Peters, Occupational Therapist, and Certified Hand Therapist 1. How long have you been with OISI? I started working here at OISI in April of 2004. I am an occupational therapist as a Certified Hand Therapist. In fact, I am the only CHT in the Southern IL area, and receive referrals from MDs all over St. Louis, Illinois, Mayo Clinic, and Kentucky as the physicians look up a database to ensure their patients see a CHT to protect their surgery. FUN FACT: A CHT is a post-graduate certification where the therapist either a PT or OT must work 5 years in the field of upper extremity orthopaedics and then sit for a specialized board/test. Continuing education is specific for hand and upper extremity training and the therapist needs to be aware of surgical procedures and protocols to help the surgeon with patient education and ensure the surgery is successful in producing a functional hand/extremity for daily use. The physicians choose a CHT as they trust that this post graduate specialist is aware of precautions etc, the general therapist may not be aware of the specifics of progression of protocols. 2. Favorite part of your job? My favorite part of my job is seeing patients return to the use of their hand with their daily jobs and hobbies. We take for granted how much we use a finger/wrist/ nondominant hand until we can not use it anymore. I enjoy patient education and helping them know what to expect in their recovery and helping them achieve it. I also love making splints and creating items to help my patients do things that they can not at the time due to their injury. 3. What gets you out of bed in the morning? Umm. That’s easy! Unsweet tea. That’s my go-to drink I have at all times and all of my patients are aware that is all I drink all day. 4. People would be surprised if they knew what about you? I’m very active in my children’s lives and am an active member of both the boy scouts and girl scouts. My son is working towards Eagle and I have helped his journey as a Den Leader since he was in first grade (the last 8 years!). I love all holidays, love to travel, and am gone most weekends with my daughter’s competitive dance teams and my sons competitive cheer and gym meets. 5. What is your favorite thing to do in Southern IL? I actually like to hike with the Scouts. I love Pine Ridge campgrounds, which is a boy scout site. Recently, they opened a new trail that is gorgeous and surrounds Little Grassy Lake. My favorite hidden trail would be Bell Smith Springs, as there is a great swimming hole to discover– but way too many snakes. I also love to go to anything “holiday” in the area — pumpkin patches, Christmas craft shows, musicals, etc. My favorite concert in Southern IL is Mark Schultz, who comes to Marion yearly when he can. He is an amazing Christian artist whose music is breathtaking. 6. Hobbies? I love crafts. I make many items including the OI shirts I wear in the department. I enjoy embroidery, crafting, painting the windows for all the holidays in the department, and started making glitter tumblers. I will try any craft or Pinterest item at least once. My good friend who worked here some years ago and I have had a Christmas Pinterest Gift Exchange for more than 10 years, whether it’s amazing fails or we pick a craft and create it for each other.
World Osteoporosis Day Resources
Protect Your Future: Know Your Risk for Osteoporosis Osteoporosis Risk Check Quick Facts about Osteoporosis To make an appointment with our Healthy Bone Clinic please call us at 618.364.0559
OISI Staff Spotlight- Dane Elliot
This week’s OISI Staff Spotlight features Dane Elliot, Physical Therapist, Certified Athletic Trainer 1. How long have you been with OISI? 16 years. 2. Proudest moment here at OISI or Favorite part of your job? My favorite part of my job is helping a patient achieve their goals, whether that is returning to work, sport, or function with their daily activities. 3. What gets you out of bed in the morning? A 58 lb Goldendoodle named Gus. 4. People would be surprised if they knew what about you? I played golf at John A. Logan College for 2 years. 5. What is your favorite thing to do in Southern IL? Anything outdoors with my family, but my favorite would be playing golf with my daughter, Merryn.
Exercises To Strengthen Low Back and Reduce Pain
OISI Staff Spotlight- Darren Parker
This week’s OISI Staff Spotlight features Darren Parker, Diagnostic Imaging Supervisor. 1. How long have you been with OISI and what do you do here/ title? I have been with OISI for 13 years. I am the Diagnostic Imaging Supervisor. 2. Proudest moment here at OISI or Favorite part of your job? I would have to say problem-solving is the favorite part of my job. Most of the patients that come to the clinic are in some sort of discomfort/pain. As an orthopaedic x-ray tech, we are challenged with obtaining the most accurate images possible. In many instances, this involves thinking outside of the box to find a way to manipulate the equipment and/or patient to obtain the best images possible. 3. What gets you out of bed in the morning? Usually my bladder. No, seriously, this is going to sound cliché but the saying “if you love what you do you will never work a day in your life.” I truly love what I do. I never feel like I’m getting up in the morning to go to “work”. I never dread coming to work and I attribute that to the team I have around me. I am very fortunate to have the best radiology team in So. Ill. 4. People would be surprised if they knew what about you? I don’t feel that there is anything about me that people would find surprising. After all, in high school, I was voted “Most likely to…”. So I will give you this interesting little bit of info, according to my mom I was the last baby delivered at Massac Memorial Hospital. I guess the doctors figured that it would never get any better and sent everyone else to Paducah. 5. What is your favorite thing to do in Southern IL? Anything sports-related. I enjoy going to SIU football, basketball, and soccer games as well a Miners baseball. I enjoy taking the top off the Jeep and just driving and enjoying the weather and beautiful scenery of the Shawnee National Forest.
OISI Welcomes Justin D. Harris as the New Chief Executive Officer
The Orthopaedic Institute of Southern Illinois (OISI) is proud to announce Justin D. Harris has been named Chief Executive Officer. Before joining OISI, Harris has spent the past couple of years focusing his efforts on new hospital acquisitions both as CEO and COO, working diligently on setting hospitals up for future success. Harris has more than 10 years of healthcare experience, serving all aspects of healthcare from not-for-profit, for-profit, and governmental organizations. “The Orthopaedic Institute of Southern Illinois is excited to announce Justin Harris as our new CEO. Justin has a wealth of experience in the healthcare field and brings a new level of expertise to OISI, ” said Treg Brown, M.D., President of OISI, Team Physician Southern IL University and Rend Lake College. “He has demonstrated leadership and a goal-oriented attitude since arriving here. He has already enacted several changes to OISI that will reap rewards for our patients, staff, and providers well into the future.” Previously, Justin served in management consulting roles specified in healthcare operations both in inpatient and outpatient settings, developing financial acquisition projections, and serving in interim administrative roles. Prior to consulting, Harris worked in various administrative roles in both Kentucky and Tennessee under the parent company, Community Health Systems, one of the largest for-profit hospital chains in the nation. “I am excited to move to the area and join the team at The Orthopaedic Institute of Southern Illinois,” said Harris. “It is comforting to know that I am joining a group of highly qualified, esteemed medical providers who provide high-quality care, 100% of the time. As the leader of our organization, our team members are committed to providing a safe place for orthopaedic care.” In the not-for-profit sector, Harris has dedicated much of his time to the American Diabetes Association where he served on both the national and local levels as a National Spokesperson and a local advocate. On the governmental side of healthcare, he started his tenure in Kentucky where he served as the State’s Spokesperson for Diabetes while developing and implementing healthy school programs across the Southeast. Harris’ experience includes a wide variety of aspects in healthcare, focused largely on hospitals and health systems, critical access hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, and physician practices. Harris earned a Masters in Science in Health Administration (MSHA) and a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). Harris is originally from Kentucky and is married to his wife Kaitlyn and they have identical twin girls, Kyleigh and Amelia.
5 Tips to Improve your Orthopaedic Health
Every day, hundreds of millions of people worldwide wake up with orthopaedic issues that limit their ability to live a free and active life, making bone and joint conditions among the most common causes of severe long-term pain and physical disability. Here are five simple tips to improve your orthopaedic health for life. 1. Stay Active One of the most important ways to maintain healthy bones and joints in the long-run is daily exercise. Whether you are implementing an active lifestyle as a preventative measure or trying to strengthen an already fragile skeletal system, the key to developing strong bones and joints over time is to start slow and ease into a routine that works for you. Strengthen – Avoid high-impact forms of exercise that could cause stress to your bones and joints. Instead, try taking a brisk walk or using hand-held weights or stretch bands to build strength and resistance. Stretch – Building your flexibility is important to maintaining a wide range of mobility while avoiding injury and developing better balance. Before and after exercising, take five minutes to stretch your leg, back, and arm muscles. Cool Down – Before you end your workout, ease into a cool-down exercise, such as a light jog around the track, to prevent injury and unnecessary tightness or soreness post-workout. 2. Eat to Live In combination with the right amount of exercise, a healthy diet promotes healthy bones and joints. The key to maintaining a balanced diet is finding ways to be intentional about incorporating nutritional foods into each meal. Make sure you are getting enough of the following nutrients to keep your orthopaedic health on track: Calcium – A mineral necessary for bone formation, calcium-rich foods such as milk products are important for building strong orthopaedic health. Vitamin D – Few foods, besides fatty fish, dairy products, and egg yolk, contain high amounts of vitamin D, so getting a safe amount of sunlight can be a good source. Supplements – If you are unable to get the right amount of calcium or vitamin D in your diet, taking a supplement is recommended. However, it is important to note that a “supplement” does not translate to a perfect “substitute.” 3. Dress for Comfort and Support Don’t let fashion get in the way of your orthopaedic health. The clothing we wear can make or break our bone and joint health, so adorning the proper gear can be an easy way to work towards a pain-free life. Instead of wearing high heels, which throw the body out of its natural position, look for shoes that provide comfort and support. Make sure your feet have plenty of room within the shoe to avoid cramping and deforming. Additionally, wear looser fitting clothes to aid proper blood circulation and flexibility of muscles. 4. Create Healthy Habits Creating healthy habits is essential for long-term orthopaedic health. Practice good posture by always keeping both feet on the ground to distribute weight evenly as well as pulling your shoulders back to straighten out your spine. Avoid putting stress on your back and shoulders by carrying lighter loads, evening out your backpack straps, or using a suitcase with wheels. When sleeping, use supportive pillows, and choose a position that complements the natural curvature of the spine. 5. Practice Precaution Taking precautionary measures is essential when it comes to your bone and joint health. If you notice any changes in your orthopaedic health, make sure you take action before it is too late. Ice the area to reduce swelling Wrap the area to compress and keep in place Elevate the area to encourage blood flow If the bone or joint continues to weaken or the pain continues to worsen, it is important to seek medical attention right away. From knee surgery to hip replacement and rehabilitation, contact our highly skilled orthopaedic specialists here at The Orthopaedic Institute to receive the right care and services to get you back on your feet quicker.