April is Occupational Therapy Month and we’re spotlighting our talented team of Occupational Therapists.
Occupational Therapists work closely with injured, ill or disabled patients to help them do the things they want and need to do and fully engage in daily life. But don’t let the word “occupational” fool you. Occupational therapy is about much more than getting back on the job.
“It’s about what brings purpose and meaning to your life,” explains Bob Phillips, Occupational Therapy Coordinator for Optim Therapy. “It can be play, it can be leisure activity. It can also be your job. Or it can be ADLs (Activities of Daily Living) for an adult just to be independent.” He added that occupational therapy covers the lifespan of patients, from pediatrics all the way up to geriatrics.
Optim Therapy’s Occupational Therapists specialize in hand therapy, a type of rehabilitation for patients suffering from conditions affecting the hand, wrist, arm, elbow and shoulder. According to Phillips, hand therapy is a high specialized field requiring 4,000 contact hours and passing of a rigorous exam. There are only 4,600 certified hand therapists worldwide.
Optim Therapy has Occupational Therapists and Hand Therapists at our Bluffton, Pooler, Reidsville, Savannah and Statesboro locations and Occupational Therapists at our Vidalia location.
Some of the conditions treated by the Occupational Therapists at Optim Therapy include: carpal tunnel syndrome, cubital tunnel syndrome, boutonniere deformity, CMC arthritis, tennis elbow, trigger finger, DeQuervain’s tendinopathy, distal radius fracture, flexor tendon injuries, Dupuytren’s Disease and extensor tendon injuries.
“Our primary goal in occupational therapy is to enable people to participate in all the activities of daily life,” said Lisa Smith, Optim’s Therapy Administrator and Director of Occupational Therapy. “All of our occupational therapists have a passion for their profession and are committed to getting you back to your normal activities as soon as possible.”
READ MORE about Optim Therapy.
Merian Mendoza, OTR/L/CHT
Statesboro
Ashley Vaughan, OTR/L, CHT, Savannah & Pooler
Sierra Jenks, OTR/L
Optim Medical Center-Tattnall
Eric Spreeman, OTR/L, CHT
Bluffton
Kelcie Walker, PRN Therapist
Ashley Vaughan, OTR/L, CHT, Savannah & Pooler
Bob Phillips, OTR/L, CHT, Occupational Therapy Coordinator
Lisa Smith, OTR/L, CHT
Therapy Administrator
Director of Occupational Therapy
Dawn Snipes, OTR/L, CHT, CLT
Pooler
