Message from the President

A fall, broken kneecap, multiple surgeries, and infection unfortunately led one of our friends and neighbors to a skilled nursing facility for physical therapy. When he returned home after Thanksgiving, Gary was still very limited in the things he could do, such as being able to walk. He needed to use a wheelchair, and that loss of mobility put pressure on his wife Robin to take care of Gary and their daily needs, as he worked on building his strength up.

To help with that, they were given a referral for Home Care nursing and physical therapy. That’s when they met Rocco, physical therapist assistant, who came to the home to help Gary regain his strength and movement in his leg. He helped Gary walk again, something he wasn't sure he would be able to do after all the surgeries and challenges of the past year.

Although he comes twice a week to the home to provide medical care, Rocco brings more than his skills to work. He brings his heart. Gary and Robin say Rocco is like family now, because he has supported them in so many big and small ways. He has helped encourage them that they will be able to get back to their normal. He stopped before work to help transport Gary to dialysis when there was a gap in rides available. He came over after work to adjust Gary's chair in the living room so he could get in and out of it and not be stuck in his wheelchair.  He has pushed Gary when he needed some extra encouragement. He assisted with a wheelchair ramp, even bringing over wood he had in his shed to make a railing. 

Gary and Robin’s daughter Melinda says, “I would like to thank Rocco for treating my parents like they were his own, for being a friend and advocate when they have needed so much help that we had no clue where to even start. I would like to thank Rocco for being selfless and caring. He has provided so much support to my parents that I don't think Gary would be doing as well as he is without Rocco’s care and friendship.”

Team, I’m so inspired by this story and the way Rocco has displayed one of our values: Compassion. He noticed opportunities to help in big and small ways. I hope this story inspires us all to look beyond a patient to see the person, meet a need, and treat a patient like one of the family.

If you would like to read more of Message from the President, click here