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Featured News
Clinical Services Employee of Year brings compassion to role as case manager
When Ruthie Adams was named Methodist Rehab’s latest Clinical Employee of the Year, the award highlighted a profession that doesn’t always get its due.
“A lot of times, case managers don’t get recognized because we work behind the scenes,” explains Adams. “Even the patients might not realize all we do until they get home.”
Case managers are the liaisons who link patients and their families with the physical, emotional, educational and financial resources to meet their needs. That can mean everything from coordinating and monitoring inpatient rehabilitation services to helping families translate confusing insurance forms.  |
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Methodist Rehab recognizes dedication of employee Ann Hardy
After more than 1,500 Mondays on the same job, Ann Hardy could be forgiven for an occasional day when she dreaded starting another work week.
So far, it hasn’t happened.
“She has the best attitude of any employee I’ve ever seen,” said Suzy Mayer, director of therapy services at Methodist Rehabilitation Center (MRC) in Jackson. “She truly loves what she does.”
The most recent recipient of MRC’s Support Services Employee of the Year, Hardy’s devotion is well documented. She was among the center’s first rehab aides, and she has always treated the job like a calling.
“When I first started working here in 1975, I just got attached,” Hardy said. “I loved the patients, and I just wanted to stay. I think it’s where God put me.”
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Ocean Springs teen triumphs over near-fatal traumatic brain injury
2009 was to be the year that Karen and Paul Hasley said good-bye to worried vigils in hospital waiting rooms.
Their son Shane had endured the last of 10 surgeries to correct his congenitally deformed feet, and life was looking up for the outgoing Ocean Springs High School senior.
Then came the Feb. 24 phone call that sent the couple rushing to Ocean Springs Hospital. The 18-year-old had flipped his truck and suffered a life-threatening brain injury.
Preliminary tests revealed little or no activity in both frontal lobes of the brain, and doctors doubted Shane could survive. But his parents refused to give up hope.
“I leaned down and whispered in his ear, ‘Shane, you are going to have to fight harder than you’ve ever fought in your entire life,’ ” remembers Karen.
“Take a seat,” Paul told the doctors. “You are about to witness a miracle.”
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Gentle therapy helps artist get back to sculpting birds
Ceramic artist Bebe Wolfe is famous for her birds.
The fanciful creations draw flocks of collectors to her Jackson studio each year, and Wolfe stays busy meeting demand.
So when nagging neck pain threatened her productivity, Wolfe knew she needed help. “It really was interfering with my work and my pleasure in life,” she said. “It’s hard to be happy when you’ve got a big pain in the neck.”
Wolfe tried over-the-counter medications, prescription muscle relaxers, massage therapy and even acupuncture. But it was a combination of osteopathic manipulation and physical therapy that ultimately eased her pain.
“It was really kind of magical,” she said. “None of it was invasive. And it gave me relief.”
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Faith, family and intensive therapy help Indianola woman overcome brain injury
For their 20th wedding anniversary, Emily and David McDaniel of Indianola celebrated with a wonderful steak dinner. Never mind that the dinner was served on paper plates and on the fifth floor at Methodist Rehabilitation Center. It was the best anniversary celebration ever.
A fall from a ladder on April 23 left Emily battling a life-threatening traumatic brain injury, and for a time physicians thought the mother of two might be brain-dead. But Emily made great leaps in therapy at Methodist Rehab, and her family says she continues to improve.
"Em is a walking, talking miracle," said her husband David. "She is such a hard worker at therapy and is getting stronger every day. Her balance is much better and she is able to walk by herself. She is reading and speaking and sounding more like Em every day. Her right hand is at about 70 percent now, yet it does not hurt any more and she can play the piano. Beautifully, I might add."
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