Submitted By Physical Therapist Lisa England
Tarkio Rehabilitation and Health Care would like to introduce Deborah Colfax as the new Physical Therapist Assistant. Debbie is a contracted employee of Rehab Care, Inc. and joined as a part-time therapist on August 15, 2016.
Deborah is a longtime resident of Maryville, Missouri, and a graduate of Penn Valley Community College with an Associate’s Degree in Allied Health specializing as a PTA. Deborah brings over 20 years of experience not only as a therapist, but as facility and department manager in some of the facilities she has worked for in the past. Deborah has worked almost exclusively in long-term care and assisted living environments and has extensive experience treating patients who have had major surgery, or who have suffered injuries from a fall or accident.
Deborah has worked and managed many facilities from Maryville to Sebring, Florida, such as Parkdale Manor and The Palms of Sebring where she was Director of the Rehabilitation Department. She is licensed in six states including Missouri, Iowa, Colorado, Florida, Oklahoma, and Kansas.
Last year, Deborah returned to care for her elderly father in his home. Deborah has several siblings, nieces, nephews, and in-laws in this area and two grandchildren she was ready to spoil. She remains committed to serving the area where she has spent most of her life. She will be a valuable asset to the city of Tarkio and its health community. If you are fortunate to meet her, even under the unfortunate circumstances of being injured, Deborah will always provide support and encouragement with a smile and genuine concern supported with decades of professional experience in the rehabilitation field. Deborah will be an important team member in the Pathways Program provided at Tarkio Rehab. Pathways is a short-term rehabilitation program designed to bridge the gap between hospital and home for individuals recovering from orthopedic procedures such as knee and hip replacements, strokes, cardiac conditions, pain management and much more.
Physical, Occupational and Speech therapies are key components of the Pathways Program. “Although we want to make our guests of the program feel at home, we also want them to know we realize they are here for “a visit.” Pathways is the idea of returning people home and is a joint effort of the interdisciplinary team approach. The admissions team takes care of coordinating insurance, helping the patient and their family understand their coverage. The nursing and therapy team work directly with the physician and patient to create an individualized treatment plan based upon each patient’s specific needs and goals. The nursing staff provides care and education due to many individuals who are facing new diagnosis, medication and treatments. Continual communication is essential throughout each patient’s stay to ensure recovery goals are being achieved. Prior to transition to the home setting, the therapy team can perform a home safety evaluation and the Social Services coordinator can assist in arranging any community based services that may be needed, such as home health care.
Deborah will be joining Lisa England and many other “supporting” therapists at Tarkio Rehab. To learn more, call 660-736-4116.