The Comprehensive Rehab/Physical Therapy/Occupational Therapy departments received a joint Department of the Month Award for their exceptional patient care. The Department of the Month Award goes to a department that has been nominated to receive it because of extraordinary performance. The department receiving the award is surprised –staff are not aware they are receiving it until it’s presented. In this case, it was especially surprising.
The award was specially presented by Karen Mahorne, a former patient who spent six months in the Comprehensive Rehab Unit recovering from an accident. When she first arrived, it was doubtful whether she would walk again. Karen said she would. “As I leave here, I am going to show the doctor that I am walking, just like I said.” And six months after arriving, she did. 
She returned – walking into the Comprehensive Rehab Unit – to present the Department of the Month award to her former caregivers. Many delighted smiles and warm hugs from a surprised staff greeted her.
“When I arrived here, I couldn’t walk and was in a lot of pain. Everyone pushed me to get better, which is just what I needed.” Karen said. Her nature is to work hard at anything she does, so the inspiration from her “second family”’, as she calls the staff in the CMR unit, was just what she needed. When asked to describe her caregivers, Karen said “they were always motivating, keeping me from getting too down on myself and my situation. If there is one thing I have learned in my life, it is so important to keep motivated, even in the most difficult circumstances. “
The entire staff helped her to do that “The teamwork of everyone has helped me to heal – emotionally, mentally and physically, “said Karen.
The Comprehensive Rehab/Physical Therapy/Occupational Therapy departments demonstrate how compassionate and dedicated care can make a truly significant difference in a person’s life.