Department Highlights

March 2018
Spotlight on U: Matthew Konersman, Physical Therapist

One of our own Physical Therapists, Matthew Konersman, was featured by UCLA Health on how he helps patients 'reclaim their sense of self and independence'.

October 2013
East Meets Best at UCLA Health

UCLA Health's Urban Zen Integrative Therapy program benefits patients and staff on a physical and psychological level.

January 2013

UCLA Outpatient Rehab Services Expands!

UCLA Health's Rehabilitation Services department opens a new location in Santa Monica on 12th street. This adds another outpatient rehabilitation and Prosthetics and Orthotics clinic for the department in Santa Monica. The clinic boasts a staff of ten people, eight beds, and a beautiful physical therapy gym.

August 2011

Rehab Team Members Complete the UCLA Employee Volunteer Interpreter Program

Congratulations to Geronimo Pena - Rehab Aid, & Keila Puello - Physical Therapy Assistant, for completing the program!&. The graduation ceremony was held on November 16 in the Tamkin Auditorium at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center. Employee Volunteer Interpreters bridge the communication gap between providers & patients. Each volunteer has to complete 12 weeks of training.

August 2011

Rehab Staff Member Wins Annual CI-CARE Award!

The Rehab Services Department is proud to have Judy Pang as the second Rehab team member in 2011 who has won the annual CI-CARE Award! The award recognizes employees who consistently provide an outstanding patient care experience and who are frequently recognized by our patients.

A patient writes: "Judy was very patient and understanding. She was responsive and answered all the questions to help me better understand my treatment. The physical therapy sessions were great and I got back to playing sports."

Judy was presented with a trophy and monetary award on August 3, 2011. Congratulations, Judy!

April 2011

Occupational Therapy is Key to Successful Hand Transplant

From the American Occupational Therapy Assocation (AOTA): "Following more than 14 hours of surgery, Emily Fennell became one of the first Americans to receive a hand transplant. Fennell lost her hand in a car accident, and her hand transplant was the first for Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center. Despite marathon surgery, Fennell still has a long road before she will be able to fully use her transplanted hand. Fennel receives 8 hours of occupational therapy each day from a team of practioners including AOTA member, Renee Portenier, Occupational Therapist, Outpatient Rehab in Westwood."

March 2011

Todd Bates, Rehab Staff Members, Wins Annual CI-CARE Award

This year, UCLA Healths started an annual CI-CARE Award to recognize employees who consistently provide an outstanding patient care experience and who are frequently recognized by our patients. The Rehab Services Department is happy to announce that one of the first winners was Todd Bates, Respiratory Therapist in Cardiopulmonary Rehab!

Todd was born and raised in Maine. He joined the Respiratory Therapy department at UCLA in 1993 and transferred to Cardiopulmonary Rehab in 2007.  He was recognized for his consistent commitment to quality, always going "above and beyond", and treating every patient as if they were his family member.

In addition to patient care, he is frequently organizing department festivities, including patient graduation ceremonies. He is constantly looking for ways to improve the program; he always steps in to help and doesn't wait to be asked. He loves mosaic tiling, swapmeets and has had an annual Disneyland pass as long as his collegues have known him!

Todd was presented with a trophy and monetary award on March 3, 2011. Congratulations, Todd!

November 2010
The Hospital Hero Awards
The Hospital Hero Awards, produced by the National Health Foundation, is an annual media event honoring outstanding achievements and events that occur within hospitals throughout the Hospital Association of Southern California's region. The event provides hospitals an opportunity to identify, recognize and reward excellence in the provision of health care at the front line. It honors health care professionals who are dedicated to patient care and those who help to create miracles for patients. The Rehab Services Department was proud to learn that LaJuan Collins, Physical Therapy Assistant in Inpatient Rehab, earned a coveted nomination!

October 2010
UCLA Health Rehabilitation Services Expands!
Two new locations have opened to further assist patients in the Los Angeles area. These two clinics are located in Westwood and Santa Monica.

September 2010
Helping Patients Heal, One Step at a Time
Paul moved from New Jersey to Santa Monica to join the UCLA Health team where he helps patients physically regain control of their lives and emotionally regain independence.

 
Alison Hagoski (pictured here) is a nurse in our Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation program.

July 2010
Bringing Hope to Africa & Medical Missions
Twice a year, Alison and others from the Lighthouse Medical Mission teams make their visits to Africa.  Upon returning from her most recent trip, she shared her experiences on these medical missions.

 
.

March 2010

UCLA Rehabilitation Services at the March of Dimes 2010

UCLA Rehab Services members participate in the March of Dimes Walk which was held at Los Angeles Exposition park on April 24, 2010.

Thanks for Sheila Shirazi for coordinating the rehab team.  The day was fun for everyone who participated and rehab department exceeded their fundraising goals to help this great cause