They say not to take your work home with you. But Donna Hoehn, PTA, hasn't always abided by that suggestion. Especially five years ago when she met a little boy who had been admitted to her facility, Matheny Medical and Educational Center in Peapack, NJ.

The 6-year-old, who had been in foster care, came to Matheny with a TBI due to shaken baby syndrome and was unable to walk or talk. But Hoehn saw more than the boy's developmental delays.

"He showed such determination, with an infectious smile and a cuteness factor beyond belief," she recalled. "The entire staff and I fell in love with him."

Hoehn's affection for the boy grew so strong that she applied to become his foster parent. Eighteen months later, she legally adopted him.

Her ability to connect with and see the best in everyone is just one of a laundry list of reasons why Hoehn was nominated for the PT of the Year contest by coworker Nadine Klindt, PT, DPT, PCS.

A Bright Background

Dr. Klindt noted how well the physical therapist assistant works with both clients and colleagues.

"She is also the therapist that many of our tougher clients are assigned to," wrote Dr. Klindt. "She develops long-lasting relationships with both the client and their families. She is always available to assist with coming up with novel ways to get the most out of our clients."

One might chalk up Hoehn's way with people to her experience working with various populations in different settings. She graduated with an AS in PTA and a BS in Biology from Fairleigh Dickinson University in Madison, NJ, in 1981 and began her career at Morristown Memorial Hospital, where she worked in the acute, subacute, rehab, pediatric and outpatient departments and gained experience in aquatic therapy. She then taught in her alma mater's PTA program and served as a clinical instructor. Hoehn also has worked in sports medicine/orthopedic outpatient and developmental centers.

She came to Matheny 10 years ago after a three-year break from physical therapy in which she took time to drive a tractor trailer with her late husband. She was not new to Matheny, however-she had volunteered at the facility in high school and completed her PTA observation there. She has worked primarily with pediatric and adult patients with moderate to severe developmental disabilities during her tenure.

One of Hoehn's favorite aspects of her job is working with people with Lesch-Nyhan disease, a rare genetic disorder and the focus of a committee at Matheny of which Hoehn is a member.

"Our facility specializes in the care of individuals with this very rare genetic disorder. The disease is often difficult to understand and even more difficult for the patients and staff to deal with on a day-to-day basis. Being able to use a problem-solving approach to work with the patient and staff to develop and implement a plan and design new equipment with rehab technology is very satisfying," she related.

Going Above and Beyond

Dr. Klindt said Hoehn only knows how to go "above and beyond" with her work and doesn't stop with simply seeing her clients.

"She uses all the resources available to her to come up with the best available solution to a complex problem, often including positioning, mobility and advocacy for a very involved population of people," she wrote.

Hoehn's approach to patient care recalls the words of a friend and former professor who told her in the first few days of PTA school that physical therapy "is both a science and an art, and if you can become very good at combining those two aspects of the profession, you will be a great PTA." Hoehn takes that adage to heart every day she reports to work at Matheny.

"I guess the best way to explain my approach is that I really try to just slow down, take a deep breath and plan to have fun during each of my sessions," she said. "Humor is such a great thing-both the children and adults can become very anxious, and just trying to be myself when I first see them is the best I can explain."

Reassurance, caring and genuine concern are things Hoehn brings to each of her therapy sessions. She uses a hands-on style and feels that a gentle and calming touch goes a long way in gaining a patient's confidence and respect.

"I have always been known to be a little more 'daring' in suggesting to try new activities, and the great PTs I work with have supported me," she said. "I try to allow the children and adults to be driven during a session by what their own desires are. As far as specifics of treatment, again I have to credit great PTs for giving me the guidance for the goals of therapy and developing a broad treatment plan and then working together to problem-solve the strategies."

Indispensable to her Department

Dr. Klindt also singles out Hoehn as an advocate for the rehab department who completes "most of the leg work needed to get the necessary resources to do our jobs to the best of our abilities. Our department would not run nearly as well as it does without her constant support, energy and knowledge." The PTA also works evenings and weekends to complete her documentation and brings her son to work with her if a babysitter cancels. In addition, she covers meetings, clinics and therapy sessions for other therapists when they are overworked.

Hoehn also knows how to be a patient advocate, relying on an extensive network of resources she has built up over the years to request a piece of expensive equipment for a client.

"She is able to put together a sound proposal and sell it hands-down to whatever department we are working with for any number of situations: increasing the size of the department; providing safer transportation options for our clients; training the personal care assistants in our facility to provide safer and more efficient care; teaching new staff the specifics of dealing with the special needs of a portion of the population at our facility and aiding new therapists to find creative ways to address complex medical and physical disabilities," Dr. Klindt wrote. "Whenever asked to complete a task, you can be certain it will be done beyond the expectations of the asker."

A Mother and a Mentor

"Whenever a new therapist starts at our facility, she is the one everyone sends the new therapist to for assistance with learning the ropes," Dr. Klindt wrote of Hoehn.

Hoehn says there's "no secret" to being a great mentor and instead gives the credit to the "talented, knowledgeable and supportive PTs and PTAs" she's worked with throughout her career.

"I have seen so many different therapists with their own personalities, style and treatment approaches that I try to help new employees to develop their own approach while providing enough support to prevent them from feeling overwhelmed," she said.

When she's not working, Hoehn enjoys spending time with her dog and son, who is now 11 and thriving despite his developmental challenges. The two like riding bikes, shopping, baseball, trains and cars.

"He is such an incredible and miraculous kid," Hoehn said. "He even transitioned to public school for two years and now is in a wonderful private school that he adores and is thriving in. He grew from a nearly totally dependent child to a little boy who runs around and plays ball, uses the computer, rides a little quad and plays video games."

He communicates with sign language, gestures and some speech as well as with an augmentative communication device.

"This summer he underwent extensive orthopedic surgery for his legs and we renovated the house so he could live downstairs. He has been a trooper throughout casts, hospitals, rehab and doctors' visits all summer. Already he is up walking-and getting into everything-and playing video games."

It is her son, Hoehn said, who inspires not only her approach to work but to life as a whole.

"My son really captures what I try to bring to everything I do," she said. "Never underestimate the power of caring, patience and love."

Lauren Fritsky is a freelance writer based outside Philadelphia.

Our Second Place Winner

Adetoyeje Oyeyemi

(Brooklyn, NY)

The Mid-Atlantic states made a clean sweep in this year's voting, with PT professionals from New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania taking first, second and third place, respectively. The silver medalist was Adetoyeje Oyeyemi, PT, DHSc, GCS, associate director of hospitals and director of physical therapy at the Dr. Susan Smith McKinney Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Brooklyn, NY. Dr. Oyeyemi came highly recommended by his colleague David Nussbaum, PT, MS.

"He is an embodiment of today's ideal professional who practices and also engages in scholarship," Nussbaum wrote in his nomination letter. "Dr. Oyeyemi is an astute worker who holds himself to a high standard and clinician manager who is held in high regard by facility staff and employees, including nurses, physicians and administrators. He is a mentor and source of inspiration to colleagues and encourages others to follow in his footsteps. Dr. Oyeyemi contributed immensely to improving the work environment by facilitating an atmosphere of mutual respect and positive regard for staff and patients. He encourages dialogue through regular staff meetings where employees freely express themselves and share work experiences."

But Dr. Oyeyemi is more than just a skilled clinician and respected supervisor-he is also an immigrant success story. Born and raised in Nigeria, he practiced as a PT there for nine years before coming to America in December 1991. During his time in this country, Dr. Oyeyemi has worked in acute care hospitals, home care and another geriatric facility before joining the McKinney Center six years ago. Now he supervises a staff of 13 rehab professionals in a 320-bed facility.

"My basic philosophy as a manager is to be open-minded and willing to learn," he told ADVANCE. "I think my employees should want to be punctual and perform their jobs well. If not, then something is wrong. It's up to me as a supervisor to help the staff deal with whatever is going on in their lives so they can do well in their jobs."

Dr. Oyeyemi feels fortunate that this staff matches his sense of dedication. "They are superb. I have their cooperation and it makes my job easy because I don't have to be on their toes. If my PTs and PTAs are getting short on cases, I know they will inform me they have time available to assist in other ways."

He was also grateful to hear of his second-place finish in this nationwide contest.

"I feel very honored and told my students about it," said Dr. Oyeyemi, who also teaches at Hunter College in New York City. "Out of thousands of physical therapists in this country, to be picked as one of the top three is so fulfilling. I'm very excited and I believe it shows America for what it is. No matter where you come from, if you merit something, you will be able to get it. That's what makes this country great."

-Brian W. Ferrie

Our Third Place Winner

Samantha Gorrell

(Horsham, PA)

Samantha Gorrell, PT, DPT, was very surprised to hear she earned third place in this nationwide contest. But judging from the effusive praise of her nominator, Lisa Mackell, PT, maybe she shouldn't have been. Mackell is president of Theraplay Inc., with four locations in southeastern Pennsylvania, while Dr. Gorrell is center manager for the Horsham, PA, site.

"Sam is a phenomenal physical therapist who spends 75 percent of her time treating pediatric patients in our office," wrote Mackell in her nomination letter. "She reaches out to the families to ensure they understand home programs and their child's rehabilitation. Sam also develops continuing education courses and workshops for our staff and referring physicians to maintain both her clinical skills and our reputation in the community. She is a true leader who takes the time to meet with each staff member as needed and is well respected by all. Sam has a way that allows her to gain a quick rapport-whether you are a child, parent, therapist or volunteer. Theraplay is a better company because of Samantha Gorrell."

To all of these qualities, the trait of modesty could also be added.

"I was a little bit in awe when I found out about the third-place finish," Dr. Gorrell told ADVANCE. "I never would have considered myself to be someone of that caliber. So I was almost in shock that Lisa considered me for it, especially because she's someone who I look up to so much."

Dr. Gorrell has been a physical therapist for five years and worked the past three at Theraplay. Born and raised in the Philadelphia area, she earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Delaware and her DPT at Arcadia University in Glenside, PA.

"Even in school, I knew that I wanted to work with kids," Dr. Gorrell said. "I care about them so much and feel like we can impact their development so young to improve the rest of their lives. Plus, kids are just fun in general and you can be creative with them. We get to play, but we're doing really hard therapy at the same time. And they keep me on my toes, which I like."

Some of the conditions Dr. Gorrell encounters include torticollis, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, hypotonia, spina bifida, sports-related injuries and post-fracture management. "It's a gamut of diagnoses and ages from birth to 21," she said.

In dedicating herself to this specialty, Dr. Gorrell feels fortunate to be with a company that cares about kids as much as she does.

"Theraplay has been a completely enjoyable place to work," she related. "The primary focus of this company is the children and making sure they do well. So whatever needs to be done for the kids and families to make gains and be happy, it gets done."

-Brian W. Ferrie