| Physical
therapist joins staff
Don Murphy, MSPT, recently joined the staff of St. Mary’s Hospital Physical Therapy Department. He will see patients in their outpatient clinic in the Orr Building. Most recently he was PT director for a 16 bed acute care hospital and 50 bed skilled nursing facility in Fall River Mills, California. He also managed services for their outpatient clinic. 
“I am really looking forward to focusing on outpatient PT care for St. Mary’s. I enjoy the outpatient setting because I see a wide variety of patients including those recovering from orthopedic surgery, those who’ve had a stroke or cardiovascular problems, and patients with balance impairments or gait abnormalities,” said Murphy. “I like interacting with the patients and seeing improvements as we work together.” Murphy received his Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science and his Master of Science in Physical Therapy from the University of Montana. He has also worked at both Carson Tahoe Hospital doing inpatient and outpatient care and Manor Care Services, Reno, Nevada, working with patients in their long term care facility. “I like working with people of all ages. Everyone is different and their challenges become my challenges. I enjoy working as a team with the patient and with my colleagues,” said Murphy. Gary McEwen, RPT, and Chris Roach, RPT, are co-directors of both SMH and Clearwater Valley Hospital’s Physical Therapy Departments. McEwen is primarily based at the Grangeville PT clinic and Roach at the CVH and Kamiah PT clinics. Will Marks, RPT provides inpatient and home health services at SMH and Peggy Cooper does the same for CVH. “We are very fortunate to have so many PTs on staff because there is a nationwide shortage of health care professionals,” said McEwen. “As the needs expand there is more demand for qualified physical therapists. Chris and I share the managerial duties for both inpatient and outpatient care at both the hospitals and we also do the ‘hands on’ care. When I say ‘hands on’ I mean that literally! We also work with very competent and caring PT aides and assistants. All of us enjoy our work and truly care about the patients we serve.” |
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