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Meet Lee Ann Fulper, DPT Student at DOAR

Lee Ann Fulper, DPT Student at Lynchburg CollegeLee Ann Fulper is a third year Doctor of Physical Therapy Student at Lynchburg College in Lynchburg, Virginia.  She recently completed a clinical rotation at DOAR Central, where she received hands-on experience under the supervision of Kate Albright, PT.

Prior to this rotation, Lee Ann completed an internship at Medical Facilities of America’s skilled nursing facility in Gretna, Virginia. She also  volunteered at Rehab Associates of Central Virginia’s orthopedic office in Hurt, Virginia.

Lee Ann is a graduate of Gretna High School in her hometown of Gretna, Virginia. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia.

Why are you pursuing a career in physical therapy?

I enjoy working with people and helping them feel better. My passion is truly to help others regain function so that they can carry out happy and healthier lives more independently.

What role does the clinical rotation play in your physical therapy education?

Clinical education is crucial to the physical therapy curriculum. It is important to get out into the field and work with real patients who have real dysfunctions. It is also a rewarding atmosphere that allows students to gain confidence in skills that they have learned in the classroom.

What were you looking for in a clinical instructor and clinical site?

I look for a welcoming clinic staff and a clinical instructor who is eager and excited about their job and helping teach a newcomer. I found each of these at DOAR Central. My goals for my clinical rotation at DOAR were to gain experience and confidence in the outpatient setting while advancing my clinical and time management skills, which I feel I accomplished with my CI, Kate, along with the rest of the awesome staff at DOAR Central.

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Roland’s Physical and Occupational Therapy Story

A physical and occupational therapy patient at DOAR Central in Danville, VirginiaRoland is a former teacher, a published author, and the retired manager of a Value City store. Not much could slow him down until two years ago, when symptoms of an undiagnosed neurological condition began to impact his life. He is receiving physical and occupational therapy at DOAR Central to treat weakness and immobility on the left side of his body, and on his right leg.

Roland shares his physical and occupational therapy story here:

Almost two years ago, I drove 900 miles to visit my home state of Vermont. By the time I arrived, I could barely walk. I was in the hospital there for 5 days. The doctors initially thought I had a mini-stroke, but now that’s been ruled out. When I came home to Danville, I couldn’t walk at all, and I had to go back to the hospital.  The doctors still don’t know what I have. They know it’s neurological, but that’s all.

When I left the hospital, I went to a nursing home before I could come home again. Then I had therapy at home, and when I was ready for outpatient, I tried this place. When I started, I was in a wheelchair, then I used a walker, and then a cane. My doctor changed one of my medicines to see if that would help, and I regressed. I’m getting better again now, but I still use my walker sometimes.  I can’t drive because of my right foot, and I can’t write because I need my left hand to use the computer.  I can still do almost everything else, but I do it really slowly.

The therapy has helped me a lot. There’s really some great people here. They’re professional, but they joke around and make you feel good about coming in. If you feel at home and comfortable, therapy is so much better for you.

Thanks for sharing your story, Roland!

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DOAR Central welcomes Marsha Edmonds, PT Student

Executive Drive, DanvilleDOAR Central is pleased to host Marsha Edmonds for an 8-week clinical rotation, beginning today.  Marsha is a first year Doctor of Physical Therapy Student at Elon University in Burlington, North Carolina.  During her rotation at DOAR Central, she will work with Kate Albright, PT and James Turner, DPT.

Marsha is a native of Fayetteville, North Carolina and an alumnus of East Carolina University, where she earned  a Bachelor of Science in Exercise & Sport Science with a Teacher Preparation Option (Health & Physical Education). Prior to pursuing a career in physical therapy, Marsha was a Health & Physical Education teacher for seven years.

Why are you pursuing a career in physical therapy?

As a physical therapist, I look forward to having the chance to make a meaningful difference in the lives of people every day by assisting them in reducing pain, while increasing their mobility and independence. Also, the fast-paced work environment of physical therapy will bring different challenges, and new people to meet and with whom to work.

What role does the clinical rotation play in your physical therapy education?

The clinical rotation will definitely strengthen and reinforce the valuable information that I have learned in my classes in the DPT program thus far. As a kinesthetic learner, the rotation will provide opportunities for me to actually see up close and personally many of the impairments, interventions, and positive results of physical therapy that have been discussed in my classes. For me, it is one thing to hear about something, but a completely different thing to experience or see it first-hand.

What were you looking for in a clinical instructor and clinical site?

Qualities I would like for my clinical instructor to possess include being knowledgeable and skillful in their field of work, and not hesitant to share that wealth of knowledge with me. The clinical instructor should be patient and open to hearing and answering any questions I may have during my clinical rotation, and have a nurturing response to help me blossom into a well-versed, professional, future colleague to help uphold the integrity of the field of physical therapy.

My clinical site should be an environment in which I feel welcomed and a place where everyone is willing and excited to learn, as well as, share new information with others in the setting. I also look for teamwork among staff which includes being a cohesive unit which works toward the ultimate benefit of the patients.

What are your goals for your clinical rotation at DOAR Central?

One of my goals for my clinical rotation is to get as much experience as I can to build a solid foundation on which to increase my wealth of knowledge and develop my skills. Hopefully, this experience will help me on my journey to becoming the best physical therapist I can be. Another goal is to be able to share what I have learned with others to further improve my skills and become more proficient in my field.

Please join us in welcoming Marsha to the team at DOAR & Affiliates!

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Mayda’s Physical Therapy Story

Mayda with Rachel Bricker, aquatic therapy aide, and Kate Albright, physical therapist, at DOAR Central in Danville, VA
Rachel Bricker, Mayda, and Kate Albright at DOAR Central

Mayda began physical therapy and aquatic therapy services at Danville Orthopedic & Athletic Rehab for treatment of fibromyalgia, arthritis, and late effects of stroke.  Mayda’s physical therapists at DOAR Central in Danville, VA are Millie Crawford, MPT and Kate Albright, PT.  Here is Mayda’s DOAR story, in her own words:

The staff here is extremely excellent. They are friendly, patient, and they take their time working with you. If I’m running late, they just ask that I call and let them know – they don’t get upset or have a bad attitude. When I come in, they ask me how I am feeling that day or if I have any pain, and they start working with me where I need it the most. If I’m feeling down, I always talk to them and tell them what’s on my mind. They always look out for each other and work as a team. I don’t always work with the same person, and I think that’s a good thing. I get to know everyone, and they get to know me.

I even get to know the other patients. When we’re out in the gym, or in the pool, we laugh together and encourage each other. One of the former patients even gave me one of her old bathingsuits. It’s a really pretty green suit that I still wear when I come for pool therapy,  and when people compliment it, I tell them who gave it to me.  If you want somewhere to go with laughter and togetherness, you should try DOAR! I think that it is one of the best therapy places around.

Do you have experience as a patient of physical therapy or aquatic therapy? Share your story here!

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Lindsey’s Physical Therapy Story

As a physical therapy patient, your physical therapist can develop a plan of home exercises for you to practice even when you are not in the gym.  Home exercises make it easy for you to work on your physical therapy at any time.  Lindsey Barnes is a patient who benefited greatly from her home exercises.  Lindsey experienced a lot of back pain (she described it as an 8 or a 9), but after her physical therapy at DOAR Central, she says that her pain is down to a 3 or a 4.  Her physical therapists, Millie Crawford, MPT, and Cindi Mathena, LPTA, had her doing all types of exercises, including biking and stretching, and they also told her different things she could use at home to adapt the exercises. .  Lindsey loved the fact that she could do her exercises in her own house.

When asked about her experience with DOAR, Lindsey says, “They actually talk to you to find out what’s going on before you start.  DOAR is a family-oriented place, everyone cares about everyone — they don’t just throw you around, you can build a relationship, and that makes a big difference when you’re trying to get well… I feel like a new person!”

DOAR Central - Executive Drive, Danville VA