Most people never think twice about brushing their teeth, preparing a meal or getting ready for the day—until an injury, illness or medical condition makes those simple tasks difficult.
Helping people reclaim those everyday moments is what inspired Hannah Young, OTD, to become an occupational therapist and what brought her to Ellinwood Hospital & Clinic this summer.
Young joined Ellinwood Hospital & Clinic on June 1 and brings experience working in acute care and inpatient rehabilitation. She earned her Doctorate in Occupational Therapy from Creighton University after completing her undergraduate studies in Kinesiology at Kansas State University.
Originally drawn to healthcare by a desire to help others, Young discovered her passion for occupational therapy through a personal experience.
“My grandpa needed occupational therapy during his recovery,” Young said. “When I was trying to figure out what I wanted to do, I came back to that experience and really fell in love with it.”
She was particularly drawn to occupational therapy because of its unique blend of education, problem-solving and medical intervention.
“I’ve always felt like I wanted to help people; occupational therapy is a mix of teaching and medical intervention,” Young said. “I like how all those aspects come together. I just wanted to help people get back to those basic things we all take for granted.”
Occupational therapists help individuals develop, recover or maintain the skills needed for daily living and meaningful activities. Depending on the patient’s age and needs, therapy may focus on everything from developmental milestones and fine motor skills to recovering from illness, injury or surgery.
“Occupational therapy helps people do the things they need and want to do,” Young said. “We help kids with developmental goals, we help people recover, and we help others maintain where they are. It truly depends on the patient and what they want to accomplish.”
Young works with patients across the lifespan, primarily adults, in a variety of settings including acute care, outpatient rehabilitation and swing bed services.
For her, the most rewarding part of occupational therapy is helping patients achieve goals that are meaningful to them.
“It comes back to the basics,” she said. “Especially in acute care, we’re helping people regain those everyday tasks like getting ready for the day. I really care about patient-centered quality care and making sure I’m providing the best occupational therapy and human care that I can.”
She believes successful rehabilitation starts with understanding each patient’s individual goals and circumstances.
“We tailor goals to things that are meaningful to the patient,” Young said. “It’s about meeting people where they’re at and helping them get where they want to be.”
Young recently relocated to Great Bend and chose Ellinwood Hospital & Clinic because of its strong sense of community and commitment to patient care.
“I looked around Central Kansas and chose Ellinwood because I felt that sense of community here,” she said. “This facility is amazing. It may be a small hospital, but the opportunities within the therapy department are incredible. We have so many resources available to help our patients.”
She was also excited by the opportunity to expand in-person occupational therapy services in the region.
“There was a huge need for occupational therapy in Barton County,” Young said. “I wanted to come and help bring that specialty to Ellinwood. I’m very grateful to be here and to work alongside such an amazing therapy team.”
Ellinwood Hospital & Clinic offers physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and respiratory therapy services designed to help patients improve function, regain independence and enhance quality of life.
To learn more about therapy services at Ellinwood Hospital & Clinic, call (620) 564-2548.