Name: Rachel Donaldson

Journal for Module #4; Dates: 9/9-9/13

Site Location(Name of facility and address): Vertex Physical Therapy, 2829 Millwood Ave,
Columbia, SC 29205
Supervisor’s Name: Brandon Vaughn

1. Significant events
Describe three significant experiences that happened to you this week. Why are these
experiences important to you? What did you learn? How can these help you in the future?

1. One of my significant events that took place this week was meeting Mr. Bill.
Mr. Bill is a patient who underwent a spinal fusion surgery over 4 years ago
that left him nearly unable to move and bed ridden for many years. This lack of
mobility led to serious weight gain resulting in numerous visits to doctors and
physical therapists. Vertex is the second PT office he has come to to try and
gain strength so he can walk without his walker. Currently Mr. Bill is
dependent on his walker and having a chair nearby since he can’t stand for
very long. This past week I got to watch Mr. Bill go through 2 rounds of therapy
with two different therapists. This was a unique experience because I got to
see how two different therapists approached treatment on him and I got to see
Mr. Bill get stronger just over the week. I got to see him walk with his cane
instead of the walker for about 20 feet which is already such an improvement
and I am slowly getting to watch him reach his goals not matter how small they
may seem. I hope to have a patient like Mr. Bill in the future who is determined
to get better and refuses to let a surgery keep him from doing the things he
wants to do. I can tell Bill is extremely resilient and listens well to his
therapists. I am hopeful that he will recover quicker than expected due to his
positive attitude and strong work ethic.

2. Networking
Document one important person that you have met or interacted with this week. Consider
including someone you could use as a reference or may want to connect with in the future. All
fields are required.
Name Contact Describe the interaction
and Info
Title

Mr. Bill ------------ Mr. Bill is the patient I mentioned in my first significant event. Mr. Bill
- really made an impact on myself. It is so sad seeing what surgery has
done to his quality of life yet he is such a fun person to be around and
has such a positive attitude about everything. He is so grateful for Vertex
and what the PT’s have done for him he even went out of his way and
left a 5 star review on google for the company. Mr. Bill is also very
personable. He remembers my name and conversations we had
previously and will show me pictures about something we had
mentioned at his last PT session. I don’t see him as being a reference or
anything in the future but he will be someone I will always remember
after my internship here at Vertex.