From: Susan Fioravanti
Sent: Friday, January 23, 2009 3:25 PM
To: Tim Fox
Hi Tim,
I am Susan Fioravanti, OT, and I attended this week's orientation to become part of the Fox Rehabilitation™ family. Orientation was fabulous! It was informative, interactive and very
comprehensive. I know it may be overwhelming for those that don't have previous experience in the field and / or with geriatrics, but it will all tie back together for them once they are out there. I know we rely on patient success stories to validate our services and meaning in their lives, however, I just wanted to share with you how wonderful and refreshing your company is for me.
To start off - a little bit about myself and work history - I love the geriatric population. I graduated from TJU and have worked with geriatrics for over 5 years now. I started off with RehabCare Group and was only in a facility for 6 months when I felt I needed a change. I then took a position with Devine Healthcare, and again lasted only 6 months before wanting another change of pace. It was at that point that I took a position with a travel therapy company (to be honest, so I could constantly have that change of pace without it looking bad on my resume!).
I felt that I burnt out easily at long-term care facilities, and I finally came to the realization that it was not because of the patients, but because of the other therapists and workers who had the wrong approach with dementia patients.
So, I signed on with a travel contract therapy company in order to have a constant change of pace. I got wonderful experience from many LTC / ALFs in the area, and figured if there was something at a facility I did not like, then I would only be there for 13 weeks. I worked for Jackson Therapy Partners for about 4 years all in the Philadelphia/Main Line area. I loved the flexibility. Because the need for therapists is so high, I was able to stay local (which was key since I have since bought a home, got married and have an 8-month old son).
I had my son in May and then came back to work in September. I was at my most recent placement from September 2008 until now. They too (as many other companies tried to do), asked me to sign on with their company. However, in the same sentence in which they offered me a position, they said, "You are just so wonderful with the patients, therapists, and other workers...unlike the last therapist from your company. We were so scared before you started because you were from JTP!"
It was at that point that I realized I wanted to be with a company that was behind me 100% and that I was behind 100% - a company that had a "good name / reputation." There are so many companies out there that just hire anyone because the need is so high. I want to thank you for being the company that you are. I know that you could hire anyone and everyone because of the demand, but you don't. Not only do you have a great screening process, but you have a great training process. And a good marketing strategy for your company can be that you have company mandatory, relevant continuing education. You make us "Geriatric Specialists."
Many people give up on those with dementia, but with your training, we realize that it might just take a lot longer for them to reach their goals. When using the right techniques and approach, you can find infinite success with all kinds. I think it is something that has been needed in our field for some time now, and I thank you for that.
Before I had a job, and now I have a career. I feel strongly that I will be here forever. If you have a career you love, you don't have to work a day in your life!
Thank you for the opportunity to further my career and love what I do every day,
Susan Fioravanti, OTR/L
Fox Rehabilitation Services - Geriatric Therapy at Home
