Roots & Branches

An Evergreen Rehabilitation Publication

Volume 2015 Issue 02 Page 1

Roots & Branches

An Evergreen Rehabilitation Publication

In This Issue...

• Evergreen Rehab Celebrates 15 Years of Success! Page 1-2

• Renee Kinder to Speak at Kentucky Speech-Language Hearing Association (KSHA) Annual Convention Page 2

• Evergreen Four Star Award Winner Patricia Fortes COTA Page 3

• January was National Glaucoma Awareness Month

Page 3• iPosture: 7 Tips to

Save Your Neck Page 4-5• Find Us on Facebook

Page 5• Evergreen Apparel

Page 5• Evergreen Family

News Page 6

• Employee Anniversaries Page 7

• Welcome New Employees

Page7

Evergreen Rehab Celebrates 15 Years of Success!by Michael Houlihan, President & CEO

Stay Connected

We live, breathe, and work within an industry that can, and often does, experience change. New regulations, oversight, and changes from CMS can change the very dynamic of what we do. As we look forward towards the horizon, I see so many positive aspects of our company really coming to light – and bearing the fruit of hard work and dedication as we continue to strive to fulfill our daily commitment:

“We exist to improve the lives of those we serve.”

This month marks the 15th anniversary of Evergreen Rehabilitation. A lot of things have changed in those fifteen years – from continued growth while expanding into more states, to the rock solid dedication of creating and facilitating better clinical programs and improved outcomes in the rehab departments we work in every day. We are excited to mark the occasion with a small walk down memory lane.So…what was happening 15 years ago?

• The year was 2000; anyone fondly remember ringing in the New Year awash in the fear of the Y2K bug?

• Sydney hosted the XXVII (27th) Summer Olympic games;• Vladimir Putin was elected President of Russia;• The dot-com bubble burst;• Florida gave us the never-ending drama of the ‘hanging chad’;• No one had any idea what a “Google” was!

Naturally, the digital revolution changed the way we think about technology, and the way we do our jobs. We embraced this digital culture early by creating processes and protocols throughout our company allowing us to be proactive and forward thinking. All employees are able to use our online training portal, myEverLearn, to stay up-to-date on the latest compliance best practices and regulatory updates. We have round the clock technical support and

(cont’d on page 2)

Volume 2015 Issue 02 Page 2

Clinical Specialist Renee Kinder to Speak at KentuckySpeech-Language Hearing Association (KSHA) Annual Convention

consistently produce content to highlight and celebrate our employees and industry throughout our blog and social media sites. In addition, we also provide our therapists with state of the art electronic documentation software so that coding and billing are a breeze and our team can focus on what they do best: Improving Lives! Starting out, we had 2 contracts in a single state with 8 employees. Today, we provide rehabilitation therapy and management services to 77 clients across 23 states. Starting with just a handful of employees, we now have over 2,000 dedicated employees working daily to provide the highest level of care to our patients.

We want to thank all of our employees, clients, and patients for making the first 15 years so successful. Evergreen Rehabilitation is a contract therapy provider, and we work hard to provide the best outcomes possible for our patients as well as a fun, rewarding place to work for our employees.

We look forward to 15 more years (and then some!) of continued success!

Michael HoulihanPresident & CEO

Renee Kinder, M.S. CCC-SLP RAC-CT, who was recently appointed to ASHA’s Healthcare Economics Committee, will be speaking on February 26th, 2015 in Louisville, KY at the 2015 Annual Convention for the Kentucky Speech-Language Hearing Association (KSHA). Featured at this year’s convention, Renee will be speaking on Meeting the Medicare Mark: Methods to Promote Quality Documentation.

Her presentation will incorporate how providing high quality documentation of skilled services to Medicare beneficiaries starts with an understanding of regulations set forth via the Medicare Benefit Policy Manual, as well as Local Coverage Determinations in regards to key areas of understanding.

Notably, she will demonstrate how understanding subtle nuances in treatment can increase quality outcomes by comparing and contrasting noticeable, yet measurable differences. “Skilled versus non-skilled procedures; traditional interventions versus maintenance based plans of care; establishing interventions to promote return from baseline to prior level of function; initiating caregiver training to promote carryover of skilled interventions upon discharge from care; and documenting outcomes of reasonable and necessary services via goal targets which are functional and measurable.”

“I want the attendees to be able to walk away from the presentation feeling more comfortable creating functional goal targets to promote reimbursement of services and evidence outcomes. My goal is for attendees to be able to identify key areas for documenting reasonable and necessary services and list procedures which support skilled care,” said Kinder.

For more information about the 2015 KSHA Annual Convention, visit: http://ksha.info/index.php/program/

Evergreen Four Star Award Winner, Patricia Fortes COTA

Volume 2015 Issue 02 Page 3

January was National Glaucoma Awareness MonthGlaucoma is referred to as the “sneak thief of sight” as there are no symptoms except the onset of sight loss, and once sight is lost, it is permanent. Glaucoma is the leading cause of preventable blindness. Some of those who are diagnosed with glaucoma could have had an almost 40% loss of vision without even noticing. Over 2.5 million Americans currently suffer from glaucoma; roughly half don’t know they have it! That’s a million and a quarter people who don’t realize that their sight is failing. Worldwide over 60 million people are at risk, with roughly 5 million of them currently blind per the World Health Organization (WHO). So, what is glaucoma? Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that limit and eventually create total loss of sight by damaging the optic nerves. While the elderly and late middle aged are the most at risk; African American and Latino populations are more at risk to glaucoma by experiencing a 6-8 times higher development rate than in Caucasians, but everyone must be tested regularly to prevent damage to your vision.

“There are two main types of glaucoma: primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), and angle-closure glaucoma. These are marked by an increase of intraocular pressure (IOP), or pressure inside the eye. When optic nerve damage has occurred despite a normal IOP, this is called normal tension glaucoma.”For more information, please visit: http://www.glaucoma.org

Congratulations to our latest Four Star Award winner: Patricia Fortes, COTA at Edgewood Nursing Facility in Jacksonville, FL. Evergreen Rehab Occupational Therapy Assistant Patricia Fortes is the latest recipient of Evergreen’s Four Star Award. Every other month, or six times annually, Evergreen Rehab presents the Four Star Award to an outstanding employee whose leadership and stewardship go above and beyond the call of duty. Each Four Star Award winner receives a company-paid vacation for two to a luxury resort in Hilton Head, South Carolina.

Patricia was nominated by her coworker, Robert Rider, PTA. This is what Robert had to say. “Patricia is an incredible person to work with. She is professional in all of her duties and is just plain fun to work with. She combines an incredible work ethic with the ability to effectively motivate all of her patients to complete their respective treatments. Although we are only a 60 bed facility, Patricia has made it a point to get to know each resident personally, even those not on her caseload. Patricia is the person everyone wants to have as a coworker - funny, dependable, and professional!! She is a true difference maker.”

Congratulations, Patricia!!! If you’re interested in nominating someone in your facility, please click here for the Four Star Award nomination submission form.

Volume 2015 Issue 02 Page 4

Are you sitting down? You might consider it, because the news isn’t good on how our bodies are adapting to a digital and smartphone enabled world. Perhaps you’re sitting at a desk reading this, hunched over a keyboard, shoulders rounded and back curved? Or maybe you’re casually reading on a smartphone or tablet, six inches away from your face, head tilted toward the blue glow of the screen? Anecdotal evidence has reinforced what many people knew all along – that constantly being engaged on our mobile devices – smartphones, tablets and laptops – has led to a new 21st century affliction that industry experts have informally taken to calling “iPosture”.

This so-called iPosture doesn’t just affect your mobility. In addition to potentially limiting one’s range of motion (ROM), iPosture also threatens your non-movement with another blow – headaches, backaches and the like. Statistics show that 58% of American adults have a smartphone (approx. 185.6 million people); 32% of American adults own an e-reader (approx. 102.4 million people); 42% of American adults own a tablet (approx. 134.4 million people); and 80% of Americans will experience back pain at some point in their lives (256 million people!)Sources: American Chiropractic Association and PewResearch Internet Project, November 2012

iPosture: 7 Tips to Save Your Neck

Given the relative advent of mobile devices and how much we have grown to depend on them throughout our daily lives, it is alarming to consider that while we are subconsciously making small postural adjustments that we’re unaware of in the short-term we may also be contributing to the development of long-term impairments. This may sound scary, but there’s good news! Skilled rehabilitation therapy professionals and providers like Evergreen Rehab are uniquely equipped with the knowledge and skills to help correct poor posture and biomechanics before they lead to long-term issues. (cont’d on next page)

Want more Evergreen Rehab news? Check out Evergreen Rehab’s Facebook page and like us for more  information on what’s going on with our company. Stay on top of internal developments and the rehab  industry by joining us on Facebook and becoming a fan!    www.facebook.com/Evergreen.Rehab

Volume 2015 Issue 02 Page 5

iPosture: 7 Tips to Save Your Neck (cont’d)

Here are 7 tips for conscientiously living in the digital age:

1. Bring your mobile devices to a comfortable eye level, not the other way around. Bring your computer screen up to a comfortable and level position relative to your eyes by finding ways to increase the monitor height at work or at home.

2. Be conscientious of leaning forward in a slouching position. If sitting at a desk, adjust your chair to find a comfortable position for viewing the monitor. If not at a desk, bring your elbows to your side. This will remind you to not tilt forward while using mobile phones/ tablets.

3. Purchase a wireless keyboard and mouse. Use this as a means to view your screen more comfortably and at a better distance (see Tip #2).

4. Move around! Don’t be chained to your desk for eight hour segments. Each hour, get up and move around for a few minutes.

5. Remember to stretch and exercise – get yourself and/or your children out of the house, especially if they are constantly looking at monitors, screens and television.

6. Rest your eyes. Take a few minutes every hour to close your eyes, relax and breathe.7. Fit your work station to your needs. Everybody is different. Adjust your chair and desk to what works

for you. Use pillows for back support and/or utilize lumbar support on chairs.

When in doubt, always consult a rehabilitation therapy professional such as a physical therapist or occupational therapist. PTs and OTs are professionally trained in making personally-tailored postural and bio-mechanical recommendations that are specific to YOU and your body.

Evergreen employees that have AT&T Mobile service can now take advantage of a group discount benefit! All you need to do is bring in proof of employment to a local AT&T retail location along with the discount code # 2690473 to receive an 22% discount on your phone bill. If you have any questions please call AT&T Customer Care at (866) 662-4548. Another benefit that our employees can tap into is from Enterprise Rental Car. Evergreen Rehabilitation has a corporate account with Enterprise. When renting from them all you need to do is present them with the Evergreen Corporate Account # 58B3653.

Evergreen Employee Discounts!

Evergreen Family News

Congratulations to Janet Moore, RD/COTA at River’s Bend on the birth ofChaxton Kerrick born on February 11th, 2015 at 3:37 a.m.! Chaxton weighed 7lbs 6 oz. and was 21 1/2 inches

Ashton Elmendorf recently completed his Sophomore Year with the Sheboygan Red Raider Hockey Program. The Red Raiders

finished the year at 14-6.

Ashton is the son of John Elmendorf, Regional Rehabilitation Director. Ashton has played hockey since he was 8 and his

current position is Offensive Wing.

Volume 2015 Issue 02 Page 6

Employee Anniversaries

Happy Anniversary to the following employees who have been a part of the Evergreen Team for a year or longer.

Thanks for your dedication and service!

Celebrating 5 years or longer: (January) Alice Schneider (14 years) (February) Jon Honkanen (13 years) (January) Rex Paggeot (12 years) (February) Roxanne Dye, Juanita Gleason (10 years) (January) Elisabeth Davis (February) Craig Hubbuch, Julie Thompson (8 years) (January) Janice Gross, Charles Osborne (7 years) (January) Amanda Halcomb, Justin Pryor, Heidi Raddatz (February) Katie Ballard,Heidi Schneider-Stinson (6 years) (January) Peter Gicheru, Jeff Hill, Natalie Lee, Laura Padgett, Lisa Walker (February) Slawomir Rog (5 years)

Celebrating 4 years: Mary Cruse, Tracey Jones, Scott Leberg, Christy Cottrell, Jennifer Henley, Neha Jani, JiSu Sung

Celebrating 3 years: Cynthia Charles, Patricia Fortes, Amy Marks, Caitlin Quinn, Angela Reynolds, Zoltan Varga, Karen Flanigan, Crystal Kahikina,Jennifer Korando, Lauren Lasoff, Breanna Luecking, Christine Lyons, Shelly Sledge, Terri Sprehe, Sreeja Syam

Celebrating 2 years: Marcia Allen, Jay Ancer, Athlene Anderson, Sharon Beall, Maria Bretas, Robin Budine, James Clark, Dyan Colligan, Cherriee Cornett, Chandly Damas, Barbara Defrain, Susan Delaney, Silvia Delgado, Debra DeSilva, Corene Ferguson, Ligia Fernandes, Latanya Fisher, Michelle Garvey, Betty Gensman, Geraldy Girault, Denise Goldstein, Kenneth Gottlieb, Thaydene Green, Beatriz Gruman, Norma Guerrero, Nancy Hecker, Allison Heiman, Thao Hoang, Ann Hoomany, Shakeisha Horne, Mary Jones, Michael Jordan, Eric Kalina, Mitchell Kutun, Jennifer Line, Aryan Mafie, Daniela Malsbury, Paula Maness, Teresa Markowitz, Jennifer McCue, Marie McGowan, Marlene McLemore, Grace Montague, Edline Morin, Morris Moussignac, Elaine Muraskin, Mical Orrell, Michele Patterson, Jacqueline Peters, Krista Pettinato, Roselin Pfeifer, Robert Rider, Brigitte Rolsma, Nidia Sargent, Marie Saturne, Robert Schmidt, Robin Schwartz, Marysa Smith, Donna Soltau-Chambers, Christine Stair, Terry Teresita Stern, Anca Studley, Andrew Towbin, Tatiana Vale, Molly Vaughn, Carol Warner, Darling Zamy, Todd Hoffman, Kevin Johnson, Tamara Jones, Catherine McNeill

Celebrating 1 year: Pete Adelstein, Lindsi Anderson, Ryan Branim, Vickie Lynn Cannady, Richard Cartwright, Sophia Chandy, Lianet Guerra, Tomme Isbell, Jessica Jolly, Chelsea Jones, Barbara Olejnik, Manpreet Sheabat, April Steele, Gerald Tate, Eljy Torrecampo, Kathleen Waters, Jennifer Yessin, Genevieve Bortner, Kayla Brasher, Ravi Buddharaju, Angelia Butler, Heather Couture, Joshua Klinger, Timothy Lin, Amy Littlefield, Demetria Mark, Kelechi Ogbonnaya, Constance Sharp, Dana Smith, Sarah Yancey

Volume 2015 Issue 02 Page 7

Welcome to the Evergreen Family A warm welcome to our newest employees!

(January) Shari Briggs, Chelsea Dilley, Martha Ellis, Christina Gerstein, Megan Kealy, Amy Kloehn, Ryan Laliberte, Marianela Martinez, Mia McCall, Amy Mueller, Angel Rodriguez, Jennifer Stacey, Molly Stoltenberg, Donald Stuckett, Patricia Theabo, Karen Tiller, Steven Wheat

(February) Julita Abdelkader, Jeff Anlauf, Lee Ayers, Geraldine Baudoux, Lisa Bice, Allison Bonnette, Megan Chandler, Naomi Deaton, Courtney Fickling, Vicki Fortin, Elizabeth Foster, Debra Gorski, John Hammett, Brittney Hampton, Carlye Harper, Sarah Henley, Amber Henry, Carol Hobson, John Isaac, Erika Knox, Alicia Livelli, Mary Martin, April Massey, John McConnell, Roberta McGrath, Hanna Pardi, Sarah Peterson, Chrishinda Phifer, Jo Anne Ross, Marykay Simon, Shannon Stankus, Seth Stout, Shayla Thames, Brooks Tiller, Colleen Tuohey, Laura Dodd VanZant, Lauren Weiner, Shantia Warren, Tawny Wilson, Colleen Zdeb

Evergreen Apparel - Available Online Evergreen Rehabilitation apparel is now available at our online store! If you’re looking for additional wardrobe options at work, we are now collaborating

with EmbroidMe to provide you with Evergreen Rehabilitation branded attire. All you have to do is place your order through the online store and  we’ll deduct the amount of your purchase from your paycheck (the following pay period). It’s that easy!

Visit our online store today at: http://evergreenrehab.promoshop.com