Some members of our outstanding Occupational Therapy teams

First row, from left:
Melanie Ferraro, OTR/L; Nakoma Tamburlin, COTA/L; and Kylie Yanock, COTA/L.

Second row:
Karen Swalligan, COTA/L; Andrea Wagner, COTA/L; Pam Butler, OTR/L; Courtney Mikesell, COTA/L; Rhonda Aveni, OTR/L.

Not pictured:
Nicole McMillen, OTR/L; Val Micelli, OTR/L; Alice Knitter, COTA/L; Tiffany Blumling, OTR/L; Evelyn Davidowski, OTR/L; Eileen Adamo, OTR/L; Vicki Harby, OTR/L; Christie Wingard, OTR/L; Aimee McGarry, COTA/L; Staci Spangler, COTA/L.

The field flourished in the 1920s and 1930s until the Great Depression. It was during this time that Occupational Therapy became more closely related to and aligned with organized medicine, thus creating a more “scientific approach” to this field of study. Following the Great Depression, however, it was difficult to find therapists due to low budgets and poor staffing of clinics. But, then came World War II, which necessitated the use of every available therapist possible! It was this time that Occupational Therapists were called on to develop programs and treat injured soldiers.

From the 1940s through the 1960s, the “Rehabilitation Movement” was in full force. With the thousands of injured soldiers (physically and mentally) returning home from the war, there was a surge in the demand for Occupational Therapists. At this point, Occupational Therapists were not only treating the mentally ill who were already institutionalized, but began treating physical disabilities due to the injuries sustained in battle.

Besides the mentally ill and the injured war veterans, Occupational Therapists also became called upon to treat an ever-increasing number of survivors of “modern medicine's miracles.” Now Occupational Therapists hit physical disabilities at high speed with the aforementioned, plus survivors of spinal cord injuries, amputations, traumatic brain injuries, lymphedema and developmental delays.

The Occupational Therapists of Clear-Care Corporation and Clearfield Hospital take great pride in their collaborative efforts to meet the needs of our community. Between the two agencies, we have seven full-time Occupational Therapists and numerous assistants.

The organizations have hand therapists and certified lymphedema therapists and ergonomic specialists. They have experience in treating patients in the schools, home health, outpatient, short-term and inpatient settings. Each of the therapists has worked with patients of all ages. They serve the children of our local school districts by working with them on things such as handwriting, cognition and developmental delays.

They work with outpatients with an array of injuries, disabilities and diseases.

The COPD patients benefit from the skills of occupational therapists by learning how to use less energy when performing their activities of daily living. Patients who suffer from lymphedema can receive therapy from a certified therapist to address the uncomfortable swelling that occurs as a result of surgery, radiation or trauma.

The therapists of Clear-Care and Clearfield Hospital have developed a relationship that allows the therapists to float between the two organizations to service all populations. Patients benefit from the relationship and are often times unaware.

If a specific therapist has a strength that a particular patient would benefit, but the other clinic’s hours are a better fit, that particular therapist floats to the other clinic and sees the patient.

For more information on Occupational Therapy Services, please call Clear-Care Corporation at 814.765.0221 or Clearfield Hospital’s Rehabilitation Department at 814.768.2285.