At McLaren Macomb we believe in recognizing outstanding employees who consistently exceed expectations to ensure the highest degree of patient satisfaction. The Employee of the Month Award is presented to an employee whose exemplary performance, professionalism and leadership contributes to McLaren Macomb's mission and core values.
Meet Robin
Physical Therapist, Rehabilitation Services
Robin grew up in Onaway, a small, northern town in the lower peninsula. After deciding to pursue a career in health care, Robin attended Oakland University, where she received her undergraduate degree in physical therapy and continued on to the University of Detroit Mercy to earn a Master's in health care education and management. Soon she found herself working at Harper University Hospital in Detroit, where she met her husband, Craig. The proud parents of two daughters, Robin and Craig recently celebrated their 27th wedding anniversary. Her eldest daughter recently graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in journalism and public relations and her younger daughter is a junior at Madonna University majoring in sign language interpreting.
Robin has had many job opportunities during her 30-year physical therapy career. She has been an instructor and a department head but always considers herself a clinician first and foremost.
Robin has worked at McLaren Macomb as an inpatient physical therapist for just over two years. Her role is to make a functional assessment of the patient's ability to get in and out of bed, walk on level surfaces and stairs and safely perform basic activities and functions of daily living. To assist patients in their progression to restored health, she also provides equipment recommendations, exercise education for a variety of conditions, fall risk assessments and makes discharge recommendations for home recovery or additional rehabilitation.
She is also able to provide treatment, focusing on a personalized exercise program, mobility and gait training and balance re-education in order to maximize patient's independence and functional skills.
Robin enjoys being part of a rehabilitation team that is dedicated to helping people "get better." She experiences a high level of satisfaction when someone starts out with limited strength or ability to function at full capacity and take care of themselves, corrected through a rehab program tailored to meet their specific needs. Says Robin, "It's great to be involved in a process that restores a patient's confidence and independence."
As she interacts with her patients and their families, physicians, nursing staff and others she is reminded that acute care therapy is a very collaborative experience. She enjoys every aspect of her job, particularly her ability to use her teaching abilities. She views patient satisfaction as a job well done and encompasses taking the time to learn a patient's physical and emotional needs, establishing a rapport and letting them know that their healthcare team is genuinely concerned.
Over the last few years some of Robin's family members have been patient's at McLaren Macomb, expressing confidence in the high quality of care they received. When given an opportunity to join McLaren Macomb, she knew without a doubt this was where she wanted to be. Previous colleagues' positive comments and welcoming attitude "sealed the deal."
As for new employees the best advice Robin would give is that they get to know and learn from as many people as possible and always be kind.
She is a member of the employee ambassador program, subject matter expert for physical therapy and a PT educator for joint replacement classes.
When not working, Robin enjoys spending time with her family traveling, tending to her garden, working out with her friends and trying out new recipes.