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Careers

Department Spotlight: Beaumont at Westborough’s Rehab Team Goes Above and Beyond for Residents and Patients

Posted by SALMON Health on March 5, 2021

The rehabilitation team at Beaumont Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Center in Westborough has achieved ongoing success, even after a difficult year.

Paragon Rehabilitation, Beaumont’s rehab provider, has ranked Beaumont at Westborough third, out of 175 campuses across the country, in functional patient outcomes. Director of Rehabilitation in Westborough, Alex Sorensen, PT, DPT, states that his staff’s combined years of experience, certifications, and overall teamwork, have helped them to meet goals and continue to provide Residents and patients exceptional care.

Sorensen started at Beaumont at Westborough five years ago as a staff physical therapist and was later promoted to director of rehabilitation. He previously worked in sports medicine and outpatient physical therapy, assisting all age groups from infants to the geriatric population. While he enjoyed the work, sports medicine began to feel slightly “monotonous,” and outpatient physical therapy was only short-term.

“During my time as an outpatient physical therapist, I saw patients recover and then, never had contact with them again,” explains Sorensen. “Of course, it is the ultimate goal for patients to get better without having to come back, but I felt like I was missing the follow-up.”

At Beaumont at Westborough, a high percentage of the rehab caseload is consistently comprised of long-term care Residents. “I get to see their progress and check up on them even after their rehabilitation is complete,” says Sorensen. “It’s inspiring.”

Maintaining close relationships with the Residents at Beaumont at Westborough has increased Sorensen’s passion for working in geriatric physical therapy.

“I am honored to work with our Residents who are veterans, and it is a privilege to hear Residents’ life experiences. They’re a very special group of individuals.”

In addition to Sorensen’s personal connections with Residents, he recently became board certified in geriatric physical therapy. Sorensen explains that many of his staff members are becoming board-certified, with additional certifications as well. “We’re all trying to broaden our continued knowledge of neurological disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias,” says Sorensen.

Continued education is just one of the pieces that distinguishes Beaumont at Westborough’s rehabilitation department.

The rehab team made up of seven full-time and ten per-diem staff members who are regularly scheduled, consistently assists Residents and patients with pain management, wound care, and use of various modalities, such as ultrasounds, that all help contribute to positive patient outcomes.

“Our high-level of involvement in our patient outcomes is unique,” says Sorensen. “I think it clearly shows our team’s dedication.”

COVID-19 has greatly impacted Residents and patients. The virus led to many respiratory and cognitive issues—some rehab team members faced such problems for the first time.

“The team worked longer hours and attended to the challenging cases head-on, all while working together along the way,” explains Sorensen. “Our collective knowledge base is amazing; we’ve been able to help so many Residents and patients.”

The rehab team’s efforts translate to the Residents and patients themselves. “We always keep our patients focused on the ‘why’ of their rehabilitation services,” says Sorensen. “We remind them that with their hard work, they’ll get back to doing what’s important to them.”

Sorensen concludes, “I couldn’t be more proud of our team, and I’m looking forward to the future.”

SALMON Health and Retirement