UCLA Outpatient Rehab Services Expands!
January 2013

Santa Monica 12th St. Outpatient Physical Therapy and Prosthetics/ Orthotics Clinic opens. Read more
West Coast's First Hand Transplant Patient Rides in the 2012 Rose Parade
Emily Fennell, who was treated by UCLA Occupational Therapy, waved from the Donate Life float. Read More

Rehab Team Members Complete the UCLA Employee Volunteer Interpreter Program
Congratulations to Geronimo Pena - Rehab Aid, & Keila Puello - Physical Therapy Assitant, for completing the program! The graduation ceremony was held on November 16 in the Tamkin Auditorium at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center. Employee Volunteer Interpreters bridge the communication gap between providers & patients. Each volunteer has to complete 12 weeks of training. To learn more about the program, click here.
Santa Monica 12th St. Outpatient Physical Therapy and Prosthetics/ Orthotics Clinic opens. Read more»

Another Rehab Staff Member Wins Annual CI-CARE Award!
August 2011

Shannon O'Kelley, Chief Operating Officer; Judy Pang, PT; Betty Werner, Outpatient Rehab Manager; Heidi Crooks, Sr. Associate Director; Dr. Tom Rosenthal, Chief Medical Officer
CI-CARE Award
The Rehab Services Department is proud to have Judy Pang as the second Rehab team member in 2011 who has won the annual CI-CARE Award! the award recognizes employees who consistently provide an outstanding patient care experience and who are frequently recognized by our patients.
A patient writes: "Judy was very patient and understanding. She was responsive and answered all the questions to help me better understand my treatment. The physical therapy sessions were great and I got back to playing sports."
Judy was presented with a trophy and monetary award on August 3, 2011. Congratulations, Judy!
Occupational Therapy is Key to Successful Hand Transplant
April 2011
From the American Occupational Therapy Assocation (AOTA): "Following more than 14 hours of surgery, Emily Fennell became one of the first Americans to receive a hand transplant. Fennell lost her hand in a car accident, and her hand transplant was the first for Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center. Despite marathon surgery, Fennell still has a long road before she will be able to fully use her transplanted hand. Fennel receives 8 hours of occupational therapy each day from a team of practioners including AOTA member, Renee Portenier, Occupational Therapist, Outpatient Rehab in Westwood." Read more»
Todd Bates, Rehab Staff Member, Wins Annual CI-CARE Award
March 2011

Heidi Crooks, Sr. Associate Director; Ellen Wilson, Rehab Services Director; Todd Bates, Respiratory Therapist; Sharon Randles, Cardiopulmonary Rehab Manager; Dr. Tom Rosenthal, Chief Medical Officer
CI-CARE Award
This year, UCLA Health Systems started an annual CI-CARE Award to recognize employees who consistently provide an outstanding patient care experience and who are frequently recognized by our patients. The Rehab Services Department is happy to announce that one of the first winners was Todd Bates, Respiratory Therapist in Cardiopulmonary Rehab!
Todd was born and raised in Maine. He joined the Respiratory Therapy department at UCLA in 1993 and transferred to Cardiopulmonary Rehab in 2007. He was recognized for his consistent commitment to quality, always going "above and beyond", and treating every patient as if they were his family member.
In addition to patient care, he is frequently organizing department festivities, including patient graduation ceremonies. He is constantly looking for ways to improve the program; he always steps in to help and doesn't wait to be asked. He loves mosaic tiling, swapmeets and has had an annual Disneyland pass as long as his collegues have known him!
Todd was presented with a trophy and monetary award on March 3, 2011. Congratulations, Todd!
Hospital Hero Awards
November 2010

The Hospital Hero Awards, produced by the National Health Foundation, is an annual media event honoring outstanding achievements and events that occur within hospitals throughout the Hospital Association of Southern California's region. The event provides hospitals an opportunity to identify, recognize and reward excellence in the provision of health care at the front line. It honors health care professionals who are dedicated to patient care and those who help to create miracles for patients. The Rehab Services Department was proud to learn that LaJuan Collins, Physical Therapy Assistant in Inpatient Rehab, earned a coveted nomination! Read more»
UCLA Outpatient Rehab Services Expands!
October 2010
Two new locations have opened to further assist patients in the Los Angeles area. These two clinics are located in Westwood and Santa Monica.
Click here to read more about our two new locations!
Helping Patients Heal, One Step at a Time
September 2010
Paul Tenorio, PT, DPT, Physical Therapist, SMUCLA
Paul moved from New Jersey to Santa Monica to join the UCLA Health System team where he helps patients physically regain control of their lives and emotionally regain independence. Read more »
Bringing Hope to Africa: Medical Missions
July 2010
Alison Hagoski (pictured here) is a nurse in our Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation program.
Twice a year, Alison and others from the Lighthouse Medical Mission teams make their visits to Africa. Upon returning from her most recent trip, she shared her experiences on these medical missions. Read more about the medical missions here.
UCLA Rehabilitation Services at the 2010 March of Dimes
April 2010
UCLA Rehab Services members participate in the March of Dimes Walk which was held at Los Angeles Exposition park on April 24,2010.
Thanks for Sheila Shirazi for coordinating the rehab team. The day was fun for everyone who participated and rehab department exceeded their fundraising goals to help this great cause.