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VOLUME 19, NUMBER 48
December 15, 1972
DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA
Patient Care and Education
PT Department Lives Up to Its Role
Thirteen-year-old Don Morton came to
Duke after having accidently shot himself
in the brain, causing partial paralysis of
his left side. After undergoing an
operation, he received further treatment in
the Department of Physical Therapy.
Twelve-year-old Kenneth Johnson was
brought to Duke Hospital after he lost
both of his arms in a farm accident. He
too was brought to the Department of
Physical Therapy to begin his process of
recovery and eventual incorporation into
the community as an independent and
self-sufficient human being.
These two examples represent only a
small portion of the thousands of cases
that the Department of Physical Therapy
handles every yegr.
The reason remains clear why much of
the patient traffic in the basement of the
hospital winds up in this department,
where more than 125 patient visits are
handled daily and 26,000 yearly.
The importance of this department is
underscored by the fact that it works
with almost all of the departments, clinics
and wards in the hospital. Under its new
team rotation system, the service
component of the department has been
divided up into three teams, each of
which is responsible for certain areas in
the hospital.
According to Jane S. Matthews, acting
chairman and head of the physical
therapy services and graduate program,
this new organizational pattern has been
designed for five purposes:
"Improve the quality of patient care.
-Provide more efficient coverage of
patient care services, clinics and rounds.
--Increase the professional
development opportunities for staff.
--Develop accountability systems
within the department.
■-Increase communication and
interaction with other health workers,
(Continued on page 2)
^ \
TAKE A GIANT
S7'£P—Tommy Rigsbee
pauses for a moment to
smile for a picture while
he is being taught how to
walk with crutches.
Tommy fell out of a
50-foot tree and had
remained in a spica cast
for four months. He is
pictured at the parallel
bars in the Department of
Physical Therapy and he is
all smiles, for the picture
was taken on the first day
Tommy learned how to
walk with just the aid of
crutches after his accident.
Staff physical therapist
Kathy Riley is on hand to
help Tommy. She has been
at Duke for one year and
is one of the 13 physical
therapists presently
working in the
department. 125 patient
visits are handled every
day by the department.
(Staff photo)
Duke Honors Long Term Employes
The Ballroom of the Union Building
was the scene last week for a dinner and
service awards ceremony for nearly 100
medical center employees.
Those honored were employees who
have completed 40 years, 30 years, 20
years and 10 years of service.
The evening's program was planned
and coordinated by the Department of
Personnel, and Dr. Stuart Sessoms,
hospital director, was master of
ceremonies. Dr. William G. Anlyan, vice
president for health affairs, spoke briefly,
offering appreciation to those assembled
for their cumulative service to Duke.
Also included in the honor group were
persons who have retired over the past
year.
(Pictures taken the night of the awards
dinner will be published in next week's
Intercom.)
Those receiving 40-year awards were
Dr. Angus McBryde, professor of
pediatrics, and Mrs. Helen S. Johns, a
technician in the neurosurgical
laboratory.
Thirty-year awards went to Samuel A.
Agnello, director of Audiovisual
Education, and Mrs. Helen Howard, R.N.,
head nurse of the University Health
Services Clinic.
(Continued on page 4)