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| Kari Engel
(center) is Saint Joseph Health Centers' Employee of the Year. |
Kari Engel, Saint Joseph Health Center’s Employee
of the Year, is a very persuasive woman. Just ask her patients.
“Kari made me do things I knew I could not do,” writes
one woman. “She is really something.”
Getting people to do things they don’t want to
do is important for a physical therapy assistant. Kari always does
it with a smile on her face and encouraging words.
“I firmly believe you have to love your job,”
says Kari. “I have great people to be around and we all share
the same goal–patient care. Our job is to get the patients
up and walking so they can return home.”
Kari typically works with patients for a couple of weeks.
Many are recovering from a stroke, broken hips, surgery, etc. She
says she likes really getting to know her patients. She says there
are a few rules she lives by that helps her connect with patients.
“I treat them respectfully,” says Kari. “And
I always let them know ahead of time what we’re doing. Physical
therapy is often hard, so you really reinforce the positive things.
Let them know they’re making progress.” And, she says,
attitude is everything. “I try to be very positive, and it
helps to keep a sense of humor.”
In Kari’s nomination form, coworkers said Kari
always goes above and beyond for patients. “She is a strong
advocate for patients and makes sure all their needs are addressed
and met.” Like when Kari made a silly hat for a patient who
said he needed one for the coming cold season. It probably didn’t
help with the cold, but it did improve his morale.
“Sometimes patient care is challenging,” says
Kari. “But that’s what keeps it interesting. People are
like snowflakes–no two are alike. You can learn something from
everyone you meet. Sometimes it’s that you don’t want
to be like that person. But the people we are around make us who
we are.”
The Employee of the Year is named from 12 finalists.
Each had been named Employee of the Month in the past year. Kari
says she was genuinely surprised by the honor. “When I saw
the list of finalists, I thought there was no way I’d get it,”
she says. “I saw the names and thought ‘Oh, I really like
her. And her. Oh, she’s a really great person.’
“I was really honored to be in such company, but
I didn’t think I’d get it,” says Kari. “Besides,
I really thought they told the person before the announcement.”
(No, they really don’t.) Even Kari’s husband, Grieg, kept
the secret but was there for the celebration at the health center.
Kari credits her family and coworkers for her outlook on life.
“Everyone I work with is a great role model,”
says Kari. “And I’ve learned that life is short and you
have to enjoy who and what is around you. I’m very lucky because
I really love my job.”
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