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Jeff Weissert, Director of Physical Therapy, says they have several ways to motivate patients and even things to do to help them stay on their walking program once they leave our medical center and go home. “We have a pedometer and walking ‘logs’ they take with them. We have a program all spelled out to help them progress with walking at home. They record their daily activity on the logs and then bring those into the doctor on their next visit. It’s really helps.”

Brenda Stutzman, RN - Director, Orthopaedics/Neurosurgery/Joint Center, says something else that’s really helped patients recover sooner is the “coach” they bring with them. “Their coach is usually a spouse or family member. They go through the education and are in the patient’s room to speak with the physician and therapists so they know what’s going on. In fact, sometimes the patient is medicated and doesn’t always remember, so we make sure their coach writes down the instructions and information.”

She says that having a coach increases the patients awareness of the expectations every step of the way. The coach doesn’t want anyone (including the patient) thinking a spine surgery patient will be driving kids to the day care in two days. It helps when everyone knows what to expect.

Wayne McClarian of Firth, Nebraska says he really appreciates the Saint Elizabeth Spine Center, from all the medical help and the information right down to every person he's come in contact with, saying "everything's excellent."