A Responsive Spirit

Saint Therese is dedicated to the well-being of each individual. Whether that individual needs spiritual support, physical treatment or assistance with daily living, Saint Therese acts with a responsive spirit. That spirit can be seen in the growth and actions of a small department turned division called Saint Therese Rehab.

Getting Started
In 2005 Saint Therese Rehab (STR) was a department of the New Hope campus. The department included six therapists and three support staff who served, on average, 100 patients per month. The department provided traditional physical, occupational and speech services.

"We started small; focusing on the exact needs of our clients and learning from them," said Amy Taylor-Greengard, Executive Director of Saint Therese Rehab. "We developed programs around those needs and as Saint Therese grew, so did we."

From 2006 through 2012 Saint Therese saw immense growth. Saint Therese at Oxbow Lake was built, Saint Therese at St. Odilia was created, At Home Solutions was acquired and the Oxbow Lake campus expanded to add 64 skilled nursing care suites. With each new development, the rehab department was asked to provide additional care and services.

"With the growth of the organization we were serving more people in more locations, with diverse needs," said Taylor-Greengard. "We really had an opportunity to expand and change our department structure, which would further our mission and enhance the care we provide at Saint Therese."

From a Department to a Division
In 2012, the rehab department at the Saint Therese of New Hope campus became a division of the Saint Therese organization and was named Saint Therese Rehab (STR).

STR has a central office team that supports operations and staff development. They also have staff operating at two community locations in New Hope and Brooklyn Park, as well as home and community based services. To enhance engagement, employees of STR are able to move throughout the division based on interest and availability; giving them the opportunity to work with a variety of different clients and in various locations.

STR is supported by a strong foundation of quality staff. The STR team receives in-depth training on the most advanced and up-to-date evidenced based treatment plans available. The staff includes Geriatric Clinical Specialists (GCS), Certified Exercise Experts in Aging Adults (CEEAA), clinicians participating in the University of Minnesota Geriatric Residency program and therapists certified in specialty therapies including VitalStim and Lymphedema.

Beyond traditional therapy programs STR offers a variety of specialty programs to address specific needs. These programs include: senior fitness, better balance/fall reduction, aquatic therapy, pain reduction, cognitive care, home safety assessments, continence improvement, swallow therapy and Parkinson’s programming/Voice therapy.

"None of STR’s growth would have been possible without the support of innovative leaders on our board of directors, executive leadership and of course the residents, tenants and staff themselves," said Taylor-Greengard.  Looking Ahead
Today, STR employes 74 therapists, seven fitness professionals and nine support staff who serve, on average, 750 patients and clients per month.

STR provides therapists to other senior care communities, and consults with other therapy providers to enhance the quality of their practice. STR has recently grown to partner with a variety of home care companies to allow therapists the ability to follow former STR patients throughout their healing process; from a transitional care setting and back to their home.

"Saint Therese truly serves the needs of each individual, patient, resident or tenant," said Taylor-Greengard. "As more of the population chooses to age in place, we can now support that effort; we can provide them with the therapy they need, but in a location that is best for their overall well-being."

In October of 2014 Saint Therese broke ground on a new full continuum campus in Woodbury, MN. The community will allow Saint Therese to serve a new area of the metro with quality care and services.

"It’s really an exciting time for Saint Therese, not only for our organization’s growth but for the exciting changes that are happening in the health care field," said Taylor-Greengard. "With each opportunity we are able to refine our skills and develop programs that truly meet the wellness goals of the individuals we serve."  To learn more about STR call 763.531.5435 or visit sttheresemn.org/str.