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Sacramento Director For Rehab, Orthopedics Finds Education Key To Job Success

Some of life's basic functions and activities, such as rolling out of bed, taking your dog for a walk, or simply making your own breakfast are actions that a normal person often takes for granted. But when life takes an unplanned turn and an individual suffers an injury, goes through surgery, or slowly loses the ability to use normal faculties, it's the job and privilege of those in rehabilitation and orthopedics to maximize the normal "return of function" to those normal daily activities and to help clients return to whatever they want to pursue.

SAC-Nursing
(Photo Courtesy of Christine Brown)

When you're a part of one of California's largest hospital system where multiple departments all have similar missions of providing rehabilitation services, collaboration and providing direction amongst those departments is key to providing the best services for you patients without redundancies or inefficiencies. This momentous task falls under the experienced hands of Dignity Health's regional director for rehabilitation and orthopedics, Christine Brown. With more than 15 years of experience, Christine Brown has answered the need for leadership in the Sacramento region and continues to do so today.

What is your job?

"I oversee clinical and business operations of four hospital facility and multidisciplinary rehabilitation departments, including all levels of care (inpatient, acute rehab, SNF, outpatient). I also provide oversight and direction for orthopedic programs at one facility and am currently in the process of creating regional orthopedic collaborations."

What parts of your job do you most enjoy?

"There are many. Staff development and mentoring, integrating rehabilitation services into hospital operations, program development, patient experience."

What is your educational background?

"I have a B.S. in human physiology and an M.S. in physical therapy."

Do you find your education has prepared you to take on this position?

"Yes, for the most part for the clinical aspects, but the business and HR components have been on the job experience, mentoring and courses offered by the employer."

Paulo Acoba is a California native raised in the Bay Area and living in the Central Valley. He enjoys distance running, cycling and grassroots motorsports. He holds a degree in management from the University of California Merced. Paulo has been writing for Examiner.com since 2012 and covering the Fresno area.

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