FORT CAMPBELL, Kentucky- The Currahee Physical Therapy Clinic, staffed by medical personnel from Company C, 801st Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, is the first brigade level clinic in the 101st Abn. Div. to receive a unit-level physical therapy technician at Fort Campbell, Ky.
In November, the Currahee Physical Therapy Clinic welcomed their physical therapy technician, Staff Sgt. Michael E. Kerns.
"We are very fortunate to be the first brigade with in our division to receive a unit level physical therapist technician," said Col. Valery C. Keaveny, Jr., commander of the 4th BCT, 101st Abn. Div. "This allows us to enhance the care that we provide for our Soldiers so that they can obtain a higher level physical resiliency."
The process of securing a physical therapist technician began before the arrival of both the current physical therapist and physical therapist technician.
"Before arriving to 4th Brigade in October, I had already been in contact with my predecessor, Cpt. Rush, and the battalion commander, and we had discussed the added care our clinic could provide with the addition of a physical therapy technician," said Cpt. Jeff C. Paschall, the brigade physical therapist and native of Wisconsin Rapids, Wis., from 4th Bct., 101st Abn. Div.
"I arrived at Fort Campbell in November, and after in-processing I officially began working fulltime alongside Cpt. Paschall in December," said Kerns, the brigade physical therapy technician and native of Suitland, Md., from Company C, 801st BSB, 4th BCT, 101st Abn. Div. "I was very honored to be moving to such a prestigious unit but to also have the opportunity to provide more localized care to fellow Soldiers at the unit level."
Locating the clinic within the unit's footprint and the enhancement to care provided by the physical therapy technician presence will increase efficiency and add to the quality of care received by Currahees.
"We work as a team," said Kerns. "While I work with Soldiers making sure they are conducting their various stretches and exercises properly, Capt. Paschall can be free to provide diagnoses and care for other Soldiers. Together, we make sure that Soldiers are progressing properly."
"Before his [Kerns] arrival, I was only able to see about 10 to 12 Soldiers per day," added Paschall. "Now we can treat, on average, 13 to 20 Soldiers per day."
The numbers clearly demonstrate the increase in the ability to provide more Currahees with care but with the physical therapy technician's assistance it will enhance also their quality of care.
"Having Staff Sgt. Kerns help with Soldiers care in the clinic definitely improves the quality of patient care which decreases a Soldiers loss of duty time," said Paschall. "Every Soldier is able to receive quality care with less concern for shortage of time. Being within the unit footprint allows us to see the patient sooner, get them treated sooner and back on their feet sooner, while minimizing some of the time they would loose during their duty day if there were a need for them to seek outside care."
Though there is some pressure with being the first, Kerns is taking his presence within the division very seriously.
"I am excited about being the first tech., but my goals are help provide the best care I can to my fellow Soldiers," said Kerns. "I hope that with the evidence of enhanced care I help provided, other units will very quickly welcome the arrival of their physical therapy techs."
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