VNS Health Rehab Therapists Love the Work They Do! Read Why!

“At the end of the day, I ask myself before I go to sleep, ‘Did I help someone? Did I make a difference?’ The answer is always ‘yes’.”

– Bradley Hemedes, Senior Physical Therapist, Manhattan

“With speech therapy, we’re trying to get them to talk in different environments or contexts, so we get to know people on a deeper level. You meet the most interesting people in the world. New York City has the most amazing people in the world!”

– Charlene Cano, Senior Speech Language Pathologist, Queens

“Just being able to help people accomplish small victories that allow them to feel like they have the power to take care of themselves and feel a little safer and a little more independent.”

– Daniel Lynch, Occupational Therapist, Westchester

“Many of the people I help don’t get a chance to go outside anymore because of their condition. Being able to give them back that chance—even if it’s something as simple as going outside, seeing their garden again, watering their plants, or saying hello to their neighbors—and seeing them accomplish that goal, is really fulfilling.”

– Feb Cortez, Senior Physical Therapist, Brooklyn

“What I like best about my work is helping people achieve something they thought they had lost and get some of their independence back. Even if I’m not able to achieve a lot, as long as I leave a patient’s home knowing I made some positive contribution, that’s a big thing for me.”

– Julia Sonya Hewitt, Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA), Queens

“Knowing I’m making a difference in somebody else’s life. Things we might take for granted—getting out of bed, walking a short distance, going to the bathroom, getting dressed, or answering the door—are really big things for a patient, and seeing them being able to do those things again is what keeps me going.”

– Jose Hernandez, Physical Therapist, Bronx

“I like helping people and using my skills to help them navigate the system, stay out of the hospital, and return to their functional ability as best they can. Being part of their care team, getting to know them, and seeing things from their point of view so we can make a difference—that’s why I do it, and I like how it makes me feel.”

– Marc Goldberg, Physical Therapist, Westchester

“The ability to directly impact someone’s quality of life is incredibly rewarding. Helping patients regain their strength and mobility, achieve their goals, and guiding them on their journey to recovery is truly a blessing.”

– Milissa Mondestin, Physical Therapist, Manhattan

“Connecting with someone at a time in their life that might not be the best and providing the hope they may have run out of. As an occupational therapist, I do that through purposeful activities that can give them structure, identity, and joy—and in doing so, I receive structure, identity, and joy myself.”

– Phillip Frese, Coordinator of Certified Occupational Therapy Services, Manhattan

“Being in the home care setting, I love that we’re in the thick of it with our patients, doing real-time, real-deal problem solving in their homes. It’s so cool to be able to see what the problem is and then to work with the patient and figure out together, ‘Okay, what can we do this week to fix that?’”

– Stacey Mislavsky, Occupational Therapist, Long Island

“I’m able to go into people’s homes and make a significant difference. It’s nice to be able to do something positive. Whether it’s helping someone get back to work or stay in their home as long as they can, even small goals mean a lot to our patients—and that’s a really good feeling at the end of the day.”

– Michael Dolton, Physical Therapist, Manhattan

“I’ve always been pulled to the senior population—there’s so much to learn from them. When I go into a patient’s home, they get my undivided attention. I’m their cheerleader, their motivator, and their biggest fan, and they hold on to that, work even harder, and you actually see change and progress—that’s why I love what I do.”

– Mara Medina, Speech Language Pathologist, Long Island

“Being a PT, you get to have such a big impact on someone’s life. They might have gone through a traumatic incident where they might have had surgery; being that first person who comes in, reassures them, makes them feel comfortable, and helps them get back to doing things they haven’t been able to do—and seeing the joy they get from that—is incredibly fulfilling for them and for you as a therapist.”

– Kent Ye, Physical Therapist, Queens

“Seeing the difference from when you first walk into a patient’s home and hearing what they want to be able to do—whether it’s feeding themselves, sitting up on their own, or participating in daily activities—and then working with them to achieve those goals or reach their maximum potential, that’s what makes a difference.”

– Magdalen Joseph, Coordinator of Certified Occupational Therapy Services, Queens

“Finding the connection—not with the patient but with the person—the benefit beyond that is enormous.”

– Patricia Vargas, Coordinator of Physical Therapist Services, Brooklyn

“Each home care situation is like a unique puzzle—every patient, environment, and situation is different. Finding that right piece, the one that fits their life and helps drive their recovery, gives me a real sense of fulfillment.”

– Manuel III Espino, Senior Physical Therapist, Manhattan

“Having time to spend with my patients, because it’s not all physical—there’s a spiritual component and an emotional component, too, that I think is very important for healing. Spending time with them, listening to them, even teaching them how to meditate and just take deep breaths—that’s the forgotten part of healing.”

– Geraldine Gamboa, Physical Therapist, Staten Island