We were lucky to catch up with Mary Rush recently and have shared our conversation below.
Mary, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
From the time I was very young, I have always enjoyed helping others. I knew I wanted to be in a profession that could make a difference in people’s lives. In high school I had the opportunity to observe different professions within the hospital setting, and once I observed physical and occupational therapy I knew I had found what I was looking for. I was drawn to the therapist’s ability to help patients achieve their functional goals through meaningful connection and skilled interventions. After 7 years of coursework, I graduated from Kansas University Medical Center in 2010 with my Doctorate in Physical Therapy. I then spent 14 years in the inpatient hospital setting in acute care and inpatient rehabilitation, and my love of neurological rehabilitation was inspired. In the inpatient rehabilitation setting, the entire rehab team works toward a safe discharge plan for the patient in addition to helping them with their physical recovery in order to be as safe and successful at home as possible. As insurance restrictions increase, and access to services become less and less, I saw a disconnect or gap in services and care once patients were discharged from the hospital setting. This led to patients returning to the hospital due to functional decline, falls, or another neurological event. I wanted to bridge that gap in services to help stroke survivors thrive, so in November of 2022 I launched my mobile therapy practice called Empower Stroke Recovery.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I was born and raised in Texas, but have called Kansas home since 2006. I have a wonderful husband, three boys, and a dog that keep me busy outside of work. I have not only experienced stroke rehabilitation professionally, but personally as well as my father had a stroke in 2016. I have been in a caregiving role for both of my parents with various medical and physical conditions since then. A stroke or any serious medical condition often alters the survivor’s life in addition to their loved ones. Ongoing support is so important for the patient as well as the caregiver(s). I am so thankful that I have been able to be a caregiver for my parents, and have an acute understanding of the blessing of each day with those we love. My clinical and personal experiences have shaped me into the person, leader, clinician, and business owner that I am today, and I am proud to serve my community to Empower Stroke Recovery.
EMPOWER STROKE RECOVERY IS A MOBILE OUTPATIENT THERAPY PRACTICE SPECIALIZED IN HELPING STROKE SURVIVORS IN THE KANSAS CITY METRO AFTER HOSPITALIZATION OR IN ANY PHASE OF RECOVERY TO MAXIMIZE MOBILITY & IMPROVE QUALITY OF LIFE.
Mission: Empowering Stroke Survivors to Thrive by providing the quality, intensity, and frequency of care they deserve.
We provide 1:1 care in the comfort of your own home, 60-90 minute treatment sessions, up to 5 days/week. We are experienced in stroke rehabilitation and individualize your care based on your specific needs.
Many patients do not have transportation for outpatient therapies, so being a mobile company, we bring the therapy to them in their own home.
We work with the patient and the family/caregiver to make a plan together to work toward their specific goals.
We value the patient/therapist relationship and strive to have continuity of care/same therapist as much as possible.
Planning to hire: Neuro Physical Therapist and Occupational Therapist in the near future
Goal is: Be a preferred provider in the KC area for Outpatient therapy services for stroke survivors
Will be offering: Vivistim Paired VNS therapy services for upper extremity rehabilitation for chronic ischemic stroke
Hope to: create a non-profit to give respite to caregivers, provide equipment/assistive devices, and scholarships for therapy services
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
1. Passion/Purpose – identifying your individual “why” makes a huge difference. It is something you can always refer to/lean on/and ground yourself with.
- Clinical skills – having experience evaluating and treating a broad range of diagnoses throughout the continuum of care from ICU to inpatient rehabilitation gave me invaluable clinical skills to draw from throughout my practice, and now as an outpatient therapist, helps me have a better understanding of what patients and families have gone through up to this point
- Support system – family, friends, colleagues, and patient praises. Being in a helping profession is very difficult, especially when helping people after a life-changing neurological event. We invest so much of our time, energy, and efforts into others on a daily basis. A support system that understands and can provide encouragement, coffee, prayers, workout partner, or a listening ear can make all the difference.
Advice: If you are interested in starting your own practice or business, I highly encourage doing a coaching program. The Uncaged Clinician Pathway Program helped me learn how to start a business, develop a solid foundation, and grow as a business owner both professionally and personally.
Tell us what your ideal client would be like?
Stroke survivor, active and independent prior to stroke, supportive family/caregiver, motivated to improve and works hard between sessions to reach goals, Receptive to education and feedback, Follows through with home exercise program, Traditional Medicare Part B or cash/private pay. I would love to partner with you on your journey of stroke recovery.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.EmpowerStrokeRecovery.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090596588395
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/empower-stroke-recovery/
