Friday, September 13, 2019
San Juan Regional Medical Center Physical Therapist Honored as PT of the Year
San Juan Regional Medical Center is proud to announce that Physical Therapist Todd Thomas has been named PT of the Year by the New Mexico Chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association (NMAPTA).
“It’s a huge honor, I honestly can’t believe that it happened,” Thomas said. “It’s an incentive for me to try to meet the expectations of what this award means. To go and continue to try to find new ways to help the people in our community, and to help others understand what our profession does and how we can help them in their lives and become better people.”
Dr. Thomas received his Master of Physical Therapy from the University of Utah in 2001 and attained his transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from AT Still University this year. He has served patients at SJRMC as a physical therapist for 16 years, and currently serves as a site coordinator and supervisor for the acute care rehabilitation team, which consists of physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech language pathologists and wound care nurses. In addition, Dr. Thomas has been instrumental in building the Total Joint and Spine Programs at SJRMC, participates in community education classes, educates nursing staff regarding the importance of patient mobility, and has been a full-time professor, adjunct instructor and board member for the Physical Therapist Assistant program at San Juan College. He also provides mentorship to new graduates.
“Todd has spent his life devoted to the profession and has the utmost integrity in all that he does. I hope that I can one day be as excellent of a professional as he is,” said Kevin Rose, PT, DPT.
Dr. Thomas is very active in the community. He spent eight years as a regular on the football sidelines with local schools, providing injury assessment and treatment for multiple sports. He is a bishop in his church congregation, where he has been involved in youth programs for several years. He has served on the board of directors for the NMAPTA and has taken an active role in NMAPTA policies and events. He is also a member of the national Special Interest Group (SIG) for total joint replacements with the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA).
“Todd is an example of excellence. He is intelligent, personable, and well liked,” said Anne Price, PT, DPT, Rehabilitation Department Manager. “He always goes above and beyond for his family, his team and his patients, and demonstrates dedication to his profession on a daily basis.”
Dr. Thomas was presented with the PT of the Year award at the NMAPTA Fall Conference on Saturday, September 14 at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque.