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U.S News and World Report Ranked Westport Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing as one of the top facilities in the Country.
Amy Gunter, Director of Rehabilitation Services, leads a therapy team that harmonizes science and art to bring healing and restoration to the lives of our loved ones.
For rehabilitative therapy relating to illness, injury, or surgery Westport is the Marquee Address for healing and restoration in RVA.
The therapists/artists at this temple of healing are highly trained professionals and caring souls who are part of Westport’s legendary success story in the Richmond metro market.
As we enter the spacious rehab floor at Westport, we find an orchestra of occupational and physical therapy equipment designed to reduce pain, restore mobility, and strengthen weakened muscles.
We also find the musicians: a vibrant group of therapists who use both science and the art of healing to rehabilitate their patients.
Amy earned her degree from Virginia Commonwealth University and holds a certification as a lymphedema therapist. Since being hired by Westport’s executive director, Beth Stowe, four years ago, Amy has been a true maestro in managing the 25 full-time therapists and 30-plus PRN professionals providing care to the endless stream of patients who come through Westport’s doors.
The conductor of these storied rehab professionals is a high-energy occupational therapist named Amy Gunter, who is the Director of Rehabilitation Services at Westport.
In the style of an orchestra conductor, Amy extends her arm, curls her fingers inward, or nods her head to instruct her co-workers. The communication between the members of this orchestra is rich in trust and mastered by practice.
Q: Can you tell me about your mission at Westport?
A: Yes, my mission is for our team is to provide inpatient rehab – physical rehabilitation in a Skilled Nursing Facility setting. We can absolutely accommodate those who can do three hours of therapy a day and provide options for those who can’t tolerate it.
Q: What is your primary role each day at Westport?
A: I see my role as a facilitator between Rehab and the rest of the interdisciplinary team (MDs, nursing staff, social work, activities, and facility management staff) to ensure that our residents receive the best care and services. I represent Rehab with the billing office and reimbursement departments to ensure we are compliant with Medicare regulations.
Q: Do the five-star ratings and the U.S. News & World Report article put any extra burden on your team?
A: We are held to a higher standard, for sure, and I can clearly see how it has made us all even better as a result.
Q: Let’s talk about Westport’s vibe. The word on the street or gossip of the city is that Westport’s therapists are rock stars. Swami-like healers of 21st-century therapy. There are even groupies who idolize their favorite therapists. Literally, current, and former patients/family call out their names: Jim, James, Rolland, Sylva, Audrey, and more.
How does that happen?
A: Our reputation is about what we do every day. The community rewards us with positive feedback. I see people regain their strength, their independence, and their spunk. I watch them gain confidence in themselves again with the support of an understanding therapist who offers tools for strengthening or becoming safe. The therapists are so creative and understanding; they are really engaged with the patient and the family members in the care process. The therapists work on things that are functional and meaningful to the patient. People want to get home as soon as possible; they do not want to waste time.
Q: How do you supervise so many people?
A: I am very lucky to manage an exceptional group of talented professionals. They are bright, energetic, compassionate, engaging, and engaged. And you can see they love their jobs. I enjoy creating a “happy, supportive place” for excellent therapists who aren’t afraid to work hard and who make a positive impact in the lives of their patients and families.
Q: How do you determine when a patient is ready for discharge?
A: It is truly an interdisciplinary decision, including input from the physician and nursing staff to ensure the patient is medically stable, opinions of the therapist regarding the patient’s safety and independence, and coordination by Social Services with the family and safety/support of the planned discharge location.
Q: I see pictures of you and your staff in Halloween pictures.
A: Halloween is a great time for us at Westport, our spirit really shines!
Q: What do you do for fun?
A: I love living in the moment: singing karaoke, dancing, spending time with family and friends, going to the beach, and riding roller coasters. I just tried the Zoofari high rope course/zip line adventure at the Richmond Zoo. That was some amazing fun!
Thank you, Amy! Stay the course with the “Art” of healing.
