The team at 333 West Cork Street gathered yesterday to celebrate Winchester
Rehabilitation Center’s 25 years of service to patients and families
in our community. The inpatient rehabilitation facility opened its doors
in November of 1992 and began offering hospital-level care and intensive
therapy for patients whose lifestyle and physical abilities have changed
due to injury, illness or trauma. Since that time, WRC has served more
than 13,000 patients!
Among the staff members assembled in front of the facility for yesterday’s
celebration were several who have been delivering care at WRC since its
inception in 1992. The “originals” include Debbie Bender,
Dave Booth, Cindy Georg, Betty Hardesty, Mary Anne Rickabaugh, Erik Rosa
and Lisa Wilson.
Erik Rosa was among the first physical therapists to begin caring for patients
at WRC. When asked what he enjoys about working at WRC, and what has kept
him here for the past 25 years, he responded, “I love it here, first
of all, because of the type of patients we work with. We get people who
have been shattered by some unexpected event and develop close daily relationships
with them as we help them reconstitute their lives.”
Ask any one of the original staff members why they love working here and
you’ll get a similar response: “The patients and staff!”
In addition to the “original seven,” WRC boasts several current
staff members who have contributed more than 10 years of service. Whether
they have been here for one, 10 or 25 years, one thing holds true: WRC
staff are making a real impact in the lives of their patients every day.
Now that’s something to get up for each morning.