Meet Katy Wilson, Skilled Coordinator/Activity Director

Katy recently became certified as a Kansas Department of Aging and Disability Activities Director. The advanced training took 45 hours to accomplish. This is a required position for Newman Regional Health to provide through our Occupational Therapy Department or through a certified Individual.

The training and certification enables her to assess and lead activities for the swing bed patients without additional oversight of the Occupational Therapy Department. A swing bed program is designed to treat patients who have progressed from needing acute care but who are too medically complex to be dismissed to go home or to a skilled nursing facility.

Using tools like games, hobbies and books, Katy helps patients recover from their illness or injury.

Katy is the Skilled Coordinator/Activity Director/2nd floor ward clerk and CNA at Newman Regional Health, and has been here since 2012.

Katy says, “My favorite thing about working at Newman Regional Health is getting to see our patients who can hardly walk, come into our Inpatient Rehabilitation program, and be able to go home walking. They later come back to visit and they can run and skip and jump. I am happiest when I get to see patients in the community living their life. I love helping others and do whatever I can do for someone else.”

The Inpatient Rehabilitation program is dedicated to helping patients who have been affected by conditions such as stroke, neurological disorders, orthopedic procedures, hip fractures, amputations, and major trauma.

The trained staff at Newman Regional Health provides intensive therapy programs that assist patients in developing new skills, relearning previous skills, and fostering a healthy return to enjoyable life activities. Our rehabilitation specialists strive to help the patient improve in mobility, strength, and independence while providing hope and encouragement to the patient and family. We believe that caring for patients means helping them learn to do as much for themselves as possible.

Katy’s dedication to serving others continues at Newman Regional Health following an impressive 8 years of active duty with the United States Army. She held four MOS (Military Occupational Specialties) ranging from supply specialist, small arms repair, heavy equipment operator and unit administration.
Katy describes her experiences in the military, “The skills that I learned in the military serve me daily.”

Some Fun Facts about Katy

• Katy was born at Newman Regional Health, and her mom was a staff member.
• She is a Graduate of Emporia High School
• She is a single Mom of 3, 2 boys (20,15) and one daughter(17)
• She enjoys reminiscing with family photos, scrap-booking and video storytelling
• She walks to work as a part of her personal fitness regime
• After work, she enjoys her limited quiet time in her father’s old rocking chair.
• Her first name is Kathryn, but no one calls this fiery redhead anything by Katy