Author Archives: Christian Bigwater

Our student employee Keanu Mitchell sat down with the Director of Rehabilitation Deidra Salabye to attain   more information on the Physical Therapy Department at Sage Memorial Hospital. 

Keanu: What is the main goal of physical therapy?

Deidrea: The main goal is to rehabilitate patients by educating them on how to facilitate their healing after an injury, surgery, or patients with chronic pain or issues. Also to educate patients on how to strengthen their bodies and get their bodies to move better. There is a lot of education and demonstration for the process of teaching patients different exercises and stretches to help their bodies.

Keanu: What makes Sage Memorial Hospital’s Physical Therapy different?

Deidrea: Sage Memorial Hospital’s therapists and the services they provide to their patients. The therapists here at Sage Memorial Hospital are incredibly well trained and have years of experience. The therapists are empathetic, caring, and they are great with specific patient’s needs. They are hands on, patient, and they listen to their patients needs.

Keanu: What do you admire most about the Physical Therapy department here at Sage?

Deidrea: The work ethic of the physical therapy department, they are very hands on and work hard to have the clinic run more efficiently and provide services that patients deserve.

Keanu: Is there any improvements you want to make in the physical therapy department?

Deidrea: Policy writings is an improvement that they are now working on because the current policy is outdated. Policies give guidance on how to run the physical therapy department more efficiently. Another improvement they want to make is [to have] all permanent staff.

Keanu: Do you have any additional comments?

Deidrea: The physical therapy department strongly believes in the mission, vision, and values of Sage Memorial Hospital. They are running efficiently following the mission, vision, and values. The Physical Therapy department is very thankful for the support from the executive team.

As we move closer to the opening of our new facility, I would like to take a moment to recognize all who have worked tirelessly to accomplish this impressive goal. The entire construction crew, Sage Memorial Facilities Division, the consultants, nurses, allied staff, IT services, maintenance crews, and every other department came together to achieve the dream of a state-of-the-art hospital in Ganado, Arizona.  

In keeping the vision of Sage Memorial’s Board of Directors to provide innovative health care while enhancing the Diné philosophy of life, our brand-new hospital will provide a robust suite of medical services and state-of-the-art technology for all residents in our service area. 

Some highlights of our services include a four-bed Intensive Care Unit staffed by ICU trained nurses, 24-hour physician coverage, and Tele-Intensivist support.  Other services include an Inpatient Hemodialysis Unit as well as new subspeciality medical services such as TeleStroke care, tele and in-person cardiology and pulmonology.  

Sage Memorial’s outpatient clinic also boasts subspecialities in the field of Rheumatology and Neurology. To complement these new services, Sage Memorial has in-house echocardiogram and cardiac rhythm testing as well as stress testing, sleep apnea testing, and pulmonary function testing. 

Patients can expect to receive current, state-of-the-art treatment in a timely and cost-effective manner when they visit our new hospital. We aim to provide the “Right Care in the Right Place at the Right Time.”