Congratulations to Michael Rackham, OT, recipient of the 2011 Katie Walker award. The Katie Walker award was established in 2008 to recognize an Infinity Rehab Director of Rehab in the state of Washington who goes above and beyond what is required of them. Susan Churchill, PT, Director of Rehab for Avamere St. Francis at Bellingham remarks, “This award is for an individual who is truly exemplary in everything they do – not just a good worker, but a touchstone; qualities Katie Walker displayed throughout her career as a Physical Therapist.”
Katie Walker worked at Avamere St. Francis of Bellingham, an Infinity Rehab partner facility, from 1996 until she lost her battle with breast cancer in 2008. “Katie’s amazing clinical skills, deep compassion and unshakable spirit touched her patients, the rehab staff and all she interacted with at St. Francis,” recalls Churchill. Throughout her fight, Katie amazed her colleagues with her love and determination to provide excellent patient care services and her devotion to teamwork without missing a beat. By choice, she continued to treat patients while she received chemotherapy. This alone is telling of how much she put others care and comfort in front of her own. “To this day, we still have patients that call to thank and talk about how wonderful Katie was and how her care has had a lasting impact on the community,” says Churchill.
Michael Rackham, OTR/L, is the Director of Rehab at Providence St. Joseph Care Center in Spokane, Washington. The therapy staff at Providence consistently recognizes Michael for his constant vision for excellence and commitment to assuring patient care needs are met. Michael welcomes challenges and change as an opportunity to grow personally and professionally. His commitment to supporting his staff and the surrounding region has been evident over the past year by serving as a mentor, managing multiple therapy departments, and constantly evaluating how he can improve clinical programs and operational workflow.
Past recipients of the award are Susan Churchill, PT, Director of Rehab for Avamere St. Francis at Bellingham and John Shea, OT, Director of Rehab for Summitview Healthcare Center in Yakima.
