2/13/07, PT Christina Johnson Earns Doctorate

Christina Johnson, a physical therapist at Community Memorial Hospital, has earned her doctorate degree in physical therapy from Utica College.

She completed the five course online load last December. The interactive program included classes in diagnostic imaging, pharmacology and wellness and required lots of research, extensive reading and writing several papers.

Johnson gained clinical experience during a rotation at Community Memorial while working on her masters in 2004. She returned to the hospital as a full time staff member last October.

"We pretty much get to do everything here," says Johnson. "We work with outpatients, inpatients, rehabilitation and skilled nursing. I like the friendly, personal environment here: it feels like a real community and the staff all gets along so well."

The Physical Therapy Department at Community Memorial Hospital offers a full range of services. The staff is patient-oriented and places an emphasis on creating individualized programs. Working one on one, the staff devotes the time to establish relationships so important for good outcomes. Community Memorial Hospital's commitment to genuine care is certainly part of physical therapy's approach.

In addition to traditional therapies, the staff provides rehabilitation for post operative patients and sports and occupational injuries, wound care with electronic stimulation and craniosacral therapy, a light touch treatment that encourages the body's natural healing mechanisms to improve the capability of the central nervous system and is effective for headaches, scoliosis, neck strain and low back pain.

Johnson, who grew up in Oneida earned her bachelors with a major in health studies from Utica College before staying on for her masters and doctorate.

"They've made me graduate three times," says Johnson, who is a member of the New York Physical Therapy Association and the American Physical Therapy Association and enjoys keeping up with the latest research and information. In fact she has already enrolled in another course. Along with colleagues Sally Vetter and Ron Britton, both assistant physical therapists, she is taking a class in wound care this March.

"I take my profession seriously; lifelong learning is an important part of physical therapy."