There From the Very Beginning

BETHLEHEM, Pa. — As two of the longest-tenured Good Shepherd Specialty Hospital team members, Sue and Bonnie have helped countless patients who have experienced trauma or a serious medical event, such as stroke, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury and kidney failure. Patients may have spent weeks in an ICU but are too medically fragile to transfer from an acute-care hospital to a skilled nursing facility, acute rehabilitation hospital, or their home.

Over the years, Sue and Bonnie were part of Specialty Hospital’s evolution — from its beginning in 2000 at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest to its current home at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Muhlenberg in Bethlehem.

The management and clinical team members may have changed throughout the years, but what remains steadfast after almost a quarter-century at the long-term acute care hospital (LTACH) is the quality of care provided to patients and helping them move on to the next best level of care.

Sue and Bonnie contribute to that excellent care and remain committed to making a difference to the patients who arrive at Good Shepherd Specialty Hospital.

Sue: Meeting Patients’ Very Special Needs

Sue (pictured above, right) began her nursing career at a Lehigh Valley-area acute-care hospital. When her nurse manager announced her move to the new Good Shepherd Specialty Hospital opening at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest, Sue didn’t hesitate to follow her.

“I was excited to be part of something from the ground up,” Sue said. “I worked with patients on vents at another area hospital and had my certification in gerontological nursing, so I knew I could contribute at Specialty Hospital.”

Sue works weekend shifts at Specialty Hospital these days to accommodate her family. She credits the team with working with her through major life events over the years and says her values align with Good Shepherd’s goals and mission. Those are two reasons she stays at Specialty Hospital. Another reason is she knows she is doing something important for patients at the LTACH, which specializes in ventilator weaning and respiratory care.

“We perform miracles at the LTACH and help patients get over the acute period of their medical issue, but it’s a marathon rather than a sprint,” Sue said. “We see people at probably one of the lowest points in their lives. It’s incredibly satisfying to help support them and get them back on track to achieve their goals after discharge. Many come back to tell us what a difference the care we provided made in their lives.”

Sue notes that Specialty Hospital’s vent weaning numbers are “phenomenal,” and she is proud that people seek out the hospital from other parts of Pennsylvania and beyond.

“The LTACH is the only one in the Lehigh Valley region and we meet a very special need,” Sue said. “We get each patient to be the best they can be.”

Bonnie: Unwavering Dedication to Patient Recovery

Bonnie (pictured above, left), an occupational therapist (OT) at Specialty Hospital, loves her role helping patients regain independence. Her long tenure at the LTACH is guided by her desire to help patients regain the ability to do activities of daily living, such as dressing, bathing, feeding and toileting. In her role, she also works with patients on cognition and visual perception. Sshe makes customized splints to support therapy goals.

Bonnie started her career as an OT assistant and quickly decided to return to Misericordia University (formerly College of Misericordia) to become an OT and earn a bachelor’s degree. In the late 1990s, she worked for a rehabilitation practice in Bethlehem, which later joined the Good Shepherd fold. With a desire to keep treating patients with neurological issues, Bonnie transferred to Specialty Hospital as one of its first employees.

“My role is to provide therapy bedside to those who are very ill or have a low level of function when they arrive at the LTACH,” Bonnie said. “Depending on the patient, we may start with a passive range of motion of the arms and legs, with me doing the actual work for the patient. The next step is the patient assisting in the movement process and then hopefully moving independently.”

Bonnie works with family members on specific occupational therapy items and coordinates with the nursing staff on devices like braces and splints.

“The Specialty Hospital staff is great, and we celebrate patients who are weaned off a ventilator or who came here unable to move and now can feed and care for themselves,” Bonnie said. “Our goal for many debilitated patients is to get them ready for acute rehabilitation.”

Sue and Bonnie remain dedicated, compassionate caregivers, guiding patients through the journey of recovery with expertise and patience. They are excited to soon share 25 years of offering a lifeline of hope and healing to Good Shepherd Specialty Hospital’s patients.