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April is Occupational Therapy Month: Flint Hills Patients Regain Independence at Stormont Vail Health

Left to right: Cheryl Diehl, COTA/L, Emily Brasher COTA/L, Jennifer Johnson, OTR/L (not pictured: Janessa Albino, OTR/L and Ashton Roberts, OTR/L)
Left to right: Cheryl Diehl, COTA/L, Emily Brasher COTA/L, Jennifer Johnson, OTR/L (not pictured: Janessa Albino, OTR/L and Ashton Roberts, OTR/L)

From getting dressed in the morning to safely returning home after a hospital stay, everyday activities can become major challenges following illness, injury, or surgery. This April, during Occupational Therapy Month, Stormont Vail health Flint Hills Campus is highlighting the essential role occupational therapy plays in helping patients of all ages regain independence and improve quality of life.

Occupational therapy supports patients as they recover physically, cognitively, and emotionally—focusing not just on movement, but on the skills needed to safely participate in daily life. At Stormont Vail Health Flint Hills Campus, occupational therapists work closely with patients admitted to Medical Specialties, as well as adults and children receiving outpatient care, to help ensure a safe return to home, school, work, and community life.

“Occupational therapy is about helping people get back to what matters most to them,” said Jennifer Johnson, Director of Occupational Therapy at Geary Rehab & Fitness Center. “Whether that’s a child meeting developmental milestones, an adult recovering from surgery, or a patient learning how to safely navigate daily tasks after hospitalization, our goal is to promote independence and confidence.”

At Flint Hills Campus, occupational therapy services span a variety of care, including:

  • Acute Care Occupational Therapy, providing early intervention during hospitalization to support recovery and plan for safe discharge
  • Adult Outpatient Occupational Therapy, helping patients rebuild skills following injury or surgery and manage chronic conditions
  • Pediatric Outpatient Occupational Therapy, using play-based approaches to support children’s development and independence

For more than 30 years, our Junction City hospital has partnered with Geary Rehabilitation & Fitness Center to deliver high-quality occupational therapy services to the Junction City community and surrounding areas. This longstanding collaboration ensures patients receive consistent, compassionate, and specialized care close to home.

During Occupational Therapy Month, Stormont Vail Health recognizes the dedicated occupational therapy professionals who help patients overcome physical and functional changes—often during some of the most vulnerable moments of recovery.

To learn more about services available at the Stormont Vail Health Flint Hills Campus, visit https://www.stormontvail.org/building/stormont-vail-flint-hills-campus/ or for a referral, talk with your healthcare provider.

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