Denis Andreotti has made a career of planning ahead. As Copley at Stoughton’s Director of Rehab Services, not only does he plan his daily therapy schedules and the schedules for his team of therapists, he also helps patients plan their rehabilitation services ahead of their surgeries. The goal is simple: to provide the best care possible post-surgery or post-injury to ensure patients can get home faster. Below, Denis answered five questions about working at Copley and the Copley at Stoughton difference.
What is your background?
I am a Physical Therapist and Rehab Director at Copley. I earned my Master’s degree in physical therapy from the MGH Institute of Health Professions and have been a Physical Therapist for 26 years. I have worked at Copley for the last 13 years.
How many therapists do you oversee and what services does your department provide?
Counting myself we have seven full-time therapists and a number of per diem therapists. We provide physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy.
What inspired you to work in health care?
I have many family members who also work in health care. When I was looking for a career change, I began to investigate different career choices. Physical therapy seemed like a good fit. After doing volunteer work at a few rehab facilities, I decided to go back to school to earn my degree. Originally, I wanted to work in sports medicine, but after doing clinical work with the geriatric population and in long-term care, I felt it was more fulfilling and really enjoyed it.
How important is it for you to work at a facility with that “family feel”?
I have worked at other larger national rehab companies with corporate offices in other states, and I feel this is such a big difference working for a facility like Copley that is locally run and has that family feel. It allows for better communication between staff and upper management. It also creates a better atmosphere to be able to work with our residents and patients and give them what they need to succeed without having to feel pressured about maximizing profit over care.
What makes Copley’s rehab services different from other rehab services?
There are several differences here. At Copley, we offer rehab services seven days a week, which speeds up the recovery process for patients. Plus, Copley emphasizes quality of care over so-called productivity standards. That means we can give more one-on-one patient care and we are not forced to do maximum group time. Ultimately, we get to spend more time with our patients.
We also do home evaluations when warranted. We go with the patient to their home and evaluate them in their own environment. This allows us to focus on specific tasks they need to work on prior to discharge.
What can you recommend for someone who is scheduled for a planned surgery?
If you are having surgery in the near future, don’t forget to plan your rehab at the same time. Your doctor or hospital may suggest a rehab facility within their network. But the choice is yours. We’ll ensure a smooth transition and one-on-one care so you get better faster. Ask about our long-term care facility too – personalized care in a local setting that’s locally owned and operated. We encourage anyone who has a planned procedure or anyone who wants to be sure they have a say in where to go for rehab or long-term care in the future, to come by for a visit and/or tour.