Kang, Dennis

PEOPLE
MOVER

NAME: Dennis Kang
AGE: 29
LOCATION: Torrance, Calif.
JOB TITLE: Lead Physical Therapist
WorkPlace: Little Company of Mary Hospital, San Pedro
Time at Job: 5 years

Photo; JobInterview-0308.jpg

Describe what you do.
My responsibilities include evaluating, assessing, treating and appropriately progressing a patient through the rehabilitation process. Conditions that we treat include patients with impairments and disabilities associated with a brain lesion (from a stroke or traumatic brain injury). In these cases, we take advantage of the plasticity of the brain to facilitate a relearning of functional tasks, such as getting in and out of bed or walking, through task-specific training and therapeutic exercise. We also treat orthopedic conditions, such as hip, knee or shoulder replacement. In these cases, the goal is to maintain or improve a patient's range of motion, strength and mobility.
Do you enjoy your work?
Yes, very much.
Describe your path here.
I had always been quite active and interested in sports, and so I found the field of physical therapy to be a practical fit for me. In college, I majored in biology and, thereafter, went straight to physical therapy school.
What are the perks, if any?
Smiles, laughter and hopeful attitudes in patients previously not so positive.
The challenges?
It can be a bit emotionally draining, at times. When working in health care, especially direct patient care, it is impossible to separate the heart from the brain. As therapists, we spend a lot of time with patients. We make it a point to get to know and understand them. We do this because we cannot only focus on a patient's impairments or functional limitations; we must understand him/her as a person with a role in his/her life, and how this has been impacted by the condition we are treating. It is our responsibility to tailor their rehabilitation program to best facilitate a resumption or assumption of [the] roles with which the patient is comfortable. This process, though rewarding, has an awful habit of tugging at our heartstrings.
Do you have a work philosophy that helps you get through the tough days?
I look around me, see all that I take for granted and realize that I could be facing a much more daunting situation.
If you had to pick a "personal theme song" that reflects your philosophy toward work and life, what song would it be and why?
I really had never thought about this before, but I suppose Rolling Stones' "You Can't Always Get What You Want" comes to mind. Despite the challenges that life may present to you, it has a funny way of righting itself sometimes.
What do you find most fulfilling about your job?
I enjoy the positive social interaction with patients, family and staff. And even if it is not so positive, I try to learn something from each of those situations.
What's the nicest thing a patient or a family member of a patient has ever said to you?
"You listened to me." It was simple, but it reminded me how important listening is in any positive relationship.