Get to Know our Staff: Courtney Warren, Physical Therapy

Get to Know our Staff: Courtney Warren, Physical Therapy

What is your role at Scottish Rite for Children? 
I am an outpatient physical therapist in the Orthopedic department at the Frisco campus. I evaluate and treat children and adolescents with musculoskeletal, neurologic and rheumatologic conditions through specialized exercises, activities and other techniques. I work with many specific populations including patients with scoliosis, amputations, birth defects and acquired injuries. My goal is to figure out physical barriers that may keep a child from their goals and then design treatment to improve or adapt those barriers in order to achieve their highest level of function.   
 
What do you enjoy most about Scottish Rite?
I enjoy working with the large variety of patients that Scottish Rite treats. This includes a wide spectrum of age, level of function and even nationalities. People come from all over to be treated here. 
 
I also really enjoy the fact that the staff are here to do what is best for the patients and everyone works hard to make sure finances or other barriers do not restrict treatment. 
 
What was your first job? What path did you take to get here?
My first official job was working at a grocery store when I was a teenager. I had odd jobs all throughout high school and college. My path to becoming an employee at Scottish Rite is kind of interesting. My mother began working as a surgical nurse in Dallas when I was just 3 years old, so I grew up attending holiday parties and staff picnics. I eventually became a junior volunteer, a shadow student and then completed my final clinical rotation for physical therapy school – all at Scottish Rite. It was my first job out of school, and I have been here six years now. 
 
I can actually remember the exact day and specific patient I was observing at Scottish Rite when I decided I wanted to be a physical therapist. I was 14 years old and I never changed my mind! 
What’s the coolest or most interesting thing you’re working on right now?
I completed my first level certification in the BSPTS Schroth based method for the treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis in 2018 and I was planning to attend/test for the second level certification this summer. That was put on hold with the current events, but I’m hoping to complete it soon. 
 

What are you currently watching on Netflix/Hulu/TV/etc.? 
In our home, Daniel Tiger or Sesame Street is usually playing (I have a 2-year-old), but I recently started watching The Amazing Race series and have enjoyed seeing the world travels, even just by TV screen. 
 
What would be the most amazing adventure to go on?
When I was younger, I always wanted to run a race on every continent. So far, I have done two – North America and Europe. I would love to check off more! 
 
What are some small things that make your day better?
At work, I really enjoying watching a child reach a goal or come back for a social visit when they have been discharged for a while. Seeing/hearing children doing what they love is the best!
 
At home, there is nothing better than my son running up to hug me and tell me about his day when I get home. 
 
What is special about the place you grew up?
I grew up in Wylie, Texas. We have a bit of an unusual motto, “AHMO”, that originated from a Dean Martin comedy roast. It means a lot of different things to different people and can be found literally all over the town. 
 
What is your favorite thing to do when you’re not working? 
I can be found doing lots of things to stay active. Running, playing soccer and keeping up with my son are just a few of my favorite things!
Telemedicine at Scottish Rite

Telemedicine at Scottish Rite

At Scottish Rite for Children, we are committed to providing world-renowned patient care. During this time, it has been our priority to continue that commitment of quality, safe and convenient treatment options for our patients and families.

Here is what you need to know about our telemedicine capabilities: 

How do you access a video visit? 

  • All video visits at Scottish Rite are accessed through MyChart – the organization’s patient portal.
  • mySRH is the entry way to access a telemedicine visit. In addition to receiving access for your video visit, we encourage families to sign up to be able to pre-register, self-schedule, communicate directly with your clinic team and look up results from X-rays or other tests.

Equipment needed for your telemedicine visit:

  • Internet access through a desktop, tablet or mobile device.
  • An Apple iPad or Android tablet typically deliver the easiest video and audio video visit experience. The integrated front and rear cameras come in handy if you need to show your provider a wound, elbow, cast, foot, etc.

Is the video visit private and secure? 
Yes – through your mySRH login, you are given a personalized link to access your video visit.

What are the benefits of a virtual visit versus an in-person visit?

  • Increased access to your clinic team.
  • Convenience in various forms for the family – no traffic, no waiting in waiting rooms, no risk of exposing yourself, no need to arrange childcare for siblings, etc.
  • Telemedicine helps our team have a better understanding of a child’s home setup – seeing how the patient conducts daily living, i.e. moving from one place to another, spacing issues. We are able to provide suggestions on how to make things easier/better for the child in the home setting with equipment, etc.
  • More relaxed environment being at home for the child.

Clinics conducting video visits:

  • Rheumatology
  • Orthopedics
  • Sports Medicine
  • Sports Therapy
  • Pediatric Developmental Disabilities
  • Physical and Occupational Therapy
  • Dyslexia
  • Orthotics and Prosthetics
  • Psychology
  • Neurology

How do I schedule my child for a video visit? 
If you are interested in having your child scheduled for a video visit, please contact your clinic team – Dallas: 214-559-7400 and Frisco: 469-515-7100.

Click here to access the mySRH patient portal.

Keeping Athletes Fueled: Five Strategies Coaches and Parents Should Encourage in Young Athletes

Keeping Athletes Fueled: Five Strategies Coaches and Parents Should Encourage in Young Athletes

Team training looks different in the summer, especially in the current environment. Want to give young athletes some good advice while they are working out on their own? Here are five winning strategies to help the team show up for the season strong, sharp and ready to play. Together, these will prevent dehydration, boost energy levels and maintain the athlete’s lean muscle, all promoting good habits and a decreased risk of injury. You have our permission to copy and paste these tips into communications with your team!

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Five Fueling Strategies for Improved Practices & Performance

  1. Eat consistently throughout the day. Even though your schedule may be different right now, make sure to include a balanced breakfast, lunch and dinner no matter when what time you train. Don’t forget snacks!
  2. Eat a quality recovery meal or snack 30 to 45 minutes after an intense workout. Protein + carbohydrate = “quality recovery meal or snack.” Examples include:
    • Chocolate milk
    • Cheese & crackers
    • Turkey sandwich
    • Fruit yogurt
    • Fruit smoothie made with cow’s milk, soy milk or yogurt
  3. Drink water throughout the day AND throughout your practice. Dehydration is a serious risk with hot Texas temps and even being 2% dehydrated can decrease performance. If you’re a heavy sweater or practicing outside for over an hour, you may need a sports drink instead of water.
  4. Bring snacks or sports drinks with you to long practices. These will be important if energy levels dip, or you start to feel dizzy, shaky or extremely tired. These should be sources of quickly digested carbohydrates such as: pretzels, dried fruit, sports drinks, crackers, oranges, low fat, low fiber granola bars, etc..
  5. Rely on food and drinks (think milk, water, 100% fruit juice, sports drinks) for energy and nutrition instead of supplements. Supplements seem easy, but they may contain harmful substances not listed on the label and they may prevent you from getting adequate calories, carbohydrate and other required nutrients you need for strength, speed, agility and focus.
Romper: Get to Know the Hospital That’s Giving Children Back Their Childhood

Romper: Get to Know the Hospital That’s Giving Children Back Their Childhood

At Scottish Rite for Children, we are committed to providing quality, patient-centered care to every child who comes through our doors. Whether it is a condition that only requires monitoring, or a diagnosis that involves complex and ongoing care, our team is here for your child.

Read more about how we are giving children back their childhood in this recent Romper article. 

Share Your Story: Hole in One

Share Your Story: Hole in One

Meet Phoebe, a patient seen by our spine experts. Learn more about her journey below.

Blog written by Phoebe’s mom, Victoria of Rockwall, TX.

When Phoebe was in sixth grade, she had her annual pediatrician visit and that was when our doctor first recommended further evaluation of her back. Phoebe’s shoulders were uneven, and she appeared to have an abnormal spinal curve. Our pediatrician recommended that we go to Scottish Rite for Children.

Phoebe became Dr. McIntosh’s patient and due to the degree of curvature in Phoebe’s spine, a scoliosis back brace was highly recommended and necessary to stop the progression of the curve. As a mother of a beautiful, young and active daughter, the news was a hard pill to swallow. We were very nervous and afraid of how the brace was going to impact our daughter’s lifestyle. Dr. McIntosh was very understanding and thorough, answered all our questions and made us, especially Phoebe, feel comfortable.

Dr. McIntosh is an expert and we felt confident that our daughter was in great hands.

That same day, we met with Kelsey in the Prosthetics department. She took measurements and designed Phoebe’s back brace. Phoebe loved all the staff and doctors but felt a special connection with Kelsey. She was funny, young at heart and spent a lot of time with Phoebe during the brace adjustments.

At that time, Phoebe was 11 years old and about to transition from elementary to middle school. It was hard to see her wear a thick plastic brace during the hot 100+ degree weather. Phoebe has always been tough, and she rarely complained. She didn’t like the brace, but she knew that it was the only option to stop the curvature progression. Many times, she would even wear it for more than the 20 hours a day that was recommended. She started with a 19-degree curvature and at the end of the process, she was at a 17-degree curvature, which was great.

As a family, we did different activities together and allowed Phoebe to try many different sports. Phoebe was able to play soccer and basketball, run track, and even participated in cheerleading – all throughout her bracing process. Dana Dempsey, the Scottish Rite Director of Therapeutic Recreation, invited us to participate in a Learn to Golf clinic. It was at this clinic when Phoebe decided to try golf and she fell in love with the sport! Through the years, she has participated in several different Learn to Golf clinics and is now on the varsity golf team at her high school. She even made the varsity team as a freshman!

We are beyond grateful for all of the staff and volunteers at Scottish Rite. Phoebe’s scoliosis experience was much brighter due to the care and love she felt, and we strongly recommend Scottish Rite to anyone else that may be going down this path.

Learn more about Phoebe’s Story and see how Learn to Golf changed her life. Click here.

DO YOU HAVE A STORY? WE WANT TO HEAR IT! SHARE YOUR STORY WITH US.