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Get to Know Our Staff: Amy Sitabkhan, Therapy Services

Get to Know Our Staff: Amy Sitabkhan, Therapy Services

by | Jul 16, 2025 | Spotlight, Therapy Services

What is your job title/your role at Scottish Rite?
I am an occupational therapist (OT). I primarily work in the Hand Clinic and in outpatient settings. I meet with patients regularly to work on specific goals to improve their ability to live as independently as possible. I provide treatment interventions, which includes exercises, adaptive equipment education, splint fabrication, serial casting, psychosocial education and therapeutic activities!

What is the most fulfilling part of your job?
I enjoy the variety in my work. Each day brings something new. For one session, I’m helping a child with cerebral palsy through constraint therapy. For the next session, I’m creating adaptive devices for a child with arthrogryposis or guiding a child through exercises after a traumatic orthopedic injury.

Working as an OT in outpatient and clinic settings allows me to build ongoing relationships with both patients and their families. It’s incredibly rewarding to watch their progress and see them gain confidence as they achieve new milestones throughout their journey.

What makes Scottish Rite a special place to you?
From the moment you walk through the doors, you hear piano music, you see smiling faces and you smell buttery popcorn. Scottish Rite is more than a hospital. It’s a place filled with hope, expert care and providers who will go above and beyond, regardless of the patient’s ability to pay.

What made you choose a career in health care?
I have a passion for helping others and guiding them towards greater independence. In the past, I have experienced being on the patient and family side of health care, and I can confidently say that health care professionals serve as a light during challenging times by providing the necessary care and kindness. I knew I wanted to be that source of light and hope for patients when they need it the most.

What is something unique you get to do in your position?
So many things! I get to transform and implement big ideas into actual solutions that will help my patients. For example, I founded and serve as the director for Hand in Hand, a support group for children with congenital hand and upper limb differences. I wanted to create a community for our patient families beyond the clinic room by addressing psychosocial wellness, health literacy and occupational independence through modified play-based group activities. I am so appreciative of the support I have received from the Therapy Services team, the Hand team and executive leadership. Also, I want to give a special shout-out to the Hand in Hand support group planning team, as I would not be able to run the group without them!

What’s your favorite thing to do outside of work?
I like trying new restaurants with my friends, cooking and traveling! I have also been really into audiobooks recently.

Do you have any hidden talents?
I used to be in choir for 7 years and had solo performances. Now, my talent is reserved for car rides.

If you could travel to anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
I am originally from Ohio. When my dad got a new job, we moved to Texas when I was in elementary school. I hopped around to Austin, Galveston, San Antonio, but ended up back in the DFW area.

If you could travel to anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
I would go back to Italy! Honestly, I could eat gelato 24/7. The architecture and culture were also cool.

If you had to pick one meal to eat for the rest of your life, what would it be?
I hope coffee counts, because iced caramel lattes are really my breakfast, afternoon pick-me-up and dessert.

What movie do you think everyone should watch at least once?
“The Pursuit of Happyness”

What was the first concert you attended?
I think it was a Demi Lovato concert.

Favorite hidden DFW gem?
I’m not sure if it’s a hidden gem, but Dos Arroyos Comida Casera has really good Tex-Mex, and it’s right next to a cute little ice cream shop called Sweet Firefly!

If you were to have a movie based on your life, which actress/actor would you choose to play your character?
Mindy Kaling

What is some advice you would give your younger self, OR what’s the best piece of advice you’ve received?
Be kind to yourself. You are doing the best you can.

Get to Know Our Staff: Susana De La Cruz, Family Services

Get to Know Our Staff: Susana De La Cruz, Family Services

by | Jul 9, 2025 | Spotlight

What is your job title/your role at Scottish Rite?
I am a medical interpreter, and my primary role is to serve as a communication link between staff, patients and their families. I also receive, assign and document all translation requests. Additionally, I work closely with the Communications team to translate certain patient education brochures.

What is the most fulfilling part of your job?
The most fulfilling part of my job is engaging with our families and feeling the appreciation for the care we provide. It is incredibly rewarding to witness patients at their first appointment and then see the positive changes in their quality of life after therapy, treatment or surgery. Watching our patients’ progress and growth throughout their journey is deeply satisfying, and I feel honored to be part of their transformation.

What makes Scottish Rite a special place to you?
Scottish Rite is special to me because it represents a place of tradition, growth and personal development. The values upheld here are inspiring and fulfilling. Scottish Rite is more than just an organization. It is a lifelong journey of learning, service and fulfillment.

What made you choose a career in health care?
I became a medical interpreter because of the deep admiration and respect I felt for the interpreters who helped my parents communicate during their medical appointments. Watching the interpreters bridge the gap between patients and providers inspired me. I decided it was time for a career change, and the rest is history. Here I am, doing work that truly matters.

What is something unique you get to do in your position?
One unique aspect of my role is the opportunity to interpret for staff across various departments and clinics. This allows me to interact with a diverse range of people every day, making my work both dynamic and rewarding.

What’s your favorite thing to do outside of work?
Outside of work, I love spending time with my family and caring for my two dogs and four cats. Whether it is enjoying the outdoors, relaxing at home or simply spending quality time, my family brings me a lot of joy and fulfillment.

Do you have any hidden talents?
I wouldn’t say it is a hidden talent, but I am quite determined. Once I set my mind to learning or trying something new, I fully commit to it.

If you could travel to anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
I would love to visit Ushuaia, Argentina! It is known as the “end of the world,” because it holds the title of being the southernmost city on Earth. I find it fascinating. It is a place where breathtaking landscapes meet rich history.

If you had to pick one meal to eat for the rest of your life, what would it be?
I would choose authentic Mexican enchiladas.

What was the first concert you attended?
I was a teenager when I saw Santana in El Paso, Texas, in 1980.

Favorite hidden DFW gem?
Coyote Drive-in movie in Fort Worth. It brings back cherished childhood memories when my family and I watch a movie outdoors in the back of our truck. It is a nostalgic, unique experience!

If you were to have a movie based on your life, which actress/actor would you choose to play your character?
I would choose María Félix, the iconic actress from the Golden Age of Mexican Cinema. Her strong personality perfectly embodies the spirit I would want to see in a movie about my life.

What is some advice you would give your younger self, OR what’s the best piece of advice you’ve received?
I would tell my younger self to not rush and try to do everything at once. Instead, take the time to enjoy the journey, slow down and savor each step along the way.

Catching His Second Chance: Ethan’s Triumph Over Elbow Injury

Catching His Second Chance: Ethan’s Triumph Over Elbow Injury

by | Jul 2, 2025 | Fractures, Sports Medicine

Ethan, of Richardson, Texas, has a deep passion for sports, especially baseball. As a dedicated catcher, the 11-year-old transforms into the reputable “Monster,” a nickname he earned for his fearless and determined presence behind the plate.

“The nickname ‘Monster’ just stuck with his teammates,” says Erin, Ethan’s mother. “To me, Ethan is sometimes serious, sometimes a goofball and plays for the love of the game.”

After practicing throwing with his friends, Ethan’s passion for baseball was tested when he felt pain in the inner part of his right elbow. Their pediatrician referred Ethan and his family to Scottish Rite for Children Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Center in Frisco for care.

“His injury is one of the most common areas of pain for baseball players,” says sports medicine physician Jacob C. Jones, M.D., RMSK. “Since Ethan is not skeletally mature and is still growing, it was important to consider the different potential diagnoses than those typically seen in adults.”

While Ethan’s X-ray showed no sign of injury, Dr. Jones used ultrasound technology, which detects injuries that might not appear on a standard X-ray. It revealed Ethan’s diagnosis was a subapophyseal avulsion fracture of his inner elbow. This injury occurs when a small piece of bone attached to the ligament is pulled away from the main part of the bone.

“It was a radiographically hidden fracture since it was not seen on the kind of imaging we normally use to look for fractures,” Dr. Jones says. “Because of the ultrasound, we were able to give Ethan the correct diagnosis.”

To help his small fracture heal, Ethan wore a cast for a month. The ultrasound technology would also confirm that Ethan’s fracture had healed, allowing him to begin physical therapy. His sessions with physical therapist Kristyn Morrison at Scottish Rite for Children at The Star in Frisco focused on regaining the full range of motion in his elbow through various exercises, such as elbow extensions and forearm stretches. Once his strength was at an ideal level, Ethan began Scottish Rite’s Throwing Program — a patient education guide that focuses on baseball-specific strengthening exercises needed to gradually return to the sport.

After a month, Ethan officially completed all of his physical therapy sessions and uses the exercises he learned from his sessions and the Throwing Program to continue throwing pain free. Now, Ethan is back on the field with his teammates, knocking his recovery out of the park!

“At Scottish Rite, you can feel the care when you walk in,” Erin says. “You’re not a number or a piece of paper. Your child is treated like an individual, and I attribute the fact that my son can play his sport to the care he received at Scottish Rite.”

Get to Know Our Staff: Gloria Conley, Neurology and Rehabilitation Medicine  

Get to Know Our Staff: Gloria Conley, Neurology and Rehabilitation Medicine  

by | Jul 1, 2025 | Neurology, Spotlight

What is your job title/your role at Scottish Rite?
I am an administrative assistant for pediatric neurologist and neurophysiologist Ashley N. Hacket, M.D.

What is the most fulfilling part of your job?
The most fulfilling part of my job is to support my department’s physicians, advanced practice providers (APPs) and nurses in meeting the needs of their patients. Whether it is assisting with administrative tasks or simply providing a helpful hand, the ultimate goal is to provide the best care for our patients.

What makes Scottish Rite a special place to you?
Scottish Rite is a special place for me because not only do we provide the best care to our patients, but my children received the best care here as well. I am forever grateful.

What made you choose a career in health care?
Health care chose me. I came from working at a major bank corporation. I wanted a change in my environment, so I took a chance and submitted an application to Scottish Rite. 15 years later, I am still enjoying the health care environment.

What’s your favorite thing to do outside of work?
I enjoy taking spontaneous road trips with my family and creating lasting memories.

Do you have any hidden talents?
For the past eight years, I have been a talent manager for my youngest son. We have met a handful of celebrities!

Where are you from, and what brought you to DFW?
I was born in Brownwood, Texas, but I was raised in the heart of DFW in Oak Cliff.

If you could travel to anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
I would travel to Africa. I have always wanted to do a safari tour (#BucketList).

If you had to pick one meal to eat for the rest of your life, what would it be?
It would be spaghetti because you can serve it several ways with ground beef, ground turkey, shredded chicken or sausage, among others.

What movie do you think everyone should watch at least once?
“Blue Beetle” because my youngest son was featured in a scene.

What was the first concert you attended?
U2 was my first concert I attended with a group of people. However, my first solo concert was Kendrick Lamar. I had the chance to meet him during his meet and greet!

Favorite hidden DFW gem?
Taqueria El Si Hay in Oak Cliff. They have the best street tacos and elote!

If you were to have a movie based on your life, which actress/actor would you choose to play your character?
I would choose Winona Ryder to play my character. She was one of my favorite actresses growing up.

What is some advice you would give your younger self, OR what’s the best piece of advice you’ve received?
Never forget where you came from and stay humble.

CBS19: High School Graduate Dreams of Radiology Career After Her Care at Scottish Rite for Children

CBS19: High School Graduate Dreams of Radiology Career After Her Care at Scottish Rite for Children

by | Jun 27, 2025 | Press Coverage, Scoliosis & Spine

18-year-old Fernanda was diagnosed with scoliosis in sixth grade.

“It was difficult, but I just had to keep going through it,” Fernanda says. 

Her experience at Scottish Rite for Children transformed from a challenge into inspiration, motivating her to consider a career in radiology through the example of compassionate care.

“Radiology really interested me, because without that, I wouldn’t be able to monitor my spine and curve,” Fernanda says. “I was really thankful to feel cared for, not just like anybody else, like it was very centered towards me as the patient.”

Fernanda is pursuing a degree in radiology at Paris Junior College this fall.

“The radiologists showed me what care and precision truly look like,” Fernanda says. “I knew I wanted to pursue that same path to help others with scoliosis feel safe and supported, just like I was.”

Watch her full story on CBS19.