Get to Know Our Staff: Grace Evasco, Occupational Therapy

Get to Know Our Staff: Grace Evasco, Occupational Therapy

What is your job title at Scottish Rite?
I am primarily an outpatient occupational therapist (OT). I meet with patients weekly to work on specific goals related to upper extremity function. I also guide them through activities that support their ability to do the things they need and want to do each day. I primarily work with patients who have arthrogryposis, spina bifida, cerebral palsy and various upper extremity differences.

What is the most fulfilling part of your job?
I love building relationships with families and their children to help them achieve their goals. I have worked at Scottish Rite long enough that now I get to see patients through the different stages of their lives. It’s so fun being able to see these kids grow and succeed.

What makes Scottish Rite a special place to you?
It’s truly the people. Everyone that works here embodies the mission and vision of Scottish Rite, and it’s evident in the care we provide to children.

What made you choose a career in health care?
I started out as an accounting major, but I quickly found out I don’t fit in very well with the business world. The majority of my family works in health care, so I saw firsthand how they impact their patients and wanted to do the same

What is something unique you get to do in your position?
What I am most proud of is creating custom, adaptive devices and equipment for children with unique anatomy. Many of the options on the market for this are great, but they don’t always work for patients who have muscle, joint or limb differences. To bridge this gap, I collaborate with Eddie in the Orthotics and Prosthetics department and Brad in the Bioengineering department to create innovative devices to help children become as independent as possible.

With help from my collague Amy Sitabkhan, I started a program where we see our children who have arthrogryposis for weeklong bouts of care to work on specific activities of daily living. This also includes creating and testing different adaptive devices and techniques for independence. This type of treatment plan is very specialized and not always plausible outside of Scottish Rite, so I’m lucky to be in an institution that allows me to do this for our patients.

What’s your favorite thing to do outside of work?
I enjoy playing music. I have been a classically-trained pianist since I was 4 years old, and I can play the guitar, ukulele and cello. Recently, I have also been into Formula 1.

Do you have any hidden talents?
I can fall asleep anywhere, including in front of the Eiffel Tower. My co-workers would also say I’m pretty good at Photoshop.

Where are you from, and what brought you to DFW?
I was born and raised here in DFW. I moved away for school, but Dallas will always be my home!

If you could travel to anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
I would go to Ecuador. I was supposed to teach therapists there, but the trip got canceled during the pandemic. I would love to explore the Amazon Rainforest and Galápagos Islands as well!

If you had to pick one meal to eat for the rest of your life, what would it be?
I would eat a spicy Chick-fil-A sandwich and waffle fries. I would pair it with the Chick-fil-A sauce and Texas Pete hot sauce. I can’t tell you why other than it is good, but I like it.

What was the first concert you attended?
I don’t remember my first concert, but the best concert I have ever attended was the Backstreet Boys reunion concert. I lost my voice for days!

Favorite DFW hidden gem?
It’s not really a hidden gem anymore, but the Potpourri Boulangerie in Bishop Arts District has the best high tea in Dallas. I also really love JingHe Japanese Restaurant on Mockingbird for all you can eat sushi.

If you were to have a movie based on your life, which actress/actor would you choose to play your character?
They look nothing like me, but I think Kristen Bell or Keke Palmer would probably play me pretty accurately. They are both funny and snarky, and I think they would break into song at random times of the day like me.

What is some advice you would give your younger self, OR what’s the best piece of advice you’ve received?
Always do everything you’re afraid of.

$13.5 Million Renovation Brings Leading-Edge Technology to Therapy Services at Scottish Rite for Children

$13.5 Million Renovation Brings Leading-Edge Technology to Therapy Services at Scottish Rite for Children

Scottish Rite for Children in Dallas has expanded its Therapy Services department with a $13.5 million renovation. The renovation includes growing the space by 20% to 10,300 square feet and bringing in advanced rehabilitation technology. The new gym provides more space for children to move freely and engage in therapy activities while simulating real-life environments.

“This expansion supports our multidisciplinary approach to care by enhancing our therapy space and increasing our capacity for in-house services,” says Scottish Rite Chief of Staff Daniel J. Sucato, M.D., M.S. “We began offering therapy services in 1939, and we’re eager to continue our legacy of providing the best care for our patients.”

Scottish Rite’s Therapy Services Department offers both physical and occupational therapy for inpatients and outpatients. Staffed by more than 30 specialists, the department had more than 19,000 patient visits in fiscal year 2024. The therapy gym is used for everything from teaching a toddler to walk for the first time on their prosthetic leg to ensuring a young athlete is strong enough to return to their sport.

“At Scottish Rite, we treat the whole child. We understand that truly comprehensive care means seamless collaboration across disciplines,” says Charter Rushing, Director of Therapy Services. “It’s inspiring to witness physicians, advanced practice providers, nurses, prosthetists, orthotists, child life specialists, therapeutic recreation specialists, and therapists working together—often within a single appointment—to create personalized care plans.”

The new therapy gym features advanced technology, such as a robotic gait and balance system to assist patients with walking and movement training. A new interactive therapy table is also available and is designed to improve patients’ upper extremity motion, strength, coordination and cognitive skills. The table features a large touchscreen with customizable games and activities that engage patients in dynamic, task-specific training.

“Our new state-of-the-art technology has revolutionized the way we deliver therapy by making it engaging, interactive and function-focused,” says Rushing. “These advanced systems allow us to target fine and gross motor skills, coordination and strength while keeping patients motivated and actively involved in their care. These resources, combined with the expertise of our therapy team, are helping patients achieve milestones they once thought were out of reach.”

The space also includes an activities of daily living (ADL) suite with a sink, Murphy bed, mirror and dresser, which allows patients to practice personal care tasks alongside their occupational therapist. The ADL suite is also equipped with a lift system so families can learn and practice safe patient transfer techniques. Occupational therapists use the suite to work with patients and their families to improve independence with activities like grooming, dressing and transfers.

“Physical and occupational therapy services are vital for our patients,” says Scottish Rite President/CEO Robert L. Walker. “Our team is dedicated to treating the whole child – body, mind and spirit – and providing the tools children need to regain their independence, mobility, and ultimately, their childhood.”

To learn more about Therapy Services at Scottish Rite, please visit our services page here.  

Calling All Nurses: Volunteer at Scottish Rite for Children Camps

Calling All Nurses: Volunteer at Scottish Rite for Children Camps

Scottish Rite for Children’s patient-centered care stems from its focus on helping patients navigate their conditions outside of the clinic. The Therapeutic Recreation department offers multiple specialized camps throughout the year, which are designed to teach patients how to live active and independent lives.

Camps bring together children with similar conditions in an environment that fosters friendships and lifelong memories through outdoor activities and games. The following camps are offered at Scottish Rite: 

  • Camp Joint Adventure: For patients between the ages of 7 to 15 who are diagnosed with arthrogryposis, multiple limb loss or various rheumatic conditions.
  • Camp TLC: For patients between the ages of 9 to 16 who are diagnosed with spina bifida.
  • Hand Camp: HD 1 is for patients between ages 5 to 9 who have upper limb differences. HD 1.5/2 is for patients between the ages of 10 to 17 with hand differences. 

What makes Scottish Rite camps special are not only the uniqueness each child brings but also each volunteer’s commitment to providing a “can do” environment. Camps are supervised by counselors, which includes Scottish Rite staff members and volunteers.

“A week at camp is not like any typical week as a nurse,” says Sheila Maldonado, R.N., who volunteers at Camp TLC. “On top of providing the fun for all our campers, counselors make sure they are healthy and safe during the entire experience. For nurses, it’s the best way to sharpen the skills we might not have used since school, while creating the most rewarding memories.”

All campers must be active patients of Scottish Rite. For staff members, many find that volunteering as a counselor is a unique way to interact with patients in a nonclinical setting.

“The best part about camp is seeing the connections made,” says R.N. Manager Alejandra “Alex” H. Medrano, M.S.N., R.N., who has volunteered for more than 20 years at Camps TLC and Joint Adventure.  “They get a chance to build peer support networks. They also become more comfortable with their care team during appointments.”

The camps offered by Scottish Rite serve its mission of giving children back their childhood, allowing them to experience the joy of summer camp with their peers. “My favorite part is how inclusive these camps are and watching kids just be kids, including all the smiles, laughs, friendships and fantastic activities,” says Karol Yeager, R.N. “Out of all the activities, I think either the Slip ‘N Slide® or the zip line was my favorite to watch. The sheer joy from these kids that possibly have never done these things before was priceless!”

Camp TLC is currently accepting applications for campers and medical volunteers (cabin nurses). If you are interested in volunteering, please view the Camp Volunteer application process for more information.

To learn more about the application process, camp dates and more for Camp Joint Adventure and Hand Camps, please view our Camps page here

Jammed Finger? Early Treatment Can Improve Outcomes

Jammed Finger? Early Treatment Can Improve Outcomes

When an injury occurs to a young athlete’s bones, ligaments and muscles in their hand, an evaluation is needed. A properly treated hand injury will most likely heal without complications.

In basketball and volleyball, fingers are at an increased risk of injury due to a variety of causes. Some children may snag their finger on a jersey, or others may hang on the rim or net. When an athlete says they have “jammed” their finger, there is concern for a volar plate injury.

What is the volar plate?

The volar plate is a thick ligament, located on the palm side of the finger. It connects two bones in the finger and stabilizes the middle joint of the finger, known as the proximal interphalangeal, which prevents the finger from bending backwards.

What is a volar plate injury?

A volar plate injury occurs when the finger is hyperextended or bent backwards, damaging the ligament. It is also commonly known as a sprained or jammed finger.

In some cases, the volar plate can be stretched and torn, pulling off a small piece of bone. This results in a fracture in the area called an avulsion fracture. With severe injuries, the joint may also be dislocated.

What are the symptoms in the injured finger?

  • Bruising
  • Immediate pain in the middle joint
  • Swelling of the middle joint
  • Decreased range of motion

What is the treatment for a volar plate injury?

Fracture Clinic provider Gerad Montgomery, M.S.N., FNP-C, sees and treats volar plate injuries frequently at Scottish Rite for Children Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Center in Frisco. “Treatment for a volar plate injury depends on the severity and can range from a short period of immobilization to surgery,” Gerad says.

With more than 15 years in providing pediatric orthopedic care, Montgomery has learned to warn families of the risks associated with not properly treating this injury. It’s important for families and young athletes to understand that volar plate injuries can worsen to the point of needing surgery without evaluation or treatment from an expert.

When should an athlete return to sports after a volar plate injury?

After a clinical provider has released the athlete to begin exercises, gentle range of motion progressing to strengthening exercises may be recommended. Some athletes may need guided exercise with an occupational therapist. “Before returning to sports, the hand and finger should have full strength and range of motion,” certified hand therapist Lindsey Williams says. “Otherwise, there is a risk of injury to the same or other joints nearby.”

Not sure what to do if your child gets a finger injury? Learn about our Fracture Clinic and Sports Medicine Clinic.

Get to Know Our Staff: Carissa Stoddard, Physical Therapy

Get to Know Our Staff: Carissa Stoddard, Physical Therapy

What is your job title/your role at Scottish Rite?
I am a physical therapist (PT), and I primarily help with Scottish Rite’s intensive PT program and other inpatient PT needs.

 

What is the most fulfilling part of your job?
The most rewarding part of my job is witnessing the joy on children’s and families’ faces as they achieve their mobility goals. It’s truly remarkable to see a child discover their ability to move and explore independently.

 

What makes Scottish Rite a special place to you?
I have always dreamed of working at Scottish Rite. What makes Scottish Rite unique is the collaborative care we provide to every patient, and I am honored to be part of the team.

 

What made you choose a career in health care?
I wanted a job that was not only enjoyable and fulfilling but also revolved around personable interactions. With an engineering and athletic background, physical therapy was a natural transition for me.

 

What is something unique you get to do in your position?
I love that I get to see patients and families at all stages in their care journey, from before surgery, immediately after surgery, during rehab and at follow-up appointments. I really enjoy seeing how far the children progress through every phase of their journeys.

 

What’s your favorite thing to do outside of work?
I enjoy trying new restaurants in Dallas and traveling.

 

Do you have any hidden talents?
I can bake pretty well.

 

Where are you from and what brought you to D-FW?
Although I moved all over the state growing up, I spent most of my childhood in D-FW. I returned to Dallas for graduate school and never left.

 

If you could travel to anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
I would travel to Spain or Africa. I’ve always wanted to go for an extended trip but haven’t been able to yet.

 

If you had to pick one meal to eat for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Chips and salsa.

 

What movie do you think everyone should watch at least once?
“White Christmas,” because it’s a classic.

 

What was the first concert you attended?
Although admitting this may age me a little, the first real concert I attended was Creed and Sevendust when they were really popular.

 

Favorite DFW hidden gem?
Lounge Here.

 

If you were to have a movie based on your life, which actress/actor would you choose to play your character?
Jennifer Lawrence or Reese Witherspoon (because I’ve been compared to her before).

 

What is some advice you would give your younger self OR what’s the best piece of advice you’ve received?
Take the scenic route, pause to enjoy the view and learn from the process.

Emily Claire’s Transformation: A Pain-Free Knee and a New Life Path

Emily Claire’s Transformation: A Pain-Free Knee and a New Life Path

Cover story previously published in Rite Up, 2024 – Issue 3.

by Kristi Shewmaker

Emily Claire, of Plano, spends most of her time raising two pigs — Dolly and Kenny, named after Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers. Like the country legends, Dolly and Kenny are not related. Every morning and evening, the 17-year-old drives to the barn to take care of them where they show their affection for her in different ways. “Dolly gets the zoomies,” Emily Claire says. “She’ll run laps in her pen, but Kenny just sits there with puppy dog eyes looking at me. He also likes to cuddle. Dolly, not so much, but Kenny will lay across my lap.”

Emily Claire is president of the FFA Plano chapter and secretary of Area V’s District VII for the state of Texas, which is part of the National FFA Organization, historically known as Future Farmers of America. She recently attended the Texas FFA State Convention in Houston. “It’s a lot more than just showing animals or being a farmer,” she says. Through FFA, she has engaged in leadership and career development events that will serve her throughout her senior year of high school and beyond.

Dr. Henry B. Ellis

As a young teen, Emily Claire had her heart set on playing softball. She played for school and select teams and had dreamed of playing at the collegiate level. But, she started experiencing pain in her knee, leading to multiple incidents of partial dislocation. The first time, she was crossing the street. “My kneecap slipped out, and I fell to the ground, literally in the middle of the street,” she says. “It was embarrassing.” The second time, she fell at softball practice, but each time, her kneecap went back into place. Then, in the fall of 2021 during her freshman year of high school, her kneecap fully dislocated at catcher practice. “I was in my squat throwing down to second base, and I popped up to throw, and my kneecap just locked out,” she says. “I couldn’t move it. I didn’t know what was happening, and I was freaking out.”

TREATING KNEECAP INSTABILITY
An established patient at Scottish Rite for Children Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Center in Frisco, Emily Claire was initially treated with a brace and a specific exercise program. Unfortunately, she experienced increasing episodes of instability in her kneecap, or patella. Recurrent episodes of patellar instability often require surgery. Henry B. Ellis, M.D. — pediatric sports medicine surgeon, sports medicine fellowship director and medical director of clinical research — performed medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction surgery on Emily Claire’s left knee.

“MPFL reconstruction is common for us in pediatric sports and those that take care of kids because kneecap instability is very common in kids,” Dr. Ellis says. “In our practice at Scottish Rite, it is one of the most common conditions that we treat.”

When Emily Claire’s kneecap dislocated, it tore an important ligament that holds the patella in place. In surgery, Dr. Ellis replaced the torn ligament with a new one to give her kneecap stability. However, patellofemoral instability is complicated. Sometimes, it requires more than simply replacing a ligament. At the end of the femur, or thigh bone, is a groove called the trochlear groove. The patella fits into this groove, and when the knee bends or straightens, the patella slides up and down in the groove. Emily Claire’s kneecap was not aligned in the groove because of the position of her tibial tubercle, the bony bump on the upper part of the shin where the patellar tendon attaches. “Her kneecap was living off to the side,” Dr. Ellis says. To mitigate this problem, he performed a procedure to shift Emily Claire’s tibial tubercle, which aligned her kneecap in the groove and ensured that it would track and glide correctly.

REHABILITATING BODY, MIND AND SPIRIT
MPFL surgery stabilized and corrected Emily Claire’s kneecap. What came next would change the direction of her life. Her knee injury and rehabilitation served as a catalyst that led her to discover her dream career. Throughout her care journey, she received treatment from Dr. Ellis and a multidisciplinary team, including physician assistant Ben Johnson, registered nurse Tammy Norris, physical therapist Katie Sloma, child life specialists, psychologists and athletic trainers, among others.

After surgery, Emily Claire met physical therapist Katie Sloma for a physical therapy evaluation. “I remember talking to Katie and asking her questions,” Emily Claire says. “I was really curious about her job.” For weeks, Emily Claire was on crutches, wore a brace and could not bear weight on her leg. “I got a really good tan line at the softball field with stripes going across my leg,” she says. “It was very humbling having two different size quads.”

Katie worked with Emily Claire on quad strengthening, range of motion and mobility through manual therapeutic exercises and aquatic therapy.

“Emily Claire always came in with a smile and ready to work,” Katie says. “She was curious about the process and liked to remain informed, which was cool for us to see.”

For several months, Emily Claire could not play softball. Then, slowly, she was reintroduced to the game part time, but ultimately, her team broke up during her sophomore year. “I was like, ‘OK, I don’t know what I’m supposed to do now,’” she says. She recalls trying out for other teams, but her knee had not fully recovered. “I wasn’t getting called back,” she says. “It was like nobody wanted me, and that was really degrading, and I was like, ‘Am I even supposed to play softball anymore?’”

Things began to change in 2023 when Emily Claire attended the FFA Collin County show. “Everybody there was just so nice and comforting. It felt like a place that I belonged,” she says. “So, I went home and cried about it a lot, and I was like, ‘I just don’t think softball’s for me.’”

OPTIMIZING CARE THROUGH EXPERT TEAMWORK
Emily Claire continued to gain strength and increase athletic conditioning by working with athletic trainers while participating in Scottish Rite’s Bridge Program.
“In our care of any youth athlete, one of the biggest advantages that we have at Scottish Rite is the ability to work together,” Dr. Ellis says. “When someone presents a problem, we offer solutions, but we do it not just as a physician to patient, but as Scottish Rite as a whole.”

Physician assistant Ben Johnson agrees. “The care we provide is a team-based approach with all team members focused on a singular goal of getting patients like Emily Claire back to doing what they love to do without limitations,” he says. The exceptional dynamic of Scottish Rite’s continuum of care results in optimal outcomes for patients. “The key to Emily Claire’s success is the fact that she had an opportunity to work with our team together,” Dr. Ellis says.

Emily Claire liked the team she worked with so much she decided to join it. Over the summer, she interned at the Frisco campus’ Movement Science Lab, processing data for a neurocognitive research study. “I have received so much at Scottish Rite — and not just care,” she says. “Everybody here is so kind and loving, and they want to help you not just get better and achieve your goals, but they’re willing to help you learn.”

Emily Claire’s time at Scottish Rite has inspired her to become a physical therapist. “Instead of something that I had to go to, physical therapy became something that I looked forward to,” she says. “Everyone was there for me.” Katie shares that Emily Claire’s interest in the field of physical therapy was rewarding to her as a provider. “It shows that her time at Scottish Rite made a positive impact on her even when things got hard,” Katie says.

Upon reflection, Emily Claire explains that her care journey also changed her mental health. “It showed me that I was more unhappy than I was happy playing softball, and that softball wasn’t for me,” she says. “I thought I was going to let so many people down
if I didn’t play, but it opened my eyes and showed me that I like doing FFA a lot more.”

Recently, Emily Claire received the news that she was accepted to her college of choice, Tarleton State University, where she will pursue a degree in kinesiology. Upon graduation, she plans to attend physical therapy school. But for now, she is enjoying her senior year, beginning this fall, when she shows her superstars, Dolly and Kenny, at the State Fair of Texas.

Read the full issue.