Nov 15, 2021 / Therapy Services

Get to Know our Staff: Rushi Patel, Therapy Services

What is your job title/your role at Scottish Rite for Children?  
I am a sports physical therapist. 

What do you do on a daily basis or what sort of duties do you have at work?
As a sports physical therapist, I help rehabilitate patients following a wide variety of sports injuries — everything from overuse injuries of the shoulder, spine and knee to post-operative care. 

What was your first job? What path did you take to get here or what led you to Scottish Rite? How long have you worked here?
Following physical therapy school, my first job was an orthopedic physical therapist. Once I developed my passion of specializing in sports rehab, I completed a sports physical therapy residency at Baylor Scott & White at The Star, where I was able to sharpen my skills. As soon as I heard about a job opening at Scottish Rite and saw the facility, I immediately knew that this is what I wanted. I have been here for about one year. 

What do you enjoy most about Scottish Rite?
I enjoy the collaborative approach to care. Being able to have a close relationship with a patient’s health care team plus the open lines of communication are key when providing quality care that best suits the complexities and needs of each individual child. 

Tell us something about your job that others might not already know. 
I would want others to know how important recovery and lifestyle are for good physical therapy outcomes. I always provide education on the importance of sleep and good nutrition to each family. It is always humbling to accept the fact that exercises will only go so far. Proper sleep and diet are important to optimize recovery between physical therapy sessions. 

What was the last thing you read?
The Science and Practice of Strength Training. It’s always good to reinforce the science behind what we do on a daily basis. 

What was the best vacation you ever took and why?
Tulum, Mexico. Long story short: I went scuba diving with stingrays.  

Do you collect anything? How did you start?
Starbucks traveler mugs. I started randomly one day at the Seattle airport, and I have been collecting them when I travel to a different city ever since. 

Do you play any sports or instruments?
I try my best to practice what I preach in the sports rehab setting. I love staying active by working out in the weight room so that I can still enjoy playing recreational flag football and basketball as an adult.  
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