Jennifer Larsen

RN BC, Registered Nurse

Why did you pick your profession? I always wanted to help people. My mother was a nurse, and I wanted to follow in her footsteps.

Practice Background: I worked in a small community hospital on a medical-surgical floor where I was able to fine-tune my skills with multiple levels of care. Then I went to a city hospital where I worked on an orthopedic floor.

Strengths: Certified in Medical-Surgical nursing, Diabetic teaching, Wound Care, Pain Management, Oasis Certified.

What I like about working in home health: I feel we make a difference in the elderly quality of life.

What I like about Freedom Home Health: That Freedom Home Health is evidence based and we always put the client first.

Kimberly Payne

MSPT - Physical Therapist

Why did you pick your profession? I was working in advertising in Chicago, Illinois when I ended up with multiple knee injuries from playing women's rugby. I realized that I enjoyed being at the therapy clinic, more than I enjoyed being at work. Every physical therapist I asked told me that they loved their career.

Practice Background: I enjoyed working in acute rehabilitation at Grant Hospital, since everyone worked together as a team. I transitioned to home health and worked in multiple environments prior to starting Freedom Home Health. I have training in spine and manual therapy, orthopedic, cardiovascular, vestibular, and issues involving home health.

Strengths: I have significant training in dealing with the vestibular system, having served a clinical affiliation with a specialist and attended the extensive Vestibular Competency Course. I set up a vestibular rehabilitation program at Grant Hospital prior to leaving and continue to assist patients with complaints of dizziness and dysfunctions related to their vestibular system and balance deficits. I accepted an appointment to serve on the OT, PT and AT Board for licensure and laws that involve therapy issues. I continue to work at the state and federal levels to address legislative and legal issues for patients. I currently serve on the Ohio Council of Home Care for governmental affairs.

What I like about working in home health: I have never regretted my change in career. I love going to work each day, knowing that I can make a difference in enabling a client to stay independent at home safely.

What I like about Freedom Home Health: I am very proud of being part of such a talented, dedicated team of clinicians.

Pamela Davis

Physical Therapist

Why did you pick your profession? I thought that physical therapy would be the perfect marriage of teaching, art, and science. I started teaching people how to swim as an American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor at the age of 15. This experience was one that helped me to decide to pursue physical therapy at Ohio State. Since graduation, my teaching career has continued as a licensed practitioner in the state of Ohio.

Practice Background: I received my Bachelor's of Science at The Ohio State University. I have worked at Dodd Hall, Grant Hospital, Ohio State University Hospital East, Traveling Physical Therapist in Seattle WA, and Several Long Term Care facilities.

Strengths: Neurological Rehabilitation, Joint Replacement, Geriatrics, Inpatient Acute, Management Experience.

What I like about working in home health: I enjoy helping people maximize their independence so they may live well in their golden years.

What I like about Freedom Home Health: It's a diversified team that emphasizes patient care and customer service.

Amy Gross

Registered Nurse

Why did you pick your profession?

Practice Background:

Strengths:

What I like about working in home health:

What I like about Freedom Home Health:

Katie Johnson

Why did you pick your profession? I have always been passionate about working with the geriatric population.

Practice Background: I earned my Bachelor of Science from Ohio State University and majored in Geriatrics and Gerontology.

Strengths: I am an outgoing and helpful person who loves the elderly.

What I like about working in home health: I worked as a home health aide during college and learned how helpful and accommodating it can be. I believe it gives people the freedom and flexibility to live their typical everyday life.

What I like about Freedom Home Health: It is very rewarding to work for a company that has such high standards for their patients. Everyone works together as a team and is able to have fun while doing so.

Kimberly McLaughlin

Physical Therapist

Why did you pick your profession? I spent a summer volunteering at an orthopedic handicapped day camp and an Easter Seals day camp.

Practice Background: I began as a LPTA in Skilled Nursing Facilities. I graduated from University of Findlay "two-in-two" program in 1998. I worked in SNF's specializing in neuro, ortho and Alzheimer's; as well as an out patient clinic that was hospital based most recently home care with University Option Care for the past seven years.

Strengths: Strong Orthopedic background; especially knees, hips and shoulders. Very comfortable with the general population.

What I like about working in home health: Personally, I enjoy the relationship that forms with the patient and family. Professionally the progress and eventually improving the patients function is very regarding.

What I like about Freedom Home Health: The mission of the company and the commitment of the partners to achieve that mission; as well as the emphasis on "team."

Jackie Metro

PT, DPT

Why did you pick your profession? I first decided I wanted to be a physical therapist after undergoing a long course of physical therapy for an ACL reconstruction. After witnessing my grandmother quickly decline in her function and independence with severe osteoporosis, I decided I wanted to help older adults prevent chronic diseases and functional decline and ultimately achieve a better quality of life.

Practice Background: B.S in Exercise Science, The Ohio State University, 2005 | Doctor of Physical Therapy, The Ohio State University, 2008 | Geriatric Resident, The Ohio State University/Freedom Home Health | ACSM Certification Completed a specialized practicum experience at The University of North Carolina in Geriatric Wellness where I developed and implemented senior group exercise classes, screened seniors for fall risk, functional fitness, and need for additional medical/rehabilitation services. Worked in a specialized geriatric evaluation clinic, outpatient geriatric clinic, and assisted in various large research projects for balance interventions and aging in place technology.

Strengths: Continued desire to learn, passion for wellness and prevention, and experience in fitness industry and community based wellness programming.

What I like about working in home health: The opportunity to build relationships with seniors and their families and helping older adults to age in place.

What I like about Freedom Home Health: Priorities of professionalism, evidence based practice, and putting the patient's needs first.

Kwyn Moffitt

MA, CCC/SLP, Speech-Language Pat

Why did you pick your profession? I chose Speech Pathology as a profession because of the ability to combine communication and science to help people regain independence.

Practice Background: While in the greater Cincinnati are, I have worked in Skilled Nursing Facilities, Home Health, Private Practice and the Jewish and University of Cincinnati Hospitals.

Strengths: Specializes in voice and swallowing recovery from head and neck cancers; specialty training in diagnostic and treatment options, certified to perform FEES (fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallow); was part of an interdisciplinary team that established FEES diagnostics at the University of Cincinnati Hospitals. Also has worked in neurology, trauma and intensive care units evaluating and treating dysphagia, speech, language, cognitive and voice disorders.

What I like about working in home health: I enjoy helping people maximize their independence so they may live well in their golden years.

What I like about Freedom Home Health: I like working with the team at Freedom Home Health where commitment to client care is not just talked about, but truly is performed and ethical lines are not even approached, let alone crossed.

Cindy Morehead

MA, CCC/SLP, Speech-Language Pat

Why did you pick your profession? I chose to be a speech therapist after taking my first communication disorders class as an elementary education major. It was the perfect blending of medical and educational disciplines for me.

Practice Background: I have been a practicing therapist since 1990; I have worked with both pediatric and adult clients in a variety of settings including private practice, long term care and home health. I earned my Bachelor's of Science Degree in Speech Pathology-Audiology, from Bowling Green State University. I received my Master's Degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the Ohio State University. I am licensed to practice in the state of Ohio and I am certified by the American Speech and Hearing Association.

Strengths: The work I find most rewarding is the rehabilitation of older adults with communication or swallowing disorders. They are typically appreciative of any skill or bit of independence they can regain.

What I like about working in home health: I enjoy being a therapist because I enjoy people and I believe in the importance of communication.

What I like about Freedom Home Health: Freedom Home Health is a great company to work for because they support me in putting my clients' needs first.

Tina Root

Physical Therapist

Why did you pick your profession? I was always interested in a medical field and didn't really think about being a nurse. I actually first heard about PT at a school career day. After checking out all the Allied Medical Professions at OSU, I confirmed that PT was probably for me.

Practice Background: I have worked at many various positions, but most recently, I was the Academic Clinical Educator at the PTA program at COTC from 1990 until the program closed. During that same time, from 1993 to 1996 I worked on the joint implant floor at Grant doing acute care for surgical pts, and also at the Joint Implant Office doing pre-admission evaluations and follow-up outpatient care. I have been doing home health for 6 years now and have enjoyed it more than anything else.

Strengths: I feel my strength lies in being a compassionate, professional caregiver. I love working with people, problem solving, and seeing quantitative results reflected in the improved quality of life for many of our patients. I have taken courses in home care, many different balance, exercise, and fall risk courses for the geriatric population, as well as course updates on various diseases such as Diabetes, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and Osteoarthritis. I have also been a Member of APTA since 1972.

What I like about working in home health: I have always loved my profession for its flexibility in work areas and good part-time positions, and I have met so many wonderful people that happen to be Physical Therapists. But I think I am a caretaker at heart and the patients are the best part of it. It is such fun to get to know them and have the privilege to work with them! I love the geriatric population and the one-on-one contact.

What I like about Freedom Home Health: Freedom Home Health is the best company I have worked with. The Principals in the company are there for all the right reasons, have the patients' best interest in mind always, and have hired a fantastic staff. I am very pleased to be a part of it!

Julie Weng

Physical Therapist

Why did you pick your profession? I always knew that I wanted to be in the medical field and I started out in medical technology, but soon realized that I wanted to work with people on a more personal basis. It was also a way to combine my love of athletics with a career that is physical in nature.

Practice Background: I have worked in most every setting, including hospital, outpatient, home health and now, more specifically assisted living and senior living facilities. In the early years of my career, I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to work in a chronic pain outpatient program, working with other health professionals such as psychologists, occupational therapist, physical medicine physicians specialized in chronic pain, and nursing. I learned so much about the psychological aspects of pain and also the basics of how to work with people. This experience has been invaluable to me. Another specialization I have is treating mechanical spinal pain including headaches, neck and back pain. I have taken 3/4 McKenzie courses toward certification in the McKenzie method which has been very effective with significant positive results. I have been able to use these techniques in many of the outpatient settings that I have worked and continue to use them currently with the elderly population.

Strengths: Spine and Manual Therapy, McKenzie Method, Joint Replacements, Chronic Pain, Geriatrics

What I like about working in home health: There is so much satisfaction in assisting patients to improve their functional status and improve their lives! I thoroughly enjoy working with the elderly population with the stories they tell and appreciativeness that they show toward any assistance that they receive. Total joint patients are fun and satisfying to work with because of the fast progress that they make post surgery. Each patient is special and should be treated with respect and kindness.

What I like about Freedom Home Health: The first thing that drew me to the company was their advertisement offering a flexible schedule, which is one of my favorite things about the job, but the people are what keeps me at this job. After working in several situations in other companies where I was uncomfortable with company practices, I feel confident that we as a team are working with integrity and always trying to do the right thing. The company believes that if we are doing the right thing, even though it doesn't seem to benefit us at the current moment, it will eventually work out toward our good. I like that sense of security! Our team has different strengths and we are comfortable consulting with one another to ultimately give the client the best care possible.