August 15, 2008

Barker earns physical therapist assistant degree

April Barker began working at Haywood Regional Medical Center eight years ago as a receptionist in the hospital’s rehabilitation department. Using a scholarship granted by the hospital, she now has a degree as a physical therapist assistant.

A year after starting work in the rehabilitation department, Barker graduated massage school and began working full-time as a massage therapist for the

outpatient physical therapy department.

In 2002, she enrolled at Western Carolina University, graduating in 2004 with a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration, with a concentration in marketing. She continued to work for the outpatient rehabilitation department part-time, while going to school full-time. While attending WCU, she served as president of the Pre-Health Professional Club.

Barker decided to pursue a career as a physical therapist assistant and was awarded a scholarship from HRMC to continue her education at Southwestern Community College in the physical therapist assistant program.

She graduated from SCC in May and is now working full-time as a physical therapist assistant in HRMC’s outpatient physical therapy department. Employees of that department serve on specialty teams, with Barker serving on the sports and vestibular rehabilitation teams.

April Barker, right, works with Katie Moench on a stationary bike.

Barker completed her clinical experience for the physical therapist assistant program at Pardee Outpatient Rehabilitation Department, working with orthopedic patients and pool therapy; CarePartners Inpatient Rehab, working with spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries and stroke patients; and Mills River Physical Therapy, working with orthopedic patients.

“I have really appreciated the staff’s support in outpatient rehabilitation. They worked with my school schedule and provided a wonderful work environment to look forward to every day,” Barker said. “I also had much support from my patient and loving husband, Bruce.”

Appointments for physical therapy are available by physician referral. For more information, call HRMC’s rehabilitation department at 452-8070.