W. G. (Bill) Hefner VA Medical Center - Salisbury, NC

Luwanna Jean Miller begins her exercise program under the guidance of Sheilda Perez, kinesiotherapist.

Luwanna Jean Miller, a U.S. Air Force Vietnam era Veteran, comes to the Salisbury VA Fitness Center three times a week – every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.  She is recovering from a surgery that temporarily stopped her therapy about a year ago.  She is enthusiastically approaching her  resumed therapy with positive goals in mind.  She calls the fitness center a “crucial facility for me.”  She says she is working during each visit to build her stamina.

Her exercise regime includes time on the treadmill and weight machines, under the supervision of the Salisbury staff.  Ms. Miller calls her kinesiotherapist, Sheilda Perez, her “compass.”  She related that Ms. Perez does not “push” the therapy, but encourages her and guides her to a “good pathway – a pathway to good health and fitness.” 

Ms. Miller says her kinesiotherapy is helping her in other ways in her life. She credits the program for getting her out of her house, and to enjoy the socialization that goes along with exercizing with other Veterans and engaging with the staff.  She receives her primary care at the Charlotte VA Outpatient Clinic, and travels to the Salisbury VA for her therapy and her specialty care, including the Women Veterans Health Clinic.

Kinesiotherapists at Salisbury VAMC provide a wide variety of services including the adaptive driver education department, geriatric rehabilitation, evaluation of home accessibility, outpatient/ employee fitness program, ambulation training, prosthetic/orthotic rehabilitation, ambulation training & fall prevention and recovery.

*****
American Kinesiotherapy Association defines kinesiotherapy as “the application of scientifically based exercise principles adapted to enhance the strength, endurance, and mobility of individuals with functional limitations or those requiring extended physical conditioning. A registered kinesiotherapist can administer treatment only upon receipt of a prescription from qualified physicians, nurse practitioners and/or physician’s assistants who have been privileged to make such referrals.”  For more information, visit: http://akta.org/

 

Staff pictured on homepage: Left to right: Eulishia Carter, Sheilda Perez, Gary Whitaker, Jameya Barnwell, Sivad Shaw, Aliyah Moore, Eric Andrews, Charlene “Dee-Dee” Macaulay and Heidi Harris.  (Not Pictured Randall Lewallen)