Kathleen Strang is our 2005-2006 Patient of the Year.

The week of September 18-24 this year was the week designated by the National Rehabilitation Awareness Foundation to celebrate the success stories around the country in helping hundreds of thousands of patients return to independent living. At Southwest, we refer to our program as " Medicine for Going Home". Although we are pleased to celebrate over 600 success stories a year, annually during the designated week, one patient who has overcome a major disabling injury or other tragic health problem with hard work and determination is named "Patient of the Year" and recognized at our annual staff luncheon.

This year, our therapy team selected Kathleen Strang and presented her with a plaque to be placed on our 'Wall of Courage' with other patients of the year who had been selected since the inception of the selection program in 1995.

Following is an excerpt from Kathleen's comments to Southwest's Medical Director and the CEO upon receiving the award; "I want to say thank you to you and to the Rehab Center staff for saving my life. How fortunate I was to have been under your care after my stroke last August 27th. All of you treated me with such kindness and compassion. I was impressed and amazed at the patience my therapists demonstrated as they worked with me. Now, here I am a year later living independently and driving. Thank you for being angels in my life when I was in such need of your help. May God bless all of you at the Rehab Center for the work you do in changing lives."