Employee Spotlight – Michelle Watson

Name: Michelle Watson, MS, PT, ATC

What is your current position? Physical Therapist, Facility Manager at Athletico’s Florissant, Missouri location

How long have you been in this position? 10 years

What led you to Physical Therapy as a profession?
I was first a certified athletic trainer, and wanted to study further.

Why did you choose to work at Athletico?
The philosophy of “patients first” is very important to me and that is what Athletico prides itself on.

How do you motivate your work comp patients every day?
I motivate my patients by changing up their exercise routine, discussing their most difficult task to do at work, and making sure they are focused on returning to work.  We work on aerobic conditioning, work simulation, and then specific exercises for their condition.

What do you like best about managing a clinical team?
My team in Florissant is great.  We all have the same goal in mind; getting the patient better and back to work.  Using our Work Comp Specialist, Dean Schimanski, OTR/L, to help make the transition to work simulated activities and adding in more aerobic activities, makes their transition to work conditioning very easy.  My team works together to get the patient back to work.

Areas of Specialization?
I am also a member of the ACL3P program which is designed to provide prevention education, progression during rehab after injury and performance assessment for a safe return to work and play. I enjoy working with patients who have undergone ACL reconstructions. Guiding them through the program and their recovery is very rewarding to me.

When I’m not working I am…
Trying to keep up with my two teenaged girls.  We spend a lot of weekends at Grandpa’s house at Mark Twain Lake in the summer, and of course, an annual vacation to Michigan every summer.