In honor of Recreational Therapy Month, members of the senior team at Campbellford Memorial Hospital have embraced the opportunity to shadow our Recreational Therapist, Caitlyn Payne. Caitlyn’s role at CMH sees her dedicated to improving the quality of life for our patients through engaging recreational experiences. Whether leading patients through rhythmic drumming sessions, facilitating interactive games, or orchestrating uplifting sing-alongs, Caitlyn's commitment to fostering joy and wellness is inspiring.
"My greatest passions with my job as Recreation Therapist is being able to help people achieve their goals and enjoy the beauty of life," shares Caitlyn, reflecting on her role. This sentiment resonated deeply with CEO Jeff Hohenkerk during his day spent alongside her. "Caitlyn's unwavering passion shines through in every interaction. She is an invaluable asset to our team," he remarked, emphasizing the profound impact of her work on the patients she helps care for.
However, Caitlyn's dedication is not without its challenges. CFO Adam Kolisnyk, who shadowed Caitlyn during one of her drumming sessions, observed firsthand the logistical hurdles posed by our aging facility. "The effort required to transport patients to the rec therapy room is substantial, especially given we can only bring 1 or 2 patients in the elevator at a time," notes Kolisnyk. Despite these obstacles, Caitlyn remains undeterred, leveraging volunteer support and her own resourcefulness to ensure patients receive the care they need.
The challenges extend beyond logistics; the absence of a restroom or drinking water (Caitlyn brings up jugs prior to each session) in the rec therapy gym presents additional hurdles. Yet, Caitlyn's unwavering positivity prevails. She seamlessly navigates these obstacles, while infusing each rec therapy session with energy and enthusiasm.
Caitlyn’s contributions to CMH go beyond her role as Recreational Therapist. Since joining CMH in November 2019 Caitlyn has become the hospitals trainer for GPA (Gentle Persuasive Approaches) staff education. “Geriatrics and dementia care is very dear to my heart and this experience (training staff) has helped me become more confident in my everyday practices,” commented Payne, noting that teaching staff GPA techniques is one of her proudest accomplishments since joining CMH.
Outside of work, Caitlyn finds solace in nature through hiking, indulges her creative side through crafting, and cherishes moments with her family. When asked about her fondest aspect of working at CMH, Caitlyn highlights the tight-knit nature of our small rural community which helps to foster a sense of belonging and shared purpose within the hospital.