Getting Physical for Better Healing
For Chris Zoll the pandemic presented an unexpected opportunity to care for the overall well-being of patients, beyond just their physical therapy needs.
“We not only wanted to make sure they were comfortable and safe and had everything they needed to free up a PCT or R.N., but also to give some human touch and comfort that isolated patients need to recover,” said Zoll, P.T., M.S., rehab coordinator and a physical therapist at Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Southwest Fort Worth.
Since joining Texas Health Southwest in 2018, Zoll has been known for leading by example and inspiring team members to do their best, said Sharon Cheng, M.B.A., P.T., M.S.P.T., director of Rehabilitation Services at Texas Health Southwest and Texas Health Clearfork.
“During a crisis, Chris is the one who stays calm and helps keep everyone focused. When Rehab Services started to see COVID-19 patients at the hospital, he added these patients to his patient list before asking anyone else to see them,” Cheng said. “With Chris leading the way, the other therapists quickly added treating COVID patients to their skill set.”
Under Zoll’s leadership, the Rehabilitation Services team earned the Texas Health Southwest Interprofessional Group Clinical Excellence Award in 2020. Zoll was recognized as the Interprofessional Individual at this time.
Learn more about Zoll, in his own words:
What did you want to be as a kid, and how did you ultimately choose your career?
I always knew I wanted to be in the medical field. Through volunteering at my high school as a student athletic trainer, I was able to meet many athletic trainers, physical therapists and orthopedic surgeons. After shadowing physical therapists, I quickly realized that was the profession for me.
What’s your favorite part of your job and the biggest challenge?
I enjoy meeting new people every day. No matter what setting I’ve worked in as a physical therapist, meeting people and listening to each person’s life story has always been interesting. There is always something I can learn from someone else’s life experiences.
The biggest challenge is ensuring patients advocate for themselves and continue to have access to resources after leaving the hospital. Many patients simply don’t have the knowledge of how different rehab and insurance systems work and what they should expect from different rehab settings. I do my best to educate the patient and family so they can get the most out of each step in their recovery.
What are some of the ways you provide excellent care, supporting Texas Health’s Culture of Excellence?
I feel that empathy and compassion are strongly emphasized at Texas Health Southwest. I see our awareness of how our patients must feel, the struggles they are going through and our desire to help them.
How do you do your life’s best work in your role at Texas Health?
My life’s best work is done by being an active listener. Taking the time to listen to someone about their illness, family or situation helps them feel at ease and become more receptive to your assistance.
What do you do when you’re not at work?
My wife, Jennifer (who’s also a physical therapist, specializing in brain injury and spinal cord injuries), and I keep busy with our four daughters — Isabella (12), Lilianna (10), Gabrielle (7) and Juliet (3). I enjoy coaching Isabella’s and Lilianna’s basketball teams, playing ice hockey and going out on progressive date nights with Jennifer.
As a Kentucky native, I’m a diehard UK fan! I grew up going to games in Rupp Arena and “bleed blue” with the rest of the Wildcat fanatics. I’ve never been to the Kentucky Derby, however.
By Andy Wilson • Posted June 22, 2021
