Sleepy Eye Medical Center’s rehabilitation department provides quality, comprehensive therapy services to assist inpatients and outpatients in achieving their highest level of function. The caring staff of our rehabilitation department assists patients who have lost mobility regain and improve their ability to perform daily activities at home, in the community or in physical activity (sports).
We can provide care to restore movement and function to people disabled by disease and injury. We are a multidisciplinary team of experts who will collaborate on your care to create a therapy plan that considers your unique needs, abilities and objectives. Our goal is to quickly restore you to your optimal health.
For more information or to schedule an appointment with physical, occupational or speech therapy, please call 507-794-8466, Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Cardiac Rehab
Cardiac Rehabilitation
Cardiac rehabilitation, or cardiac rehab, is a medically supervised program that helps improve the health and well-being of people who have heart problems.
Patients who benefit from cardiac rehab include those who have had a heart attack, angina, coronary artery angioplasty or stents, coronary artery bypass surgery (open heart surgery), valve surgery, heart failure, or a heart transplant. Most people with heart disease who regularly participate in supervised cardiac rehab programs are healthier than those who don’t.
Sleepy Eye Medical Center’s phase 2 cardiac rehab program includes exercise training, education on heart healthy living, emotional support and helps you return to an active life.
Goals of Our Program
- Begin and maintain a personalized exercise plan that works for you
- Monitor and control blood pressure, lipids/cholesterol and diabetes
- Improve communication with your provider about your progress following a cardiac event
- Improve stamina and strength to get you back to your usual activities and life
What to Expect
Patients attend sessions at our rehab department two to three times a week for three to twelve weeks, depending on a patient’s condition. Phase 2 cardiac rehab is covered by most health insurance companies. Check with your insurance provider to determine whether copays or other requirements are needed.
Other Cardiac Services
- Echocardiograms (ECG)
- Holter and event monitoring
- Stress testing
National Certification
Our cardiac rehab program has been awarded national certification by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR). This certification indicates that our program has undergone review and meets essential requirements for standards of care.
To learn more about our cardiac rehab program, call 507-794-8466.
Occupational Therapy
Occupational Therapy Services
- Activities of daily living training
- Adaptive equipment
- CVA (stroke)
- Hand therapy
- Home safety assessments
- Individualized evaluation and goal setting
- Neurological dysfunction
- Neuromuscular re-education
- Occupational medicine, including ergonomic recommendations
- Positioning
- SCI (spinal cord injury)
- TBI (traumatic brain injury)
- Upper extremity, fine motor and therapeutic exercise programs
Physical Therapy
Physical Therapy
- Back pain
- CVA (stroke)
- Fall prevention
- Gait/balance dysfunction
- Joint sprains/strains
- LSVT BIG for Parkinson's disease
- Home safety evaluations
- Manual therapy, such as instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization and joint mobilization techniques
- Musculoskeletal dysfunction, such as lower back pain or neck pain
- Neurological dysfunction, such as MS and Parkinson's
- Occupational health including ergonomic recommendations, jobsite assessments
- Pain management
- Pediatric physical therapy
- Personalized treatment plans to reduce the risk of injury in everyday activities
- Post-op surgical rehabilitation
- Pregnancy and back pain
- Strength and conditioning
- Vestibular rehabilitation
- Women's health and incontinence
- Wound care
Physical Therapy: Frequently Asked Questions
- Do I need a referral from a doctor to come to therapy?
While some insurances do not require a written referral from your provider (doctor or nurse practitioner), we recommend that you always check with your individual insurance policy prior to making a therapy appointment as all insurance plans differ in their requirements. Medicare patients are required to have a prescription/referral for therapy.
- Does my insurance cover therapy?
All insurance plans are different in what and how much therapy is covered or how many visits they allow in a certain time frame. We encourage you to check with your insurance provider prior to making a therapy appointment to determine what your individual plan will cover.
- How long will I need to come?
Each patient is different in what they will require for therapy. We individualize plans based on each patient’s goals and progress. This can be discussed in more detail at your initial therapy session, after a therapist has evaluated your specific impairment.
- When is my appointment?
Please contact the therapy department at 507-794-8466, and we can help you schedule an appointment or let you know of your scheduled therapy time. If you need to cancel or reschedule, we appreciate a call prior to your scheduled appointment.
- Can I get a record of the appointments I have attended for school or work?
Yes, we are happy to provide patients with a list of times they have been at therapy or write a note for school administration or employers of when you attended therapy.
- How long are typical therapy appointments?
Evaluations, or first appointments, are scheduled for 60 minutes to allow you and the therapist to evaluate the problem and determine a treatment plan based on the findings. Typical treatment sessions after the first visit are 30-45 minutes, depending on what types of treatments you receive.
- What are the hours of the department? When is the first and last appointment of the day?
Our therapy department is open from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. We can start seeing patients right away at 7 a.m., and our last appointment is usually between 3:45 and 4 p.m. - based on the length of time needed.
- Where is the department located?
We are located in the lower level of Sleepy Eye Medical Center. Please enter through the front doors and take the elevator or stairs directly to the right. Once you exit the stairwell or elevator, our department will be in front of you.
- Where should I register?
We ask that you register upstairs at the patient registration desk for your first therapy appointment so that SEMC can update your patient and insurance information. After your first visit, you will not need to stop at the registration desk.
- What should I bring to my first therapy appointment?
If you have a therapy referral or your insurance requires one, please make sure to bring it with you. You should also bring an updated list of medications. If you have any current MRI or x-ray reports that you would like us to see, bring them as well.
- What should I wear to my therapy appointment?
You will be most comfortable in loose-fitting clothing and tennis shoes that you can move easily in. If we will be assessing your lower extremities, such as your hip, knee or ankle, shorts are most appropriate. We do have shorts and gowns available, if needed.
Respiratory Therapy
Respiratory Therapy
Sleepy Eye Medical Center’s respiratory therapy department provides a range of therapeutic and diagnostic services to people with heart and lung disorders. Our licensed respiratory therapist works under the direction of a physician to provide care for individuals with conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, chronic bronchitis, cystic fibrosis, pulmonary fibrosis, congestive heart failure and pneumonia.
Respiratory Therapy Services
- Consultations as requested by physicians
- Spirometry breathing tests
- Chronic respiratory disease education
- Assistance with C-Section deliveries
- Administering respiratory medications
- Education and instruction of medication delivery devices
- Assistance with non-invasive mask ventilation, CPAP and Bilevel devices used to treat respiratory insufficiency and obstructive sleep apnea
Sleepy Eye Medical Center’s respiratory therapist sees patients two days a week, with the option to call in for additional respiratory consultations as needed. In most cases, a physician order is required. To schedule an appointment with respiratory therapy, call scheduling at 877-794-3691.
Speech Therapy
Speech Therapy Services
- Dysphagia
- Dysarthria
- Aphasia
- Cognition
- Voice
- LSVT LOUD
Meet our Staff
Meet Our Staff
Physical Therapy Department
Jamie Pendergast PT, ATC; Rehab Department Manager
Jamie earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Athletic Training from Minnesota State University, Mankato and his Masters of Science in Physical Therapy from Des Moines University-Osteopathic Medical Center. After graduation, Jamie completed a two-year fellowship in manual therapy at Saunders Therapy Center-Edina/St. Paul. Since then, he has worked in private orthopedic practice, practiced in the hospital setting, provided service to area nursing homes, practiced home care and served as an athletic trainer to his high school. He has a strong interest in orthopedics/sports medicine and enjoys helping people of all ages make progress toward their individual goals. He continues to enjoy coaching, playing and watching sports and spending time with his family.
Ariel Brandl, DPT
Ariel graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Health Sciences from The College of St. Scholastica in 2007 and her Doctorate in Physical Therapy in 2009, also from The College of St. Scholastica. Her clinical interests include wound care, vestibular rehab, women’s health and LSVT BIG for Parkinson’s. She resides in Sleepy Eye with her husband Rob and their three children.
Heather Anderson, Administrative Assistant
Heather graduated from Ridgewater Technical College-Willmar in May of 2005 with an Administrative Medical Secretary AAS degree and Medical Transcription certificate. She provides assistance with department scheduling, insurance prior authorizations, transcription and coding. She lives in rural Springfield with her husband and son.
Cardiac Rehab
Wende Davis, RN
Speech Therapy
Liza Rignell, SLP
Occupational Therapy
Sharon Meyer, OTR/L