We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Belynda Montgomery. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Belynda below.

Belynda, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. How did you get your first job in the field that you practice in today?

I was lifeguarding for the City of Austin and heard from a family member that St. David’s, then the only one on 32nd st., was hiring a lifeguard in their rehab pool. I had aspirations at this time of being a Sports Medicine Doctor and thought that this would be a great place to get my foot in the door in a medical setting. My initial job was to lifeguard a therapeutic pool. It was 94 degrees and provided the optimal temperature for patients to relax. Within a year, I transitioned to the Quest and Bridges Head Injury and Stroke patient clinic as an aide. My job then was to take several folks at a time across 32nd st. without curb cuts, pedestrian beacons, cross walks, or level surfaces to traverse to the rehab pool. This group of 5-7 people had a variety of ambulatory methods – They were on walkers, canes, or wheelchairs. This was an incredible challenge getting them across the street safely. I then got them dressed and in the pool for therapy, dressed after their therapy, and back through the “Frogger” type game of getting them back safely across the street. I quickly realized that the doctors that engaged with patients saw them for only a few minutes a couple of times a week. I really enjoyed more engagement with the patients and saw that the rehab therapists spent 45 minutes to an hour with them. The exchange of “How did you sleep?” “How was your day after I saw you last time?” when I interacted with them, the next day was better for me. I liked hearing the challenges of the patients and thought that might be a good path for me. I then started working with a spinal cord patient in her home getting her up and ready everyday. It was one of the most challenging jobs I had ever had and also reinforced that daily patient care and working on rehab goals was the path for me. I then started the long road of applying to ACC in the Physical Therapist Assistant Program. I was admitted the 2nd time I applied.

Belynda, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

After working as a Physical Therapist Assistant for 25 years in a rehab setting, I realized that across all levels of healthcare, no one was helping people navigate the system. Whether people were in illness or wellness the path to successfully participating in all of the appointments and engagements in healthcare was incredibly difficult. As a patient advocate, I meet with clients and their families to hear about their experience. We then come up with overall health goals and break it down to focus on each appointment. We want to make sure that all preliminary labs, imaging, and consultations from other specialists have been given to the doctor and nurse ahead of the appointment so they have time to review them. This way we have the bulk of our 15 minute appointment to hear from the doctor on their plan of care and next steps.

I am the only Patient Advocate in Austin who is a licensed physical therapist assistant with neurological experience. This provides me with a unique perspective for my clients. At our first meeting, I interview the clients and their family to hear about their medical history and goals for our work together. I am able to consult on a variety of topics like family training, home modifications, durable medical equipment, as well as therapeutic and functional goals. I enjoy being a part of the treatment team because it helps keep everyone informed and focused on the overall goals. I also transport my clients to appointments if need be which reduces the caregivers tasks. I charge an initial assessment fee and then an hourly fee beyond that. All tasks are pre approved by the client so there are no surprises on the invoice.

Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?

We have to be great listeners and remember that patients are people too. It also helps to realize that often the medical situations they are in are temporary when they are in the midst of the chaos and pain of recovery. I spent a year and a half working in case management. This was extremely helpful in seeing how to help patients navigate resources for themselves.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Being a healthcare worker in a rehab facility during Covid is the best story of resilience I have. I was terrified before vaccines came out that I was going to get my patients sick. Many of them were so debilitated and weak already that I knew getting Covid could end their lives. All of my co-workers and I were diligently masked, wore shields, gowns and gloves. We washed our hands like never before. We knew we had to do our best to rehabilitate our patients which required being super close to them to care for them properly. It is impossible to physically transfer a patient without hugging them during the transfer. This close engagement with patients was terrifying and went on for years. Once I was vaccinated, I still was worried that my unvaccinated patients might get the virus. I burned through all of my adrenaline and reserves during this time. I felt unsupported by my employer that did little to support its workers. It took a mental toll on me. I am proud of the work I did throughout this time in spite of being scared for my patients’ lives. None of my patients would have wished to be hospitalized during Covid but, they all were. I did my best to give the best possible care during a pandemic and I think that is resilience.

Contact Info:

• Website: [email protected]
• Instagram: BBM Advocate
• Facebook: BBM Advocate
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/belynda-montgomery-42705428

Image Credits
Barbara Legere