Therapist Feature: Erin Oelklaus, PT
This month, we are featuring a wonderful team member and Physical Therapist - Erin Oelklaus. Erin worked with Tilton’s Therapy for a little over two years before starting travel therapy for the past year and a half. We’re so glad to have Erin back on the team and assisting us in getting started in the Oregon region.
After graduating in May of 2015 in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at UNLV, Erin has been working in the field ever since. Erin received a bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology and Health Promotion with a minor in Psychology in Laramie, Wyoming and prior to that, grew up in Juneau, Alaska.
Erin has had the opportunity to work in a variety of different settings including inpatient acute care, outpatient adult, outpatient pediatrics, as well as home health care. Over the last year and a half, she and her husband have been traveling physical therapists in Seattle, Hawaii, and the Oregon coast. Erin was drawn to the field of physical therapy because she “loves helping people and giving them the tools to gain their independence. “ Her favorite aspect about the field of physical therapy is building close human connections. She feels she is “blessed to be able to spend one on one time with my patients and watch them progress toward their goals.”
“I absolutely love working with students and being a part of the development of the next generation of physical therapists. I have had the privilege of teaching two fantastic students in the pediatric clinical setting. I have additionally worked with an amazing non profit organization called AMBUCS. They help children with special needs acquire adaptive bikes to help them play with their peers.”
Erin is always interested in learning about different aspects about the field of physical therapy. She is considering getting a certificate in pediatric specialization. She feels that the human body is so complex with so many different systems that there isn’t just one area in which she feels most interested.
Mobile therapy is Erin’s preference because it allows her to see her patients in their natural setting. Although she feels a clinic can be helpful for the use of equipment and other logistical needs, Erin explains that home therapy provides a comfortable and familiar atmosphere which is more conducive to healing and progress. Another side of this however, presents potential challenges for Erin and other therapists in that the environments can be ever-changing, for instance, there may be different people present in the home or the physical appearance itself can change. Erin expresses that this gives her an opportunity to use creativity to adapt and adjust treatment plans based on the surroundings.
As a Las Vegas resident for seven years, Erin says Southern Nevada will always have a special place in her heart. She now lives in Oregon where she is assisting Tilton’s Therapy in establishing this new market.
Erin is passionate about many things, but namely: quality of care, childhood development and helping kids achieve their goals, animals, the outdoors, and simply enjoying life to the fullest. In her spare time she loves to spend time with her family, go hiking, read books, play with her dog, and travel.
Thank you to Erin for your hard work and dedication to those with whom you work!
