Mike Delaney and Stephanie Summerfield have joined the Cortland Rehabilitation Center of Thomas as Physical Therapy Assistants (PTAs).
Native to the region, Delaney and Summerfield feel fortunate to live and work in one of the most beautiful areas of West Virginia.
“Cortland Acres is home to me,” Delaney said. “I completed my internship here and was thrilled with the opportunity to be able to join the outpatient staff full-time.”
Summerfield, who was known for her leadership on the basketball court during high school, completed her practicum at the Cortland Rehabilitation Center. She said she wouldn’t want to work anywhere else.
“This rehabilitation center has a great reputation,” she said. “I’m happy that I have the ability to work and serve in the community where I grew up.”
Delaney will celebrate his one-year anniversary at the rehabilitation center in November. He graduated from West Virginia University with a bachelor’s in Exercise Physiology and received his PTA degree from Allegany College of Maryland.
“It is fun to working with patients and seeing them do things they couldn’t do before coming here,” Delaney said. “Although I grew up in Elk Garden and graduated from Union High School, I’ve had the opportunity to meet and help so many new people.”
He said the best part is working with a diverse population and treating a variety of injuries.
“Every day I learn something new and get to improve my skills as a therapist,” he said.
Summerfield joined the Cortland outpatient therapy staff in May 2015 after receiving a PTA degree from Pierpont Community College. She also has a bachelor’s degree in Exercise Physiology from Davis & Elkins College.
“I had the opportunity to work at Cortland as a rehab aide while I was getting my degree,” she said. “I knew after graduation there wasn’t any other place or team I wanted to work with. It is great to be part of a company that is growing and expanding.”
The 2008 Tucker County High School graduate said that now she gets to help people who taught her in school or watched her on the basketball court.
Alisha McCune, director of outpatient rehabilitation for Cortland, said that Delaney and Summerfield are great additions to the outpatient staff.
“Both Mike and Stephanie grew up in the area and are familiar with the residents and the community,” she said. “It is nice when patients come in to the rehab center and are able to immediately recognize a friendly face.
It reduces the patient’s stress and makes them more comfortable with the therapy sessions.”
For more information about the outpatient rehabilitation services offered at Cortland Rehabilitation Center, visit www.cortlandacres.org or call 304-463-4191.