Walkup named May’s MMCer of the Month

Jennifer Walkup, a clinical specialist physical therapist and pediatric coordinator in Outpatient Therapy Services at Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge, has been named the MMCer of the Month for May.

In her job, Walkup evaluates and treats pediatric physical therapy patients. These include children with developmental delay, cerebral palsy, autism, and other disorders. Additionally, she coordinates pediatric therapy services for the department. She has been at Methodist since December 2005.

Walkup is described by Amy Dorset, manager of Methodist Therapy Services, as someone who “gives 120 percent every single day.”

The nomination says, “She is always willing to come in early or stay late to accommodate patient treatment to be sure her ‘kids’ (patients) receive the therapy they need.”

The nomination goes on to say how Walkup has skipped her own break to see a patient who came in at the wrong time. She has also taken on a sick therapist’s patient to ensure that patient didn’t miss their therapy.

Dorset adds that Walkup continued to carry more than a full staff caseload of work while maintaining her coordinator duties for the outpatient pediatric department and even training new therapists.

The nomination continues: “Jennifer always remains professional and positive even in difficult situations. She has fantastic rapport with the kids she treats in addition to the families and guardians.”

During the month of April, Walkup volunteered at three different community events to help spread the word about the benefits of pediatric therapy.

As the nomination concludes, “Her efforts are tireless and she is a huge asset to the Methodist team.”

Walkup lives in Harriman. She is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association and the Tennessee Physical Therapy Association.