Kindred Hospital La Mirada

When Michael began to feel sick and developed a serious cough, he had to call a friend after he started to have difficulty breathing. He was taken to an acute care hospital and diagnosed with COVID-19. He remained at the facility until he was able to be transferred to Kindred Hospital where he could receive respiratory therapy and begin his rehabilitation. At the beginning of his stay Michael was unresponsive and needed full assistance from his caregivers for all his needs. H...is entire team of caregivers worked together to help Michael on his long journey, and day by day he made progress in all areas of his recovery until he was finally able to be discharged from Kindred. I am so thankful to be alive, Michael affirmed before he was discharged from Kindred. "I plan to enjoy life more, lighten up and not get stressed out about uncomfortable things. See more

My main goal is to get back to a normal life after COVID, Marvin shared just before he was cleared to be discharged. Shortness of breath and chest pain originally led the retired police officer to the hospital where he was diagnosed with COVID-19 and had to be placed on a ventilator when he stopped being able to breathe on his own. Additional complications followed, including kidney failure, septic shock and uncontrollable pain, and Marvin was then transferred to Kindred Ho...spital to receive respiratory therapy and rehabilitation. My nurses and all the staff here helped me and motivated me to get better, and I want everyone to take this very seriously because I know firsthand it is a very real sickness. Everyone who helped me from the time I was admitted to the ER and to my discharge from Kindred pulled me out of the grave and I will be forever grateful. See more

Happy Occupational Therapy Month to all of our amazing therapists! Your holistic and personalized approach to evaluations, interventions and outcomes plays such a vital role in helping our patients reach their recovery goals, and for that we are extremely grateful. #NationalOTMonth

This year's #WorldHealthDay theme, "Building a fairer, healthier world," resonates with us as we continue to work toward increasing access to much-needed healthcare services across the country. And we would like to say thank you to all healthcare workers around the world. #KindredCore6

Vanessa is an LPN at Kindred Hospital. The recently awarded Employee of the Month shared some insights about what it’s like working at the long-term acute care hospital. I got into nursing because I wanted a job where I could help people every day, Vanessa affirmed. My days are always busy, and I value the sense of teamwork and camaraderie we have here because when I or someone else needs help, all we have to do is ask. It’s the most wonderful feeling to hear a patient tell me that they feel better after I’ve taken care of them. If you are looking for a fulfilling caregiver career, go to jobs.kindredhealthcare.com.

After a serious accident nearly cost him his life, Kendall was admitted to a local hospital to undergo surgery. Due to the severity of his condition, he was also placed on a ventilator to help him breathe. Once stable, he was transferred to Kindred Hospital to receive respiratory therapy and rehabilitation. He began to make progress as his respiratory therapists helped him become less reliant on the ventilator until he no longer needed mechanical breathing assistance. I have a very loving family that supported me and a baby on the way, so I was very motivated to get better, Kendall expressed before he was discharged to return home. I have a lot to be grateful for and I’m very thankful to be alive.

Today we recognize and celebrate some of our #HealthcareHeroes who sacrifice so much to care for our community - our doctors. Over the past year, they have shown incredible dedication to providing the highest quality care to our patients for a hopeful future. Thank you for all you do today and every day. #DoctorsDay

Our #HealthcareHeroes across the country are receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. Jennifer, a Clinical Liaison, tell us why she received the vaccine: "#MyWhy is for a better future for everyone."

Linda is the clinical pharmacist at Kindred Hospital, where she has worked for over 10 years. She shared what led her to become a pharmacist and what drives her love for her line of work. I became interested in clinical pharmacology in high school when a teacher discussed it with me, and as they say the rest is history! Linda said. I really enjoy working at a small hospital where you get to know all your co-workers and where my department is involved in patient care decisions. In addition to my regular tasks, one of my favorite daily routines is to round with physicians and the patient advocate, which is very beneficial as I’m able to provide input while decisions are being made. I also enjoy working with pharmacy students when they are with us as part of their rotation and always try to spend part of my day with them.

Donna Crowley, a Unit Secretary at Kindred Hospital St. Louis - St. Anthony, is a recipient of this year’s 2020 Paul Diaz Caring Award. Donna's reputation for caring and compassion go far beyond her title -- her passion leads her to sit and comfort patients, to stay with them and encourage them even though that isn't in her formal job description. "Care beyond," she says. "Just go beyond. Just go until you can't do it anymore."

Carole Fryberger, a Lead Respiratory Therapist, is a 2020 recipient of this year’s Paul Diaz Caring Award. Her co-workers say Carole embodies the Kindred Core Value "Create Fun in What You Do." As one co-worker wrote, Carole is "a source of light and peace for the patients we service here."

Fred Waters, a Radiology Technician at Kindred Hospital St. Louis, is a recipient of the 2020 Paul Diaz Caring Award. Fred's service to his patients goes far beyond his daily duties. He also utilizes his natural artistic ability by creating paintings for them. Fred's efforts to engage with his patients embodies the Kindred Core Value "Be Kinder Than Expected.

Jorge was diagnosed with COVID-19 shortly after his wife was also found to be positive, and he had to be hospitalized. Once he had been stabilized, he was transferred to Kindred Hospital, where he could receive respiratory therapy and rehabilitation. Jorge overcame many obstacles and made steady progress, regaining his mobility and independence until he was finally able to return home with only supplemental oxygen to continue supporting his recovery. The staff here are heroes, putting their lives on the line to help me and others affected by COVID, Jorge expressed before he was discharged to return to his wife and home. After a long journey in the ICU at another hospital I came to Kindred to start my rehab. My entire team worked together to make sure I was always safe and my recovery was on track and everyone has been very kind!

After treatment for a neurological condition at a local community hospital, Dale was stabilized and then transferred to Kindred Hospital to receive respiratory therapy and rehabilitation. At the beginning of his stay at Kindred, Dale was dependent on his team of caregivers for all of his needs. He also required wound care, and his respiratory therapists immediately began to work with him to strengthen his lungs. Day by day Dale made steady progress, and one month after his ad...mission was able to be taken off the ventilator completely. With help from his physical and occupational therapists Dale regained the ability to stand, walk and regain his independence. I am very happy about the care I received, Dale affirmed before he was discharged. Everyone is helpful more than helpful, really. The staff is excellent and after being in hospitals for eight weeks now, I can say that Kindred saved my life.

On this first night of Hanukkah we wish you and your loved ones a joyous festival of lights.

Jacquelynne was the first COVID-19 patient at our hospital. Because she was on a ventilator and experienced numerous setbacks, she wasn't able to immediately begin the kind of early rehabilitation that would help her recover. But once she was weaned from the vent and fully engaged with her rehabilitation therapists, she began to make progress. My journey was long and rich, Jacquelynne affirmed before she was discharged to continue her rehabilitation before going home at last after six months at Kindred. The doctors are amazing, staff communicates well at all times and everyone was sensitive to my needs. This is the first place that I’ve been to that everyone cares about you. Thank you all for making me a part of your family during the darkest time and for the care you gave me I will never forget you."

Felicia was transferred to Kindred Hospital after her COVID-19 battle. I 100% appreciate all that the staff have done for me while I was here, Felicia shared before she was discharged to return home with her husband and family. I want to personally thank Caleb in PT he is my angel and is always positive, encouraging and very professional. My RN Jill kept it real and was always there when I needed her she is in my eye the perfect nurse! And my RT Sandy was sweet and positive, she always kept me in the know and helped me understand what was going on and always checked in on me.

At Kindred, Creating Fun in What You Do is one of our core values, whether we are inspiring patients during their recovery journey or working alongside team members to support patient care. Hear from Kindred team member Jonathan M. on what this core value means for him in his role as a physical therapist: