Congratulations to Michael Smith, OT, who was named Lakeland Regional’s employee of the month in July. Michael is an occupa
tional therapist and certified hand therapist who helps patients at Lakeland Regional Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine Clinic as they strive to overcome pain, regain their independence, and lead productive and enjoyable lives.
Michael continually demonstrates exceptional knowledge and passion in his role and takes pride in making a difference in the lives of his patients.
“Shortly after Michael started, my dad had a tragic accident with a power saw. He saw a number of surgeons and professionals who gave him discouraging news about his potential outcome, but Michael didn’t give up. Today, because of Michael’s expertise, he has regained full use of his hand,” said Terri Stonick, Clinical Systems Analyst at Lakeland Regional (and former Outpatient Rehab Manager).
“I have spent a lot of hours in the clinic learning about hand therapy from Michael. Certified hand therapists are hard to come by, and we are fortunate to have someone with Michael’s expertise,” said Tony Garcia, OT, Manager of Rehabilitation Services.
Among Michael’s most proud achievements are when he obtained his hand therapist credentials and became a certified tai chi instructor. In the future, he plans to pursue his doctorate and help teach and train other therapists.
On a personal level, Michael enjoys being active and excels in martial arts and tai chi. He also enjoys reading, cooking, traveling and spending time with his wife and dogs.