MRHC Provides Top-Notch Surgical Services to Rural Patients

Julie Danner and Dr. Stokesbary

When most people consider services offered by rural, critical access hospitals, surgical care is not always a standard service. However, in Manning, general surgeries have continued and most recently they have started offering total knee replacement and hip surgeries thanks to a visiting specialist.

Dedham resident, Julie Danner, recently received a total knee-replacement under the care of CNOS board-certified orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Stokesbary, M.D., FAAOS, at Manning Regional Healthcare Center (MRHC). She had her first knee replaced this January and her second knee replaced last month. Julie Danner and Dr. Stokesbary

“I had a great experience with Dr. Stokesbary,” said Danner. “He has fantastic bedside manners; he is personable and easy to talk to. He listened to my questions and concerns, and he truly advocated for me.”

Danner said she was scared to get her first knee replaced, but the surgery went so well that it encouraged her to get her second knee replaced.

After a recent follow-up appointment with Dr. Stokesbary, Danner shared, “I am very blessed. I was able to ditch my walker one week post-surgery. Dr. Stokesbary said he is proud of me. He made me feel so special and taken care of.”

Danner shares that she has also had a positive experience recovering from surgery. “After the surgery, I stayed overnight and then they sent me home with exercises to do on my own,” explained Danner. “I now go to physical therapy three times a week in Manning, and the PT team makes me feel right at home.”

Julie has been a patient at MRHC since the hospital was in its previous location on Main Street. “I like coming to MHRC because it is a top-notch facility, in my opinion, that is close to home,” shared Danner. “It is the best of both worlds. My primary doctor is there, and every staff member has treated me well during my visits.”

Besides the friendly staff, Danner mentioned how the hours of operation and billing processes are also convenient. “They were able to schedule me in pretty quickly,” said Danner. “Other people that I have recently talked to didn’t even know that MRHC offered services like knee replacement surgeries. I highly recommend this facility for these surgeries.”

The ability to receive high-quality specialty services close to home is very important to Danner. “MRHC is a really great facility. The doctors are very professional and great at their jobs,” explained Danner. “At MRHC, you don’t feel like just another number. I am so grateful we have this rural facility at our fingertips.”

In addition to orthopedic care and surgery, MRHC provides surgical services for hip surgeries, ear, nose and throat issues, OB-GYN, podiatry, urology, and general surgeries such as abdominal surgery, appendectomy, gallbladder removal, colonoscopy, hernia repair, hysterectomy, vasectomy, and more.

MRHC Welcomes Lucas Schwery, New Physical Therapist

The therapy department at Manning Regional Healthcare Center (MRHC) is excited to welcome an additional physical therapist, Lucas Schwery, DPT. Schwery will be joining Taylor Nelson, DPT, in offering physical therapy services to address a variety of impairments including musculoskeletal, neurological, cardiovascular, balance, gait, and post-surgical impairments and injuries.

“I chose to work at MRHC because my wife and I live just outside of Manning. We are looking forward to planting our roots and starting our family here,” said Schwery.

After needing treatment for an ankle injury in high school, Schwery became interested in the physical therapy field.

“My injury inspired me to pursue an athletic training work study job in college,” said Schwery. “It was at this job that I found my passion for helping others return from injury to do the things that they love and achieve their goals. In many cases, physical therapy is a conservative way to improve a variety of our patients’ impairments.”

Signs and symptoms that indicate someone would benefit from physical therapy include any pain associated with the movement of a body part, frequent falls, dizziness, the inability to complete daily activities, and chronic pain.

Schwery grew up in Kimballton and attended Exira EH-K High School. He completed his undergraduate schooling at Morningside College where he worked with the athletic training staff helping provide sideline coverage for athletic events. He then graduated from Briar Cliff University from their Doctor of Physical Therapy program.

To schedule a physical therapy appointment, call (712) 655-8298.

MRHC Welcomes New Physical Therapist

Taylor Nelson, MRHC Physical Therapist

Manning Regional Healthcare Center is excited to welcome new Physical Therapist, Taylor Nelson, PT, DPT. Taylor Nelson, MRHC Physical Therapist

Nelson is an Iowa native, excited to be back working close to home. “My wife and I are originally from Exira. We moved to Maine for about two years and then just recently made our transition back to the area. So, I’m looking forward to starting our family here, getting to know the community and taking the hospital to a new level with PT services,” he shared.

Nelson is a Vestibular Rehabilitation Specialist, which uses an exercise-based program to improve balance and reduce dizziness-related problems. He also specializes in orthopedic type conditions, implementing a multifaceted approach, including hands on and exercise treatments to help patients achieve their rehab goals.

After graduating from Central College in 2015 with a degree in Health and Exercise Science, Nelson obtained his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the University of New England in 2019. He then worked as a physical therapist at Proactive Physical Therapy in Lewiston, Maine for two years.

A knee injury in high school requiring extensive rehab inspired Nelson to pursue a career in physical therapy. “The whole rehab process and having a good experience is what led me to this field. Especially in small towns, we’re kind of limited on how many healthcare professionals we have here. We didn’t really have the option of driving to Omaha or Des Moines for everything, so that’s what made me interested in coming back to this area – just having a place for everyone to receive high-quality, evidence-based care here.”

MRHC Physical therapist helping high school boy exerciseEvidence-based practice includes the integration of best available evidence, clinical expertise, and patient values and circumstances related to patient and client management, practice management, and health policy decision-making, according to the American Physical Therapy Association.

Physical therapy can help those with back, neck, muscle and joint pain, headaches, carpal tunnel syndrome, stroke, sprains and strains, orthopedic or sports related injuries, weakness or loss of motion, body misalignments and more.

MRHC also offers additional rehabilitative services such as occupational and speech therapy. Occupational therapy provides services for people of all ages who, because of illness, injury, developmental, or psychological impairment, need specialized assistance to lead independent, productive, and satisfying lives. Speech therapy can address issues with speaking, reading, listening, writing, thinking, and swallowing.

To schedule a physical therapy appointment at Manning Regional Healthcare Center, call (712) 655-8298.