Kathy Strubhart
Residential Program Manager
"I truly appreciate and love what I do. You give what you get, a good attitude can be so contagious."
Kathy Strubhart has set the highest standards and expectations for quality of care that are part of TERI's commitment.
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We asked Kathy a few questions to get to know her better.
What's the most rewarding part of your job?
Learning creative ways to communicate with my non-verbal clients to motivate them to reach goals that will benefit them for the rest of their lives. When my clients learn new living skills, their health improves, or they learn better ways to communicate and you see behavioral issues decrease, it makes me proud and it is rewarding to see all the effort and time invested pay off.
Can you share a recent accomplishment, either at work or in your personal life?
One of my clients had a serious health scare and the doctor's prognosis was negative, they did not have faith that he would accomplish a good or close to full recovery. We proved that doctor wrong. I was able to work with my client almost every day. In addition to his Therapy, we worked hard at relearning skills of all forms for a speedier recovery, making each moment an opportunity for work and improvement. So proud to say, he had an impressive recovery and we had him back home within a couple of months. The doctors, nurses, and therapist stated it was the quickest recovery they'd ever seen in a patient, that started where he had. All the hard work paid off and he is doing amazingly.
What's the best piece of career advice you've ever received?
Do something that you like doing and get someone to pay you to do it.
What's one thing people don't know about you that they would be surprised to find out?
I started at TERI when I was only 17 years old and my plan was for it to be a summer job, here I am 16 years later, it's been a long summer. :-)
How have the clients are residential impacted your life?
My men have impacted my life, my husband's life, and my boy's lives for the better, without even knowing it, without even trying. It is an honor to be the one to care for them and to have them as my family.
Kathy continually promotes the most engaging, richest experiences and lifestyle for the Via Rio clients throughout the years she has been program manager. They are not simply residents; they are family. Her sons have grown up with them, and that love, and connection is evident in every aspect of their home. Kathy has diligently watched over their health and well-being, through illnesses, strokes, and end of life hospice. She has never veered from that path of dedication and has worked to ensure that all who work there understand and conform to those expectations as well. The men of Via Rio have lived full, rich lives filled with fun and love because Kathy has embraced and exemplified that commitment that TERI has pledged to fulfill.
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~ Dona Mara, QA, Purchasing, Theater Arts Advisor, Food Bank Coordinator