Winn Parish Medical Center physical therapist Tiffany Camp Waters spoke to the Kiwanis Club on Tuesday, April 28, highlighting nearly three decades of service to the community.

Waters, who earned a degree in kinesiology from Louisiana Tech University before attending physical therapy school at LSU Shreveport, has been with the medical center for 27 years. Since graduating in 1998, she has worked at the Specialty Clinic, primarily focusing on outpatient care while also providing inpatient services for acute care patients and home health visits.

During her presentation, Waters emphasized the importance of staying active, noting that for every day a patient spends in the hospital, it typically takes a week to regain the lost strength.

The Specialty Clinic treats a broad range of conditions, including recovery from joint replacements, strokes, sports injuries, and spinal cord injuries. Waters also works with patients suffering from musculoskeletal disorders, fibromyalgia, and TMJ. Because the clinic does not currently have an occupational therapist, Waters is trained to treat upper-body issues involving the hands and shoulders.

Waters also discussed several key aspects of modern therapy:

• Pre-surgery therapy: A newer approach focused on strengthening patients before a procedure to reduce post-operative recovery time.

• Balance therapy: Waters demonstrated techniques used to help patients improve stability and prevent falls.

• Adaptive equipment: She showcased various tools available to assist the elderly population in maintaining independence.

• Home programs: Patients receive specialized routines to continue their progress during and after their formal clinical sessions.

As a hospital employee, Waters requires a doctor’s order for her services. She operates with a team of four at the Specialty Clinic, including a licensed physical therapist assistant, a receptionist, and a physical therapy tech with more than 20 years of experience.

Waters noted that those interested in entering the field as a physical therapist assistant can pursue two-year degrees at Louisiana Christian University or Bossier Parish Community College. Additionally, the University of Louisiana at Monroe is graduating its first class in the field this year.

On a personal note, Waters shared that her daughter is currently in medical school and plans to practice in a rural community.