Each month All Care will be surveying one employee to spotlight their interests, abilities, and professional growth. For our first Spotlight, we sat down with Bob Ford, VP of VNA Clinical Services.
What made you become a physical therapist initially?
When I was in high school, I hurt my knee in a skiing accident and needed physical therapy. It was getting to be that time when I had to apply to colleges and figure out what I wanted to do, being a physical therapist seemed like a good fit; it seemed fun and used a lot of science and math which were strong subjects for me.
What brought you to All Care?
I knew about All Care, I knew it was a strong organization. Honestly, I thought applying might be a reach but I wanted to give it a shot, there was no room for growth and advancement where I was and this was an opportunity I didn’t want to pass up. I felt that I had been advancing in my career in the right direction, I had proven success managing multiple teams and I thought it was translate well into this position, which, luckily, so did All Care, and it has; it couldn’t have worked out better.
In your opinion, what is the most rewarding aspect of working in healthcare?
As a PT, the best part for me is to help get a patient back to better than where they were (or better) prior to their injury or hospitalization.
What made you make the transition to clinician in the field to an administrative role?
Well, most notably, family responsibilities made working in the office more appealing, with a set schedule. But more importantly, in the field, you can help the patients you see, you only have control over your own personal patients. I wanted to have a greater impact on a greater number of people. I went from being responsible for 60 patients to 682 patients across the entire VNA. The steps and actions I take in my administrative role have direct results on employees and their patients care as well as patent satisfaction, which makes it worth it to me.
In your opinion, what is the best part about working at and for All Care?
Really the entire mindset of the organization, you can tell that All Care truly cares for and about its employees. It’s the little things that make a difference, the employee engagement and appreciation. The raffles, events, parties, and employee benefits are all examples of how All Care goes above and beyond your average employer to take care of its staff.
What is the best advice you have ever gotten?
When I was a kid my grandfather caught me doing something I shouldn’t have been doing and he told me, “Be man enough to take responsibility for your actions [good or bad]” and that has had the most last impact on me
What is the best advice you have ever given?
Take responsibility for your failures and take time to celebrate your successes.
What plays in your car?
In the morning it’s all about the sports talk radio and in the afternoon Pandora. Right now I’m into the funkadelic station, I love George Clinton!
What do you never leave the house without?
My iPhone! I don’t even get out of bed without it going into the pocket of my robe!
If you could choose your last meal, what would it be?
Probably a cheeseburger with lettuce, tomato, coleslaw and a pickle. With a Sonte IPA and an M&M cookie from Periwinkles
What is something about you that might surprise your coworkers when they read it?
Maybe that my ringtone for my wife is Tupac and Dr. Dre’s “California Love?”
Bob grew up in Connecticut and attended Northeastern University. He currently resides in Stoneham with his wife and their three boys, ages 10, 8, and 5.