Introducing Acute Conversations: How to not be Fly on the Wall and Contribute to the Conversation

Leo Arguelles is a physical therapist and educator at University of Illinois Chicago and Ashley Poole is a physical therapist and educator at Duke University. They have come together across time zones to build a space for conversation and support for other acute care therapists. Acute Conversations is the official podcast of APTA Acute Care and we welcome you to the official launch to join the conversation.

Episode Takeaways

What to expect from this podcast
The importance of connection within our profession
How to connect with us and subscribe!!!

Three Questions

Most Memorable Moment of your career?
1. Leo “I’ve had plenty. The biggest was probably getting a 200+ serbian grandfather taking some steps when no one was willing to try because others were too afraid to get him moving and or give him an opportunity to try standing. I remember saying to myself, I can get this guy walking if I can just get him in the right environment. I brought rehab to him and get him to take his fist steps when created a positive feedback loop for him to keep participating in PT. Later I come to find out he is the relative of one of my good childhood friends whose wedding I attended years ago.”
2. Ashley “- Achieving my board-certified clinical specialist status
  – Landing my first job in academia at one of the leading DPT programs in the country
  – Receiving the Merit Award from the Academy of Cardiovascular & Pulmonary Physical Therapy (this will be at CSM 2023)”
What made your chose acute care and/or your profession?
1. Leo “I grew up exposed to hospitals. My mother was a NICU nurse for 30 years, which led to hospital volunteer opportunities in highschool. I volunteered at what was formerly known as RIC, now shirley Ryan ability lab, in highschool. I knew early on I wanted to work in healthcare, and PT seemed a perfect fit with my experience in sports and martial arts. After my clinical rotation at Swedish Covenant hospital in Chicago’s north side, I was hooked. Being the fist PT to initiate mobility has always been an inspiration for me.”
2. “I initially wanted to be a medical doctor but switched to physical therapy after a high school mentorship program where I spent time with various PTs. I realized that PTs spend more time with their patients, develop stronger relationships, and do not accumulate as much college debt. It was a win-win.
  I have worked in ALL settings (SNF, OP, IRF, HH, & acute). So my decision to work in acute care was well-informed after many years of experimenting and dabbling. Acute care excites me for so many reasons. It is rewarding to help patients in their most vulnerable times and to potentially be a patient’s first introduction to physical therapy. My passion is critical care and patients with complex medical needs, likely because of my previous interest in medicine. I also really enjoy the unpredictability of acute care, the fast pace, the team environment, and the flexible schedule.”
What has been the funniest moment working in Acute Care?
1. Leo “There was a felician sisters convent near the hospital I worked at. My old high school librarian actually lived there. Very often we would have injured and infirmed nuns come into the hospital. After I would evaluate the nuns, I would tell them the OT or the PTA that was going to work with them later was interested in a vocation to religious life. Those nuns, no matter how sick they were, became sharks detecting blood. They had lots of questions for my co-workers!”
2. Ashley ” It was VERY difficult to disconnect the oxygen cannulas from the wall in one ICU where I worked. Once, I had to pull so hard that I banged my head on a table and fell into the patient’s recliner chair. The patient did not even notice.”