Speech therapist opens practice

Many who utilize services at Gottsche Rehab Center will likely recognize Raegan Stanley, MS, CCC-LP, who was hired at the facility in August of 2016.

Stanley said she was really happy with the facility for some time, but never really felt like part of the team. She left Gottsche, and Thermopolis, and worked as a traveler at the Life Care Center nursing home of Cheyenne for about six weeks, starting July 24.

“I really enjoyed being part of a multi-disciplinary team and having my personal and professional contributions appreciated,” Stanley said of working at the Cheyenne facility, “but I sort of realized I like the small town and I wanted to get back here to a spot where I could really help and make sure people in the community have access to these services.”

She was offered a position in Ten Sleep, and on Sept. 7 began working with the schools there one day a week. The oldest student patient she has is a sophomore, but she does have a lot of kindergartners. She is still working a lot with patients who have dysphagia, dementia and traumatic brain injuries, but of course with the addition of now working with kids. However, she is looking for more adult clientele.

She is working locally with Community Home Health and a local nursing home, and is also working to get something set up through Hot Springs County Memorial Hospital. She sees her outpatients at their homes. It’s been found, she explained, that for patients with dementia, traumatic brain injuries and other cognitive disorders being able to stay in their homes is much less confusing and disorienting.

In addition to providing services through her Big Horn Speech Therapy practice, Stanley has also been working to be more involved with the community, attending town council meetings and recently getting a position on the Big Horn Basin Nature and Discovery Center Board.