Meet Our Therapists: Celebrating Occupational Therapy Month

04/23/2018

April is Occupational Therapy month and we're celebrating all of our occupational therapists, who help people to feel better and live fuller, more independent lives. Perhaps you've been a patient of one of our therapists yourself, or perhaps one of them is your coworker, neighbor or family member (that's the great thing about community hospitals and health systems - we truly are a community!). Regardless of how you might know them, we're convinced: to know them is to love them!

Regina Ackart MS, OTR/L

Outpatient Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation office at Day Kimball Healthcare Center in Danielson

Regina holds Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Occupational Therapy from Russell Sage College and Sage Graduate School. She did her Master's thesis on Pediatric Visual Perception and has 19 years of occupational therapy experience in multiple settings, including school-based practice, acute inpatient rehabilitation and short-term rehabilitation in local nursing homes in eastern Connecticut and Massachusetts. She has been a part of the DKH team for 17 years, working with Day Kimball's HomeCare division, inpatient therapy at the hospital and now, outpatient therapy in Danielson. Regina's specialized training includes:

Myofascial Release – Training with John Barnes, PT (16 years of practice)
Lymphedema Certification – Cedar Haven Rehabilitation Center, West Bend, WI (15 years of practice)
Nervous System Energy Work – Pathways for Healing: Cleveland, OH (11 years of practice)
Kinesiotaping Practitioner (14 years of experience)
Beginning Somatic Experiencing Techniques (11 years of experience)
Whole Food Plant-Based Nutrition Certification from T. Colling Campbell Center for Nutrition Studies, Cornell University (2016)

Karla Dunphy, COTA (Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant

Day Kimball HomeCare and Hospice & Palliative Care of Northeastern Connecticut

Karla was born in El Salvador and came to the United States in 1980 when she was adopted. She grew up in Sutton, MA and served in the Army from 1995 to 2005. She earned her Associate's degree as an Occupational Therapy Assistant from Quinsigamond Community College in Worcester, MA and worked in skilled nursing facilities for nine years before joining the Day Kimball HomeCare team.

When she's not at work, the mom of two enjoys going to the gym, watching her boys' sporting events and playing a little basketball herself.

Matt Kenney OTR/L

Outpatient Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation office at Day Kimball Healthcare Center in Plainfield

Matt has been an occupational therapist since 1996. He has worked in various settings across the country including skilled nursing facilities, home health, pediatrics, group homes, inpatient and outpatient settings. He graduated with a Bachelor’s degree from the University of New England, and is back in school to earn a Master’s degree in OT at Mount Mary University. He is a certified lymphedema therapist.

Matt has enjoyed working with people from all walks of life and has a passion for the restorative and preventative work that OT provides. He has been with Day Kimball since June of 2016, working in the Plainfield Physical Medicine office. Matt currently lives in Ashford CT, loving the country life in the quiet corner.

Karen LeBeau OTR/L

Inpatient Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Day Kimball Hospital

Karen LeBeau OTR/L first earned her Business Management degree from QVCC in 1991. When her first child was born with a disability she realized what her purpose in life was, to be an Occupational Therapist. Karen pursued her dreams and graduated from the University of Hartford and was the recipient the Aloisi Scholarship Award in 2005, a distinct award that was nominated by the faculty staff. Karen is a member of the National Board Certification of Occupational Therapists.

Karen first joined DKH in 2007 working in the outpatient department. Karen left DKH to grow more diverse experience in her field. She later became part of the Genesis Mentoring Program where she traveled and mentored other Occupational Therapists. She returned to DKH in 2011 and founded the inpatient occupational therapy program. Karen is a member of the Stroke and Joint Committees. She states she is happy with her career move, pleased with the growth in the O.T. program and the increasing awareness of all that occupational therapy has to offer.

Karen has been happily married to her husband Randy for 25 years and has been blessed to have 2 children, Ashley 22 and Michael 19. She is actively involved with the local Special Olympics where she is a head coach for the Q.V. Spirit Squad, the only cheerleading/dance team in the state of Connecticut. Karen serves on the committee for the Special Olympics Talent Showcase where she has helped to raise nearly $50,000 for Special Olympics. Karen enjoys using her O.T. skills to help athletes with disabilities improve overall functioning.

Betsy O’Hayer, OTR/L

Day Kimball HomeCare and Hospice & Palliative Care of Northeastern Connecticut

Betsy O’Hayer is a registered occupational therapist, and has been working for Day Kimball in the Homecare department for the past five years. She has experience in multiple health care settings, including acute and sub-acute care, outpatient, return to work/safe work practice and ergonomics, but finds visiting patients in their homes to be the most gratifying.Betsy attended the University of Hartford (2002) where she earned her bachelor of science in Occupational therapy and holds a psychology minor. She decided to pursue a career in OT because of her love of helping those in need.She lives in Woodstock with her husband and two cats, and enjoys yoga, reading and outdoor activities.