Thanks for working here this week: Josette Bryngelson, Physical Therapist

Meet Josette Bryngelson, Physical Therapist in Rehabilitation Services. Josette received her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Physical Therapy degree from the University of North Dakota. During her healthcare career Josette has worked in Environmental Services in a long-term care facility, worked for a year as a PT/OT aide for physically and developmentally challenged people, and as a physical therapist for the last 24 years (14 years at CCH). She feels that each job has shaped her into the physical therapist and the person she is today.  

Josette’s grandmother was a nurse who inspired her to work in healthcare.  She would tell stories from her career and Josette thought it was something she could do.

“But life throws challenges at us, my course in life had to shift and nursing turned out not to be my road to travel,’ said Josette. “I entered the field of Physical Therapy and I knew in my heart that this was what I was meant to do. I felt excited and challenged as I went through the program. I felt like this was my way to help people to improve their lives.”

Josette says that everyone who works in the medical field are heroes to have made it through the last two years. Everyone from therapy, environmental services, laundry, nutrition services, nurses, doctors, and all the others not mentioned have struggled to be successful and to provide the best care they could in this new world. She feels that the challenges healthcare workers have overcome have made them stronger and willing to learn and adapt as needed. She says, “we have pulled together in a time of need for ourselves and others and that represents what a true hero is for me.”

The biggest accomplishment for Josette is the ability to assist someone who is so sick and deconditioned to recover. For example, sometimes people can lose their ability to sit, stand, or walk. “The greatest feeling of accomplishment is when I have seen people smile or cry because they are able to sit or takes steps when they thought it was not possible. It’s knowing that for that brief moment I gave someone the ability to strive for something different.”

Josette is proud of her therapy team at CCH. She says, “there is so much experience and knowledge in our department. People are open to sharing and educating each other, which only makes us more successful as a team.”

“To me, Excellence Every Day is the feeling that you get at the end of the day knowing that you have strived to make the hospital experience for staff and patients the best that you could, “said Josette. “It’s knowing that you did everything you could at work and have been successful.” 

Josette’s family and friends are very important to her. When she’s not working, she loves to spend time with them any way she can and for as long as she can. She enjoys camping and four wheeling, and just being outdoors in nice weather. She and her husband like to travel and experience different things in other places. 

Thank you, Josette, for taking great care of our patients every day at Campbell County Health. We appreciate all that you do.