Northern Light CA Dean Hospital introduces therapy care in Monson

MONSON — To address the growing need for therapy care close to home, Northern Light CA Dean Hospital announces the addition of speech therapy and pediatric occupational therapy services to the Northern Light Health Center in Monson.

Pediatric occupational therapist Delanie Boone, MSOT, a Greenville native and Greenville Consolidated School graduate, sees pediatric patients of all ages in the health center’s new occupational therapy treatment space.

Boone helps children improve their fine motor skills, learning skills, social and emotional skills, and activities of daily living, such as dressing, eating, and toileting. Many of her patients have developmental disabilities including autism spectrum disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, cerebral palsy, and intellectual disability.

“Early intervention is the key to helping kids excel and prevent them from struggling in their relationships, schoolwork, and home life. The sooner that we start teaching these skills, the easier time these kids will have later in life,” she says.

Boone was drawn to pediatric occupational therapy because therapy has made a big difference in the life of a close family member. Her personal experience has shaped how she approaches care for her patients.

“It’s important to be very open minded and nonjudgmental. I like this to be a safe place for patients where they can have fun, hit their milestones, and prepare to excel in school and at home. I build rapport with their parents as well because it’s a team effort,” she says.

CA Dean Hospital continues to offer pediatric occupational therapy services in Sangerville and Greenville in addition to the new Monson location.

Also new to the Monson Health Center is speech therapy provided by speech language pathologist Jamy Parkhurst, MA, CCC-SLP.

Parkhurst provides a full range of care to children, including outpatient evaluation and treatment for articulation/phonological disorders, language, and fluency (stuttering), as well as outpatient care for adults who are living with or recovering from stroke, head and neck cancer, neurological disease, dysphagia, and cognitive-communication issues.

“I’ve been extremely thankful to work with the people in this community for more than 10 years and I’m excited to continue that work for Northern Light Health. Communication is such a vital part of our lives. We have a great opportunity to meet the needs of those who are struggling, from early intervention to the geriatric population,” says Parkhurst.

She also provides inpatient coverage at CA Dean Hospital and outpatient and inpatient care at Northern Light Mayo Hospital in Dover-Foxcroft.

The Monson Heath Center continues to offer primary care and bone density screening.  Appointments for pediatric occupational therapy, speech therapy, and bone density screening are available through a provider referral. For more information or to schedule a primary care appointment, please call 207-997-2978.