Director of Rehabilitation, Fitness and
Occupational Health Services
Kristen Glennon is the Director of Rehabilitation, Fitness and Occupational Health Services for Elliot Health System in Manchester.
Explain your job and what it entails.
I oversee the inpatient (hospital) and outpatient rehab clinics for the health system, as well as our three fitness centers and our occupational health clinic. I help oversee the operations of the clinics, manage budgets, support staff and ensure the departments have what they need to be as successful as possible. I’m also a licensed physical therapist.
How long have you had this job?
I’ve been a physical therapist for 27 years and have been in clinic management for 11 years.
What led you to this career field and your current job?
In high school I knew I wanted to go into medicine … I observed some physical therapists in my hometown and thought it was great to help people get back to their functional independence. I decided to go to school for physical therapy … After many years as a physical therapist in a variety of different settings, I decided to move into the management side of the operations.
What kind of education or training did you need?
When I went to school I received a bachelor’s of science in physical therapy. Nowadays you need a doctorate in physical therapy to become a PT. As part of schooling, students do clinical affiliations at different clinics to get exposure to a variety of clinical settings. And there is a requirement for continuing education throughout your career. As I’m now in management, I am working toward my MBA to further my business training.
What is your typical at-work uniform or attire?
As a physical therapist, you could be wearing scrubs, which is common within the hospital, or business casual attire for outpatient therapy clinics..
What is the most challenging thing about your work, and how do you deal with it?
From a clinical perspective, having a patient that isn’t getting better is definitely the most challenging situation.
What do you wish other people knew about your job?
We love to educate on prevention of injuries. While we’re here to treat the injuries, teaching patients and caregivers how to prevent them is a major part of the work.
What was the first job you ever had?
In the rehab field, my first job was at a sports clinic in Boston when I was a co-op student at Northeastern University. My first job ever was at my hometown movie theater.
What’s the best piece of work-related advice you’ve ever received?
Understand what the patient’s goals are and meet them where they are.
Five favorites
Favorite book: The DaVinci Code
Favorite movie: The Princess Bride
Favorite music: Musicals
Favorite food: Tacos
Favorite thing about NH: How close you are to everything — the mountains, lakes, ocean and cities.
Featured photo: Kristen Glennon. Courtesy photo.
