Jill Gaulke Harlan, CLT

I pursued a career in health care because I have always wanted to help people and work with others. I chose Occupational Therapy because I am able to help people regain their independence with completing daily tasks from a physical, cognitive and psychosocial standpoint. I have also been blessed with being able to learn and obtain specialization in different areas to include lymphedema, vision/perception, burns, manual therapy and neuromuscular reeducation of the upper body.

My goal is to help each one of the patients I work with to improve in his/her function and work with each patient on what is most important to him/her. I also have a goal of being a better Occupational Therapist each day through learning from my patients and fellow therapists. The most rewarding aspect of being an Occupational Therapist for me is seeing the progress (no matter how big or small) each of my patients make. I love seeing my patient's face light up with pride or joy when he/she accomplishes a given task or goal.

I became an Occupational Therapist because I like that the profession focuses on the "job" of living. I always keep this in mind when working with my patients. I feel it is very important to put each patient's needs first, with the focus of my treatment sessions being on what each patient wants to work on/what is important to him/her to improve on.

I am a Certified Lymphedema Therapist (CLT) which involves specialized treatment interventions (Manual Lymph Drainage Massage, Compression treatment of bandaging, pump and/or garments) to promote reduction in edema. I also specialize in Manual Therapy, Neuromuscular Reeducation, Visual/perceptual deficits and working with burn patients.