South Florida Sun-Sentinel Palm Beach (Sunday)
Therapist honored for work in keeping families connected
A Boca Raton man was recently named the winner of the Territory Teammates drive for the Florida Panthers Foundation.
The Florida Panthers surprised winner John Mandile at his home with a custom jersey, four Club Lexus tickets to a future game, a VIP experience and a visit from Stanley C. Panther. His neighbors also were a part of the celebration.
Territory Teammates, launched by the Florida Panthers Foundation in June, received more than 100 nominations and it was narrowed down to five finalists. Panthers fans were asked to vote for their favorite story that made an impact on them.
Mandile, 57, who has been an occupational therapist for more than 16 years in Delray Beach, has been connecting his patients with their loved ones through technology and virtual communications, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I was really meant to be a therapist because I love helping people,” he said. “There’s so many people that need help, and I really enjoy my job. I enjoy helping people and getting them to be successful and independent, and back home feeling like they’re a valued member of society.
“I help people get better, get home safe with their families and that has always been my job,” Mandile said. “Family is very important to people and because of this pandemic patients were separated from their family and visitors, so it was really important to find a connection with the patients and their family. We had to be there in place of the family many times or find a way that they would feel that their family was there every step of the way.”
Like other hospitals across the world, Mandile’s work environment has shifted significantly because of the COVID-19 pandemic, which in turn adds stress to staff, family and patients. The risk of being exposed to the virus is high, despite the many organizational, local and federal protocols put in place to stop the spread.
With visitation hours cut, Mandile works tirelessly to fill the emotional void of family members that would typically be at the patient’s bedside.
“First, we were the teachers, the therapists and the healers…and now we’re the teachers, the therapists, the healers and the family,” he said. “We’re the family of these people. We have to be there for them and give them comfort, support and encouragement.”
Patients have countless stories of Mandile doing something personal for them. He likes adding mediums like music or art to therapy to benefit those he’s helping. Often, he will just talk with a patient about his or her life history and story.
“As the Panthers Foundation, we hope that sharing these stories and bringing light to the good that is being done in our community can bring a smile to our Panthers family and encourage kindness throughout Panthers Territory,” said John Colombo, senior director of Florida Panthers Foundation and community relations.
It’s no secret that Mandile has impacted many who have come through the hospital doors, but he took a specific interest in the case of an older couple who had never spent a night apart from one another.
The pair had been together for 68 years when the wife came into Pinecrest Rehabilitation.
“They were always together,” he said.
Knowing the emotional toll the separation would take, Mandile sprang into action and arranged for the couple to video chat with smartphones and other devices.
“I am happy to be the guy to help them,” he said. “I am lucky enough to be the guy who can help people and change lives.”
Mandile said he was humbled to receive the award.
“It’s just me,” he said. “I am not a fireman or a policeman. I am not a surgeon that saves somebody’s life or a drowning kid. There are so many people going forward and stopping their lives, making sacrifices, and those people are wonderful.
“I was very surprised. We have been a hockey family for a long time. We moved to Florida and I thought my son would play baseball, or swim or tennis, or whatever you do in Florida, and he plays ice hockey.”
The family moved to Boca Raton 15 years ago and they started their son, Noah, with Stanley C. Learn to Skate and he progressed to the point where he played for the Junior Panthers and was a team captain in his final year. He played ice hockey from the fourth grade through high school.
“John works really hard. You can’t imagine all of the cards he gets from the patients that try and stay in touch with him,” said his wife, Rori. “We are huge hockey fans so for this recognition to come from the Panthers, it is such an amazing reward for him.”
The other finalists included Pamela Ludwick, director of high school and adult programs for Connections Education Center of the Palm Beaches, which serves students on the autism spectrum; Trinity Ward, a volunteer with the Salvation Army; Anne Weinstein, who sewed thousands of masks for front line workers; and Crystal Wimmer, a registered nurse with Broward Health Medical Center.
Danielle Jacobs, foundation coordinator for the Panthers, said all of the finalists contributed much to the community.
“Everyone who was nominated was absolutely amazing during this time,” she said. “They have given back to the community in such tremendous ways.”