Occupational therapist keeps families connected in pandemic

Boca Raton resident John Mandile, 57, an occupational therapist, has been helping patients heal at Pinecrest Rehabilitation Hospital in Delray Beach since 2004.

Born in Brooklyn, he is married with two children: a 22-year-old son who is a senior at Florida State University in the undergrad medical program with plans to attend medical school and a 17-year-old daughter who is a high school senior following history and law. She is applying for

Mandile

colleges.

Last September, he was named the winner of the Territory Teammates drive for the Florida Panthers Foundation.

The Florida Panthers surprised 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 over 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.

How long have you been an occupational therapist?

Twenty-two years. My very first paycheck working in occupational therapy was the day my son was born in 1998.

How did you choose this career?

My mother-in-law needed emergency medical therapy in Florida and we flew to Miami from Rockland County where we were living at the time. While at the hospital, I walked through a therapy gym and saw the work therapists were doing with patients.

Returning home from Miami, I researched a therapy career. I switched from landscaping and plant work to therapy.

I was a little uneasy about returning to school to pursue a new career. My major motivation was my wife. She was positive, supportive, and believed in me every step of the way.

After completing my degree, I started my career in OT psychology and returned to school working nights and weekends at Dominican College in Orangeburg, New York. I eventually completed the BS/MS OT program.

Describe occupational therapy.

I work with patients and use their strengths to overcome any of the deficits the injury created. I help them be independent, manage their personal needs and work through a range of deficits, including limited mobility of the body, especially hands and arms, trunk control, and the ability to just hold themselves upright and centered. We work on seated, standing, walking and changing positions.

I teach my patients and their families how to use special equipment and set up their home for a successful recovery. I also teach the patient’s family to help the patient have a safe transition home. Occupational therapy uses every area of a patient’s ability to overcome challenges and return to the highest level of independence.

What patient illnesses do you specialize in treating?

I am on the brain injury

The Florida Panthers surprised winner John Mandile, of Boca Raton, as the winner of the Territory Teammates drive for the individual that made an impact on them. From left are John Mandile, Rori Mandile, Gizmo, Noah Mandile, Meghan Mandile, Linda Arnold and Gary Arnold.

rehab team. I also work with cardiac patients and orthopedic patients. I love connecting with people using their culture and customs. It’s always fun to throw out a Yiddish word during the session and see a patient say, ‘Hey how did you know that?’ It always brings a laugh!

What is your proudest accomplishment?

Becoming an occupational therapist. I feel I can make a difference in the lives of my patients and their families. It’s a great feeling when you can play a part in a person’s life that gives them their own independence and life back. You must believe there is a bigger plan out there.

I’ve had family members

tell me, ‘John, I truly believe it was because of you that my father was so successful.’ We have a wonderful team at Pinecrest, and I couldn’t do it without them.

What are the characteristics of the people you admire the most?

Loyalty, compassion, honesty, hardworking, a passion for what you believe in, being able to listen, keeping family and friendships close.

What else would you like people to know about you?

Working during the pandemic is incredibly challenging, but at least I’m part of helping people get through it. It is important

for me to keep families connected, help people keep the faith and find the ability to motivate them so they see the wellness at the end of the tunnel.

Therapy supervisor Karen Colella said Mandile “provides outstanding patient-centered care.”

“He always works on establishing rapport and finding out what motivates his patients for them to return to their highest level of function,” she said. “We appreciate his dedication to his patients and his profession.”

Dr. Jeffrey Farber said Mandile has “always stood out as a shining star” during over a decade of work Pinecrest/Delray Medical Center.

“In a time where health

care is often criticized as being impersonal, John is anything but,” he said. “In addition to being exceptionally qualified as an occupational therapist, he always goes the extra mile for his patients and tries to get to know them to individualize their care and create a unique therapist-patient bond. So many of his former patients when returning will ask for him by name (my own father being one of them). He truly is a gift and asset to Pinecrest, Delray Medical Center and the Delray Beach community as a whole.”