Mary Beth Gabriel - One-Third of My Life
Mary Beth Gabriel, PT DPT
Regional Clinical Director of Therapy
One-Third of My Life
I am quickly approaching my 10-year anniversary with Advantage. A milestone for me, as I am in my 30s and a third of my life has been dedicated to working with Advantage. My career has been dynamic since day one. I started with the company in 2007, a few months after graduating from Saint Francis, working with AdvantageCare Rehabilitation at Saint Andrews. I had a wonderful mentor who helped me transition into a management position as he was preparing to leave for a new opportunity. You might be asking, what was I thinking? I was only a therapist for a little over a year.. who knows! I love adventure, responsibility and change. My team of 10 therapists at a 131 bed SNF connected to an independent and assisted living center worked together to excel in the rehab community. Soon, I was pregnant and asked to return to a staff therapist after my maternity leave. Advantage, willing to work with me, honored my request.
Another year quickly went by, although this one was a hard year. We lost our contract. Any employee knows the fear of the potential of losing your job even if you work your hardest. Sometimes it's all about the money and out of our control. But have no fear, Advantage was there! I was relocated to another one of their facilities. As my children grew, I was able to return to a DOR again at Maple Winds. A quaint facility in Portage with employees who has worked together for years and welcomed me into their team. I am sad to say, we lost that contract. But Advantage was there again! Amy had opened a new Home Health office at the time, where she graciously transitioned every employee to the new office to ensure no one would lose a beat. Every hand was on deck! Starting a new company was hard work. Moving equipment, setting up an office, marketing, exercise groups, advocating for patients.. what ever you can think of, we did it, and everyone helped out! Titles did not matter, we were a team. I will not lie, it was a rocky start trying to make our way through the storm of finding the "right" team and building the Advantage name. Over the next few years, Advantage was willing to support my career development as I worked my way up the ladder from staff therapists, to director of therapy to my current title of Regional Director.
I have been supported through the years by Amy and Bill. I am proud to say I am able to have direction and communication with our owners, which is so uncommon as we see larger and larger companies try to saturate the healthcare market! I have been able to meet so many wonderful people along my journey and I look forward to continuing to rise above the turmoil of the ever-changing healthcare scene. I welcome new Advantage employees and say thank you to all the team members I have had the pleasure to work with and who have helped me over the past 10 years. I look forward to another 10+ years with Advantage.
Why did I share my story? I wanted everyone to know growth in the company is always occurring and growth in your professional development is a possibility for you, too! Share your dreams! Advantage is here to support and help you.
So, what's your story? I would love to read it!
Another year quickly went by, although this one was a hard year. We lost our contract. Any employee knows the fear of the potential of losing your job even if you work your hardest. Sometimes it's all about the money and out of our control. But have no fear, Advantage was there! I was relocated to another one of their facilities. As my children grew, I was able to return to a DOR again at Maple Winds. A quaint facility in Portage with employees who has worked together for years and welcomed me into their team. I am sad to say, we lost that contract. But Advantage was there again! Amy had opened a new Home Health office at the time, where she graciously transitioned every employee to the new office to ensure no one would lose a beat. Every hand was on deck! Starting a new company was hard work. Moving equipment, setting up an office, marketing, exercise groups, advocating for patients.. what ever you can think of, we did it, and everyone helped out! Titles did not matter, we were a team. I will not lie, it was a rocky start trying to make our way through the storm of finding the "right" team and building the Advantage name. Over the next few years, Advantage was willing to support my career development as I worked my way up the ladder from staff therapists, to director of therapy to my current title of Regional Director.
I have been supported through the years by Amy and Bill. I am proud to say I am able to have direction and communication with our owners, which is so uncommon as we see larger and larger companies try to saturate the healthcare market! I have been able to meet so many wonderful people along my journey and I look forward to continuing to rise above the turmoil of the ever-changing healthcare scene. I welcome new Advantage employees and say thank you to all the team members I have had the pleasure to work with and who have helped me over the past 10 years. I look forward to another 10+ years with Advantage.
Why did I share my story? I wanted everyone to know growth in the company is always occurring and growth in your professional development is a possibility for you, too! Share your dreams! Advantage is here to support and help you.
So, what's your story? I would love to read it!
Meet Mary Beth Gabriel
Mary Beth graduated from Physical Therapy school at Saint Francis in May 2007. She works full-time for Advantage and has been since a few months after graduation. She is a loving wife and mother to three beautiful children. She is proud to be part of the Advantage team!
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