Powder River Examiner -

Kylie Randall is the new Occupational Therapist in Broadus. Kylie was hired by the county recently, and will work alongside Physical Therapists Kristy Elgin and Rhonda Rosencranz at the Powder River Physical Therapy Office, located in the north wing of the Manor.

Randall is originally from Bozeman, and graduated with a Bachelor's degree from MSU-Bozeman. She then went on to receive her Masters in Occupational Therapy at the University of Mary, performing her clinical work at Bridger Orthopedic in Bozeman.

MSU Bobcat Football has played an important part in Kylie's life over the years, and ultimately was at least partially responsible for her move to Broadus. At a Cat's game several years ago, Kylie met her future husband, Ross Randall of Broadus. Ross was a Cat's fan from way back, and the two young fans bonded instantly. They married in a ceremony this summer. As an aside, the 119th Annual Brawl of the Wild football game takes place this weekend, between MSU and U of M.

Kylie had always wanted to work in rural Montana, and when the opportunity for an Occupational Therapist in Broadus arose, she jumped at the chance.

An Occupational Therapist is different than a Physical Therapist in that the OT works to improve a client's ability to perform tasks in daily life, while a PT works to improve functional movement. A Physical Therapist helps a patient to get up and walk to the door, an Occupational Therapist helps that patient to turn the door knob.

Randall works with all members of the community, from those elderly residents at the Manor who may have suffered a stroke, to ranchers who were leveled by a mad bull and mangled the use of their hand, an office worker stricken with carpal tunnel syndrome, and even school children who have developmental issues which can be cured by her services.

Randall demonstrates some of her Occupational Therapy techniques on Manor CNA Leslie Jo Earley.

For example, with Manor residents, Randall may work with the patient to help them be able to dress or bathe themselves. The stove up rancher may receive therapy in order to help him pick up a fork to eat a beef steak cut from the bull who trompled him. Kylie may work with the office worker to help them type without pain. The young student may receive instruction in fine motor coordination to help write with a pencil, or a special education student who has problems with overstimulation may receive sensory integration strategies to help handle loud noises and bright lights.

Kylie spoke of her new position: "I'm excited to be here. There's a lot of different things we are able to do to help improve people's quality of living through Occupational Therapy. I encourage anyone interested to come in or give us a call and see how we might be able to help you out. I'm completely open to questions."

For those looking for Kylie's help, she is available at 436-2872. Self referrals are available, and the office is willing to work with a patient's insurance in order to provide the care necessary so that a patient is able to return to living a fullfilling and healthy life.

In addition, Powder River Physical Therapy is looking for suggestions on a new name, especially now with the addition of Kylie as an Occupational Therapist.