Sonja Kiseljak-Dusenbury DPT, MBA
Downey,CA
Summary
As a strong leader and problem-solver, I am dedicated to finding ways to streamline operations and decrease costs while promoting organizational efficiency. I pride myself in my independent decision-making and problem-solving skills, which positively impact Los Angeles community with different neurologic diagnosis and disabilities. I am an encouraging manager with a talent for team building, leading, and motivating others. My excellent customer relations aptitude and relationship-building skills allow me to foster positive connections within the workplace. I am committed to applying my training, monitoring, and morale-building abilities to enhance workforce members engagement and boost performance.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Director – Health and Wellness Services Rancho Los Amigos
Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center
2009.04 - Current
- • H.I.M.M. project design, implementation, logistic, and management
• G.R.O.W. project design, implementation, logistic, and management
• DHS Health Education logistics manager
• Chair DKWC Advisory Board
• Co-Chair LA Health Portal Rancho Committee
• Co-Chair PT Department Promotions Subcommittee
• Serving on DHS LA Health Portal Adoption Champions
• Serving on Rancho Employee Engagement and Workforce Wellbeing
Hospital
• Managing and supervising Aquatic Therapy outpatient and inpatient physical, occupational, and recreation therapy programs
• Serving on Rancho Rehab Council Committee
• Served as a co-chair on Rancho Rehab Council Communication Subcommittee
• Served on Access and Communication hospital wide strategic areas
• Implemented outcome measures to track utilization and efficiency of aquatic therapy appointments.
• Developed and implemented standing frame program, FES ergometry program, robotic program, and ICARE elliptical program in Wellness Center setting.
• Implemented outcome measures to track utilization, customer satisfaction, and progress of Wellness Center services and programs.
• Managed the development and implementation of Aquatic Therapy Policies & Procedures.
• Participated in obtaining state license for the Aquatic Therapy Program.
• Managing Wellness Center staff and operations
• Developed Wellness Center strategic plan
• Developed Wellness Center marketing strategies
• Developed Wellness Center social media presence
• Initiated and participated in implementation in Triage and Phone Triage appointments in outpatient PT
• Serving and participating in patient care of Multidisciplinary Pain Management Team
• Initiated and established collaboration with CSLA undergraduate student for DKWC programming
• Established collaboration with CSLB nursing students for DKWC programming
• Managed development and implementation of Aquatic Therapy Program
• Providing patient care in outpatient physical therapy setting
• Served on Vestibular and Balance Program development team
• Serving on Rancho Wellness Center Advisory Board
• Served on DRWC Executive Board
• Managed physical therapy students
• Developed and implementing of Wellness Center and business plan
• Developed of Rancho Integrative Holistic Medicine Program
• Provided group and private Pilates classes as part of the Rancho Wellness Center
• Lead Vestibular Support Group
• Managed physical therapy volunteers
• Developed Knee Class exercise grid for outpatient arthritis class
Physical Therapist
Rancho Research Institute
2014.07 - Current
- PI – G.R.O.W project. Craig H. Neilson Foundation - Grant recipient
- Assessed patient needs through physical exams and evaluations to develop personalized exoskeleton Indego program.
- Wellness Center Pilates Instructor
Per-diem staff physical therapist
Orangegrove Rehabilitation Hospital
2009.03 - 2009.04
- Planned and administered range of treatments and therapeutic exercise programs involving active and passive ranges of motion and muscle reeducation.
- Exhibited courtesy, compassion and respect to patients, families, caregivers, visitors, physicians, administrators and co-workers.
- Supervised clinical students, certified and licensed assistants, technicians, and volunteers.
- Tested and measured patients' strength, motor development and function, sensory perception, functional capacity and respiratory and circulatory efficiency.
- Observed patient safety, risk management, and infection control policies and procedures.
- Educated patients and family members regarding diagnosis, injury prevention, and therapeutic treatments.
- Treated each patient according to written plan of care to meet predetermined goals.
Staff Physical Therapist
Balance Rehabilitation Inc
2004.09 - 2009.03
- Planned and administered range of treatments and therapeutic exercise programs involving active and passive ranges of motion and muscle reeducation.
- Exhibited courtesy, compassion and respect to patients, families, caregivers, visitors, physicians, administrators and co-workers.
- Treated each patient according to written plan of care to meet predetermined goals.
- Supervised clinical students, certified and licensed assistants, technicians, and volunteers.
- Tested and measured patients' strength, motor development and function, sensory perception, functional capacity and respiratory and circulatory efficiency.
- Observed patient safety, risk management, and infection control policies and procedures.
- Evaluated and treated chronic and acute pain, disc prolapse and neuropathies.
- Conducted clinical assessment and evaluation to determine patient needs.
- Educated patients and family members regarding diagnosis, injury prevention, and therapeutic treatments.
- Recorded patient prognosis, treatment and responses into reports and patient charts.
- Managed acute and chronic conditions with full understanding regarding complex therapy needs.
- Evaluated physician referrals and determined appropriate evaluation procedures according to patient needs and medical history.
- Managed high-volume caseload and organized daily schedules of assistants and patients.
Education
Healthcare Executive MBA -
University of California Irvine
Irvine, CA01.2016
DPT, Physical Therapy -
Loma Linda University
Loma Linda, CA01.2004
B.A. Biology and Athletic Training -
Bethany College
Lindsborg, KS01.2001
Skills
Project Management
Project Coordination
Logistics Management
Operations Management
Staff Development
Staff Management
Professional Presentations
- Sonja Kiseljak-Dusenbury DPT, MBA, Lisa Haubert, 2nd Sara J Mulroy Spinal Injury Symposium at Rancho Los Amigos, Nutrition, Fitness, and Weight Management as contributors to quality of life, Downey, CA, 2024
- Sonja Kiseljak-Dusenbury DPT, MBA, Sara Mulroy PhD, PT, Phil Requejo PhD, Health and Wellness Pre-Program Development and Beta Testing for Aging Persons with Spinal Cord Injury, American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting, Boston, MA, 2024
- Sonja Kiseljak-Dusenbury, PT, DPT, MBA, Rebecca Lewthwaite, PhD, Lilli Thompson, PT, DPT, NCS, Jennifer Shah, PT, DPT, NCS, Megan Russell, PT, DPT, NCS, Andrew Myler, PT, DPT, NCS, and Edith Antiles, Impact of an inpatient Aquatic Physical Therapy program on rehabilitation outcomes, American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting, Virtual Format, 2021
- Sonja Kiseljak-Dusenbury DPT, MBA, Sara Mulroy PhD, PT, The Impact of Gender on Wellness Center Participation and outcomes in Persons with Disabilities, American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting, Denver, CO, 2020
- Sonja Kiseljak-Dusenbury DPT, MBA, Aquatic Therapy Now and Then Part II, Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center, Downey, CA, 2019
- Julie Kasayama DPT, Sonja Kiseljak-Dusenbury DPT, MBA, Rebecca Lewthwaite PhD, Susan Shaw MD, Intensive robotic-assisted therapy over 2 consecutive “Robocamps” is associated with walking benefits for an adolescent with right cerebral hemispherectormy: A Case Report, American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting, New Orleans, LA, 2018
- Sonja Kiseljak-Dusenbury DPT, MBA, William Alvarenga DPT, Teresa Bisson DPT, A high-intensity, periodic model of traditional and robotic therapy for an adolescent with left hemispherectomy: A Case Report, American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting, San Antonio, TX, 2017
- Sonja Kiseljak-Dusenbury DPT, MBA, Cuba: UC Irvine MBA International Residential Lecture Series, Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center, Downey, CA, 2016
- Sonja Kiseljak-Dusenbury DPT, MBA, Smart Balance Master: The Basic, Educational Lecture Series, Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center, Downey, CA, 2011
- Sonja Kiseljak-Dusenbury DPT, MBA, TBI and dizziness, Educational Lecture Series, Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center, Downey, CA, 2009
- Sonja Kiseljak-Dusenbury DPT, MBA, PT and ALS, Guest Lecture, The ALS Association of Orange County, Tustin, CA, 2007
Awards
Los Angeles County Commendation in recognition of dedicated service to the affairs of the Los Angeles County community, Downey, 2021
APTA, The Global Health SIG award for work in Social Responsibility, CSM Denver, CO, 2020
Department of Health Service, Los Angeles County Innovation Grant Award for Integrative Holistic Medicine Program, Los Angeles, CA, 2012
Fred B. Moor Award in Recognition of Outstanding Clinical Performance, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, 2004
Languages
Croatian
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Physical Therapist
Rancho Research Institute
2014.07 - Current
Director – Health and Wellness Services Rancho Los Amigos
Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center
2009.04 - Current
Per-diem staff physical therapist
Orangegrove Rehabilitation Hospital
2009.03 - 2009.04
Staff Physical Therapist
Balance Rehabilitation Inc
2004.09 - 2009.03
Healthcare Executive MBA -
University of California Irvine
DPT, Physical Therapy -
Loma Linda University
B.A. Biology and Athletic Training -
Bethany College
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