Spotlight Saturday at Laurel Brook Features: Leslie Blei

It’s Spotlight Saturday and we recently had the opportunity to sit with our very own PT Rehab Director, Leslie Blei. We invite you to get to know Leslie more by reading her interview below:

Q. How many years have you been a Physical Therapist?
A. I have been a Physical Therapist for nine years.
Q. What made you become a physical therapist?
A. When I was three years old, my father had a stroke which he then became a quadriplegic and was unable to communicate. His therapists allowed me to help them during his physical therapy sessions. It was this time that I spent with him at his side, that really made me feel that a career as a Physical Therapist would really allow me to play an important part in the recovery of others.
Q. Before working at Laurel Brook, what was the most unusual or job you’ve ever had?
A. Many may not know this about me but I make an incredible Whopper, from my times working at Burger King on the Whopper Board.
Q. How did you first learn about Laurel Brook?
A. I first learned by looking at jobs on Indeed.com and read articles over the internet about the facility.
Q. How do you balance your career and family life?
A. Making time for both is definitely a priority of mine. Being a wife and proud mom, I always make time to spend with my five-year-old son, Michael or “Mikey” as we call him when I come home from work. I really enjoy playing games with him. For work, I really do my best to work as efficiently and diligently during my time here and if needed I wait until after he goes to bed to catch up on any outlying items.
Q. What are 3 words to describe Laurel Brook?
A. Supportive, patient-centered, and fun. (That’s the best part)
Q. What have you gained from working at Laurel Brook?
A. I have gained a second family here at Laurel Brook.
Q. What is your proudest moment at Laurel Brook?
A. Anytime I get to see patients graduate from rehab and return home is a GREAT day! But a second proudest moment would be winning the Reliant Director of Rehab (DOR) Care Matters Award. I was the selected amongst 200 other facilities for growing my team from four to fifteen team members, achieving a 4.6 out of 5.0 rating in customer service, standardizing assessments, and having a graduation board.
Q. What is one thing your co-workers don’t know about you?
A. One thing they may not know is that I married my next door neighbor. We started dating in college and have been together ever since.
Q. What do you like to do for fun outside of work?
A. I love watching my son play in his recreation sports leagues. Especially enjoy being a proud hockey mom.
Q. What is your favorite movie?
A. My favorite movie is Men of Honor.