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Taking care of your Loved One Is What We Do BEST!

It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always

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Home Care In Joseph, UT

Home Care Joseph, UT

They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.

However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic The Old Fort Historic Marker gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.

Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Joseph, UT is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.

 In-Home Care Joseph, UT

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The Always Best Care Difference

Since 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.

Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.

The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.

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TESTIMONIALS

“MUST READ!! This is the best company to hire for your loved ones who need ongoing caregiver and companion services. Very thoughtful and experienced caregivers and admin staff who care deeply about the details and about customer satisfaction. Brent and Lea have been incredibly supportive and flexible, and caregivers Aarylyn, Sabrina, Lydia, and Hailie have been accommodating, patient, professional and safe. They regularly take my loved one on outings in the community to help her claim her independance and have become a vital part of her healthcare and happiness. LOVE THIS PLACE!!”

Jackie J.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I am a caregiver with ABC, and I am so happy with the company!! They are so flexible and understanding with my schedule:) such genuine people and the clients are amazing!! They truly embody the name of the company... Not just for the clients but also for their employees???? it makes for an amazing place to work ????”

Rebecca E.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I am a current client of this provider I have Always Best Care Serving Southern Utah for my husband. We got somebody coming in to help. The caregivers are good. They provide total a.m. care help like getting up and getting dressed. We have different ones and so they're trying to get us some steady people coming in. The scheduling is a little bit hard right now. The care has been good, though.”

Loretta
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TESTIMONIALS

“I am a current client of this provider I have Always Best Care Serving Southern Utah for my husband. We got somebody coming in to help. The caregivers are good. They provide total a.m. care help like getting up and getting dressed. We have different ones and so they're trying to get us some steady people coming in. The scheduling is a little bit hard right now. The care has been good, though.”

Loretta
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TESTIMONIALS

“Absolutely the best company here in St George! The care goes above and beyond what any family could ever ask for when handling care. They only have the best of the best caregivers that love to help! Their training and communication is top notch. Love this company! I refer all my friends and family! Couldn’t be more proud of an exceptional company!”

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TESTIMONIALS

“i’ve been working for ABC for about 6 months now & love it! they’re super flexible & have true love & passion for helping others!”

lydia T.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I've been with ABC 3 years now. They have been gracious and kind whenever I have had to change my schedule or not be able to work a shift. They make me feel like family, and they strive to help the clients feel the same. We love our clients, caregivers and staff.”

TheXploringKay O.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Love working here! Brent and lea are so sweet and understanding towards everyone! They work very hard! Great pay and amazing communication!”

aaralyn G.
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TESTIMONIALS

“This is a great company to work for if you’re interested in a flexible schedule. Management is so supportive and will do what they can to make everyday at work a good day. They communicate effectively and quickly to ensure nothing is miscommunicated or misunderstood. Working here as been so rewarding and educational.”

Mckinlye G.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Always Best Care of Southern Ut is a great company. In November I will have worked with them for three years. I am a senior myself and absolutely love working with them. They always try to make sure the client and the caregiver have a good relationship with each other. They are family owned and genuinely care about both client and employees.”

Helen M.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I work for Always Best Care and it's amazing they really do care for their clients and they'll go the extra mile to meet their needs ! Not only that but they care for employees i love the flexibility they give us.”

Aly T.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Always Best Care has definitely been a blessing to our little familys life. As an employer of ABC they have been amazing with flexibility in chosing my schedule so that not only am I able to work but also be home with my kids when I need to be. They are amazing and put their employees first. I love being a member of ABC team.”

Falelua A.
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TESTIMONIALS

“1. Stay active. Exercise may be the last thing you want to do when your arthritis hurts, but many studies show that physical activity is one of the best ways to improve your quality of life. 2. Eat a balanced diet. Studies show that a variety of nutrients may help ease arthritis symptoms. 3. Lose weight. Being overweight puts undue strain on weight-bearing joints such as your knees, spine, hips, ankles, and feet. 5. Use hot or cold packs. By increasing blood flow, hot compresses can ease pain and stiffness. 6. Keep pain under control. Over-the-counter medications can help ease arthritis pain. 7. Talk to your doctor about supplements and complementary medicine. Many supplements have been tested for the treatment of arthritis. 8. Try splints, braces, and other aids. Devices that support painful joints, such as splints, braces, and canes can help ease your discomfort and prevent injury. 9. Seek support. Living with arthritis isn’t easy. Finding other people that you can talk to and share ideas with can help. Check out arthritis support groups online or in your area. 10. Stay positive. Your mental outlook can have a big impact on how you feel, and how well you function. #SelfCare #Osteoarthritis #Arthritis #Disability #GoodHealth #PainRelief #SeniorCommunity #Caregiver #Caregiving #WECANHELP #OlderAdult #SeniorCare #SeniorLiving #SeniorServices #SeniorHousing #AlwaysBestCare #Exercise #SelfManaging #Tips”

Always B.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Always Best Care has some of the friendliest staff. They are quick to learn & eager to assist. Great schedulers who are on top of managing the schedules & keeping their employees accountable. I sure appreciate all the help they give!”

AsAn
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TESTIMONIALS

“Always Best Care has some of the friendliest staff. They are quick to learn & eager to assist. Great schedulers who are on top of managing the schedules & keeping their employees accountable. I sure appreciate all the help they give!”

Audrey S.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I can leave a long review if I wanted to . I can talk about always best cares credentials and talk about mine. But What’s the point of leaving a review if it sounds like everybody else’s. The bottom line is , that they are great at their jobs from the bottom to the top. They have a process and people in place . They keep accountability and are communicative . Ive represented many companies in the past and still do till this day contract with only the best.. If you feel you want to hear more about this company on a deeper level just lmk. Happy Healthy Safe”

Jay R.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I like working for ABC because it works well with my busy nursing school schedule! I also like how I get to work on my own, but there are options to work with other CNAs for the care of some of the clients. It’s the best of both worlds! I’ve been with Always best care since 2021 and have thoroughly enjoyed working with the clients I work with!”

Olivia S.
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“Love always best care ❤️”

Breezy H.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Amazing business. Staff are helpful and kind.”

Margot K.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Always Best Care is always best!!! Highly recommended! Brent listens and hears what we need for my 94 year old mom and matches caregivers accordingly. Sometimes, the schedule changes and he works to fill the needs immediately and always with a great attitude! The caregivers are compassionate. Again, I highly recommend Always Best Care.”

shell S.
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TESTIMONIALS

“They are seriously so amazing to work with and really care for their clients. I came to them with some pretty difficult challenges that I was not sure we could work with but they were able to make it happen and truly did more than I thought was even possible. I highly recommend them.”

Mandy M.
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“Love working for this company”

Christina P.
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“Great to work with, caring, compassionate and willing to work with different situations! They take time to understand needs to accommodate the best way to help! They are trustworthy, dependable and a business you can count on!!????”

M S.

What is Non-Medical Senior Care in Joseph, UT?

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Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.

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When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.

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The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.

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At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.

 Senior Care Joseph, UT

Types of Elderly Care in Joseph, UT

To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:

Personal Care

Personal Care Services

If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.

Common personal care services include assistance with:

  • Eating
  • Mobility Issues
  • Incontinence
  • Bathing
  • Dressing
  • Grooming

Respite Care Joseph, UT
Home Helper

Home Helper Services

Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.

Common home helper care services include assistance with:

  • Medication Reminders
  • Meal Preparation
  • Pet Care
  • Prescription Refills
  • Morning Wake-Up
  • Walking
  • Reading
 Caregivers Joseph, UT
Companionship Services

Companionship Services

Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Joseph City Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.

Common companionship services include:

  • Grocery Shopping
  • Transportation to Appointments
  • Nutritional Assistance
  • Conversation
  • Planning Outings
  • Completing Errands
  • Transportation to Community
  • Events and Social Outings
Home Care Joseph, UT
Respite Care

Respite Care Services

According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Embers Brewhouse or visit Jeppson-Reeder House, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.

At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.

If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.

 In-Home Care Joseph, UT

Benefits of Home Care in Joseph, UT

Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:

Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.

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Aging in Place: The Preferred Choice for Most Seniors

While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.

In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.

Here are just a few of the reasons why older men and women prefer to age at home:

How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?

A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.

With the help of elderly care in Joseph, UT, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.

Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.

Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.

For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.

More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.

In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.

With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.

 Elderly Care Joseph, UT

Affordable Care

In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.

Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.

At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.

In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:

If your loved one qualifies, Medicaid may help reduce in-home care costs. Review your UT's Medicaid program laws and benefits, and make sure your senior's financial and medical needs meet Medicaid eligibility requirements.
Attendance and aid benefits through military service can cover a portion of the costs associated with in-home care for veterans and their spouses.
Many senior care services like in-home care are included in long-term care insurance options. Research different long-term care solutions to find a plan that provides coverage for senior care.
Home care can be included as part of a senior's private insurance plan. Read over your loved one's insurance policy carefully or speak with their insurance provider to determine if in-home care is covered.
Depending on the life insurance plan, you may be able to apply your policy toward long-term care. You may be able to use long-term-care coverage to help pay for in-home elderly care.
 Senior Care Joseph, UT

Compassionate Care. Trusted Caregivers.

When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.

Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.

At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Joseph, UT understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.

Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.

Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.

Assisted Living Referral Services

While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.

Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.


Respite Care Joseph, UT

At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.

Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:

  • Housekeeping
  • Laundry
  • Recreational Activities
  • Social Outings
  • Emergency Medical Response
  • Medication Monitoring
  • Family Visitation
  • Personal Care
 Caregivers Joseph, UT

At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.

Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.

Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:

  • St. Joseph Senior Living
  • St. Joseph Villa
  • Alpine House
  • St Joseph Group Care III
  • Provision Living at St. Joseph
  • Woodland Terrace of Saint Joseph
Home Care Joseph, UT

For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.

 In-Home Care Joseph, UT

Taking the First Step with Always Best Care

The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:

A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way

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A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive

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Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider

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Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.

If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.

At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Joseph, UT 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.

When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.

 Elderly Care Joseph, UT

Latest News in Joseph, UT

Christopher Joseph, M.D.: Society for Academic Emergency Medicine Award

Dr. Christopher Joseph had the rare opportunity to complete medical school and also work at SpaceX, the private space exploration company founded by the billionaire Elon Musk. That experience influenced his career choice in emergency medicine and innovation research, two passions he hopes to combine.What this award means: After my third year of medical school, I took a research year working for a medical startup. Spending that year away made me work particularly hard to be prepared for my fourth-year emergenc...

Dr. Christopher Joseph had the rare opportunity to complete medical school and also work at SpaceX, the private space exploration company founded by the billionaire Elon Musk. That experience influenced his career choice in emergency medicine and innovation research, two passions he hopes to combine.

What this award means: After my third year of medical school, I took a research year working for a medical startup. Spending that year away made me work particularly hard to be prepared for my fourth-year emergency medicine (EM) rotations. Receiving this award not only recognizes my efforts to learn and develop within emergency medicine, it also represents the incredible mentorship I have received from residents and faculty.

Mentor comment: Christopher has already made significant contributions to scientific literature with dozens of publications and research presentations on esophageal cooling and atrial fibrillation. He has also volunteered with the Communities Foundation of Texas, coordinated a vaccine drive, and acted as a peer mentor. Chris displays excellent early-clinician skills, and we expect him to have a bright future in emergency medicine. – Mary McHugh, M.D., Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine

Background and family: Despite having parents from Malaysia and Peru, I was born in New Zealand. I immigrated to the United States with my parents and older brother as a child and grew up in the South. I now live in Dallas along with my girlfriend, Julie, and our dog, Maya.

What led to your career path: I’ve known since high school that I would pursue a career in medicine. Although I always had an interest in innovation, I never thought it would play a role in my future career. However, in college I had the opportunity to work at Blockit, a medical software startup, where I discovered my desire to work at the crossroads of health care and technology. This experience and my time working at SpaceX led me to a career in emergency medicine and innovation research.

College: I went to UT Dallas and majored in biology. As part of the UT-PACT combined B.A./M.D. program, I was accepted to medical school when I was 17. While in college, I was a resident adviser in the dorms and was the co-president of my UT-PACT class.

UTSW activities: I served with the Academic Colleges as a peer mentor and often volunteered for the Office of Diversity and Inclusion. I also took a research year working at Attune Medical with Erik Kulstad, M.D., Professor of Emergency Medicine at UTSW and an emergency medicine physician at Parkland Memorial Hospital.

Surprising fact: During medical school, I worked at SpaceX on research and planning for spaceflight missions and deployment of Starlink internet into health care settings.

Ultimate career goal: My ultimate goal would be to apply the skills I’ve learned in medical innovation to issues faced by underprivileged and underinsured patients. There is a lot of money and interest in health care technology currently, but not enough targeting those most in need of innovation. Emergency medicine sits at the forefront of this issue by acting as the safety net for patients who desperately need preventive care. I hope to help fill this gap throughout my career.

Future plans: I matched at UT Southwestern for my emergency medicine residency. In the future, I hope to practice as an academic emergency medicine physician with a focus on innovation both within my academic institution and with startups.

About the award: The award is given annually to a senior medical student for demonstrating excellence and commitment to emergency medicine.

St. Joseph's University officially acquires Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences [Q&A]

St. Joseph’s University finalized a merger agreement Friday with the Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences, making the college a Lancaster County-location of the Philadelphia-based university.The university first announced plans to merge with the college in January 2023, following its acquisition of the former University of the Sciences in Philadelphia in June 2022. Both schools were added to ex...

St. Joseph’s University finalized a merger agreement Friday with the Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences, making the college a Lancaster County-location of the Philadelphia-based university.

The university first announced plans to merge with the college in January 2023, following its acquisition of the former University of the Sciences in Philadelphia in June 2022. Both schools were added to expand St. Joseph’s health science programming and the mergers is expected to increase enrollment from 6,464 to 8,676 students, according to spokesperson Kevin Gfeller.

Gfeller said St. Joseph’s is not publicly disclosing costs of the merger.

St. Joseph’s is a private four-year Jesuit Catholic university. Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences was a nonprofit college founded as part of the Lancaster General Health system.

LNP | LancasterOnline talked with St. Joseph’s University President Cheryl McConnel about the Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences acquisition. The interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Local News

It’s been a long-term strategic initiative for us to completely round out our educational offerings. Excellent, comprehensive universities really make sure that they’re offering everything that students in (the) region needs ….

Pennsylvania College was a natural for us. Quite frankly, we had our choice of educational partners in the nursing area, and we chose to negotiate exclusively with Pennsylvania College when the situation presented itself. Again, because of its quality.

We do see an increasing need and we see it across the board in all health-related areas, including nursing but also the nursing-related programs … are really, really in high need. In fact, when I talk with CEOs of health systems here in Philadelphia, that’s the programs that they’re really crying out for ….

In addition to the merger agreement, there are long-term affiliation agreements. One of those is with Lancaster General Health, which assures both the Employee Reimbursement of Lancaster General Health and then also assures that St. Joseph’s University is serving the needs of the health system ….

Another thing that ensures a tight relationship and a tight communication is in the merger agreement, we have three representatives from the Lancaster region that come on to St. Joseph’s University’s Board of Trustees ….

John Herman, CEO of Lancaster General Health. Pedro Rivera, who’s president of Thaddeus Stevens (College of Technology) and Michael Wege. He’s a member of Penn Medicine board, as well as a former executive at the Hershey’s Corporation.

We've been in contact with … the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce, the Lancaster tourism area and our business school is already working on different programs to be offered out there in either a hybrid fashion or on-location. So, we'll be beginning conversations with the Lancaster community about what other programs are needed and we're happy to serve those needs.

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UTSW pediatric surgeon receives prestigious Piper Professor Award

When not treating children, Professor of Surgery Joseph T. Murphy, M.D., can usually be found teaching, whether in an operating room showing fellows how to remove a cancerous adrenal tumor from a toddler or at a resident conference reviewing the basics of pathologic intestinal anatomy.As a general surgeon at UT Southwestern and also a pediatric surgeon at Children’s Health, Dr. Murphy is as dedicated to preparing the next generation ...

When not treating children, Professor of Surgery Joseph T. Murphy, M.D., can usually be found teaching, whether in an operating room showing fellows how to remove a cancerous adrenal tumor from a toddler or at a resident conference reviewing the basics of pathologic intestinal anatomy.

As a general surgeon at UT Southwestern and also a pediatric surgeon at Children’s Health, Dr. Murphy is as dedicated to preparing the next generation of physicians as he is to caring for patients.

The Minnie Stevens Piper Foundation recently recognized his commitment with the Piper Professor Award. This elite honor recognizes outstanding college professors in Texas. Dr. Murphy is the 18th current or former UTSW faculty member to receive the award since its establishment in 1958. His selection marks the second year in a row that a UTSW surgeon has been named a Piper Professor, following Brett Arnoldo, M.D., Professor of Surgery, in 2022.

Dr. Murphy expressed his gratitude for the prize, adding that it is an honor to receive such recognition simply for doing his job and carrying on a tradition of teaching he observed as a medical student.

“During my education, I received great mentoring, and a lot of people took the time to teach me,” he said. “I feel like it would be almost unethical to not help those who came after me.”

Over his 33-year career, Dr. Murphy has proved to be a tireless pediatric surgeon and educator, said Diana Diesen, M.D., Associate Professor of Surgery and Pediatric Surgery Fellowship Program Director for the Division of Pediatric Surgery at UT Southwestern. Dr. Diesen is also on the pediatric general surgery faculty at Children’s Health in Dallas and Plano.

“As an academic physician, he is an excellent example of a triple threat, excelling in clinical care, education, and clinical research,” Dr. Diesen said. “He is one of the busiest surgeons in our practice, yet always finds the time to teach. Dr. Murphy has taught an entire generation of students, residents, and fellows about how to perform clinical research in pediatric surgery.”

Dr. Murphy earned a bachelor’s degree in biology at the State University of New York in Buffalo and a Master of Science in biology at UT Dallas. He then earned a medical degree from UT Southwestern, where he also completed a general surgery residency and CORE laboratory research fellowship before joining the Department of Surgery faculty in 1996.

Over 12 years as a board-certified general surgeon, he developed extensive clinical experience in the management of severe traumatic injury. But he was always drawn to pediatrics, and in 2007 completed a pediatric surgery fellowship at Children’s Medical Center Dallas.

The fast pace of pediatric surgery and the opportunity to care for a wide range of patients attracted him to the specialty. “I treat everyone – from the smallest premature baby to the largest 18-year-old,” Dr. Murphy said.

As rewarding as pediatric surgery is, it comes with many challenges. It is an emotionally charged time for families, and they are counting on a stranger to do what is right for their child, Dr. Murphy said.

“I often walk into a room of anxious family members, and within minutes they’re handing over their child to me to care for,” he said. “I see it daily, and it amazes me every time.”

Despite having a busy practice, Dr. Murphy is always available for teaching. He is actively involved in educational programs at UT Southwestern and Children’s Health, including the Academic Colleges at UT Southwestern and general surgery resident training programs. He has served on the Pediatric Surgery Fellowship Clinical Competency Committee since 2014 and works on trainee mentoring committees every year. Dr. Murphy has also been the general surgery residency site director for Children’s Medical Center Dallas, leading resident orientation and teaching efforts.

Residents have given him outstanding teaching awards several times, said Dr. Diesen, who met Dr. Murphy when she was a pediatric surgery fellow, and is now a clinical partner.

“Dr. Murphy is one of the busiest clinical surgeons in our Division with a clinical niche in pediatric surgical oncology, so the fellows spend a great deal of time with him learning how to resect complex tumors in children,” she said. “You can regularly find him in OR 8 at Children’s leaning over an open abdomen with multiple trainees gathered around.”

He is always ready to respond when needed, Dr. Diesen said.

“Whether I was calling from the OR, the trauma bay, or the side of the road, Dr. Murphy would always answer the call,” she said. “I have said it before, and I will say it again – I am a better surgeon when he is in town.”

Dr. Murphy said it is very satisfying to pass on what he has learned to the next generation of surgeons.

“When an ex-fellow calls or texts me to say that when he or she faced a problem and knew how to handle it because of what was learned from me, that’s very rewarding,” he said.

Persuasive! Ohio University Speech Team’s championship season

Ohio University’s Speech and Debate Team capped its championship season with a national title in oratory competition.In the 2022-2023 forensics season (September-April), the OHIO team:Oratory championSenior Mackenzie Joseph, a communication studies major in the Scripps College of Communication(opens in a new window), won the national oratory championship on April 23, in Austin, Texas, at a competition sponsored by the Interstate O...

Ohio University’s Speech and Debate Team capped its championship season with a national title in oratory competition.

In the 2022-2023 forensics season (September-April), the OHIO team:

Oratory champion

Senior Mackenzie Joseph, a communication studies major in the Scripps College of Communication(opens in a new window), won the national oratory championship on April 23, in Austin, Texas, at a competition sponsored by the Interstate Oratorical Association, the nation's oldest competitive collegiate speaking association.

Participants in this contest are top state finalists. Ohio University’s Susan Adair won this championship in 1969, when the Interstate Oratorical competition had divisions for men and women.

Joseph’s championship speech — which she wrote — focused on protecting children from exploitive language. During the 2022-2023 season, she also won first place awards at tournaments in Alabama, Michigan and Ohio including a state championship in Persuasive Speaking in February.

National reputation

On March 15-18, Ohio University’s team competed at the Pi Kappa Delta (PKD) Nationals at West Chester University in Pennsylvania. Joseph won second place in Persuasive Speaking at the competition.

In addition, two OHIO students from Parkersburg, West Virginia,(opens in a new window) won PKD championships. Emily “Em” Marlow won first place in the Interviewing category and Soren Starkey won first place in Prose Interpretation and first place in Duo Interpretation with teammate Jalen Tolbert, who is from Dayton.

In debate, junior Anthony Banks advanced to octo-finals at PKD Nationals. Starkey and Joseph advanced to semi-finals in Public Forum. Banks, Starkey and Joseph ranked in the top ten among debate speakers.

Bench of talent

Tolbert, a sophomore, won a state championship in Duo Interpretation with teammate Starkey. Tolbert and underclassmen Abreanna Blose, Emily Osborne, and Bre Reidl won first place awards in multiple speech categories at contests in Illinois, Ohio and Oklahoma.

Ohio University’s speech and debate program draws talent from strong high school teams throughout the region. Blose (opens in a new window)and Reidl, for example graduated from Perry High School in Massillon,Ohio, and participated in the debate program.

Start-to-finish success

At one of the first college tournaments of the season — sponsored by George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia — OHIO’s Starkey won first place in Dramatic Interpretation.

Two weeks later at the University of Alabama, Starkey took first in Prose Interpretation and would win more top awards in Illinois, Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania.

Ohio University hosted a major tournament Jan. 27-28, showcasing the Athens campus. Varsity speakers do not compete in home tournaments; freshman Emily Osborne won a first place (novice) and also placed among top finishers at other competitions.

Varsity competitors from OHIO are familiar figures on the forensics circuit. Senior Tori Smith won first place in two categories at the Marshall University tournament Oct. 28-29 and another first place in Ypsilanti, Michigan, on Feb. 4.

In March, senior Adam Cahoon won two firsts and a third at a Chicago-based tournament. Senior teammate Luke May placed among top finishers in multiple competitions throughout the season.

Seniors Taylor Mondragon and Miranda Truslow won first in Duo Interpretation at Eastern Michigan University on Feb. 5. At month later, Mondragon and Starkey took first in that category at the Illinois State University tournament. Truslow is state champion in Dramatic Interpretation and also won that category in a mid-December tournament in Oklahoma.

In sum, as they say in speech, Ohio University’s 2022-2023 season was dramatic. OHIO's success resulted from preparation, discipline and the willingness to traverse the country to compete against the best.

Jennifer Talbert, School of Communication Studies, is the John A. Cassese Director of Forensics at Ohio University.

Texas assistant Terry Joseph, another branch on family coaching tree, returns home for Sugar Bowl

There’s no other place Terry Joseph would rather be than where he was Saturday morning.Joseph, who serves as defensive passing game coordinator and secondary coach for the University of Texas, stood in one end zone of the Caesars Superdome, just a few miles across the river from where he was raised.One of his fondest football memories came in this very building 36 years ago when he helped Archbishop Shaw defeat Covington for a state championship. Now he’ll add another memory Monday night when Texas (12-1) plays Wash...

There’s no other place Terry Joseph would rather be than where he was Saturday morning.

Joseph, who serves as defensive passing game coordinator and secondary coach for the University of Texas, stood in one end zone of the Caesars Superdome, just a few miles across the river from where he was raised.

One of his fondest football memories came in this very building 36 years ago when he helped Archbishop Shaw defeat Covington for a state championship. Now he’ll add another memory Monday night when Texas (12-1) plays Washington (13-0) in the semifinals of the College Football Playoff in the Allstate Sugar Bowl.

“This is a dream come true,” Joseph said. “To play and win a state championship at Shaw in 1987 and now to come back and play a game of this magnitude and to be on the run we’re on, it’s exciting. When you’re coaching, that’s what you dream about.”

But when you have the last name Joseph, coaching really isn’t just a dream: It’s a way of life.

The profession runs deep in the Joseph veins.

Terry’s cousin Vance Joseph is the defensive coordinator for the Denver Broncos. His cousin Mickey was just named head coach at Grambling. Sammy Joseph, who is Vance and Mickey’s brother, is strength and conditioning coach at UL-Monroe. And Terry’s brother Derrick trains athletes in New Orleans.

The Joseph family is to coaching what the Manning family — including Texas Longhorns freshman Arch Manning — is to quarterbacks.

“When you think of high school football in New Orleans, especially Westbank football, the first name that comes to mind is the Josephs,” legendary Shaw coach Hank Tierney told me in 2022.

For Terry Joseph, though, it wasn’t just high school football. It was baseball, too.

Joseph, unlike the rest of his family members, didn’t play football in college. He was a standout baseball player at Northwestern State. He was named Southland Conference Player of the Year in 1995 and was selected by the Chicago Cubs in the 13th round of the Major League Baseball draft. He spent four seasons in the minor leagues with the Cubs and the San Diego Padres organizations.

There was just one small problem.

“I couldn’t hit the slider anymore," Joseph said. "So I needed to find a real job."

Tierney, his high school coach, called him about an opportunity to come home and help coach football and baseball and teach at Shaw.

Joseph accepted the offer, but he drifted more toward the football side. Wise choice. His career took off.

He landed his first college job as a graduate assistant at LSU, where he stayed for one season. The Tigers made it to the Sugar Bowl that year, beating Notre Dame. From there, he’s had coaching stops at Louisiana Tech, Tennessee, Nebraska, Texas A&M, North Carolina, Notre Dame and now Texas.

Not bad for a baseball guy, right?

“It’s surreal,” Joseph said. “But I think it’s a message to anybody that if you put your mind to it, you can get it accomplished, A lot of people would have took it as a setback or not good to have a resume’ that says you never played college football. But Bill Belichick never played. It’s the same thing, so I feel good about it.”

Joseph’s job Monday night will be to keep Heisman Trophy runner-up quarterback Michael Penix and the Huskies out of the very end zone he was standing in fielding questions for Saturday’s media day. It’s a job he feels his secondary is ready for.

“Ric Flair said, ‘To be the man, you’ve got to beat the man,’ ” Joseph said. “That’s what we’ve got in front of us. An opportunity to play a quality team with a world-class quarterback. We’ve got to be up to the challenge. It will be a great measuring stick because almost 365 days ago, we played them. So how far have we come? It will be exciting to evaluate ourselves after this game.”

Washington beat Texas 27-20 last season in the Alamo Bowl. The stakes are much higher this time around as the winner advances to the championship game to face the winner of Monday’s Rose Bowl semifinal game between Michigan and Alabama.

Joseph has fulfilled ticket requests from about 20 family members, including his folks from Harvey and his wife’s side of the family from Destrehan.

“Hopefully we’ll have more than that in Houston next week,” Joseph said, referring to the site of the national championship game.

Win or lose, there will be group text messages with his coaching relatives, just like always.

There is also that one message that Joseph has for anyone willing to listen.

“Bet on yourself,” Joseph said. “At the end of the day, you don’t want to have any regrets. You have to take chances. You can’t always play it safe. To win big, you have to bet big and you have to always bet on yourself. If you can do that, you can live with the results.”

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