Bits 'n' Pieces

Reclaiming Independence

The healing process doesn’t end at the hospital door – it begins in rehab. By bridging the gap between clinical care and daily life, our Dignity Health St. Mary Medical Center therapy programs do more than restore movement and confidence; they cut hospital readmission rates by 20% to 30%, ensuring patients stay where they want to be: at home with their families.

In recognition of National Rehabilitation Awareness Month, Dignity Health is proud to celebrate the incredible progress made by patients across our network as they recover from injury, illness, or surgery.

The proven impact of rehabilitation early and consistent access to rehabilitation leads to better long-term outcomes. Studies consistently show that comprehensive rehabilitation programs can:

• Reduce Hospital Readmissions: Patients who complete structured post-acute therapy are significantly less likely to require emergency readmission.
• Improve Functional Independence: Early intervention in physical and occupational therapy is directly linked to higher rates of patients returning to their prior level of daily activity.
• Enhance Quality of Life: Beyond physical strength, rehabilitation provides the mental and emotional support necessary to navigate the challenges of recovery.

“At Dignity Health, we view rehabilitation as an essential part of the healing journey,” said Richard Catabona, DO, physiatrist, Dignity Health St. Mary Medical Center’s Acute Rehabilitation Unit. “Whether a patient is recovering from a surgery, a stroke, or another significant illness or injury, our goal is to help them regain mobility, function and independence. From taking their first steps, rebuilding everyday skills, or finding their voice again, each milestone builds confidence and brings patients closer to greater independence and the activities that matter most to them.”

Comprehensive Care Tailored to the Individual: Dignity Health provides a robust continuum of rehabilitation services designed to meet patients wherever they are in their recovery. Our multidisciplinary teams – comprised of physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, and cardiac specialists – work in close coordination with physicians to provide:

• Physical Therapy (PT): Focused on restoring mobility, strength, and balance through personalized movement programs.
• Occupational Therapy (OT): Dedicated to helping patients master the activities of daily living and improve fine motor skills.
• Cardiac Rehabilitation: A medically supervised program that combines physical activity with heart-health education to strengthen the cardiovascular system and reduce the risk of future heart events.
• Speech-Language Pathology: Assisting patients in overcoming challenges related to speech, language, cognition and swallowing.
• Neurological Rehabilitation: Specialized support for patients recovering from strokes, brain injuries, or neurodegenerative conditions.

Commitment to Communities

As a leader in healthcare, Dignity Health remains dedicated to ensuring that these life-enhancing services remain accessible to our neighbors. By integrating advanced technology with a compassionate, patient-centered approach, our teams ensure that every patient receives a care plan tailored to their specific recovery goals.

For those in our community currently navigating a health challenge, we encourage you to speak with your care team about how Dignity Health’s rehabilitation services can support your journey toward wellness. To learn more about our rehabilitation services and locations, please visit: Dignity Health.

Harrison Retires

 The City of Long Beach announced the retirement of Reginald “Reggie” Harrison, who has served the city for 30 years. As the department’s founding director, Harrison has overseen Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Communications (DPEC) since 2014.

“Reggie has spent three decades serving Long Beach, and his leadership has helped our city prepare for and respond to some of its most difficult moments,” said City Manager Tom Modica. “He has strengthened our emergency communications and built partnerships that help us serve residents when they need us most. I’m grateful for the important impact Reggie has had on Long Beach and wish him the very best in retirement.”

In this role, Harrison oversaw citywide emergency management; 9-1-1 emergency communications; and the city’s Homeland Security Grants Program, which allocates millions of dollars each year for disaster preparedness training and equipment acquisition.

Before his current role, Harrison served the city in a host of leadership positions over the past three decades. In 2001, he was appointed deputy city manager, and prior to that he served as the city’s housing authority bureau manager, economic development bureau manager, acting director of the Community Development Department, acting director of the Planning and Building Department, and acting director of the Long Beach Airport.

Since joining the city in 1996, Harrison amassed a number of notable accomplishments, including the creation of a 9-1-1 back-up center should the primary center be inoperable; the implementation of Alert Long Beach, a mass notification system to issue emergency alerts to residents and businesses; and most recently, the implementation of artificial intelligence into the 9-1-1 quality assurance program to ensure excellent customer service for callers.

City Manager Tom Modica has appointed Kevin Lee to serve as acting director of disaster preparedness and emergency communications. Lee has worked for the City of Long Beach since 2017 and currently serves as the city’s chief communications officer, overseeing citywide communications, including emergency and crisis communications.

Throughout his tenure, Lee has served in communications leadership roles during several major emergencies and critical incidents, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the emergency Long Beach shelter for migrant children, a network security incident, Long Beach’s response to the January 2025 Los Angeles Wildfires, multiple significant storm events such as Tropical Storm Hilary, coastal impacts related to recent hurricanes and the city’s current proclaimed emergency related to preparations for the 2026-27 El Niño and winter storm season.

Lee will take on this role while the city conducts a national recruitment to permanently fill the job.