Ethan S. – "Reliable"

Inspired by his own family experiences, Ethan understands how tough it can be to push through difficult things and it motivates him to help others make the best out of their situation. As a physical therapist in home healthcare, he has the opportunity to make a difference every day.

Caring for others was instilled in Ethan at an early age. His mom, a medical transcriptionist, raised him to care for everyone; it was a huge theme in their home. As a young boy, he watched his grandfather’s health decline due to complications with diabetes which resulted in the amputation of both legs. While this was very traumatic, his family rallied around his grandfather to provide the loving care and support he needed to carry on. This experience had a big impact on Ethan and his career choices.

While in school, Ethan had a defining moment that led him to pursue physical therapy. At the time, he was shadowing an occupational therapist at the hospital, but on a slow day, he was asked to follow the physical therapist instead. During their rounds, they saw a patient who recently had a stroke and it was the first day he got back up on his feet and began to walk again using the parallel bars. Seeing this patient take his first steps after a life-changing event was the moment Ethan realized, this is what he wanted to do.

After graduation, Ethan began working at a rehabilitation hospital in Anderson. When the outpatient setting of the hospital was closing, a friend encouraged him to consider a new career path in home healthcare—and it proved to be a great fit. In December 2018, Ethan joined Interim HealthCare in Easley, SC as a Home Health Physical Therapist. It was a big leap of faith that led him right to where he was meant to be.

Moving from a facility to home healthcare was a big change. Fairly new in his career, going into a home alone and not knowing what was behind the door was a bit daunting. But, with the support of great management and open communication, he was never truly alone. “You learn to be in the moment and to focus all of your efforts on caring for others without worrying about your surroundings,” said Ethan.

It is perhaps the more difficult stories that humble him and reaffirm his calling to care for others. One patient was a former pastor whose health was declining due to Alzheimer’s disease. Ethan was working with him on his balance to reduce his risk of falling so he could remain strong at home. While he was aware of his deficits, he remained joyful. He kept asking Ethan to meet up for lunch, so one weekend they did. Despite all he was going through, he was still a pastor at heart, desiring to pour into the lives of others, just like he had done his whole life. His ability to press on and find happiness in life was inspiring. 

Ethan’s faith has molded him into the caregiver he is today. He believes every home he enters is an opportunity to show love and care for others. And, in difficult situations, his faith inspires him to do his job to the best of his ability and not allow anything to detract from it. His patients can count on him to be reliable, to call the day before a visit and to follow through. These are the qualities and convictions that have made Ethan an exceptional Home Health Physical Therapist. Without question, Ethan is made for this!