SACH Physical Therapist Earns Doctorate Dr. Tara Wise Reaches Personal Goal at Misericordia Shamokin Area Community Hospital (SACH) is pleased to announce that physical therapist, Tara L. Wise, PT, DPT, has earned her doctorate in physical therapy from Misericordia University, where she also completed the school’s five-year program in 1997 to receive her Bachelor and Master of Science degrees in physical therapy. Dr. Wise met the requirements for completing the comprehensive curriculum for the physical therapy’s doctorate program, which focused on the four main categories of study supported by the American Physical Therapy Association. She completed studies which are geared toward the treatment of the integumentary system (skin and wound care), cardiovascular system, neuromuscular system and musculoskeletal system. Dr. Wise has been a physical therapist at SACH since 1997 where she’s provided care for medical/surgical and skilled nursing inpatients and provided treatment for outpatients. In 2000, she became the primary physical therapist overseeing outpatient rehabilitation services for the hospital, which also includes the individualized treatment of graduates from the Center for Joint Replacement. Her qualifications include providing treatment for wound care, industrial medicine, shoulder, neck (cervical), foot, ankle, and joint injuries ranging from pediatrics to geriatrics. She is also a certified strengthening and conditioning coach. She is responsible for evaluating patients and formulating the appropriate treatment plan for their therapy. She works with patients and their families regarding discharge panning and provides information on home programs. Dr. Wise assists the department director with orienting and training new staff members and may serve as a clinical instructor for physical therapy students. She has been instrumental in establishing various hospital and community service programs including a work hardening and After-Care program at SACH, which continues physical therapy after prescribed physical therapy sessions are completed. She conducts pre-work, scoliosis, and foot and balance screenings and functional capacity evaluations. Dr. Wise provides continuing staff education at SACH on Parkinson’s disease, diabetes and exercise, diabetes and foot/wound care, ergonomics and body mechanics, and exercising in hot weather. Dr. Wise lives in Elysburg with her husband, Tom, and children, Blake and Mya.