Samantha Gorrell, PT, DPT, and Center Manager at our Horsham Center came in 3rd place for PT Practitioner of the Year by Advance Magazines.

Samantha Gorrell, PT, DPT, was very surprised to hear she earned third place in this nationwide contest. But judging from the effusive praise of her nominator, Lisa Mackell, PT, maybe she shouldn’t have been. Mackell is president of Theraplay Inc., with four locations in southeastern Pennsylvania, while Dr. Gorrell is center manager for the Horsham, PA, site.

“Sam is a phenomenal physical therapist who spends 75 percent of her time treating pediatric patients in our office,” said Mackell in her nomination letter. “She reaches out to the families to ensure they understand home programs and their child’s rehabilitation. Sam also develops continuing education courses and workshops for our staff and referring physicians to maintain both her clinical skills and our reputation in the community. She is a true leader who takes the time to meet with each staff member as needed and is well respected by all. Sam has a way that allows her to gain a quick rapport – whether you are a child, parent, therapist or volunteer. Theraplay is a better company because of Samantha Gorrell.”

To all of these qualities, the trait of modesty could also be added.

“I was a little bit in awe when I found out about the third-place finish,” Dr. Gorrell told ADVANCE. “I never would have considered myself to be someone of that caliber. So I was almost in shock that Lisa considered me for it, especially because she’s someone who I look up to so much.”

Dr. Gorrell has been a physical therapist for five years and worked the past three at Theraplay. Born and raised in the Philadelphia area, she earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Delaware and her DPT at Arcadia University in Glenside, PA.

“Even in school, I knew that I wanted to work with kids,” Dr. Gorrell said. “I care about them so much and feel like we can impact their development so young to improve the rest of their lives. Plus, kids are just fun in general and you can be creative with them. We get to play, but we’re doing really hard therapy at the same time. And they keep me on my toes, which I like.”

Some of the conditions Dr. Gorrell encounters include torticollis, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, hypotonia, spina bifida, sports-related injuries and post-fracture management.

“It’s a gamut of diagnoses and ages from birth to 21,” she said.

In dedicating herself to this specialty, Dr. Gorrell feels fortunate to be with a company that cares about kids as much as she does.

“Theraplay has been a completely enjoyable place to work,” she related. “The primary focus of this company is the children and making sure they do well. So whatever needs to be done for the kids and families to make gains and be happy, it gets done.”

-- Brian W. Ferrie