Bringing Our Care Teams Together: Nursing Welcomes PT, OT, and Respiratory Therapy 

Over the past several years, GBMC has seen an important evolution in its collaborative care model as Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and, most recently, Respiratory Therapy formally joined the Nursing Department. While these disciplines have always been essential partners in patient care, aligning their operations under Nursing strengthens cohesion, communication, and the shared purpose that defines exceptional care at GBMC. 

Across inpatient units, the Emergency Department, the ICU, Pediatrics, and other clinical areas, nurses and therapists work side-by-side every day, supporting patient mobility, restoring independence, stabilizing respiratory function, and ensuring safe transitions of care. The organizational shift simply formalizes what caregivers have long experienced: one interdisciplinary team working toward the same goals. 

The transition began several years ago when inpatient rehab medicine (PT and OT), moved under the Nursing Department with oversight from Jill Wheeler, MSN, RN, Senior Director of Infection Prevention, Specialty and Inpatient Surgery, Wound/Ostomy/HBO & Rehabilitation Medicine. Longtime program managers Matt Wanex (PT) and Kristin Wenderoth (OT) have cultivated a strong team culture, high engagement, and alignment with organizational priorities. Jill shared that bringing PT and OT into Nursing has helped “bridge the gap by helping us communicate better. It assists with bringing issues, suggestions for improvements in care or changes in standards of work forward.” Managers report feeling well supported and connected to the hospital’s strategic plan, with enhanced opportunities to collaborate across departments. 

More recently, Respiratory Therapy joined the Nursing division under Rachel Ridgely, MSN, RN, Nursing Director for Emergency Services, and Critical Care. This transition quickly demonstrated benefits. Reflecting on her years as a bedside nurse, Rachel noted, “When I worked at the bedside in our ICU, the respiratory therapist was someone I worked very closely with throughout my shift.” She emphasized that in the ED, ICU, and Pediatrics, the partnership between nursing and respiratory care is both constant and essential, making the structural alignment a natural fit. 

Bringing Respiratory Therapy into Nursing has strengthened clinical teamwork while supporting consistency in communication, aligned practices, and shared learning. One early example came during a recent mock Joint Commission tracer, where integrated debriefing allowed teams to quickly align improvements and replicate successful practices across units. Respiratory Care Manager Roel O’Campo has also taken an active role in Nursing’s strategic planning discussions, contributing valuable insights from a respiratory care perspective. 

Importantly, these transitions have been well received within the departments. Team members express that they feel more integrated into the care team and closely connected to organizational goals. The shift has maintained consistent leadership (Matt, Kristin, and Roel remain the trusted leaders of their areas) while Nursing has added resources and opportunities for collaboration. 

With these departments now united under a shared vision, GBMC is even better positioned to deliver high-quality, patient-centered care. The Nursing Department is grateful to welcome these teams fully into the nursing family and looks forward to the continued growth of this collaborative model.