Sigma Rehab Health & Centers Health Care Announce 2 EOMs for Oct 2022

Sigma Health Rehabilitation and Bronx-based Centers Health Care have announced that two of their physical therapists who are from the intimate 77-bed skilled nursing facility Williamsbridge Center on Tomlinson Avenue in the Bronx are the Employees of the Month (EOM) for October 2022.

Physical Therapist Xy-za Albana, who has been at the facility for three years and a PT for five years, is highly well-respected among her colleagues and the residents she treats. Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Mattie Higgins, is also highly well-loved and she also works out of Williamsbridger Center's sister facility on Underhill Avenue in the Bronx, the 200-bed Bronx Center. She has been a PT for 30 years, 20 years of which at Bronx Center.

"It has been positively overwhelming but I'm so grateful to be recognized," said Ms. Albana.

"Xy-za provides exceptional care to each of her residents and she always advocates for their needs," said Erica Davison, Corporate Rehabilitation Educator and Reimbursement Specialist at Sigma Health Rehab and Centers Health Care. "She shows great leadership skills and has proven to be a trustworthy person to lead the rehabilitation team whenever she's asked. Ms. Albana is very eager to learn and expand her knowledge in the field and she also frequently shares knowledge with her peers."

As of late, Xy-za Albana is currently the unofficial Assistant Director of Rehabilitation at Williamsbridge Center, making sure things run smoothly as the acting Director of Rehab during the absence of Director Geenan Cubilla.

Mother of two daughters, Mattie Higgins is a lifelong passionate physical therapist and has been one for three decades, as long as her oldest daughter has been around. She has had her share of personal obstacles to overcome, but her love for her job has been life-fulfilling as she is a model and blueprint of the way a physical therapist thinks about her patients. A cancer survivor who has also dealt with the disease with her surviving autistic daughter as well, Ms. Higgins lives by the notion that treating the residents is treating them physically as well as psychologically but was surprised by being named.

"I really didn't expect this announcement," said a proud Ms. Higgins. "I simply love what I do and have been lucky to be part of the lives of my residents for many years. Equally, I've been fortunate to be in a field that has evolved in so many ways, including the many strategies and technologies we use, but mostly I have learned that treating the residents' various physical issues is equally as important as treating their minds. Without question, the mind-body connection is the full treatment goal."

"Mattie is an amazing PTA as she provides the above-and-beyond care that her patients deserve," said Davison. "Ms. Higgins smiles every day to her patients, loves her work, and is enthusiastic. She has strong bonds with her colleagues in all departments including nursing, rehab, maintenance, and corporate. Mattie is enthusiastic every day coming to work and she is a great therapist who loves her work. Her close friends and co-workers say that Mattie is an amazing woman and through her successful fight against cancer, it’s amazing that she never shows any weakness and still smiles whenever she comes to work."