In the past, I felt truly helpless in treating a patient with vertigo…
because it wasn’t a problem I could identify as a strength deficit or due to a lack of safety equipment in their environment, etc. It is due to a problem in our vestibular system (which I did not fully understand the function of) and how it communicates with our brain and also our visual and proprioceptive systems and the information they add to our attempts to maintain balance.
Kim taught me tests to do with my patients and what questions to ask them, so that I could identify where the problem was and either treat it or talk to their doctor about my findings so that he/she could make a referral to the proper specialist.
She gave me a clear picture of the function of the vestibular system and the other systems that affect balance.
What I liked about her teaching style is that she made herself available to come with me on a patient visit and watch me perform the evaluation and tests to know that I was doing them correctly. Then we could discuss treatment strategies for the patient. That was invaluable to me. Kim presented material clearly and related it to practical ideas, which could be used with patients in treating BPPV and other balance problems.
Kim doesn’t just teach, she is a wonderful example of someone who gives her time to help her community. She has worked on the SD County Fall Prevention Task Force for many years, made videos and presented numerous lectures on Fall Prevention. Thus, she has reached a huge number of people to educate them about fall prevention.
