In 1998, Dr. Tim Fox, PT, DPT, GCS-EMERITUS, CCI, founded FOX Rehabilitation, and this year we’re celebrating our 25th Anniversary. Each month, we’ll be introducing you to a different FOX colleague, and sharing their journey with our practice.

We are excited to spotlight colleagues representing our FOX footprint, which spreads across more than 27 states. These are the people who have built and continue to grow our practice, work hard to provide clinically excellent care, and lead our mission of rehabilitating lives and abolishing ageism.

Today we are featuring FSL Exercise Physiologist, Abigail Elder, MS, ACSM-EP, in our Georgia West 1 region.

Q: How long have you worked with FOX?

I have worked with FOX for the past 2 years now! I had my two-year work anniversary in February.

Q: Can you tell us more about your role and what you do?

I am an FSL exercise physiologist, so I work in a Senior Living Community as the group exercise instructor and team lead. I attend all staff meetings, keep records of all falls and hospital admissions, complete assessments on each resident every 90 days to keep an eye out for any decline in status, and help with referrals for therapy. My role is to keep the staff and therapists up to date on residents’ progress, as well as to keep the residents active and moving!

Q: What inspired you to become an Exercise Physiologist?

I had a few freak episodes of a collapsed lung when I started my undergraduate degree. Working with the hospital staff to exercise and rehabilitate my lungs to a healthy status again inspired me to investigate the power of exercise. I did my internship in a cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation facility at the end of my exercise science degree, which led to my love of working with the older adult population. I then decided to obtain my master's degree in Kinesiology with a focus on clinical exercise physiology.

Q: Where do you call home?

I moved around quite a bit during my childhood so I do not have a particular place that I would consider a “hometown”, however, I moved to Atlanta after college, and I feel that my friends and colleagues have made Atlanta feel like home to me.

Q: What is the best part of your job?

The best part of my job is the sense of community that I have with not only the residents, but with the therapists and staff of the SLC, as well as the smiles I get to bring to residents faces when they come to class.

Q: How would you describe FOX’s culture in one word?

Compassionate!

Q: Is there a favorite memory that stands out in your mind during your time with FOX?

I have two- one with my colleagues and one with my residents.

The Friday before my master's graduation ceremony, my colleagues decorated the office and put graduation balloons and cupcakes in the office to celebrate my graduation. I was truly so surprised, and I was so appreciative of the team environment and support from my colleagues.

My other favorite memory was the beach volleyball tournament we had at our SLC for Hawaii month. My team – “Abigail’s Angels” took home the win in the tournament and my whole team of residents signed the beach volleyball for me to keep.

Q: Anyone over the years who has mentored or inspired you?

I became close with occupational therapist Alyson Bonner who works in the same senior living community. She has been amazing at mentoring and encouraging me throughout my time at FOX. She got me involved in the PACE program, which led me to achieve silver status last year!

Q: What is something people would be surprised to know about you?

People would be surprised to know that in my spare time outside of work I enjoy painting and photography. It is fun to express my more artistic side whenever I can.

Q: What would you consider your biggest work accomplishment so far?

When I started with FOX, the FSL program was in a tough spot with COVID restrictions. The residents were confined to their rooms and group classes were on hold or limited in size. When the restrictions were finally lifted, the residents were very hesitant to come out of their rooms. Getting the program back on track was a pretty tough challenge but with lots of encouragement and persistence, the class sizes began to grow more and more. Finally having a full exercise class consistently and seeing the residents excited about exercise again was such a rewarding feeling!

Q: Do you have a favorite quote or mantra?

“Don’t adapt to the energy in the room, influence the energy in the room.”

Q: What does FOX’s 25th anniversary mean to you?

FOX’s 25th anniversary is so exciting to be a part of because I truly believe in the values and mission of our organization. It has been wonderful to join this growing family of individuals who have the same beliefs about abolishing ageism and helping older adults achieve more than they ever thought they could accomplish.