On the latest episode of The FOX Five, we speak with FOX Rehabilitation occupational therapist, Amanda Strouse, OTD, OTR/L, who treats older adult patients in the greater Cleveland area. Amanda has been with our practice for a little over nine months and was part of FOX’s Emerging Professionals Mentor Program.

Coming right out of school and beginning a career as a clinician can be filled with excitement and anxiety, but throughout FOX’s 25 years of treating older adult patients—in over half of the country—we have developed and put into place a time-tested support system. Every newly graduated professional who joins FOX is given the tools, guidance, and direction to succeed.

While those details sound good on paper, but in this edition of The FOX Five, Amanda explains how she was supported from day one and lists the many benefits of our New Grad program.

Jim: Welcome to The FOX Five, the show that explores FOX Rehabilitation through an original list created by a FOX colleague. Today, that colleague is Amanda Strauss. Amanda welcome to The FOX Five.

Amanda: Thank you, happy to be here.

Jim: Amanda Strauss occupational therapist extraordinaire! Holding down what region in Ohio?

Amanda: The Ohio East 2 team.

Jim: So, which cities is that near?

Amanda: It's near Cleveland, so I'm on the east side of Cleveland.

Jim: I have two grandmothers who live in Cleveland.

Amanda: Oh really?

Jim: Yes, so if you ever treat my grandmothers—treat them well, which I know you will.

Amanda: Absolutely.

Jim: So, Amanda what is your FOX Five today?

Amanda: Today I'll be talking about the Five Benefits of FOX’s Emerging Professionals Mentor Program.

Jim: This is exciting because I never went through the program. I'm not even a clinician, so I can't wait to hear your FOX Five. Amanda what is number one on your FOX Five?

Amanda: The number one that stood out to me the most, was the ramp up period for the Emerging Professionals Mentor Program. I thought it was extremely beneficial. The ramp up program is a way that FOX lets you feel comfortable as a new clinician, to be able to [follow] expectations as a newly graduated professional and a new clinician.

Jim: So, as a newly graduated professional, FOX just won’t throw you in the deep end.

Amanda: Pretty much, yeah, which is really rare and really nice.

Jim: It's a nice gradual “ramp up,” hence the name.

Amanda: Yes.

Jim: Alright, so Amanda what is number two on your FOX Five?

Amanda: FOX definitely gives you a lot of time to understand and fully grasp all the resources that they provide for you. There are so many different ones that FOX gives, which is really great, and they give you enough time to go through those.

Jim: Who supported you along the way?

Amanda: Oh my gosh, my regional director, Meghan. She is the best, she has constantly answered my emails, phone calls, and everything I could ever need—on and off the clock. She is incredible, I can't say more than amazing things about her. My liaison, Alicia, she's also been a really great resource for me. I never feel like I'm annoying her or anything like that.

Jim: No, it's great to ask questions, and as a new grad were you asking questions?

Amanda: I was constantly asking questions.

Jim: I think some people are afraid to ask questions, but I think when you ask questions it shows that you actually want to learn.

Amanda: Yes, I agree and that actually leads into my third benefit.

Jim: Yeah, nice segue!

Amanda: Yes, it’s that I felt comfortable to ask questions. There was never a time where I felt like I couldn't ask a question, and if one person couldn't answer it for me they connected me right down the line to someone that could. It's incredible, and to this day I do not hesitate with asking questions to anyone.

Jim: This FOX Five is making me feel good, because I know we have everything in place and I'm glad to hear that it's actually playing out how it's supposed to. Amanda, what is number four on your FOX Five?

Amanda: Number four for me is that FOX gives you enough time to learn about your team and all the supports that are going to be around you. So, when you join FOX, you get to be part of a team and there's so many different parts of that team. Even though you might not see them every day, you connect with them, you learn everyone in your region, and it's so nice that FOX gives you the time and the opportunities to meet them and do fun events, but also know that they're there to support you along the way, too.

Jim: Yeah, and if you ever have any questions, maybe about treating a patient or even about FOX, they can answer it for you.

Amanda: Exactly.

Jim: And then what is number five on your FOX Five?

Amanda: The final one is just learning how FOX is different from any other company. I think that the new grad program displayed it in such a really good light and it was something that I never expected, but it was the best surprise in the world to learn all the resources, all the support, and just the FOX culture itself that I got to immerse into fully and see what’s really special with this [practice].

Jim: I've known about the FOX culture for over 20 years now, and I'm glad that you feel it. You've been here, what, going on over nine months?

Amanda: Yep.

Jim: That's awesome that you can still feel that FOX energy!

Amanda: All the time.

Jim: Nice! Amanda, thank you for doing this I appreciate it.

Amanda: Of course, happy to be here.

Jim: Thank you. This is going above and beyond, your workday is over and now you're doing a FOX Five with me.

Amanda: That's exactly it, and I love it.