Employee finds joy in helping patients reach their goals

John Cartwright is Boone Hospital Center’s Employee of the Month for April 2013. Click here to nominate someone for Employee of the Month.

As a physical therapist assistant, John Cartwright finds joy in helping patients reach their goals and return to life.

“I enjoy being part of the team and getting people healthy again,” he said. “It’s about getting them back on their feet and doing what they like to do. It’s very rewarding.”

John first joined Boone Hospital in 2004, working as a patient transporter. That experience exposed him to many different areas of the hospital and inspired him to begin studying to be a physical therapist assistant.

“Being a transporter, you get to see a little bit of everything at the hospital,” John said. “Therapy really appealed to me.”

He was also inspired by the memory of caring for his father, who was an ambulatory quadriplegic during his last eight years of life. Today, he serves patients with that same level of personal care.

“I really enjoy working here and being part of the great rehab staff we have here,” he said.

John is a Columbia native and Boone Baby. He attended Hickman High School and received his degree from Linn State Technical College.

Away from work, his passion is golf. He plays often on Saturdays on courses across mid-Missouri and is a 10 handicap.

He also enjoys hunting and fishing.

“Pretty much anything outdoors, I enjoy,” he said.