Allied Health Week 2024 Spotlight: Abigail Newby and Una Velasquez-Manoff
November 8, 2024
This Allied Health Week, we’re excited to spotlight two amazing allied health professionals on the GHR team, Abigail Newby and Una Velasquez-Manoff!
Una has been with GHR for 2 years and her flexibility and commitment to physical therapy have made a lasting impact. She consistently steps up to support the areas that need her most, bringing adaptability, compassion, and exceptional quality care to every patient she serves.
Join us in honoring Abigail, Una, and all allied health professionals whose hard work make a difference in countless lives every day!
Abigail Newby — Pharmacy Technician
Browns Mills, NJ
Q: What inspired you to pursue a career in Allied Health, and how did you choose your specific field?
A: Growth inspired me to pursue a career in allied health. Each day brings new learning and the chance to become the best version of myself. That's why I chose to be a pharmacy technician—no two days are the same, and each one presents new challenges to overcome. I’m constantly learning about medications that play a vital role in people’s daily lives, which is truly rewarding.
Q: What are the most significant challenges faced by allied health professionals today?
A: I believe the most significant challenge faced by allied health professionals today is the demand for constant multitasking.
Q: How do you see the role of allied health professionals evolving in the next five to ten years?
A: In the next five to ten years, I believe allied health will see significant growth in technology to enhance the care provided to patients.
Q: What skills or qualities do you believe are essential for success in allied health professions?
A: I believe attention to detail is a crucial skill for success in allied health. Taking the time to double-check and make sure there are no mistakes is essential to providing the best care.
Q: Can you share a particularly rewarding experience you've had in your role?
A: The most rewarding experience for me has been gaining so much knowledge in such a short time. At first, I wasn’t sure where I was headed in life, but everything changed when a friend introduced me to pharmacy. I quickly fell in love with the precision of counting, the math involved, and all the different interactions with customers and coworkers.
Q: How do you collaborate with other healthcare professionals to ensure comprehensive patient care?
A: As a pharmacy technician, I collaborate with nurses and doctors to ensure the patient is receiving the correct drug and doses.
Q: We’d love to know something fun about you outside of your professional life. What is a hobby or interest that brings joy to your days?
A: The greatest joy for me after work is spending time with my family. My baby Alonzo who’s 8 months old growing too fast and my boyfriend, Brandon, gives me the strength to get through each day. I truly love coming home to them every day!
Una Velasquez-Manoff — Physical Therapist
New York, NY
Q: What inspired you to pursue a career in Allied Health, and how did you choose your specific field?
A: I became a physical therapist because I wanted to help people move better, prevent injuries, and support their recovery.
Q: What are the most significant challenges faced by allied health professionals today?
A: I would say the greatest challenge faced by allied health professionals today is avoiding burn-out.
Q: How do you see the role of allied health professionals evolving in the next five to ten years?
A: I would like to see allied health professionals, especially physical therapists take a bigger role in preventative care and would love to see insurance companies willing to cover more preventative and even maintenance care.
Q: What skills or qualities do you believe are essential for success in allied health professions?
A: Patience, empathy and good communication skills.
Q: Can you share a particularly rewarding experience you've had in your role?
A: The most rewarding part of being a physical therapist is seeing people return to their regular activities. Sometimes, physical therapy even inspires them to start—and stick with—a new routine that they hadn’t considered before, because they realize how much it improves their health and well-being. To me, this is the ultimate reward.
Q: How do you collaborate with other healthcare professionals to ensure comprehensive patient care?
A: Open communication with the healthcare team is always important for best patient outcomes, but I especially enjoy collaborating with occupational therapists. They often have a slightly different approach to patient care, which I appreciate.
Q: We’d love to know something fun about you outside of your professional life. What is a hobby or interest that brings joy to your days?
A: I enjoy salsa dancing and recently started competing at track meets in the 400m dash.
We’re incredibly grateful for allied health professionals like Abigail and Una, whose skill, compassion, and dedication make a real difference every day. Thank you for always stepping up where you’re needed most and for making healthcare better for everyone. Happy Allied Health Week!
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