Daniel Miller-Jacobs

Daniel Miller-Jacobs, D.P.T.
Outpatient rehabilitation supervisor
Great River Medical Center, West Burlington

Why did you choose this as your career? I was always interested in a health care profession. My father inspected nursing homes and group homes for the State of Wisconsin and he repeatedly spoke of the great work physical therapists do to help improve a person’s function. After shadowing PTs and experiencing my own physical therapy as a teenager, I pursued this career.

What are the challenges and rewards you experience in your work? Challenges include seeing patients with signs and symptoms that do not coincide with a referring diagnosis, working with patients who do not believe in exercise, busy schedules and keeping up to date with evolving treatment techniques. Rewards include seeing patients improve during trying times in their lives, working with other medical and health care disciplines, continuing education, teaching patients and clients how to help themselves and seeing our profession develop into a more autonomous discipline. 

What are your plans for the future? Helping our department as a newly appointed supervisor, continuing to develop my own niche area in business health and helping others develop their own niche areas in physical therapy treatment. 

How has the hospital supported your career?

Great River Medical Center fully financed our department’s pursuit of doctoral degrees. It provides money for continuing education, recognizes individual and group achievement, and listens to new ideas, including development of a new spine-care program. 

About Daniel Miller-Jacobs 

Education: Master of Science in Physical Therapy, Clarke College, Dubuque, Iowa, 1999

Doctor of Physical Therapy, St. Ambrose University, Davenport, Iowa, 2007 

Years with hospital: 7