Dedicated Occupational Therapist Finds ‘Forever Home’ at Emanate Health
Floyd Tran, OTD, OTR/L was hired in 2013 and has grown immensely throughout his career. Inspired by his career journey, he decided to start giving back through the Emanate Health Employee Giving Program.
In talking with Floyd, his passion for his job is palpable the moment he begins explaining his role in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Emanate Health Queen of the Valley Hospital.
Floyd began his career at Emanate Health working with adults who have neurological disorders and has since completed training in areas such as stroke, lymphedema, and hand therapy. He found his home in the NICU several years ago and hasn’t looked back. Floyd now spends his days doing therapy with infants, helping tiny people do mini exercises while educating new parents on the basics of caring for and feeding the new member of their family.
AN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST FIRST
Having earned both master’s and doctorate degrees in occupational therapy and continuing to pursue ongoing education through employer-sponsored training, it’s clear that Floyd has found his forever home in both his chosen career and employer. He is a strong believer in research and evidence-based practices in treating patients. “They [Emanate Health] have really harbored my growth and professionalism,” explained Floyd.
While he now serves as a supervisor maintaining regulatory standards across all three Emanate Health hospitals—as well as at an Emanate Health outpatient clinic in Glendora—Floyd’s first love will always be his role as an occupational therapist (OT). According to Floyd, “I’m an OT first, being a manager is second. My heart is with my patients.”
“The hospital can be a scary place,” Floyd went on to say. “I feel like I get to bring a personal level to my patients and their families, to give them a sense of humanness.”
A LOVE FOR THERAPY
Floyd’s foray into patient care began in 2009 when he started as a volunteer at both Inter-Community Hospital and Queen of the Valley Hospital. “When I was volunteering, I fell in love with therapy,” Floyd recalled. “It felt like the best of both worlds—not just the physical aspects of care, but mental and spiritual, as well. I can’t believe they pay me to do this—it’s so rewarding.”
PRIDE AND TRUST
Working in health care during the COVID-19 pandemic has only reinforced his pride and trust in Emanate Health. “In the beginning [of the pandemic], I felt relieved to work at a hospital and for our organization,” Floyd explained. “This is a hospital, so we know how to handle these situations.
“I have a lot of pride working here, and I know other people do too,” Floyd continued. “It’s just different—it’s a real family here. And whatever you put into it, you get out of it.”
THE GIFT OF GIVING
After several years of providing therapy to address the physical and mental needs of his patients, Floyd decided to start giving back through the Emanate Health Employee Giving Program in 2015.
“I felt like I wanted to give back because of what Emanate Health has given me,” Floyd explained. “This is my community. If you work here, and you live here, this is your hospital. If my dad gets sick, he’s coming here. My sister’s been sick, and she came here. This is who we are.”
