Embracing change with purpose, progress and positivity

Change is inevitable. For 33 years in Outpatient Rehabilitation at IU Health Arnett, Lisa Wilder, PTA, has shown how adapting with optimism can strengthen a team and the patients who walk through its doors.

After nearly 20 years as an athletic trainer, Wilder shifted into physical therapy, a moment she still counts as one of the most meaningful in her career. It gave her the chance to build deeper connections with patients and witness transformation over time. “The satisfaction that comes from helping people regain their independence, confidence and quality of life” is what motivates her every day, she says.

She notes that she has worked alongside team members from many backgrounds, cultures and specialties. What has remained constant in every era, she says, is strong communication and a shared commitment to doing what is best for patients.

As healthcare evolved, Wilder embraced changes that improved care delivery. The transition from paper charting to electronic medical records stands out not for its difficulty, but for what it made possible: easier collaboration, more accurate information and a cleaner, more organized workflow.

She is known in her department for the meaningful ways she supports the team. She keeps shared spaces orderly and jumps in to decorate for milestone birthdays, work anniversaries, Occupational Therapy Month and Christmas festivities. She even helps plan celebrations like the annual holiday party and Founders’ Day activities. “I try and keep everything in its place, to make it easier to find during patient care,” she says. These traditions and touches, she believes, help morale thrive.

In a field built around progress, Wilder models it daily. Her steadiness, enthusiasm and genuine care continue to move her team and patients forward with confidence.