Long-time physical therapy patient bids farewell to rehabilitation team

After nearly a decade of care, connection and perseverance, patient Kevin Esteb has bid a heartfelt farewell to IU Health after his cross-country move to Arizona.

Esteb, who lives with the long-term effects of a traumatic brain injury and adult cerebral palsy, has been a cherished presence at Methodist Medical Plaza South for nine years. Through physical therapy (PT) and rehabilitation services, he worked closely with a dedicated team to manage lifelong complications with strength and resilience.

As he prepared for the transition to a new state, Esteb expressed understandable anxiety about what lay ahead. In response, Shane Tolbert, PT, and team members came together in a moving act of compassion, pooling resources to provide him with food and gas gift cards for the journey.

Noah Gausman, PT, DPT, team lead, says, “It's powerful to see the relationship between Kevin and Shane and our clinic that has cultivated from years of working together and demonstrates the impact that we not only have on our patients, but also the impact that our patients have on us as providers.”

The sendoff reflected both Esteb’s impact on the team and the values that guide their approach to rehabilitation: personalized, goal-focused care that helps patients overcome physical limitations and reach their highest level of function.

“Kevin's journey reminds us that care does not end when the appointment does. It follows you, even when you set out on a new chapter in life,” says Gausman.

Though Esteb has headed west, the care he received and the impact he made will remain a lasting part of IU Health.