Cornerstone VNA Clinician Receives National Acclaim

Local nonprofit Cornerstone VNA is proud to announce that Todd Burnett, PT, DPT, CLT, WCC, Lymphedema and Wound Management Coordinator, has been honored with the Award of Excellence in Clinical Practice from the Academy of Clinical Electrophysiology and Wound Management, which is a component of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). This prestigious award recognizes an Academy member who has excelled in clinical practice, improved the quality of patient care, and supported the multidisciplinary care of patients.

Lymphedema is a chronic condition that causes painful swelling in the arms and legs due to a compromised lymphatic system. Todd and his colleagues treat patients with this condition in their homes, teaching them exercises, self-manual lymph drainage, and how to use compression garments, all of which make a world of difference in their daily lives.

Todd was recognized for this achievement in Anaheim, Calif., where he also took the stage at the Annual APTA Conference in February alongside fellow Lymphedema and Wound Management Coordinator Allyson Alexander, PT, DPT, CLT, WCC, and Maureen Watkins, PT, DPT, LMT, MBA, Clinical Professor of Physical Therapy, Human Movement, and Rehabilitation Sciences at Northeastern University.

Their session, Systems in Crisis: Review of Systems and Treatment of Venolymphatic Disorders and Wounds in Homecare, explored the complexities of managing venous and lymphatic conditions within the homecare setting. During the presentation, they shared how an innovative device was created, which enabled a Cornerstone VNA home care patient to independently apply his own compression stockings, an ingenuity that will subsequently be modeled in homecare settings throughout the country.

Rehab Director Karen Krause, PT, COS-C, AIB-VRC, said, "Todd consistently strives to enhance the standard of care he provides, always looking for ways to refine processes and improve patient outcomes. He demonstrates strong leadership and guides and educates his Home Care team with purpose to ensure comprehensive, patient-centered care and the best possible results."

Todd believes much of his success stems from the trust and flexibility his team has been given by senior leadership at Cornerstone VNA, empowering them to put solutions in place that are both sustainable and genuinely impactful for patients.

That impact is felt deeply by the patients and families he serves. One patient's wife recently shared her appreciation, noting that Todd not only cared for her husband's condition but also looked after his overall well-being — teaching her lymph massage techniques and helping make their home safer for him to navigate.

For more information about Cornerstone VNA's expert wound care and lymphedema services, as well as other home health services, visit www.cornerstonevna.org.

 
Cornerstone VNA serves Strafford County and parts of Rockingham, Belknap, and Carroll Counties in New Hampshire, as well as York County in Maine. The organization provides award-winning care and support through five distinct programs: Home Care, Hospice Care, Palliative Care, Life Care – Private Duty, and Community Care. For over 113 years, Cornerstone VNA has been dedicated to helping people of all ages remain at home while facing the challenges of aging, recovery, chronic illness, or end-of-life care. To learn more, visit www.cornerstonevna.org or call 603-332-1133.