In the spotlight: Abigail Goeckel
Abigail Goeckel worked at Ark City Presbyterian Manor for several years before joining the staff full-time three years ago. She is a certified physical therapist assistant/clinical catalyst for our community. Get to know more about her.
What do you enjoy most about working at Ark City Presbyterian Manor?
One of my favorite things about my job is seeing the progress my patients make, which enables them to return home or attend activities that they enjoy. Watching them perform a task with improved technique or safety that previously was too difficult is motivating. Another favorite part of my job is listening to and learning from my patient’s life experiences. Many life stories that I’ve heard have been extremely heartwarming.
What inspired you to become a physical therapist?
While I was getting my bachelor’s degree, I saw first-hand the impact of exercising and overall fitness to living a healthy life. Using that knowledge to help others either by alleviating pain, restoring their movement or by preventing other injuries from occurring are what initially inspired me to become a therapist. I have worked in several communities over my career and Ark City is the place I choose to be.
How do you enjoy spending your free time?
Spending time with my family outside. I love to go to the lake, snow skiing, family bicycle rides or reading on the front porch. Teaching my kids the importance of an active lifestyle and participating in those things together is my favorite. I also thoroughly enjoy travelling, with a goal to visit a new location at least once a year.
Tell us about your family.
My husband, Jeremy, is an electrical engineer and works at Spirit in Wichita as well as owning his own electrical engineering firm, Midwest Electrical Experts. We have two boys: Landon, 8 and Carson, 7. The boys love to play sports and ski both on the water and snow. It is very enjoyable watching them improve on their skills each season; they are keeping us very busy. During the fall, you can find our house full of purple gear as we love to watch K-State football games and cheer on the ‘Cats!
PHOTO: The Goeckel family - Jeremy, Landon, Carson and Abigail.
