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Talking All Things CardiopulmAuthor: Rachele Burriesci, PT, DPT, CCS, GCS
This podcast is designed to discuss heart and lung conditions, treatment interventions, research, current trends, expert opinions and patient experiences.The goal is to learn, inspire and bring Cardiopulm to the forefront of conversation. Language: en-us Genres: Health & Fitness Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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Episode 107: From Residency to ICU innovation: Advancing Early Mobility & Verticalization with Jenna Hightower
Thursday, 18 December, 2025
Early mobility is not just a catch phrase. It’s activity that can change the trajectory of a patient’s condition, hospital stay and potentially life.Join me as we welcome Dr. Jenna Hightower, PT, DPT, CCS, critical care physical therapist, and CVP Emerging Leader award recipient. In this episode we learn about Jenna’s physical therapy journey and her evolution from an exercise physiologist in outpatient cardiac rehab to PT residency to her love and passion for the ICU setting. Jenna learned early in her career that she could make tremendous impact in the ICU despite the level of complexity and ICU acquired weakness. Listen as we discuss the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, knowledge sharing, physiologic benefits of in-bed verticalization and early mobility progression. With a little persistence, hard work and communication change can be made.If you work in acute care, critical care, or are passionate about advancing ICU mobility, this episode is a must-listen!In this Episode:PT residencyCritical Care CultureBedrest & deconditioningProning & verticalizationABCDEF BundleThe Ramsey ProtocolPhysiologic benefits of verticalizationTransition to a non-clinical roleResources:VitalGo WebsiteVitalGo InstagramTilt Talk Podcast: Apple. Spotify YoutubeKayli Dayton websiteBio:Dr. Hightower earned her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Western Carolina University in 2017. Following this, she completed a Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Critical Care Residency through Mercer University at Piedmont Atlanta Hospital in 2018. Dr. Hightower has served as a Critical Care Physical Therapist in multi-specialty intensive care units at both Piedmont Atlanta Hospital and Mayo Clinic Florida. Her expertise lies in early mobility interventions within the ICU, particularly for patients on advanced mechanical circulatory support devices such as ECMO, IABP, Impella, and LVAD, as well as those on various forms of mechanical ventilation. She specializes in managing complex cases involving multiple end-organ failure or shock requiring invasive support, with a particular passion for pre- and post-heart and lung transplant care. Dr. Hightower has frequently integrated the use of the Total Lift Bed into her patients' care plans to enhance outcomes, despite the complexity and acuity of their conditions.Find me on: IG: @all_things_cardiopulm Threads: @all_things_cardiopulm Website: www.allthingscardiopulm.com Youtube: @allthingscardiopulm Linked-In: Rachele Burriesci Text at 913-308-4494
