“When you love something as much as I do, you can’t imagine doing anything different,” said Lori Deltondo, Physical Therapy Assistant. Lori has been a caregiver at Montrose Regional Health for 45 years. Lori’s journey at Montrose Regional Health began at the beginning of her senior year of high school. She has dedicated her life and career to serving patients in the Montrose area ever since.
After high school, Lori Deltondo began pondering her future career. She had always enjoyed helping others and the medical field seemed to be the area to check out. She visited the hospital in Montrose one day to see if she could volunteer and explore the variety of opportunities that were offered there. At the time, Physical Therapy was just taking off at Montrose Memorial Hospital (the former name of Montrose Regional Health). John and Dinah Riley were the only PT’s on staff. After speaking with John and Dinah, Lori became an apprentice to the two for a month—learning the ins and outs of the department and what duties were required. She soon knew Physical Therapy was what she wanted to pursue and decided to go to school to become a Physical Therapy Assistant. At the time, there were no schools in the state of Colorado that offered programs for Physical Therapy Assistant, so Lori applied for and was accepted at a community college in Oregon. Upon completing her education, she moved back to Montrose to begin a full-time position at the hospital.
Lori stayed busy, lending a hand in the various branches of the Physical Therapy Department, from Orthopedics to Wound Care – which is her current specialty. In this particular field she works with PT’s and providers to assist patients healing from severe wounds. One of Lori’s favorite aspects of her current role is seeing a patient finish treatment with a fully healed wound. “It’s a great feeling for both us,” Lori said. “It’s great to see them happy, and to see their appreciation for our assistance in closing the wound.” The Wound Management program has been offered at Montrose Regional Health for 19 years now, beginning in 2005.
During her 45 years of service at the hospital, Lori has witnessed plenty of change in not only healthcare but the community as a whole, constantly learning and growing. She states that it is one of the things she’s enjoyed most about her career. “I’ve learned from all of the therapists that have gone through our department. You just keep learning!”
Lori Deltondo’s contributions to healthcare in Montrose aren’t all she and her family have offered the region over the years. The Deltondo family has a significant presence in the agricultural community with their farm in Montrose and Olathe, Colorado. The Deltondo farm produces beans, field corn, and hay. They also maintain livestock.
It is through the dedication and commitment of Lori Deltondo and people like her that Montrose Regional Health has provided award-winning, quality care to the community. Lori has been with the hospital and Mountain View Therapy since the beginning, and she has been invaluable in shaping what it has become today. “We have an excellent department,” Lori said. “I’m not ready to retire.” Montrose Regional Health certainly does not wish to see Lori retire, either – however, she has certainly earned it through her tireless service to the Montrose community. Lori, thank you for always caring for your patients like family!
To learn more about our Physical Therapy services at Montrose Regional Health, contact our primary Mountain View Therapy Clinic at 970-240-7369.
