HaysMed is proud to celebrate Breanna Kantz, Occupational Therapist, for earning her Therapeutic Pain Specialist Certification, a credential that enhances the hospital’s comprehensive therapy services. Occupational and Physical Therapy are essential components of care at HaysMed, and Breanna’s certification further strengthens the hospital’s ability to serve patients across the region.

Breanna’s work at HaysMed focuses on helping patients regain function and confidence through targeted therapy that supports activities of daily living, typically delivered over three to four hospital visits. Her goal is to help patients with their mindsets, “I’m sore, but I’m safe,” encouraging a calm nervous system and a step-by-step approach to recovery.

Unlike physical therapists who may also pursue this certification, Breanna’s occupational therapy lens allows her to focus on how pain affects daily routines and independence. Her approach is holistic, helping patients navigate challenges like joint recovery, disrupted sleep, and the emotional toll of chronic pain, all while finding meaning and purpose in their everyday lives.

Since joining HaysMed in June 2025 from Washington University in St. Louis, Breanna has brought a fresh perspective to HaysMed’s rehabilitation team. This certification, which involves six months of intensive online coursework and hands-on lab training, equips Breanna with advanced strategies to help patients manage pain while maintaining independence and quality of life.

Importantly, the Therapeutic Pain Specialist Certification also provides a powerful tool in the broader effort to address pain management in light of the opioid epidemic. By offering non-pharmacological strategies that promote movement, function, and self-efficacy, she helps patients manage pain safely and effectively, without relying solely on medication.

“Breanna’s certification reflects the kind of forward-thinking care we strive for at HaysMed. Her certification as a Therapeutic Pain Specialist brings an added layer of expertise to our therapy team and offers our patients new, meaningful ways to manage pain and regain independence. We’re incredibly proud to have her on board.” said Theresa Roe, HaysMed Director of Rehabilitation Services.

Her certification is more than a personal milestone, it’s a meaningful advancement for HaysMed’s patients, team, and the western Kansas region.