EPHC Adds Physical and Speech Therapists
New hires bring orthopedic rehabilitation and bilingual speech therapy experience
2 min read
Left to right: Helena Sykas, physical therapist, and Jacqueline Peña-Sosa, speech-language pathologist.
Eastern Plumas Health Care
PORTOLA – Eastern Plumas Health Care has hired physical therapist Helena Sykas and speech-language pathologist Jacqueline Peña-Sosa for its Therapy & Wellness Center, adding experience in orthopedic rehabilitation and care for adults with communication and swallowing difficulties.
Peña-Sosa speaks English and Spanish. She completed her clinical fellowship at a Colorado outpatient clinic specializing in acquired brain injury, where she assessed and treated adults with cognitive-communication and neurological disorders, according to EPHC’s fall newsletter. Her work includes helping people with language, speech, voice, and swallowing problems, as well as difficulties with thinking and communication.
Peña-Sosa earned a master’s degree in speech-language pathology from Metropolitan State University of Denver and a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of California, Santa Barbara. Raised in California, she returned to the state after completing her graduate education and beginning her career in Colorado.
Sykas earned her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the University of California, San Francisco. Her interests include orthopedic rehabilitation and helping patients return to their activities. EPHC says she works with patients in both inpatient and outpatient settings and has a particular interest in access to physical therapy in rural communities.
The hires come as EPHC plans to move the rehabilitation department to a new space in Delleker in 2027. The organization says it intends to continue adding rehabilitation providers and staff as it prepares for that move.
EPHC’s physical therapy services include outpatient care at its Portola campus, rehabilitation inside the hospital, and care at its skilled nursing facilities in Portola and Loyalton. Its speech therapy program treats speech, language, cognitive, swallowing, and voice disorders in children and adults.
The Therapy & Wellness Center is currently listed at the Portola main campus, 500 First Avenue. For information, call EPHC’s main number at 530-832-6500, the Therapy & Wellness Center at 530-832-6501, or visit its rehabilitation webpages.