Congratulations to occupational therapist Kelly Martinelli, who recently earned the safe patient handling associate designation!  A Central New York native who earned her master’s degree in OT from Ithaca College, she began her professional career at Sitrin, playing a pivotal role in improving the quality of life for individuals seeking supportive care. She has worked in many settings across campus including outpatient, long term care, inpatient rehab and NeuroCare.    

In addition to direct patient care, she serves as co-chair to the facility’s Safe Patient Handling Program alongside Jamie Wallace, director of Rehabilitation. She has assisted with: 

- orienting new staff to safe patient handling policy and procedures 

- developing educational in-services regarding transfers and mobility  

- obtaining an increased number of SARA lifts for the SNF houses 

- obtaining and educating staff regarding Hover Jack Technology 

- obtaining various transfer devices to trial for our current populations (Turner Pro, MoLift, Raiser Pro) 

- obtaining bed mobility assist devices/transfer sheets 

Her role also requires performance of quarterly assessments to ensure the facility’s equipment needs are met to ensure continued mobility success. This requires data collection regarding populations utilizing mechanical lifts for transfers. Since her involvement, there has been a markedly reduced number of patient/staff injuries that were a result of a mobility task.  

Kelly saw the success of Sitrin’s Safe Patient Handling Program over the years. Due to this she began attending SPH summits to further her education. In networking at these events, she discovered an opportunity to further her education and obtain her credentials as a Certified Safe Patient Handling Associate (CSPHA). According to the Association of Safe Patient Handling Professionals, these credentials “recognize an impressive amount of expertise and substantial accomplishments in the field of safe patient handling and mobility.”  

In December of 2024, Martinelli was credentialed as a CSPHA by the Association of Certified Safe Patient Handling Professionals. She is one of 28 individuals in NYS with these credentials.