Naval Health Clinic Hawaii is proud to have one of its own selected as the Navy's Senior Physical Therapist of the Year. Lt. Cmdr. Charles E. Rainey was selected for this prestigious award by demonstrating outstanding proactive clinic management and business acumen in physical therapy.

Rainey was nominated for the award by Capt. Andrew L. Findley, commanding officer, Naval Health Clinic Hawaii and competed with 111 active-duty physical therapists throughout the Navy.

"I feel very honored to be selected as the Navy Senior Physical Therapy of the Year and to be included in such a talented group of Medical Service Corps officers," Rainey said. "I attribute this honor to the great mentors that have inspired and challenged me throughout my naval career. I have been most fortunate to have served with the some of the best leadership within Navy Medicine."

Rainey is the senior physical therapist of Naval Health Clinic Hawaii's physical therapy/sports medicine and rehabilitation therapy (SMART) clinic and director of clinical support services. Since reporting to the command in September, he has managed the physical therapy and rehabilitation needs of active-duty service members ensuring their medical readiness, and oversees all ancillary support operations throughout the command to include pharmacy, laboratory and radiology services.

Rainey was specifically nominated for his outstanding management of physical therapy consults, appointment processes and network referrals. He championed changes to optimize patient care thorough utilization of more thorough template analysis, enhanced consult management and simplified appointment processes. His efforts resulted in improved access to care, maintenance of referrals in the direct care system and increased network recapture. He also has obtained dual board certifications in both orthopaedics and sports physical therapy and has authored and published numerous peer-reviewed articles.

He has received advanced training in trigger point dry needling, diagnostic ultrasound and electroneuromyography, and is currently one of only five Navy physical therapists to be credentialed in electroneuromyography.

In 2013, while deployed with SEAL Team 7 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom to Afghanistan and United Arab Emirates, Rainey was one the first physical therapists to complete the Small Boat Coxswain qualification authorizing him to wear the small craft cfficer-in-charge insignia.

"Lt. Cmdr. Rainey is a leader within his specialty," said Findley. "His caring and compassionate nature, along with the gift to mentor and motivate, leads his staff to accomplish the mission with excellence. In addition, he is an extremely talented physical therapist who receives accolades from patients, medical staff and consultants."

Findley and the staff of Naval Health Clinic Hawaii said they are truly proud of his accomplishments and his dedication to providing exceptional patient care. Rainey's selection reinforces Naval Health Clinic Hawaii's reputation as a premiere medical treatment facility.

For more news from Naval Health Clinic Hawaii, visit www.navy.mil/.