Leaving Jamaica in 1985, Veronica Jeffrey came to the U.S. and began work as a teacher. It was through a friend that she became aware of opportunities in Occupational Therapy, and the work seemed a natural to her because of her teaching background. She obtained her therapy degree in 1996 and began working per diem in many places including Silvercrest. Recognition of her excellent work led to the offer of a full-time job at Silvercrest in 1997.

Veronica feels good about being part of a program where "all the therapists are very interested in their patients and take their goals seriously. Time and again I've seen patients come in unable to stand and got to see them walk out of here."

The mother of three grown sons, Veronica makes her home in Cambria Heights and looks forward to her work each day at Silvercrest. "When I get a patient with an amputation or a stroke and I get them back to being able to shower and move in the home and care for themselves... that's something special."

When a frightened and demoralized man wondered out loud how he would "ever get in his car to get home" after his hip fracture surgery, Veronica did not hesitate. "Don't worry, now. In 2 weeks you'll be flyin' out of here!"