Local physical therapist wins regional health care award
Mountain Valley of Cascadia Director of Rehabilitation Tara Lodi (pictured on the right) was presented with Cascadia Healthcare's Peak Performer Award at the 2025 Cascadia Summit in Huntington Beach, California, last month. Lodi, pictured alongside Mountain Valley CEO Emilee Kulin, was nominated by her peers at Mountain Valley.
Courtesy photo
KELLOGG — Mountain Valley of Cascadia director of rehabilitation Tara Lodi was recently presented with the company’s 2025 Peak Performer Award at the Cascadia Summit in Huntington Beach, Calif.
Lodi, who has been with the company for almost 20 years, was nominated by her peers from Mountain Valley and then unanimously selected by companywide committee for the award.
“I’ve always enjoyed helping people and taking care of people, which is why I love and enjoy my job so much," Lodi said. "Even through the terrible times we experienced with COVID, I never once wished that I worked in a different profession.”
Lodi began working at Mountain Valley while she was a sophomore in high school, working full-time hours as a CNA before she graduated and pursued her degree in physical therapy. She was promoted to her current position 12 years ago.
Emilee Kulin, CEO of Mountain Valley, spoke highly of Lodi, both as an employee and as a member of the Silver Valley community.
“She makes patients want to exercise, meet goals and if you ask any post-acute former or current patient, or long-term care resident who their favorite staff member is, you can bet money that Tara will be first mentioned," Kulin said.
Lodi is also involved in the Silver Valley Chamber of Commerce, the Jackass Half-Marathon and the president of the S.A.V.E. Coalition.
“I’m grateful to have such a strong team around me that provides support and is always willing to try some of the less conventional treatment options that we’ve come up with over the years to help keep our patients engaged and to achieve their goals,” Lodi said.
Oftentimes, her job is to force people out of their comfort zones and get them back on their feet.
Kulin said the more difficult the patient, the better Lodi is at her job.
“Our patients frequently arrive and have run out of hope,” Lodi said. “I’ve always thrived off of taking the most complicated patients that hate therapy, and hate being here, and turning them around to absolutely thrive and be able to achieve their goals.”
Cascadia Healthcare operates 45 skilled nursing and rehabilitation facilities across Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington and Arizona, including facilities in Kellogg, Silverton and Coeur d’Alene.