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Richey receives service award from SLU
SIKESTON — A Sikeston physical therapist was recently honored by Saint Louis University for his life of services to others.
Thomas Harrison “Tom” Richey II, president of Health Facilities Rehab, was honored Sept. 23 with the Florence P. Kendall Service Award from the Physical Therapy Program at Saint Louis University.
According to Saint Louis University, the purpose of the award is to recognize a physical therapist who has performed outstanding service to the health care community in the spirt of Florence P. Kendall.
The award was presented Sept. 23 in conjunction with the White Coat Ceremony for the 2025 Doctor of Physical Therapy class.
A 1971 graduate of the University of Missouri-Columbia, Richey became the first physical therapist to practice in southeastern Missouri, working at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. During this time, he developed therapy programs for children with cerebral palsy since there were no local treatment facilities. Richey spent every Saturday providing services for these children and their families, ultimately establishing the Scott-Mississippi-New Madrid Counties Untied Cerebral Palsy Center in 1974 at the Sikeston Regional Center for the Developmentally Disabled. Through Richey’s continued dedication and commitment to this center and his ability to engage the financial support of the surrounding counties and the singer himself, the Kenny Rogers’ Center was established, giving treatment and transportation at no cost to families of children form the area, according to his nomination letter.
Richey has worked with all ages of patients. He is a well-known advocate for the geriatric population as noted by his long history of implementing and providing comprehensive therapy programs for long-term care facilities in southeastern Missouri during the past 25 years. In addition, he established the first outpatient physical therapy department which allowed patients to receive therapy without having to travel over an hour to find a practitioner. This outpatient facility included the first therapy pool in the area as well as a work hardening/work conditioning program that allowed workers in the area to return safely to work after an injury. As the founder and director of SET (Sports Enhancement Training), he has provided physical therapy and sports specific training to local athletes, who had no other options for receiving care or instruction.
According to his nomination letter, Richey is an exceptional mentor and role model for his employees and staff, supporting their educational endeavors and goals. He is also involved in the clinical education of many students from a variety of physical therapy academic programs, including SLU. He has provided scholarships for students to finish their education and helped them to find employment after graduation. Richey has sponsored physical therapists from other countries assisting them in obtaining work visas and finding housing for their families; several of these individuals have become U.S. citizens.
Richey is involved in the American Physical Therapy Association, serving as the chairperson of his local chapter of the Missouri Physical Therapy Association twice, and sponsoring meetings at his facility. He is also involved in and supportive of many community activities including, but not limited to the Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo which provides funds for local scouting programs, the local food bank, the United Way and the Kenny Rogers Children’s Center.
Richey served in the 135th Surgical Hospital (M.A.S.H.) unit through the Missouri National Guard, directing and training both the enlisted and officers to run the unit. During this time, he traveled to undeveloped areas to provide medical treatment and prevention services, ultimately retiring as a lieutenant colonel. Also, he has been a dedicated member of his church for 65 years, serving as a deacon for the community.