Just after college, Rebekah Allely was given the opportunity to intern for a short time in a burn unit in Wisconsin. It was in that single month of time in the burn unit that she fell in love with her experience and knew it was exactly what she was meant to do. To this day, the impact that the burn unit had on Rebekah is imminent—she still remembers her very first patient. Knowing she had found her passion, Rebekah sent letters to over 20 burn units across the country, and shortly after finding her home at MedStar Health in Washington, D.C.In this episode, we talk with Rebekah about her experience as an Occupational Therapist in a burn unit, discuss her experience with Phoenix Society for Burn Survivor’s SOAR program, and hear firsthand from Rebekah about must-dos in Washington, D.C.—the location for the 2023 Phoenix World Burn Congress. About Rebekah AllelyRebekah Allely received her BA in Mental Health/Human Services from Franciscan University in 1983 and a BA in Occupational Therapy in 1985 from Eastern Michigan University. Rebekah has been a burn rehab therapist at MedStar Washington Hospital Center (MWHC) for 37 years. Rebekah works with patients across the continuum of care from the Burn ICU to the outpatient setting and throughout aftercare programming. Rebekah works closely with the MWHC laser program assessing and treating scars for years post-injury. Rebekah is a Phoenix SOAR coordinator. She enjoys teaching social skills training and an overview of burn rehabilitation to new nurses.  Rebekah volunteers with the DC Firefighter Burn Foundation providing aftercare programming including local outdoor events, taking patients annually to The Adaptive Sports Center in Colorado for a week of outdoor programming, organizing burn retreats, and taking burn survivors to Phoenix World Burn Congress.  Resources from the ShowMedStar HealthD.C. Firefighters Burn FoundationPhoenix World Burn CongressPhoenix: SOARPhoenix Society Peer SupportPhoenix Society Community CalendarRead an Article Written by Rebekah About Being a Burn TherapistInformation About Pressure GarmentsWatch Rebekah Talk About Supporting the Burn-Injured FirefighterThings To Do in Washington, D.C. While Attending Phoenix World Burn CongressOld Town AlexandriaGeorgetownNight Tours of DCKorean War MemorialSponsor Girls with Grafts Interested in becoming a sponsor of the show? Email us at info@phoenix-society.org. Enjoyed the show? Tell us on social media using hashtag #GirlswithGrafts and tagging Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors!