Employee Spotlight

James Reising

Dr. Jim, as Jim Reising is known around campus, just celebrated five years with Casa Loma College. Originally Dr. Jim began as adjunct PTA faculty and a few years back became full time with the PTA program. And as you will learn below, Dr. Jim is not just a doctor of physical therapy and a faculty member, he is so much more …

Tell Us About Yourself?
Well, my name is Jim Reising, born at St. Joseph’s Hospital, now Providence St. Joseph’s Medical Center, in Burbank.  I grew up in the San Fernando Valley, and never really left.  In 1977 I married my beautiful wife Lou Ann, also a valley girl in only the best sense of that term.  We raised three great kids, my daughter Elizabeth, and my two boys Andrew and Martin. Ages 37, 33, and 28 respectively. Each is pursuing their own careers. The older two are married.  I have one grandson and another on the way.

I was a high school distance runner and did some cycling for a number of years participating in a number of century (100 mile) rides.  I also golfed for a while.  I am currently “between sports”.  Recreation time is difficult to find.  I do have other hobbies; I am a car enthusiast, attending car shows and car club events, and I enjoy photography.

Tell Us About Your Educational Background.
On campus I am “Dr. Jim”; the “doctor” title come from my doctoral degree in physical therapy which I earned in 2013.  I could pretend to be young, given the date on that degree, but when I entered the transitional DPT program at Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona, I had already been practicing physical therapy for over 30 years. I entered the profession in 1979 after graduating from CSUN’s Physical Therapy program in December of 1978.  My high school years were spent in Encino, at Crespi High.

What Inspired You to Pursue This Career Path?
When I started college, I knew I wanted to pursue a healthcare career – thinking maybe dentistry.  While in school I had two jobs; I was a playground supervisor at a Special Education elementary school, and I was an assistant track and cross-country coach at my high school alma mater.  Through those two jobs I was exposed to physical therapy.  I researched the career, changed my major from Bio to Health Science, the appropriate major for CSUN’s PT program.  Over 40 years later, here I am.

What Areas Within This Field Are of Interest to You? Is There an Area You Are More Focused On?
I spent my years of clinical practice primarily in outpatient orthopedics, but over the years my practice transitioned to a higher percentage of geriatric patients.  I have also worked on weekends for the past 15 years in an acute care hospital, Adventist Health, Glendale.  As I have taken on more teaching responsibilities here at Casa Loma College, I find I have an interest in reviewing all the basics, and latest area of interest, the area on which I am focused is education.

What Have Been Your Most Important, Proudest And/or Favorite Experiences in Your Career?
Well. I guess if you look at it chronologically the first this was getting accepted into the PT program at CSUN, and then graduating.  Proud of my transition from employee to partner, and then partner to solo owner of an outpatient practice.  I am proud to have worked in and helped so many people in the same community for 40 years.  I am proud of receiving my Doctor of Physical Therapy degree and now proud to be a full-time member of the faculty of the Casa Loma College PTA Program.

What Brought You to Teach at Casa Loma College?
Not what, who? Dr. David Pevsner. During the formation of the PTA program I was approached by Dr. Pevsner to sit on the advisory board.  That is what lead me to be teaching here, and I thank him for that, because somewhere in the recesses of my mind I thought that maybe I would like to teach, and he provided me with this opportunity.

What Is Your Favorite Part of Working with Non-Traditional Students?
Quite honestly, I don’t know what it would be like to work with “traditional students”.  But what I love about the students here is their desire to learn.  Many have already been out in the world, and are back in school with more direction, maybe.

What Attracted You to The Field of Education?
In my senior year of high school, when the students vote, and make those selections of, “most likely to”, I was voted “most likely to return as a teacher”.  I did return as a coach, so close. So that experience of “teaching” running was a start, and so much of being a physical therapist is educating patients, and I enjoyed that. I think those experiences are what led me in this direction.  My daughter is an excellent teacher, I am very proud of that, and seeing her passion for education also influenced me.

Who Has Influenced You the Most in Life?
My wife has been a big influence in my life, helping me in so many ways to be the best version of myself. Also my father, who influenced by example.  He was so honest and ethical, incredibly accepting and loving.  I miss him every day.

If You Could Have Dinner with One Person, Living or Dead, Who Would It Be?
In glancing over the questions, I thought this one might be difficult, until I read the above question, and the answer became very clear to me.  I would love to have one more evening with my father.

How Do You Like to Spend Your Free Time?
Free time?  What’s that?  I previously mentioned being a car enthusiast. I spend some time watching Formula One Racing. I also mentioned photography, but lately my favorite thing is spending time with my grandson.

What’s something you want to do that you’ve never done before?
Win the lottery?

I know, what a shallow answer.  But what I would do with the money, now that’s the fun part.  I’d set up a foundation whose job it would be to give away the money to worthwhile causes and endeavors.

What’s your favorite place you’ve ever visited?
Venice, Italy

What is your favorite book(s) and why? Your favorite movie?
My favorite book: A Separate Peace by John Knowles.  Not sure why, but that book has stuck with me.

My Favorite movie: Shawshank Redemption. What a great story! It has everything.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever heard?
My old boss said, “Just take care of the patients, the money will take care of itself”.  Unfortunately, in healthcare this is getting much more difficult, but I think the core concept is still true, and not just for patient care, but in life.  Just do the best job you can, take care of the people in your life, and the other stuff about which we sweat will take care of itself.