There are no clouds in Scott Morel’s world.
He is sunshine. He is blue skies and 72 degrees, a wrap-your-arms-around type whose Texas-sized heart is filled with nothing but good.
By day, Morel, one of life’s true gems, is a Performance Enhancement Specialist for Rock Valley Physical Therapy’s Muscatine, Iowa-based Cedarwood clinic, an energetic and caring site that rests on the backside of a wonderful community on Iowa’s eastern edge.
Morel, a 48 year-old Milan, Illinois native, is Cedarwood’s Swiss Army knife, filling a variety of much-needed roles and doing each with enthusiasm, care and compassion.
He is also Coach Morel, bettering the lives of high school footballers in the fall and junior college hoops hopefuls in the winter, also finding time to guide the sports-performance programs of athletes – of all ages – working to find that next level of skill and fitness.
In his most important role, though, Morel is simply “Dad’’ to his three children, part leader, part confidant and part disciplinarian when needed.
In a world that sometimes sees the glass less than half-filled, Morel’s optimistic cup is overflowing.
“I do not have a specific example of a good deed, because Scott’s life is full of doing good deeds,’’ said Stephen Wieskamp, PT, CEAS, Vice-President of Business Development for Rock Valley Physical Therapy and Morel’s longtime leader at the Muscatine-based clinic.
“He always comes to work with a smile on his face and tries to put a smile on everyone else’s face even when I know he may not be smiling inside. Scott is genuine. He truly cares about each person he comes in contact with. He has been asked to do a variety of jobs at Rock Valley. He approaches each new task with everything he has. The clinic is just more happy when he is here.’’
For Morel, the best job in life is being a father.
“I have three amazing kids,’’ he said. “And each of them is unique and special in their own way. I’m so blessed to have them in my life.’’
Like everyone, Morel is not immune to life’s challenges. In October of 2020, he lost his younger brother, Frank, who was only 44. In addition to his children, Morel cites the love and care from his Cedarwood family as motivation to move forward and be the best he can be.
“The best, all of them,’’ Morel said of his immediate Rock Valley family. “But that love is company wide. It’s what sets Rock Valley apart. The people here (Cedarwood) are above and beyond special. They are my family. They are loving, caring and gracious. Life can be a struggle sometimes, but when I reach the parking lot (at Cedarwood) all is great. I know everything on the inside is amazing. My workmates and the patients we get to form relationships with are what make this place special. Each day here makes me better.’’
Morel’s positive attitude is infectious. He combines a great sense of humor and comedic timing, with the ability to laugh at himself and a deep love for life and people, into amazing bonds with his clinic-mates and patients.
“Scott always manages to put a smile on my face, even on my worst day,’’ said Elvira Alba, part of the amazing front office staff at Cedarwood. “Back in October (2021), my grandma passed away and Scotty came to the visitation.
“I wasn’t expecting anyone at all from work to come. I started crying the instant I saw him. The fact that he took time out of his busy schedule to come to give me his condolences just speaks volumes of the person he is. He has a laugh that is contagious and puts a smile on your face.’’
There is, however, one chink in Morel’s armour. Needles are his kryptonite. Fear might be understanding his relationship with them.
“Years ago, we had nurses stop by to give us our flu shots,’’ said Stacey Hamilton, PTA, Cedarwood. “Scott, who is deathly afraid of needles, was in the room and all the sudden we heard hysterical giggling coming from the room. This is Scott’s coping mechanism and made everyone in the clinic laugh with him. He continues to share his joy of life and infectious laugh with all.’’
At a time when society needs more “team’’ players, Morel is the perfect example of someone wanting only to better those he stands with each day.
“I have been trying to think of specific “stories” about Scott, but it is difficult due to the consistency of his performance,’’ said Michael Wright, PT, DPT, OCS, CEAS, Southeast Regional Manager/Employer Service Coordinator, for Rock Valley Physical Therapy. ”During the 12 years that I have known him, there are few people that embody RVPT’s core value of compassion more than he does. He demonstrates this trait every day with his clients, transports, and co-workers. It is his genuine compassion that allows him to build relationships with everyone he comes into contact with. Once the relationship is established, he is able to push his clients to achieve their goals, whether it is an athlete seeking that next personal best or an elderly client seeking to stay active in the community, he is truly invested in them. I am honored to call him my friend and co-worker.’’
Whatever today might be for some, it is always sunny and optimism-filled in the world of Rock Valley Physical Therapy’s Scott Morel.
By: Johnny Marx, Storyteller