Pitt honors Lower Burrell businessman

LOWER BURRELL: Brian Jacob can relate to the difficulties customers have who use the medical rehabilitation equipment that he sells.

It's a bond nobody would wish for, but one that Jacob accepts and uses to help others.

After his sophomore year in college, he sustained a severe spinal injury in a sporting accident and has used an electric wheelchair ever since.

Yet he has been so successful in his business, WestArm Therapy Services, that he recently was honored by his alma mater, the University of Pittsburgh, as a distinguished alumnus.

And his disability was not a factor in his receiving the award.

He has earned the Graduate School of Public Health's Distinguished Alumni Award for 2001. The award goes to an alumnus who has made significant contributions to his or her field.

'If you didn't know of Brian's handicap, you would still be impressed with his contributions to the field of rehabilitation,' said Mary Derkach, assistant dean of student affairs.

'I'm glad I chose this career, as it has a lot of personal value because of myself having gone through rehabilitation and realizing what it takes from a patient's perspective,' Jacob said.

Jacob is a C-5 quadriplegic; the designation cervical five (C-5) refers to the location of the affected vertebra in a spinal injury; the smaller the number, the closer the injury is to the brain and the greater the severity.

Jacob, 42, still managed to complete his education despite the life-altering event.

Less than a year after his accident he was back at Pitt, taking classes part time and earning a bachelor's degree in psychology in 1982.

He went on to earn a master's degree in health-care administration in 1986.

'There were a lot of obstacles in going back - there were physical limitations and emotional uncertainties,' Jacob said. 'But my mother and father were instrumental in my going back to school - they were very supportive.'

His father is the late Abraham Jacob. His mother, Jackie, now lives in Oakmont.

Jacob, who began wrestling in sixth grade and continued in college until his accident, said the discipline and determination he learned from the sport helped him achieve his goals.

'After the accident, those characteristics applied to the rest of my life,' he said. 'I was very determined to be successful.'

After receiving his bachelor's degree, Jacob wasn't sure what he wanted to pursue in graduate school or as a career.

'I thought about going to law school, but my life had been so wrapped up in health care at that point.'

So he decided to go to Pitt's Graduate School of Public Health. He said his father had offered to pay for him to attend, but he decided to take out student loans so he could accomplish it on his own.

Jacob is the owner and president of WestArm Therapy Services, the rehabilitation center his father started in Leechburg in 1983.

In the 10 years since Jacob took over after his father's death, WestArm has expanded. In addition to the original site, WestArm now boasts five more locations in Ellwood City, Kittanning, Lower Burrell, New Kensington and Buffalo Township.

The corporate offices, along Kipp Avenue in Lower Burrell, soon will be moving to Leechburg Road in the former J&N Video Connections building. The Kipp Avenue building will then be used for patient care.

'I love this type of work because this is what I was educated to do, and I get a vicarious joy to offer rehabilitation to people in need of care,' Jacob said.

But Derkach stressed that his award had nothing to do with his disability.

'He has accomplished no less than any other awardee we've recognized in the past. Brian was not given this award because of his handicap.'

That's not to say that she doesn't admire the way that Jacob always went about his business.

Derkach remembers Brian as conscientious and determined.

'He went about his studies as any other student,' Derkach said. 'He never asked for anything extra.'

While he has accomplished much in his career, Jacob said his family is the highlight of his life.

Jacob and his wife, Jamie, have two children, Brady and Maria. Jacob tries to be as involved as possible in his children's activities.

He is the current president of Lower Burrell Little League, in which his son is involved.

Jacob, a New Kensington native living in Lower Burrell, also has been active in the community.

He has served as a member of numerous organizations, including the StrongLand Area Chamber of Commerce, Burrell School District, Burrell Area Rotary Club and the Burrell Youth Wrestling Program.

'An award for being distinguished means one of two things,' Jacob joked. 'Either you really know a lot or you're getting old. I think this means I'm getting old.'