What is your name?
Matt Cummings
What is your role at ARC Physical Therapy+?
OT/CHT and Director at the Lee’s Summit and Independence clinics
OT Fellowship Coordinator
What year did you begin working at ARC Physical Therapy+?
2016
Where are you from?
Lee’s Summit, MO
Where did you go to school?
University of Missouri-Columbia
Who or what inspired you to get into the occupational therapy space?
I enjoy working with and helping people. My background before going into OT was mechanical engineering. This training and understanding allows me to use my knowledge of biomechanics while working with people vs. working at a computer workstation as would have been my fate if I continued in engineering.
What do you like most about your work at ARC Physical Therapy+?
There is a lot of flexibility in how to serve our patients while meeting the expectations of our company and patients. As someone who enjoys working hard, there are great opportunities to provide excellent care.
What is one thing you wish everyone knew about the body or physical therapy?
A great outcome and ability to meet your goals requires a lot of work regardless of whether or not you have had surgery. The best outcome occurs with great communication and great understanding/compliance with content not only in the clinic but between sessions (at home). The body is like a machine and often times it requires work on one or two small parts to make the whole thing run properly.
Are you involved with any outside organizations? If so, what?
Yes, I am currently a member of ASHT (American Society of Hand Therapists) and KCHRSIG (Kansas City Hand Rehabilitation Special Interest Group).
What do you like to do in your free time?
My time outside of work is mostly spent with my wife and 1-year old daughter. We enjoy exercise and spending time being active outdoors. We walk to local shops, grab coffees, and occasionally do crosswords from the daily paper. I follow as many sports as I can (Go Chiefs!) and play an occasional pick-up football game or spend some hours on the golf course. We enjoy domestic and international travel every opportunity we get with past trips including New Zealand, Italy, Austria, and Czech Republic so far with hopes for Greece this year!
How do you like to celebrate a win or a good day?
Come home and laugh with my daughter and then go out to eat with my wife, or sometimes just grab a coffee and a book and take a moment.
What is your favorite quote or saying?
“A man is only as good as his word” – I’ve always thought a person’s word is supposed to mean something and therefore I try to stay as true to mine as I can.
Favorite Sports Team?
Kansas City Chiefs
Sweet or salty?
Salty, Barbeque or Mexican Food
Coffee or tea?
Coffee typically is a more major part of my life now that I have a 1 year old. Would love it all the same even if I didn’t often require the caffeine.
Beach or mountains?
Mountains, hiking, the crisp fresh air, and skiing
Go out or stay in?
At times I am happy doing both of these
