What was your journey prior to joining ARC Physical Therapy+?
I received my Bachelor’s in Psychology from Rockhurst College, and my Masters in Physical Therapy at Rockhurst University.
Right out of physical therapy
school, I worked in the outpatient department of a hospital. When the hospital was taken over by a larger organization I was let go, but I was fortunate enough to find a job very quickly in an OccMed clinic. I worked at that job for 16 years, even moving to San Diego for a year for them, before moving back to Kansas City. I found I greatly appreciated working in the occupational medicine and the workers’ compensation rehabilitation space, helping injured workers of all backgrounds get back to the jobs and activities they loved.
When did you join the ARC Physical Therapy+ team and what roles have you held at the company?
I joined the ARCPT+ in 2016 as the Director of our South Kansas City clinic. After serving in that role for a year, I applied to the Regional Director position and was hired to manage 10 clinics and their daily operations. Today, I am grateful to also serve as a Partner.
What are your top goals in your current role as Partner?
- Ensure we provide the best care to every single patient that walks in our doors
- Maintain our reputation of being the go-to providers for workers’ compensation onsite prevention and injury rehabilitation
- Continue to grow our team and clinics in order to service more areas in the community
What is your vision for ARC Physical Therapy+?
- Every interaction at each of our ARCPT+ locations is of the same high quality
- Our staff continues to develop and evolve in order to bring the best quality of care into the clinics and serve as the go-to resource for providers in our communities
- We will continue to establish ourselves as the experts in the work comp community, leading the industry in return-to-work care
What are some of the most valuable lessons you have learned in your time at ARC Physical Therapy?
I have learned that as a team you can get through anything, even a pandemic.
I have learned that a boss doesn’t necessarily need to be stern to be effective, and that leading by example is the best way to be successful.
What has been your greatest accomplishment?
My greatest accomplishment is raising my children and seeing the success they have as adults.
What three traits define you?
- Caring
- Dedicated
- Hard working
What is your personal philosophy?
Treat everyone as if they are a part of your family. Never react to someone who is emotional as you don’t know what they are going through.
Who opened doors for you?
I was inspired by a wonderful PTA (Mary Jones) who helped me become a better person. She helped me see that even though my early years were not supported, I was in charge of who and what I could become as an adult. She guided me down this career path by encouraging me to not let my past affect my future. She believed in me when no one else did (including myself). Thanks to her, I was able to get my GED and continue my education, after dropping out of high school in the 9th grade.
I have been blessed to work with many people who have guided me on this path and am grateful for all the good and bad experiences throughout my career.
What does true leadership mean to you?
True leadership is the capacity to translate your vision into reality. True leadership means working with a team to inspire them to accomplish the same goals.
What are the top leadership principles that have led to your success?
- Taking action when needed
- Setting a good example of what to do
- Motivating others to work with you
- Always being willing to step in to help whenever and wherever needed
- Stepping up to the challenge when others stepped back
What do you find most exciting about the PT space now?
Helping people find a way to manage their injury in order to successfully heal. I take great pride in seeing people improve and sharing in their successes. Therapy has a unique ability to challenge others to heal themselves.
What do you find most exciting about the PT/workers’ compensation space?
I personally enjoy the work comp space and the patients I meet. In work comp, you face different challenges and have to get creative to inspire your patients to find the motivation to get better and get back to work. I love to see a change in someone who is skeptical about getting better. It’s fun navigating the different aspects of each case.
What do you do to take care of your team?
I think the best way to take care of your team is to listen to their concerns and to be willing to step in and provide support when and where it is needed. We are one family, working toward one mission, and it takes every person to make our big goals happen!
What are the keys to developing the next round of leaders?
Being a good example of what a leader should be. Teaching future leaders how to problem solve so they don’t rely on any one person.
How do you want to impact physical therapy in the Midwest and beyond?
I want ARCPT+ to be seen as the premier provider of outpatient therapy in the area. We provide the best care available to every patient who walks into any one of our clinics and we have the ability to help a lot of people.
How are you involved in the community?
I volunteer for the Medical Reserve Corp of Kansas City in Independence, a national network of local volunteers who engage the community to strengthen public healthy and reduce vulnerability.
I also volunteer with the JayDoc Free Clinic through KU Medical Center, serving the uninsured and underinsured populations of Greater Kansas City with non-emergency urgent and preventative care.
Finally, I serve on the advisory board for the Missouri State Design Thinking Program which trains and develops students on how to innovate using empathetic design.
