What was your journey prior to joining ARC Physical Therapy+?
I grew up in the Kansas City area, graduating from Shawnee Mission South High School. I was an athlete in high school: wrestling, football, and track.
I attended Pittsburg State University for my undergraduate where I received a Bachelor of Science in Biology- Pre-Physical Therapy. I worked as a physical therapy tech at the local hospital and as a bartender while at Pitt State.
After Pittsburg, I graduated from Wichita State University with a Masters in Physical Therapy. In 2000, I returned home to practice as a physical therapist and personal trainer at a local health club.
When did you join the ARC Physical Therapy+ team and what roles have you held at the company?
I joined ARC Physical Therapy+ in 2005 and since then:
- Opened our Grandview/South Kansas City location in 2006, and managed that clinic for 10 years.
- In 2016, I became the Kansas Regional Director, overseeing the operations of our Kansas clinics.
- My current role is Director of Clinical Support Services.
What are your top goals in your current role as Partner?
To continue supporting the vision and mission of the company I fell in love with early in my career. For ARC Physical Therapy+ to maintain a culture that attracts amazing people who are the best at what they do.
My goal is for ARC Physical Therapy+ to deliver exceptional customer service and the highest quality patient care at each of our locations.
To be a healthy work force resource and partner with each of our clients to get their injured employees back to work as safely and efficiently as possible. In doing so, we can help to control health care costs in our area, keep our local workforce strong, and have a positive impact on our communities.
What is your vision for ARC Physical Therapy+?
It all starts with hiring the best people and then supporting their growth and development. Helping our employees reach their maximum potential while providing a fun and exceptional work environment and culture. ARC Physical Therapy+ will be the kind of company people will want to spend their career at.
We will continue to grow and expand ARC Physical Therapy+’s reach and footprint. Providing excellent patient care into new communities.
ARC Physical Therapy+ will deliver evidence-based rehabilitation services and provide meaningful data to our employer partners, allowing them to make valuable decisions to help prevent future injuries and mitigate their health care costs. As the health care climate is ever changing, ARC Physical Therapy+ will continue to innovate while maintaining a commitment to our values, mission, and always doing what is right.
What are some of the most valuable lessons you have learned in your time at ARC Physical Therapy+?
Having the right people on your team makes all the difference. When you have a group of people who share a common goal and believe in the mission and values of the company you can overcome adversity and accomplish incredible things.
During my time at ARC Physical Therapy+, I have had the pleasure of working with some amazing people both within the organization, within the community, and with some of our referral sources.
What has been your greatest accomplishment?
My family. Having my wife and four beautiful children in my life has become my foundation. As we raise our children, watching them grow and develop into their own little people, I feel so proud, blessed, and grateful each day.
What three traits define you?
- Strong Faith
- Diligent-Hard Worker
- Loyal/Committed
What is your personal philosophy?
Be kind and compassionate to everyone you meet. Treat them with the respect you would like to receive.
Wake up every day looking to become a better person than you were the day before. Strive to learn or try something new each day.
Who opened doors for you?
My wife Michelle. She has been a constant support and encouragement to me.
My family: parents, grandparents, and my two brothers all had such a positive influence on me and helped form a solid foundation.
Coaches and youth pastors.
Supervisors and leaders in ARC Physical Therapy+ who believed in me and helped to develop me professionally. They trusted me and gave me the ability to grow through learning from mistakes.
What does true leadership mean to you?
Having an influence over those you interact with. Each of us has influence and are an example to others; we are all leaders in some form or fashion.
Leadership is inspiring and motivating a team to work together towards a common goal with passion.
It is genuinely caring about your team, encouraging them, and helping each member achieve their optimal potential as well as personal and professional goals.
What are the top leadership principles that have led to your success?
- Communication: Listen to other’s points of view and understand their perspective. We all have different experiences and skills. Having empathy is powerful.
- Honesty/integrity: Always strive to do the right thing and treat people with respect. If you say you will do something, follow through and do it.
- Serve: Stay humble and always be willing serve those you lead.
- Stay positive and encourage others: Truly get to know the team and what is important to them. If you genuinely have their best interest at heart and strive to meet the needs of others, good things tend to happen.
- Perseverance: Learn from mistakes, failures, and difficult seasons.
What do you find most exciting about the Physical Therapy space now?
In our current environment, physical therapy is as essential and vital as it has ever been. Many people have been off work or working from home, potentially leading to decreased levels of physical activity and fitness.
As some are returning to physically demanding jobs in a deconditioned state, physical therapists will be instrumental in keeping this workforce healthy. Physical therapists can have a significant impact on decreasing the dependence on opioid medications and preventing falls in the elderly and deconditioned to mention a few examples. I believe the healthcare community will rely on our profession as we all progress towards a more proactive health care system.
What do you find most exciting about the Physical Therapy/workers’ comp space?
Musculoskeletal disorders continue to account for the majority of workers’ compensation claims and the majority of all workers’ compensation costs. MSD are the focal point of the Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy professions, allowing us to have a big impact on claims and helping to control work comp costs.
Physical/Occupational therapists can prevent injuries before they occur through post offer employment testing, ergonomic assessments, and data analysis and consultation.
Once an injury does occur, we have a significant influence over the success of the case, as therapists typically interact with the injured worker 2-3 times per week or more. Through services like physical therapy, occupational therapy, work conditioning, and onsite services, therapists motivate, inspire, and encourage the patient towards a successful return to work.
I enjoy communicating and collaborating with the rest of the work comp team to get the patient the best outcome possible. I find it exciting and a privilege to have such an impact on the lives of our patients, for our employers, and for our communities.
What do you do to take care of your team?
Good communication is essential. I listen to their concerns, understand what is important to them, and what they need from me, then work to meet those needs. I keep my team informed of the expectations, what the goals of the company are and where they can be effective to help meet those goals.
I am positive, give consistent feedback, and acknowledge work that is well done. Everyone likes to know their efforts matter and they are having an impact.
What are the keys to developing the next round of leaders?
Spend time with them. Share your experiences and listen to theirs. Find out what their skills and strengths are and put them in a position to use those gifts optimally.
Give them the training and resources to continue to grow and develop. Lead with grace, allowing them the space to be themselves, feel safe to try new skills, and know it is okay to make mistakes as long as we learn from them.
How do you want to impact physical therapy in the Midwest and beyond?
I want to spread the mission and values of ARC Physical Therapy+ to new communities and regions. To provide outstanding outpatient therapy services that are based on exceptional clinical skills, unparalleled customer service, and excellent communication with referral sources. To maintain a model that is the example of quality patient care and outcomes, as opposed to the model of quantity to remain profitable. This is what is best for our profession, our patients, and the health care system.
How are you involved in the community?
I serve in my church where my wife and I help to lead a small group. I also volunteer in a local Men’s ministry. Through these faith communities, I have met some amazing people who have been such a positive influence.
I have had the privilege of supporting and serving in some local organizations like the United Way, Phoenix Family, and the The Children’s Place.
