Partner Case Study
Karen Sorbo, PT
THERAMAX PHYSICAL THERAPY
Shelby Township, Michigan • Opened in 1999
How long had you thought about opening a private practice?
Like many therapists, I went through school with the idea in my mind of owning my own practice. Seven years in a hospital brought that picture clearer into focus: even though I did well, I always felt like I wanted more. I left the hospital to work for a private practice. After two years, I thought my dream was crushed. I saw firsthand how difficult it was to maintain a private practice – handling human resources, haggling with insurance companies and government programs, marketing, managing liabilities – I finally decided that private practice was just too hard, and gave up on the idea.
Since opening, what has the relationship with USPh been like?
They continue to handle the heavy lifting of managing the backend so that I can focus on therapy. USPh has also prepared me for my Medicare Rehab Agency certification, which was very intimidating for me. They also have helped me grow my business with marketing. In short, the relationship has been everything that was promised.
Did you research other options to open your own practice?
Funding the startup of a new clinic myself was completely out of the question. When the company I was working for heard I was researching USPh, they offered what they thought was a comparable deal. Truth is, it wasn't even close. Had I gone with them I would NOT have had the freedom to treat patients as I saw fit, plus I would have had to put THEIR name, not mine, on the clinic. I was also a little put out they had to wait until I threatened to leave before they attempted to "treat me right."
"USPh asked local doctors pointblank, 'Will you refer your patients to Karen?' If they hadn't believed their yeses, I wouldn't have my clinic."
Why did you choose to open your practice with USPh?
They made it super easy to open and maintain a clinic. Without them, not only would I have had to secure the financial backing (probably impossible), scouted and leased the location, hired the staff, and more, I would have had to somehow keep my current PT job at the same time. I wasn't a businesswoman… or a superwoman for that matter. Their offer was absolutely irresistible.
How long did it take you to exceed your prior income?
I immediately received a comparable salary. Within 3 months after opening my doors I received bonuses on top of my salary. Within 6 months, my clinic was profitable. If I had stayed in the employment racket I would have hit a pay ceiling quickly. That's assuming that I wasn't canned for a fresher, cheaper PT.
When did you know this was for you?
I was a little nervous about opening my own clinic. What if I couldn't find enough patients to stay open? What if I didn't have the support from referring doctors? USPh's interview process is so thorough I actually had more confidence when they were finished. They asked local doctors pointblank, "Will you refer your patients to Karen?" If they hadn't believed their yeses, I wouldn't have my clinic.
