A year in Review
Hiking in Aspen, CO with the new puppy (Fannie) and fiancé Chris
2020 was a pivotal point in my career. My business was still “new”. My colleagues and I were celebrating the one year anniversary of being independent practitioners, and the next day the Governor of Colorado closed the mountain and quarantine began. The combination of the fear of being “on my own'' combined with the threat of COVID-19 was terrifying.
At first I was uncertain about my role in the pandemic. I had patients who were fresh out of surgery and unable to walk, patients whose limbs were failing them because of disc herniations, and patients whose livelihoods depended on their body functioning. I had conversations with councilmen who were certain we should “shut down”. I presented them with the American Physical Therapy Association’s (APTA) stance in COVID that deemed us as essential and we stayed open, taking the necessary precautions and working with my patients to make them feel comfortable. This was the moment that our profession would define itself as essential. We must pivot to survive. People needed me, I could not abandon my patients.
When the mud began to dry and summer came, the quiet celebrations began. Personally, I was celebrating an engagement, my fiance’ and I bought a home, we got a sweet yellow lab named Fannie, and the fishing was great.
Professionally, I was feeling confident. At the beginning of 2020 I committed to be a Resident of Orthopedic Physical Therapy at Regis University. I was back in study mode and could see the benefit shining through my patients. People were getting better, faster. I could also see that people were getting the gist of “direct access” and I was seeing more people who were skipping the doctor and working with me as a “musculoskeletal primary care practitioner”. This was saving my patients time and money and we were able to streamline their care.
I also learned the value of outsourcing in 2020. I now have a stellar office manager who allows me to focus more on patient care. She is able to readily perform the crucial duties of helping patients with insurance navigation as well as maintaining COVID regulations within the office. She reminds me that it is okay to ask for help. In a time when we cherish our health more than ever, she maximized my ability to take care of myself, my family, and my patients while maintaining my personal well being.
2020 was a defining opportunity for the “Feast or Famine” mentality. Who will I be as a businessman, practitioner, and colleague? I am so thankful to have adopted and lived the Feast mentality. When we are all doing well, then I am doing well. This community strives on people succeeding and competitors helping one another. I feel closer to my colleagues as we have all learned to strive in an unprecedented environment.
As 2020 passed and 2021 entered the horizon, COVID-19 is more a part of the conversation than ever. Aspen has spiked again and we are concerned about our community. Learning from looking back at 2020, we know we are resilient. Physical therapists have defined themselves as more than people who “count to ten”. We are essential leaders of healthcare. I am proud to be a part of my profession. Let's get stronger, together.
