Today we’d like to introduce you to Janelle Fleites.
Hi Janelle, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
I first found physical therapy through a personal experience in high school. I tore my left anterior cruciate ligament in my knee at the beginning of my basketball season in my Junior year. It was an eye-opening experience as I wasn’t able to walk, run, and do the things I normally was able to do for a long period of time.
Before and after surgery, I began to do physical therapy and fell in love with it. Through massage, movement, and exercise, I was able to get back to everything I wanted to get back to and more. Since that experience, I knew PT was something I wanted to do for the rest of my life.
Shortly after receiving my doctorate degree from the University of Miami, I went on to complete a residency focusing on orthopedics, allowing me to become a Board-Certified Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist in my field. (Only 6% of physical therapists in the US are orthopedic specialists!) This knowledge and experience then gave me the confidence to open my own physical therapy practice to impact those around me in the way that physical therapy once changed my life years ago.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has not always been a smooth road. I worked for free for months to establish our name and create momentum from word-of-mouth referrals, while also marketing to local physicians. While I am very knowledgeable about the human body and movement, I knew very very little about business so that has definitely been a work in progress.
I had to figure out how to set up payroll, organize HR, hire employees, etc all in a short time while also treating a full caseload of patients. It was also very difficult to understand how to work with health insurance, and honestly, it still is, as we face declining reimbursement and constant change.
We’ve been impressed with Impact Physical Therapy and Sports Performance, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Impact Physical Therapy and Sports Performance is a Miami-based physical therapy practice that is built to change the standard of insurance-based physical therapy and wellness by providing one-on-one patient-centered care to those injured and in pain. Our culture is rooted in values of education, passion, and a commitment to a healthy lifestyle and a sense of belonging, making our facility feel like an extension of one’s family.
At Impact, we work together with our patients to help them return to optimal function through our physical therapy, massage, and fitness services. We are committed to empowering and educating our patients and the community on proper habits to sustain a healthy lifestyle.
Our future plan is to collaborate with female high school athletics including cheer, basketball, dance, soccer, and volleyball to create strong strength and conditioning programs tailored to enhance strength, agility, mobility, and injury prevention.
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the COVID-19 crisis?
Impact was founded after COVID-19. However, because of COVID-19, we do have extensive cleaning protocols to protect our patients.
Pricing:
- Physical Therapy Evaluation: $75
- Physical Therapy Follow-up: $50
- Group Fitness: $100/ 4 sessions
- Group Fitness: $180/8 sessions
- Full Body Massage with Hot Stones: $115
Contact Info:
- Website: www.impactptmiami.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/impactptmiami/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ImpactPTMiami/
