In this episode of What's Best For The Patient Is Best For Business, Jerry sits down with Matt Byrne, Executive Director for Provider Partnerships at FIGUR8, Inc., to discuss the untapped potential of workers' compensation in physical therapy—and why ignoring this market could be a costly mistake. FIGUR8 provides the first FDA-registered, objective musculoskeletal (MSK) assessment tool, replacing outdated subjective methods and driving better patient outcomes.

Matt challenges the common misconceptions about workers' comp, revealing why it’s one of the highest-paying and most underserved segments in PT. With 900,000+ MSK claims annually—each costing employers $35K–$65K—he breaks down how clinics can leverage objective data to streamline care, reduce claim costs, and attract referrals from the many key stakeholders involved with workers’ comp claims.

Key Takeaways:

• Workers’ Comp Is a $1.35B Opportunity: At 12 visits per claim and $125/visit, this market is ripe for clinics willing to embrace it.

• Data = Leverage: FIGUR8’s technology replaces guesswork with biomechanical insights, justifying care plans and speeding up return-to-work timelines.

• Better Payer Mix, Fewer Patients: Workers’ comp reimburses higher than Medicare and commercial insurance—meaning clinics can increase revenue while seeing fewer patients.

• Stop the Staffing Shortage Myth: Optimizing payer mix (e.g., shifting from 3% to 10% workers’ comp) can ease clinician burnout and boost margins.

• The "Hub-and-Spoke" Model: Hire one dedicated workers’ comp PT to train staff and oversee high-value services (e.g., functional capacity exams billed at $800–$1,200 each).

If you’re tired of chasing shrinking reimbursements and want a proven way to serve your community and your bottom line, this episode is your wake-up call.

If you'd like to learn more about Strata EMR & RCM and achieving a 99.99% reimbursement rate for your PT, OT, or SLP Clinic head over to stratapt.com and book a demo with their team!

In this solo episode of What’s Best For The Patient Is Best For Business, Jerry dives into the transformative role of AI voice agents in healthcare—specifically on the non-clinical, pre-arrival side of operations. Jerry shares his firsthand experience working with AI voice technology over the past year, detailing how it’s reshaping patient intake, scheduling, benefit checks, and cost callbacks, without replacing human roles.

Key Takeaways:

- AI voice agents are revolutionizing pre-arrival workflows—but success hinges on understanding your practice’s people, processes, and patient journey before implementing the tech.  

- Workflow is everything: AI should be strategically inserted into existing systems, not haphazardly overlaid. His case study reveals how mapping out SOPs and scripts upfront slashed onboarding time and costs.  

- Human-AI collaboration is key: One client retained staff for quality assurance and follow-up, proving AI works best when complementing—not eliminating—human touchpoints. 
 
- The patient experience gap: With healthcare admin satisfaction at historic lows, Jerry argues AI voice agents can reduce friction (like phone trees and portals) while building trust.

If you'd like to learn more about Strata EMR & RCM and achieving a 99.99% reimbursement rate for your PT, OT, or SLP Clinic head over to stratapt.com and book a demo with their team!

In this episode of What’s Best For The Patient Is Best For Business, Jerry sits down with Dr. Valerie Rucker-Bussie, Community Development Officer for Rizing Tide, and Dr. Heidi Jannenga, Founder of Rizing Tide, to discuss how their nonprofit is addressing the critical shortage of physical therapists while improving diversity and representation in the profession.

Rizing Tide provides scholarships, mentorship, and career development opportunities for first- and second-year DPT students from underrepresented backgrounds, helping to build a more inclusive and culturally competent workforce. Heidi shares the inspiration behind the organization—rooted in her own journey with WebPT—and Valerie highlights how their Employer Connect Program bridges the gap between students and future employers, creating a pipeline of talent for clinics nationwide.

Key Takeaways:

• Solving the PT Shortage – Rizing Tide is tackling the industry’s workforce crisis by supporting students who might otherwise drop out due to financial barriers.

• The Power of Representation – Research shows better patient outcomes when providers reflect the communities they serve—Rizing Tide is making that a reality.

• Community & Mentorship – Beyond scholarships, the organization fosters a PT Pod community where students access mentorship, networking, and career opportunities.

• Employer Benefits – Clinics partnering with Rizing Tide gain early access to top-tier talent, reducing recruitment challenges and improving workforce diversity.

• The Business Case for DEI – Diversity isn’t just ethical—it’s good for business, expanding patient access and driving long-term growth.

Tune in to hear how Rizing Tide is shaping the future of PT one scholar at a time.

Learn more at Rizing-Tide.com

If you'd like to learn more about Strata EMR & RCM and achieving a 99.99% reimbursement rate for your PT, OT, or SLP Clinic head over to stratapt.com and book a demo with their team!

In Part 3 of 3 of this sales-focused series on What's Best For The Patient Is Best For Business, Jerry is joined once again by Eddie Ernst to dive deep into the critical mindset shift needed for successful sales in healthcare—prioritizing arrivals over just filling schedules.

Jerry and Eddie discuss the importance of qualifying leads effectively, ensuring that the right patients (or clients) are the ones booking appointments—those who will arrive, pay, and stay committed to their care. They break down key strategies for detaching from the outcome while staying fully engaged in the process, emphasizing that sales isn’t about manipulation but about helping people make informed decisions that align with their needs.

Key Takeaways:

• Qualifying Leads Matters – Not every inquiry is a good fit. Learn how to ask the right questions upfront to determine if a potential patient is ready, willing, and able to commit.

• Detach from the Outcome – Focus on the process, not just the sale. This mindset allows you to serve better without emotional burnout.

• Mindset Over Money – If someone isn’t ready to invest in their health (financially or mentally), no amount of persuasion will change that—and that’s okay.

• Acknowledge, Respond, and Close that Door – Handle objections (like cost or insurance) by acknowledging concerns, providing value, and steering the conversation back to the patient’s needs.

• The Meaning of Patient-Centered Care – If the priority of your calls is getting patients scheduled instead of determining what value you can provide them, you shouldn’t be calling your business “patient-centered.”

Tune in to this no-nonsense conversation that will challenge how you think about sales in healthcare—whether you're a PT, clinic owner, or sales professional. If you’ve ever struggled with no-shows, cancellations, or low conversion rates, this episode is a must-listen.

Listen now and learn how to stop chasing appointments and start securing committed patients!

If you'd like to learn more about Strata EMR & RCM and achieving a 99.99% reimbursement rate for your PT, OT, or SLP Clinic head over to stratapt.com and book a demo with their team!

In Part 2 of 3 of this sales-focused series, Jerry is joined again by sales expert Eddie Ernst for a deep dive into refining the sales process. Eddie shares insights from his latest sales training approach, emphasizing the importance of direct questioning, maintaining control of conversations, and avoiding the pitfalls of "word vomit" that create uncertainty.

Key Takeaways:

• Better Questions = Better Results: Eddie explains how shifting to a more direct, authority-driven approach—forcing prospects to sell themselves on why they need help—leads to stronger buy-in and filters out uncommitted leads.

• Avoiding Overselling: Jerry and Eddie discuss how untrained salespeople often talk past the close, creating confusion rather than clarity. The solution? Ask targeted questions, listen actively, and shut up after asking.

• Controlling the Conversation: Learn why "earning the right to interrupt" is critical—and how letting prospects ramble unchecked can derail a sale.

• Detaching from the Outcome: Eddie reveals why you "can’t want it more than the prospect" and how to spot when someone isn’t truly ready to commit.

• Healthcare Parallels: From physical therapy to biz ops, the duo breaks down why foundational sales principles (like triaging leads upfront) prevent no-shows, cancellations, and burnout.

Tune in for actionable strategies to tighten your sales process, eliminate wishy-washy prospects, and drive meaningful conversions—without manipulation. And stay tuned for Part 3, where Jerry and Eddie role-play these tactics live!

If you'd like to learn more about Strata EMR & RCM and achieving a 99.99% reimbursement rate for your PT, OT, or SLP Clinic head over to stratapt.com and book a demo with their team!

In this episode of What’s Best For The Patient Is Best For Business, host Jerry Durham sits down with Eddie Ernst, a former PTA turned high-ticket sales expert, for the first installment of a three-part series on sales in healthcare and beyond. Eddie shares his journey from clinical burnout to learning the art of inbound sales, offering valuable insights for clinic owners, front desk teams, and anyone looking to improve their sales process.

Key Takeaways:

• The Power of Inbound Leads: Eddie and Jerry discuss why inbound leads—people who raise their hand for help—are the gold standard for sales and how to maximize these opportunities.

• Bridging (and Building) the Gap: Learn why simply selling the destination isn’t enough—you must paint a clear picture of the journey, making the gap between where the prospect is and where they want to be undeniable.

• Emotion Over Logic: Discover how to dig deeper than surface-level answers to uncover the real motivations behind a prospect’s needs, tying their pain points to emotional outcomes.

• Why Expertise Matters: Eddie breaks down how to position yourself as the expert they need—not just another commodity—by guiding prospects to their own conclusions.

• The Cost of Overselling: Jerry and Eddie highlight the dangers of talking too much on sales calls and how it can derail even the most promising leads.

Whether you're in healthcare, fitness, or any service-based industry, this episode is packed with actionable strategies to transform your sales approach—without feeling sleazy. Tune in for Part 1 of this eye-opening series and stay tuned for the next episode, where Jerry and Eddie dive into a live role-play to put these principles into practice!

If you'd like to learn more about Strata EMR & RCM and achieving a 99.99% reimbursement rate for your PT, OT, or SLP Clinic head over to stratapt.com and book a demo with their team!

In this powerful episode of What’s Best For The Patient Is Best For Business, host Jerry Durham sits down with Dr. Rebeca Segraves, DPT, co-founder of Enhanced Recovery After Delivery, to discuss the untapped potential in women’s health and how shifting the model of care can create a massive impact.

Dr. Segraves shares her journey from working in oncology and post-surgical rehab to revolutionizing maternal health by advocating for early intervention physical therapy after C-sections and other pelvic surgeries. She breaks down how her work has not only improved patient outcomes but also saved hospitals hundreds of thousands of dollars, proving that patient-centered care is also financially sustainable.

The conversation dives into:

• The $1 trillion opportunity gap in women’s health — and why the current system fails to address it.
• How orthopedic and sports medicine models can (and should) be applied to women’s health — including prehab, early intervention, and lifelong care.
• The power of storytelling and media — why documenting patient experiences and provider success is a key in changing healthcare.
• Why "pro bono" care isn’t always the answer — and how to create equitable systems that respect both patients and practitioners.
• The importance of personal transformation — Dr. Seagraves reveals how she turned rejection from her own mentors into a tipping point for systemic change.

Tune in for an inspiring discussion on breaking barriers, redefining value in healthcare, and why the future of physical therapy demands bold, patient-first thinking.

Listen now and rethink what’s possible in your practice.

If you'd like to learn more about Strata EMR & RCM and achieving a 99.99% reimbursement rate for your PT, OT, or SLP Clinic head over to stratapt.com and book a demo with their team!

In this episode of What's Best For The Patient Is Best For Business, Jerry sits down with Angela Diaz, PT, Vice President of Market Development for TailorCare, to explore the future of physical therapy in a value-based healthcare system. With decades of experience as a clinician, practice owner, and healthcare executive, Angela shares her insights on why PTs must lead—or risk being left behind—in the shift toward patient-centered, outcomes-driven care.

Key Takeaways:

-  Value-Based Care Is Here – Physical therapists must transition from fee-for-service models to payment structures that reward high-quality outcomes, cost efficiency, and patient satisfaction.

-  Data Is Non-Negotiable – PTs need to track pain, functional outcomes, and patient satisfaction to prove their value. Angela emphasizes: "If you can’t measure it, you can’t improve it—or get paid for it."

-  The Power of Shared Decision-Making – Angela shares a case study of a knee pain patient who avoided surgery through tailored PT and lifestyle changes—highlighting how aligning care with patient goals improves outcomes and reduces costs.

-  PTs as First-Line Providers – In TailorCare’s model, PTs triage musculoskeletal cases, collaborating with PCPs, orthopedists, and behavioral health to streamline care and prevent unnecessary procedures.

-  Future-Proof Your Practice – Angela outlines four trends reshaping PT: hybrid care (telehealth + in-person), integrated care teams, AI/wearables for outcomes tracking, and patient choice driving reimbursement.

-  "Step Up or Get Left Behind" – Angela’s rallying cry: PTs have a unique role in prevention, recovery, and wellness—but must advocate for their place at the table in policy and payment reform.

Whether you’re a clinician, practice owner, or healthcare leader, this episode is a masterclass in positioning physical therapy as the cornerstone of value-based MSK care. Tune in and rethink what’s possible for your practice and your patients.

If you'd like to learn more about Strata EMR & RCM and achieving a 99.99% reimbursement rate for your PT, OT, or SLP Clinic head over to stratapt.com and book a demo with their team!

In this episode of What’s Best For The Patient Is Best For Business, host Jerry sits down with Dr. Lizzie Bellinger, DPT and Founder of Alliance Physical Therapy, to explore her inspiring journey from clinician to entrepreneur.

Two years into running her thriving practice in Baltimore, Maryland, Dr. Bellinger shares how personal loss and a deep commitment to inclusive care led her to create a clinic specifically serving the LGBTQIA+ community. From selecting the right EMR to designing an affirming patient experience, she reveals how clarity of mission shaped every decision—and ultimately fueled her rapid success.

Key Takeaways:

- Why niche focus drives growth – How identifying an underserved community led to strong demand and a 93% first-visit arrival rate.

- Building a culture-first practice – The intentional choices behind everything from intake forms to front-desk interactions.

- Productivity vs. arrivals – Why Dr. Bellinger ditched traditional "productivity" metrics in favor of measuring real patient engagement.

- The power of waitlists (and when they’re a red flag) – How staffing and systems impact access to care.

- Lessons from early stumbles – Medicare site visits, construction delays, and the moment she refused to accept her clinic keys.

Whether you’re a practice owner or simply passionate about patient-centered care, this episode is a masterclass in aligning business strategy with values. Tune in for an authentic conversation about resilience, representation, and redefining success in healthcare.

If you'd like to learn more about Strata EMR & RCM and achieving a 99.99% reimbursement rate for your PT, OT, or SLP Clinic head over to stratapt.com and book a demo with their team!

In this episode of What’s Best For The Patient Is Best For Business, Jerry sits down with Dr. Dionne Middlebrooks, DPT and Founder of Reign Physical Therapy & Wellness, a mobile-based practice in Stockbridge, GA. Dr. Middlebrooks shares her inspiring journey from burnout in a traditional clinic setting to building a thriving business that prioritizes patient-centered care, flexibility, and community impact.

Key Takeaways:

- From Burnout to Empowerment: Dionne opens up about leaving a high-volume clinic where she saw 30+ patients a day, struggling to balance work and family life. Her decision to start a mobile practice allowed her to reclaim her time, provide better care, and be more present for her family—all while homeschooling her three children!
- The Power of Time Blocking: Learn how Dionne manages her busy schedule as a mom, wife, and business owner by meticulously time-blocking her days—a strategy that ensures productivity and prevents overwhelm.
- Mobile PT & Meeting Patients Where They Are: Dionne’s mobile practice eliminates barriers for busy patients, offering personalized care in the comfort of their homes. She discusses why this model fosters deeper trust and compliance compared to traditional clinic settings.
- Collaborative Care & Women’s Health: Reign PT goes beyond physical therapy, partnering with nutritionists, mental health specialists, and other providers to address root causes of health issues—especially in underserved areas like women’s health.
- Redefining “Discharge”: Dionne challenges the notion of discharging patients, emphasizing lifelong relationships and “tune-ups” to maintain optimal health over time.
- Advice for Clinicians & Entrepreneurs: Dionne shares hard-won lessons on growth, staying true to your mission, and the importance of saying “I don’t know” to build trust and foster collaboration.

Whether you’re a healthcare provider, entrepreneur, or someone navigating work-life balance, this episode is packed with actionable insights on building a purpose-driven business that serves both patients and your personal well-being.

If you'd like to learn more about Strata EMR & RCM and achieving a 99.99% reimbursement rate for your PT, OT, or SLP Clinic head over to stratapt.com and book a demo with their team!