Whats Best For The Patient Is Best For Business

In this episode, Jerry sits down with Hunter McWhorter, a Business Consultant at Paysafe and former front desk professional in the physical therapy industry. Hunter shares his unique journey from starting as a Patient Services Coordinator at PT Solutions to becoming a key player in the business and tech side of healthcare and payment processing. 

Throughout the conversation, Hunter and Jerry dive deep into the often-underestimated value of front desk teams in physical therapy practices. They discuss how front desk staff are more than just taskmasters—they are the directors of first impressions, crucial to patient retention, satisfaction, and overall clinic success. Hunter shares actionable insights on how to empower front desk teams, improve patient experiences, and leverage tools like NPS (Net Promoter Score) to track and enhance clinic performance. 

Key takeaways from this episode include: 
1. The Power of the Front Desk: Front desk teams are the backbone of patient experience and retention. They are the first and last point of contact, making their role critical to the success of any clinic.  
2. Training and Systems Matter: Proper training and systems are essential for front desk success. Without them, even the most talented team members can fall short.  
3. NPS as a Game-Changer: Implementing NPS scores can provide invaluable feedback on patient satisfaction, helping clinics identify areas for improvement and celebrate wins.  
4. Connecting Marketing to Sales: Marketing campaigns are only as effective as the front desk's ability to manage leads. Training and preparation are key to converting leads into loyal patients.  
5. Payment Processing Insights: Hunter shares how modern payment solutions, like those offered by Paysafe, can streamline operations, improve patient convenience, and even enhance marketing efforts.  

Whether you're a clinic owner, front desk professional, or someone interested in the intersection of healthcare and business, this episode is packed with practical advice and real-world examples. Tune in to learn how to elevate your front desk team, improve patient satisfaction, and run a more efficient and profitable practice.

Listen now to gain fresh perspectives and actionable strategies from Hunter McWhorter, a true advocate for front desk excellence and business innovation in the healthcare space.

Follow Hunter McWhorter on LinkedIn for more insights, and don’t forget to hit “subscribe” for more episodes like this one!

In this episode of What's Best for the Patient is Best for Business, host Jerry Durham welcomes back Anthony Maritato, a seasoned physical therapist and innovative clinic owner. Together, they dive into the importance of completed plans of care and how it directly impacts patient outcomes, clinic success, and provider satisfaction.

Anthony shares insights from his own practice, highlighting how refining patient engagement and front desk processes can dramatically improve patient retention. Jerry and Anthony explore how understanding the patient journey—from the first phone call to the last visit—can make all the difference in keeping patients engaged, reducing drop-offs, and delivering real results.

Key Takeaways:
✔️ The Front Desk is Key – The first point of contact sets the tone for the entire patient experience. A well-trained front desk team can make or break completed plans of care.
✔️ Understand Your Ideal Client – Identifying who you serve best ensures better patient alignment, leading to higher retention and better outcomes.
✔️ Patient Engagement Drives Retention – Using tools like RTM, text messaging, and automated check-ins keeps patients connected and accountable.
✔️ The Role of the Therapist – Burnout often stems from a misalignment between the therapist’s approach and the patient’s expectations. Clarity on both sides improves the care experience.
✔️ Adapting Business Models – Leveraging telehealth for initial evaluations and onboarding can streamline care, improve accessibility, and even boost revenue.

Tune in for an insightful conversation filled with actionable strategies to improve patient retention, create a thriving clinic, and ultimately do what’s best for both the patient and the business.

In this episode, Jerry sits down with longtime friend and physical therapist Stephanie Wayrauch to talk about the evolving journey of balancing career, family, and leadership in the PT profession. From meeting on Twitter as a PT student to now running her own mobile pelvic health practice in Montana, Stephanie shares her path—from early career decisions and APTA involvement to navigating work-life balance as a parent and business owner.

They dive into:
🔥 Why "what’s best for the patient is best for business"
🚀 How proactive decision-making shaped Stephanie’s career moves
👶 The reality of juggling parenthood with professional ambitions
🏥 The challenges of private practice and building a patient-first business
💡 Why collaboration (not competition) is key in physical therapy

Stephanie’s story is full of actionable takeaways for PTs at any stage of their career—especially those questioning how to create a fulfilling, sustainable career. Whether you're a new grad, a clinic owner, or someone considering a career pivot, this conversation will challenge you to rethink what’s possible in your professional life.

📩 Want to connect with Stephanie? While she’s on a social media break, you can email her at [email protected] to continue the conversation!

In this episode, Jerry sits down with Steven Allred, an expert in healthcare business profitability, to explore the critical elements of running a successful private practice. From the importance of understanding the numbers behind your business to optimizing systems for long-term growth, Steven shares actionable insights gained from years of experience in executive coaching, payer negotiations, and healthcare operations.

Together, they discuss why profitability isn’t just about cutting costs but about making smart investments, building systems, and empowering teams to align with the practice's goals. Steven breaks down the "cashflow formula," the importance of clinical treatment models, and how to shift from day-to-day operations to investor-level decisions that drive sustainable growth.

Whether you’re a practice owner or part of the healthcare community, this conversation is packed with practical advice to help you build a more resilient, profitable, and purpose-driven business. Tune in to learn how to move beyond survival mode and create a practice that supports your vision, values, and bottom line.

Connect directly with Steven here:
https://calendly.com/steveallred

In this week's episode, Jerry Durham sits down with Adam Buglio to dive deep into the intersection of patient engagement, operational efficiency, and revenue opportunities in physical therapy practices. Adam, with decades of experience in the therapy industry, shares his journey, from occupational therapy to his role at North Coast Medical, and the lessons he’s learned about maximizing value for both patients and clinic owners.

The conversation highlights RX Cart, a powerful tool designed to streamline product recommendations, increase patient compliance, and drive clinic revenue—all while eliminating the hassle of inventory management. Adam explains how this innovative platform empowers front desk team members, enhances patient satisfaction, and provides clinics with measurable financial impact.

Jerry and Adam also discuss the importance of understanding fixed vs. variable costs, leveraging patient trust to recommend meaningful solutions, and creating systems that empower staff to play a key role in the patient journey.

If you’re looking for practical insights to improve patient outcomes, drive revenue, and take control of clinic expenses, this episode is packed with actionable advice and thought-provoking ideas.

Tune in to learn how a simple shift in strategy can lead to big wins for your clinic, your team, and your patients.

In this episode of What’s Best for the Patient is Best for Business, host Jerry Durham welcomes Ryan Martin, DPT, a physical therapist, educator, and co-founder of the Advanced Musculoskeletal Ultrasound (MSKU) Center. Together, they dive deep into the transformative role of diagnostic and interventional ultrasound in physical therapy and healthcare.

Ryan shares his unconventional journey, starting from his early career in Hawaii, where he gained business insights from clinic management, to building a multidisciplinary practice model that integrates physical therapy, medical providers, and cutting-edge technology like musculoskeletal ultrasound. He explains how this tool not only enhances patient care but also elevates the value clinicians bring to their organizations.

The conversation explores the importance of aligning patient care with business success, the role of multidisciplinary clinics in improving outcomes, and the necessity of systems and processes to create scalable, sustainable practices. Ryan also highlights the return on investment (ROI) of diagnostic ultrasound, not just in terms of reimbursement but as a catalyst for referrals, marketing, and patient trust.

Whether you're a provider seeking to expand your skills, a practice owner exploring integration opportunities, or a healthcare professional curious about the future of patient care, this episode offers actionable insights on how to add value and stay ahead in a rapidly evolving industry.

Key Takeaways:

The role of musculoskeletal ultrasound in patient diagnosis and care pathways
How multidisciplinary clinics improve outcomes and streamline patient journeys
The value of understanding ROI to elevate your professional and business impact
Why the future of healthcare requires innovative systems and a patient-first approach
Tune in to hear how Ryan Martin’s expertise is shaping the future of healthcare delivery and learn how you can bring more value to your practice, patients, and career.

Visit Ryan Martin on LinkedIn (Ryan Martin, DPT) or MSKU.com for more resources and insights.

In this episode, Jerry Durham welcomes Amit Gaglani, PT, OCS, founder of AG Management Consulting, to share his journey and expertise in transforming physical therapy practices into thriving, high-value businesses.

Amit recounts his story of starting a private practice in 2004 and quickly realizing the challenges of running a successful business. Over the years, he mastered the art of implementing systems, optimizing operations, and building a practice that stands out in the competitive healthcare landscape. Now, he helps other clinic owners do the same.

Listeners will gain valuable insights into:
✅ Building a practice that operates as a scalable, sellable asset.
✅ Identifying and fixing operational “leaks” to improve retention and profitability.
✅ The critical role of front desk systems in patient success and business growth.
✅ Aligning marketing, sales, and clinical care for seamless operations.
✅ How private equity partnerships can amplify the value of a PT practice.

Whether you're a clinic owner looking to grow or a practitioner aiming to enhance your business acumen, this conversation provides actionable strategies and inspiration to help you succeed.

Connect with Amit Gaglani:
LinkedIn: Amit Gaglani, PT, OCS
AG Management Consulting: LinkedIn Page

In this episode, Jerry Durham sits down with Ron Allen, founder of The Profitable Therapist, to explore the financial pitfalls and opportunities in running a successful healthcare practice. Drawing on his personal story—watching his father, a mental health therapist, struggle to make sense of his finances—Ron brings a refreshing perspective to understanding the business side of healthcare.

The conversation covers critical topics like understanding your financial health, setting accurate capacity expectations, and why pricing your services correctly is the foundation of profitability. Ron also shares practical tips on budgeting for taxes, tracking key metrics, and the value of setting profit as a non-negotiable in your business plan. For healthcare business owners who feel overwhelmed by the numbers, this episode offers a roadmap to financial clarity and long-term growth.

Whether you're just starting out or managing a multi-provider clinic, you’ll learn how to create a business that works for you—not the other way around. Don’t miss this engaging and practical discussion that could transform the way you think about your practice’s financial future.

In this episode, Jerry Durham welcomes back Dr. Dana Strauss, an expert in physical therapy and public policy, to dive deep into the evolution and future of value-based care. Dana shares her insights on how physical therapists can play a pivotal role in this healthcare model, emphasizing the potential for PTs to influence patient outcomes and reduce costs by integrating with advanced primary care teams.

They discuss the shift from traditional fee-for-service models to patient-centered, outcome-based care, and how this transition empowers physical therapists to practice at the top of their scope, build trust with patients, and drive impactful change in healthcare.

Together, Jerry and Dana explore the possibilities for PTs to seize new opportunities, reduce high-cost interventions, and create meaningful, cost-effective patient care.

In this episode, I’m diving deep into something I’m incredibly passionate about: the front desk team members in healthcare and medical practices who are often the unsung heroes of our businesses. After 31 years in healthcare and business, I’ve learned that the difference between success and non-success comes down to one thing—implementation. It’s all about the doing, not just the thinking or planning.

And guess who the ultimate doers are? Our front desk team members. They’re the voice, the face, and the backbone of a practice, touching every step of the patient journey and impacting the business more than most realize. That’s why I’ve created the Front Desk Sales Success Community, a space designed exclusively for them—not the owners or clinic managers. This is for the front desk professionals who add immense value every day and deserve to be seen and appreciated for it.

In this episode, I share the vision for this community, how it will empower front desk teams with tools, strategies, and insights into their roles, and why this movement is so needed. From mastering patient engagement to understanding the financial impact they have, my goal is to elevate these incredible people, giving them the skills and confidence to go back to their practices and truly shine.