PREFERRED Therapy Providers, Inc. has just passed the anniversary of its 13th year. We will also reach another milestone before the start of 2006, achieving the mark of one thousand practices within the network.

When I started the company in 1992, I did so with enthusiasm and commitment, and no small amount of trepidation which grew as the mailbox remained empty and the telephone did not ring. The only checks I saw were the ones I wrote out to pay rent, utilities, the interest on loans, marketing, advertising, and business development bills. Then it seemed that overnight, PREFERRED was ‘discovered’ and within the next six months there were 200 practices in 20 states. Although there were still challenging times ahead, PREFERRED continued to grow its client base alongside an excellent and talented staff.

Looking back on those difficult days of starting a new business is very helpful when a therapist calls PREFERRED to discuss the opening of his or her new practice. Today, there continues to be many new start-up practices throughout the country; a good sign of the ongoing success of the physical therapy profession and more opportunities for PREFERRED to meet and represent quality professionals who make it all happen.

The Future of PREFERRED! Back row from left to right: Grant, Information Technology; Ashley, Accounting; Christy, Vice President; Zachary, Human Resources Front row from left to right: Cassidy, President; Alexandra, Marketing