Professional Orthopedic And Sports Physical Therapy

While working as physical therapists in a large corporate setting Adam Elberg, Robert Panariello and George Papadopoulos observed that constraints on treatment protocols meant that patients didn’t always get the best care for their individual needs. Their response to this unmet demand was to found Pro-Fit, a company dedicated to providing the highest possible quality of care to patients, opening its first office in Bayside in 1999.
“Although as individual therapists, they were attracting a following among patients, the corporate structure didn’t allow them to provide the quality of service they wanted to,” Paul Fick, Director of Marketing for Professional Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy (POSPT) said. “Instead they took the opportunity to establish Pro-Fit where they could provide a full range of services.
The level of care provided by Pro-Fit lead to patients demanding a larger and more comfortable space where they could enjoy even greater benefits from their treatment. The original Bayside office moved a quarter of a mile to a larger, completely remodeled location at 21-42 Utopia Parkway (between 21st and 22nd Avenue). This new facility features state-of-the-art equipment and a highly trained staff.
Since then the company name has changed to Professional Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy (POSPT) and it has been so successful it’s attracted two new partners Tony D’Angelo, and Timothy Stump, both licensed Physical Therapists (PT), Certified Athletic Trainers (ATC) and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialists (CSCS), all qualifications recognized by the American Medical Association.
POSPT opened a second office in Manhattan located at 16 East 52nd Street, and continued its success which led to agreements with Equinox Fitness Clubs enabling it open POSPT facilities within the Equinox fitness centers located in Grand Central Station, Greenwich Village/Chelsea, Columbus Circle in the Time Warner Building, Greenvale, Long Island, Westchester, Mamaroneck , and in Great Neck.
While they have opened these facilities to continue to provide their valued services to the community, they would not have been able to do so without loyalty to and dedication from their employees. Professional truly understands the importance of creating a work environment which provides their employees an opportunity for growth and advancement. Many of Professional’s clinical staff have started out as PT aides, then entered Physical Therapy School, received their license and have returned to become “Professional” physical therapists. Many of these therapists, through their hard work, have continued on to become directors and eventually partners at one of these new facilities where they strive to fulfill Professional’s mission.
Released from the constraints of large corporate facilities, POSPT founders and staff are able help their patients by using modalities that insurance hasn’t traditionally covered, while at the same time securing coverage for the majority of their treatments.
“We wanted to break out of the mold of standard treatment and develop individualized treatment plans for patients that deliver the highest quality of care available in the field of physical therapy,” Fick said. Under their combined guidance and vision, Professional soon established itself as a leader in physical therapy—its philosophy of offering patients a complete package, which includes a detailed initial evaluation, in-office rehabilitation and a comprehensive home exercise program, was unprecedented. Professional’s in-office therapy offers patients hands-on treatment by a team of licensed physical therapists, therapeutic modalities and exercises with state-of-the-art equipment and a support team of PTA’s (Physical Therapist Assistants) and ATC’s (Certified Athletic Trainers) Changes in health insurance procedures have helped POSPT’s program. Up until this year insurance companies only covered physical therapy if it was prescribed by a doctor. As of November 2006 New York State has granted direct access to the patient for physical therapy. “The patient can go straight to the physical therapist and begin treatment,” Fick said.
“Many top orthopedic surgeons and world-renowned surgeons refer patients to us,” Fick said.
In the fall of 2006, Professional opened their Athletic Performance Center at 645 Stewart Avenue, Garden City. This is a 20,000 square foot facility that enables every athlete to train on the surface their sport is played on, including a 30-yard rubber filled turf field, a six-lane, 60-yard indoor Mondo Track, and a hard court surface hockey rink with synthetic ice and two golf cages. This all surrounds a Division 1 style Weightlifting/ Strength training area. In addition, there are full service men’s and women’s locker rooms, a viewing area to observe the athletes perform, and pro shop. POSPT continues to provide quality services with on-site physical therapy.