National Director of Education Added to FYZICAL Team of Experts

Fastest growing healthcare franchise adds Highly Reputable Orthopedic Care Leader Rick Douglass as National Director of Education

After joining the organization as a franchisee himself, Dr. Douglass accepts the position with a desire to make an even greater contribution to preventative care in the United States.

Douglass developed a passion for physical therapy after a wrist injury suffered playing high school baseball. After surgery, Rick spent weeks rehabbing at a physical therapy clinic and was astonished at the science behind his recovery. Rick knew this was the path he wanted to follow and immediately began volunteering at a local clinic, and eventually moved into a technician role at a local hospital. He even stayed in this role while completing PT school.

This man is serious about patient care

Dr. Douglass completed his undergraduate work at the University of Florida and graduated Suma Cum Laude from Florida A&M University with a Bachelor's degree in Physical Therapy in 1991. In 1998, he joined the Ola Grimsby Institute and began a clinical residency program specializing in Orthopedic Manual Therapy of the spine and extremities. He became a Certified Manual Physical Therapist in 2001 and earned his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree in 2002. In 2005, Dr. Douglass received his board certification as an orthopedic specialist by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialists. He returned to the Ola Grimsby institute in 2006 and earned fellowship status with the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists. Prior to taking his current position as the National Director of Education for FYZICAL, he served as the Vice President of the Florida Institute of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy (FIOMPT) and taught post professional education programs for them throughout the state. He also has owned and operated his private Physical Therapy clinics, with offices in Bonita Springs and Naples, Florida, since 2001. Dr. Douglass is well respected amongst his colleagues, and his patients appreciate his skill and dedication.

Expert Experience

Dr. Douglass’s journey with FYZICAL began in 2015 when he aligned his two, south Florida practices. “I was in private practice for 12 years before becoming a franchisee. Like so many other practice owners, I was becoming too involved with the challenges we face each day within our profession. We are all educated in science of physical therapy, but we don’t necessarily have the business training or acumen to run a successful private practice. I had daily fears of making payroll. I was responsible for 25 individuals and their families, and I was alone in making sure my business was successful. Until I joined FYZICAL. Ever since I aligned with FYZICAL, I’ve been able to put management systems in place and focus on what I love most, being a PT and helping patients. As the franchise continued expansion, my dream job was soon becoming a reality. I saw a major opportunity to reach a wider audience, both patients and clinicians,” states Douglass.

Prior to taking on his new role with FYZICAL, Dr. Douglass has always been committed to staying abreast of current research to assure his patients are being provided the latest in scientific & evidence based physical therapy innovations. Today, Douglass wakes up each and every day focused on how to assure patients around the world are provided with the highest quality, evidence-based treatments.

His mission is to bring the most effective treatments and equipment to the FYZICAL family, helping FYZICAL centers across the country become known for the highest quality of patient care not only in balance, but also for orthopedic rehabilitation.

Rick’s mission moving forward

Now, thanks to Dr. Douglass, FYZICAL is a continuously evolving program dedicated to providing the highest quality patient care and step by step processes on how to manage your practice. FYZICAL is already becoming known to patients and referring doctors as the clear experts in balance and vestibular training in America. Now, Dr. Douglass is focused on continued development of the brand’s reputation as leaders in orthopedic care as well.

“Our organization focuses on creating positive change in the US. This is not possible without a dedicated team of experts in the field with a passion for improving patient outcomes. We want to change healthcare from one of “sick care” to “well care” by providing services focused on quality outcomes, total well-being, and prevention. Continual research is not possible without a team that truly cares about the well-being of patients. Dr. Douglass is the perfect addition to our educational team.” – Mike Graves, President of FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Centers

Fall Prevention: Addressing a national crisis

Douglass joins an elite team of doctors, physical therapists and business experts already recognized as an industry changing organization leading the charge in fall prevention. Our team is on a mission to save lives and help Americans stop falling.

• According to the CDC, each year 2.8 million people, aged 65 and older, are treated in an emergency room for fall related injuries.
• When adjusted for inflation, the direct medical costs for fall injuries are $31 billion annually¹
• Hospital costs account for two-thirds of the total annual costs including over 800,000 hospitalizations and more than 27,000 deaths annually²
• Over 800,000 patients a year are hospitalized because of a fall injury, most often because of a broken hip or head injury³

About FYZICAL

Today, healthcare providers are being forced to evolve. Why? Economic, social and technological forces are emerging to create a “New Health Age.” How you think about healthcare, how you deliver healthcare, and the economics of healthcare are changing and FYZICAL is leading the charge to transform healthcare from one of “sick care” to “well care” by providing services focused on quality outcomes, total well-being, and prevention. FYZICAL is the future of healthcare!

1. Burns EB, Stevens JA, Lee RL. The direct costs of fatal and non-fatal falls among older adults—United States. J Safety Res 2016:58.
2. NCOA. National Council on Aging- https://www.ncoa.org/news/resources-for-reporters/get-the-facts/falls-prevention-facts/
3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. http://www.cdc.gov/homeandrecreationalsafety/falls/fallcost.html