Q&A: First Choice Medical Group Hires PT Specialist Dr. Steve Ryland To Drive Growth

By  //  July 8, 2017

DR. RYLAND will oversee FIRST CHOICE physical AND occupational therapy division

First Choice Medical Group of Brevard announced that the company has hired industry veteran Dr. Steve Ryland, PT, DPT, to serve as First Choice Medical Group’s, Beach Physical Therapy Division ‘ Director of Physical/Occupational Therapy.

Dr. Steve Ryland Named First Choice Medical Group’s Beach Physical Therapy Division Director of Physical/Occupational Therapy

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – First Choice Medical Group of Brevard announced that the company has hired industry veteran Dr. Steve Ryland, PT, DPT, to serve as First Choice Medical Group’s, Beach Physical Therapy Division ‘ Director of Physical/Occupational Therapy.

Dr. Ryland will oversee both the physical and occupational therapy division, and design and implement key expansion initiatives intended to increase the number of First Choice owned and operated, state-of the-art PT/OT centers to five, from its current three locations.

“The choice to hire Dr. Ryland was an easy one, given his experience, his attention to patient care and his previous success,” said Kris Jones, VP of Medical Operations.

“Steve’s tenure and experience allow First Choice to continue providing best in class service and care to our Community’s patients. We are thrilled to have him leading our rehabilitation division.”

“The choice to hire Dr. Ryland was an easy one, given his experience, his attention to patient care and his previous success,” said Kris Jones, VP of Medical Operations. “Steve’s tenure and experience allow First Choice to continue providing best in class service and care to our Community’s patients. We are thrilled to have him leading our rehabilitation division.”

First Choice’s/Beach Physical Therapy centers, serve Florida’s high growth Space Coast service region and is expecting to complete and open two additional locations during 2017, totaling five therapy locations to serve the community.

These new First Choice PT/OT centers, called Beach Therapy, will be strategically located throughout Brevard County currently stretching over 72 miles north to south on Florida’s central east coast.

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FIRST CHOICE HEALTHCARE KEY EXECUTIVE 

Dr. Ryland brings more than 15 years of both PT and business experience to First Choice.Dr. Ryland has a proven record of running multiple physical therapy locations in Brevard. As a former founder of a well respected and successful physical therapy company, comprised of five out-patient clinics in Brevard County, Florida.

According to Chris Romandetti, CEO of First Choice Health Care Solutions, the parent company of First Choice, “welcoming Dr. Ryland to First Choice/Beach Physical Therapy allows us to tap into his industry expertise and grow our world class rehab facilities while still staying focused on achieving optimal outcomes for patients. We believe he is the ideal choice for spearheading this exciting new growth initiative for our Company and our patients, and expect that our PT/OT division’s future success will be positively and measurably impacted by his proven leadership.”

According to Chris Romandetti, CEO of First Choice Health Care Solutions, the parent company of First Choice, “welcoming Dr. Ryland to First Choice/Beach Physical Therapy allows us to tap into his industry expertise and grow our world class rehab facilities while still staying focused on achieving optimal outcomes for patients. We believe he is the ideal choice for spearheading this exciting new growth initiative for our Company and our patients, and expect that our PT/OT division’s future success will be positively and measurably impacted by his proven leadership.”

He earned his Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Boston University; received a bachelor’s degree in economics and international affairs from Florida State University; and a bachelor’s in physical therapy from the University of Central Florida. Dr. Ryland’s practicing specializations include treatment in acute care, sub-acute rehabilitation, outpatient Orthopaedics and home health care.

Additionally, he has provided preventative care and training to elite and professional athletes, including members of the Ladies Professional Golf Association and the Washington Nationals professional baseball organization.

Dr. Ryland has consulted several leading PT providers and business owners across the U.S. on building successful PT/OT practices through effective management systems and techniques.

FIRST CHOICE HEALTHCARE EXPANSION

Volume in both surgical and non-surgical patient services has continued to trend higher in First Choice / Beach Physical Therapy Brevard County locations, being served by First Choice’s Medical Centers of Excellence.

These services have not only continued to gain traction in respect to revenue generation, but has allowed First Choice to increase its professional services team with world-class physicians.

Not only has demand for surgical and non-surgical procedures seen increased demand, First Choice has also enjoyed continued treatment increases for best-in-class physical and occupational therapy services through its newly opened Beach Physical Therapy locations.

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HANDS-ON, CARING APPROACH

We’re delighted to welcome Dr. Ryland to talk more about First Choice’s philosophy of providing patients with the latest state-of-the-art and evidenced-based therapy services.

SPACE COAST DAILY: What makes First Choice unique as a practice?
DR. RYLAND: We have a hands-on approach to caring for our patients. A good portion of our therapists have their doctorate degrees. At First Choice, our patients’ health and well-being is first and foremost. That fits perfectly with our philosophy of providing Brevard County residents with the latest state-of-the-art and evidenced-based therapy services to restore our clients’ function and wellbeing, so they can live a pain-free, productive lifestyle.

SPACE COAST DAILY: How well does this philosophy of care work?
DR. RYLAND: It works very well. In fact, three out of four First Choice patients are able to return to a full pain-free, productive lifestyle without requiring surgical intervention.

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SPACE COAST DAILY:  What is the role of physical therapists/occupational therapists in the continuum of patient care?
DR. RYLAND: Physical therapists and occupational therapists are quickly becoming the gatekeepers of health care. Most insurance companies now recommend or require a patient consult with a skilled PT/OT one month prior to authorizing and reimbursing for invasive procedures such as injections and surgery.

SPACE COAST DAILY: What are some of the medical issues that can benefit from physical therapy?
DR. RYLAND: These include low back and neck pain, tendonitis, bursitis, fibromyalgia and other pain syndromes, torn MCL, ICL and ACL, sprains and strains, neuropathy, atrophy and falls and balance issues and post-surgical conditions, among others.

We focus on high-quality, hands-on functional outcomes for our patients so they can experience a rapid return to previous function, including high level sports activities. I have provided preventative maintenance services for high-level professional athletes, with a focus on sport-specific enhancement to the highest level.

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SPACE COAST DAILY: How important is patient education to you?
DR. RYLAND: It is critically important. I educate my patients with heavy emphasis on nutrition and well being inside and out. After being introduced to the power of whole-food nutrition and its significantly positive effect on the physical recovery process, I have been on a mission to generate lifestyle changes in the community I serve. I have witnessed first-hand the amazing results that can be obtained when clients take charge of their own lives, so my philosophy is to empower clients for success in all facets of life.

SPACE COAST DAILY: Please tell us about yourself.
DR. RYLAND: I have been a resident of Brevard County for 35 years. I’m not the first one in the family to be associated with First Choice, because my wife, Tracy, is the physician outreach coordinator for First Choice Medical Group. Our son, Chase, is 19 and a student at the University of North Florida. Our daughter, Camryn, is 16 and a junior at Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy.

First Choice’s physical therapy center is located on the second floor of Marina Towers at 709 S. Harbor City Boulevard, Suite 250, in Melbourne, Florida. First Choice’s Beach Physical Therapy centers are located in Indian Harbour Beach at 20130 South Patrick Drive and in Viera at 5445 Murrell Road. To reach Dr. Steve Ryland call 321-321-725-2225 and for more information visit www.MyDoctor321.com/SCD

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