“Opening the clinic in Geneseo in (May) 2016, and moving my family to Geneseo in 2017, it was our plan to carry the Rock Valley mission of "Making Better Lives" to the Geneseo community,’’ said Kelley, who will continue to treat patients in Geneseo. “I believe that mission was accomplished, as the Geneseo, Cambridge, and surrounding communities have supported us fully. Geneseo has grown from a start-up with one physical therapist and Stacey Sturtewagen (Clinical Experience Associate) to a crew of five physical therapists, one occupational therapist and two physical therapy assistants, and still the same front-office leadership.’’
Kelley emphasized it is still the same talented team in Geneseo going the extra mile to better the lives of those in need. The only difference is clinic leadership is now in Just’s tremendously capable hands.
“I have full confidence in Nate and the team in Geneseo to continue to grow both personally and professionally,’’ Kelley said. “To continue to position ourselves to succeed at being the providers who promise to "help-you-get-better-or-find-someone- who-can" due to many years of varied clinical and Rock Valley Physical Therapy experience, and a desire to serve our community to the fullest and put patients at the forefront of every decision we make."
“The opportunity to reflect back on the last 10 years has shown a community and a staff dedicated to accepting nothing but excellence and compassion,’’ Kelley added. “I have seen a community and staff come together to help others, to serve together, to conquer the unique demands of navigating a global pandemic, and to make each other's lives better together. I look forward to seeing the clinic continue to thrive and grow as the Geneseo community expands and evolves.’’
For Just, his new mission is the perfect opportunity, one that came at the ideal time in his career.
“I feel extremely lucky to be able to step into a situation like the one here in Geneseo,’’ Just said of his new role, adding that in honor of the clinic’s 10-year anniversary, Rock Valley Physical Therapy gave away assorted Rock Valley swag at the end of April and delivered doughnuts to various businesses around the Geneseo community in thanks for their continued support.
“The community support has been amazing over the last 10 years and has played a major role in the success of the clinic to this point. I am very much looking forward to continuing to grow that relationship.’’
Knowing there is a tremendous Geneseo-based team in place has been the ultimate bonus for Just. The transition, thanks to those around him and a wonderful patient base, has been seamless.
“I had heard nothing but great things about the staff here in the clinic and everything I heard has proven to be true ten-fold,’’ Just said, noting that forever-upbeat Sturtewagen is the CEA glue that holds things in and around the clinic together. “They have been extremely helpful and welcoming throughout. Kevin and the staff have developed a reputation of providing quality care over the last decade that we hope to continue for the years to come.’’
Serving a wonderful community, growing the practice, and building on 10 great years, has Just excited about the clinic’s future.
“Our hope is to continue servicing this community with great care from our phenomenal staff for many years to come,’’ Just said. “We want to continue to adapt in an ever-changing healthcare environment to best meet our patients' needs, allowing them to live healthy. I have been extremely fortunate to have some great mentors throughout my time with Rock Valley who helped prepare me for an opportunity like this when the time was right.’’
For Kelley, excitement abounds regarding his new role as Vice-President of Growth.
He is hoping to further streamline vision and communication between Rock Valley regional managers, its employer services team, and its marketing and growth teams. He plans to continue fostering personal and professional growth of Rock Valley clinicians, clinics, and regions, all while cementing Rock Valley's mission of being a patient-centered, therapist-led organization dedicated to improving the lives of its Midwest communities.
“I feel that I have been gifted with the strength of identifying opportunities, motivating people to grow and succeed, and helping others achieve their goals,’’ Kelley said. “I have been on a personal leadership development journey which has involved mentoring other clinic managers across Rock Valley Physical Therapy's map. When the Vice-President of Growth position became available, and I was confident that Geneseo would continue to thrive without my leadership, I felt led to help Rock Valley Physical Therapy continue to grow as a company.’’
By: Johnny Marx, Rock Valley Storyteller
