On the outside, an ominous gray sky hovered.
The remnants of an early-week message from Mother Nature loomed large, darkening the day for many.
However…
Inside 3414 North Port Drive, Suite #2, nestled just off Muscatine, Iowa’s U.S. Highway 61, it was 72 degrees, sunny and not a cloud in the sky.
It was bright and it was cheerful. A welcoming and can-do spirit filled every inch of the Rock Valley Physical Therapy clinic, a shiny reflection of clinic manager Meghan Georgieff and everyone involved.
With Georgieff, you get a heavy dose of “today’s-a-great-day,’’ and positivity overrides any negative noise, and “Making Better Lives’’ is the primary goal of those gathered.
Gloom – and certainly doom – are not part of the Georgieff-led North Port equation.
“Lots to be happy about,’’ said Georgieff, a Peoria, Ill., native, who earned her undergraduate and Doctor of Physical Therapy degrees from Davenport, Iowa-based St. Ambrose University.
The optimistic, high-energy Georgieff took the reins of the North Port clinic in November of 2023. She began her Rock Valley career in April 2023.
“It’s rewarding to get to be part of something special, surrounded each day by amazing people doing great things,’’ added Georgieff, a 20-something, 24-karat gem on all fronts. “Emily Patterson (Front Office) is great at everything and the patients are amazing in that they care and appreciate her. It’s that kind of effort – and it is everyday – that makes Rock Valley special.’’
Georgieff says Rock Valley’s family atmosphere and its dedication to every patient are reasons she made a career-changing move in 2023. A move that would eventually lead to a leadership role at North Port.
“It is real,” Georgieff said of all that is special about Rock Valley. “It is a family at every turn and everyone wants you to have success, but more importantly you are provided with the tools and the mentorship to succeed.”
“That doesn’t happen everywhere,’’ she added. “I have Mike Wright (PT, DPT, OCS, CEAS, Regional Manager), (PTA) Katherine (Tucker-Dipple) who both have been amazing as well. There is a leadership team I can turn to with any issue, including help from (Rock Valley CEO) Mike Horsfield. It’s unique to have everyone with a common goal, but that’s what Rock Valley is about.’’
Getting the chance to guide one of Rock Valley’s 60-plus clinics across Illinois, Iowa and Nebraska, is a dream come true for the ever-upbeat Georgieff.
“I never thought it would be this early in my career, but I’m so grateful for the opportunity and chance to be part of something special each and every day,’’ she said. “I always get asked about what pushed me to such a rewarding career. I am like a lot of others who have had a similar experience. I was an athlete and suffered an injury and then watched my mother deal with a torn ACL and the outstanding work that went into getting her back to 100 percent. Watching my mom do a box jump at age 40 was inspiring. But an injury to me had an influence because I saw early the impact this field had on me as an athlete.’’
A prep standout in competitive cheer and track and an outstanding competitive cheer athlete in college, Georgieff had her career path cemented during her undergraduate days at St. Ambrose.
“I tore my labrum in (cheer) competition, but didn’t tell anyone,’’ said Georgieff, who said she selected St. Ambrose University over Bradley University and the University of Iowa. “It forced me to become the one getting tossed in the air instead of being the one who catches and that’s not what I wanted.
“I also wanted something in healthcare, but I don’t like blood,’’ Georgieff added. “I found physical therapy the perfect way to make an impact and better the lives of so many. I like the outpatient setting and having three different shoulders walk in and have three different sessions, which makes me use my brain a little more. It is a wonderful challenge.’’
Understanding the ins and outs and difficulties of being a high school athlete is a way Georgieff says she can grow the North Port clinic. In addition to her on-site duties, Georgieff has established a positive working relationship with Louisa-Muscatine High School.
“Athletes are starting to understand physical therapy is an important component to their recovery from injury,’’ said Georgieff, who lives in Letts, Iowa, with her boyfriend, Zach Brown. “I love what we are doing with L&M and what we have done so far. The athletes and coaches are great to work with. It is just another way for us to ‘make better lives’ and I really enjoy my time at L&M.’’
For Georgieff, her professional goals are clinic and Rock Valley-related goals. She would love to be the North Port clinic manager in five years and have one or two more therapists on staff.
“The additional therapists are simply a sign we have grown the practice,’’ she said. “Great patient care is always first, but reaching far beyond where we are now can be done. We are in a great community with great people, but it is up to us – me especially – to let them know we are here, and we can help. It helps that I have people like Mike (Wright), Katherine (Tucker-Dipple) and Emily (Patterson) here and they have such a positive impact on what we do. I look forward to every day and getting the chance to make a difference in someone’s life. ‘’
By: Johnny Marx, Storyteller