Rock Valley Expanding into Nebraska

Rock Valley Physical Therapy is expanding by seven clinics, marking its first foray into the state of Nebraska.

One of the largest therapist-led physical therapy entities in the United States, Rock Valley Physical Therapy has purchased Stodden Physical Therapy (four clinics) and a trio of clinics that comprise Specialized Physical Therapy.

The Rock Valley-Stodden merger began Oct. 1, while Specialized and Rock Valley will join forces Dec.1. Staff, patients and Omaha, Nebraska, corridor-aligned physicians, have been notified regarding the transfer of ownership of both groups.

Today, Rock Valley Physical Therapy, founded in 1984 by Milan, Il. native Steve Layer, features 53 clinics, covering seven regions throughout Iowa and Illinois. Rock Valley employs over 470. When the ink dries on its latest merger, there will be 60 clinics under the Rock Valley umbrella, all working to better the lives of those they serve.

Stodden Physical Therapy is based in Elkhorn, Bennington, Gretna and Alliance Nebraska.

Elkhorn, Bennington and Gretna are located in the Omaha corridor, while Alliance rests in the western portion of the state. Under the tremendous guidance of Mike Stodden (PT, MPT) since 2004, Stodden Physical Therapy has blazed a patient-first trail for nearly two decades.

“I have known some of the Rock Valley partners since physical therapy school and have worked with many of them the last 12 years in the Midwest therapy network,” said Mike Stodden. “I feel very comfortable with who I have partnered with. They have proven over the years that they are like minded in treating patients, mentoring employees, and running a business.’’

For Mike, those who work alongside him and the patients Stodden Physical Therapy serves, this was the perfect time to join the Rock Valley family.

“I believe Rock Valley offers a unique, forward-thinking idea of partnership and growth,’’ said Stodden. “That idea can allow the business to stay privately-owned and operated.’’

Specialized Physical Therapy clinics, recipients of a “Best of Omaha’’ area honor for 2021, are located in Omaha, and have been under the guidance of owners Jeffrey (PT, DPT, MPT, OCS, ATC) and Jacquelyn Zimmerman (PT, MBA, MPT) since 2008.

Thirteen years ago, the Zimmermans, energetic, caring, forever dedicated and driven to better the lives of those they serve, brought Specialized Physical Therapy to life. Since that day, the two, along with a caring and motivated staff, have provided patients with a variety of physical therapy services.

Long familiar with Rock Valley, the Zimmermans say now is the right time to align the two organizations and continue a marvelous pathway of bettering lives.

“We’ve been acquainted with Rock Valley Physical Therapy since the 1990’s, when I completed one of my long clinical rotations there during physical therapy school,’’ said Jeff Zimmerman. “I knew back then that Rock Valley was doing things differently than most everyone else. When we founded Specialized Physical Therapy in 2008, we did our best to model our business after Rock Valley.”

“Rock Valley Physical Therapy is excited to expand our footprint into Nebraska,’’ said Debbie Healy, Vice-President of Growth and Development for Rock Valley Physical Therapy. “We are fortunate to be able to partner with Mike, Jeff and Jacque and to provide additional resources to further their staff development, expand their physician relationships and continue to help Make Better Lives in their communities.”

Learn more about our new locations and get to know the awesome staff!

By: Johnny Marx, Storyteller