Mid-Year: What PTs Need to Get Right in 2026

Mid-Year: What PTs Need to Get Right in 2026

As physical therapy faces growing demand, workforce challenges, reimbursement pressures, and rapid advances in technology, many practice leaders are asking the same question: What comes next? In this episode, Dr. Heidi Jannenga sits down with Dr. Larry Benz, founder of Confluent Health, to discuss the forces reshaping the profession and why he believes physical therapy is approaching a critical inflection point. Together, they explore the rise of AI, remote therapeutic monitoring, evolving care models, and the financial realities facing practices today. Larry also shares his perspective on what it will take for physical therapy to fully embrace its role as a doctoring profession and why the decisions made over the next few years could have a lasting impact on the future of patient care. Listen in for an insightful discussion on the opportunities, challenges, and innovations shaping the next era of physical therapy. Learn more: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lbenz/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lbenz/] https://www.webpt.com/podcast [https://www.webpt.com/podcast]

How Community-Driven Pediatric Care Expands Access and Improves Outcomes

Join us for a practical look at building a mission-driven practice that supports both patients and the communities they serve. Listen in for a conversation with Dr. Jessica Martin, pediatric physical therapist and clinical lead at aMAYZing Kids [http://www.amayzingkids.com/], on how community, collaboration, and culture shape better outcomes for children and families. Jessica shares her journey into pediatric PT and what makes this work both dynamic and deeply meaningful. Jessica explores the role of multidisciplinary care, parent engagement, and early intervention in supporting children with developmental delays. They also discuss how community outreach and nonprofit initiatives can expand access to care and strengthen connections beyond the clinic. Learn more: http://www.amayzingkids.com/ [http://www.amayzingkids.com/] https://www.amayzing.org/donate [https://www.amayzing.org/donate] https://www.webpt.com/podcast [https://www.webpt.com/podcast]

Why Play-Based, Home-Centered Care Is Changing Pediatric PT

Tune in for a conversation with Dr. Jessica Basha, PT, DPT, PCS, owner of Basha PT, for an inside look at what makes pediatric physical therapy both uniquely challenging and deeply rewarding. Jessica shares her journey from pursuing sports and orthopedic care to finding her passion in pediatrics. Jessica also shares how play-based therapy drives engagement and outcomes for children, why involving families is essential to success, and what sets pediatric care apart from traditional rehab. This episode offers a thoughtful conversation on building a practice that balances clinical excellence with compassion, and what it means to be a positive voice for families navigating developmental challenges. Learn more: https://bashaphysicaltherapy.com/ [https://bashaphysicaltherapy.com/] https://www.webpt.com/podcast [https://www.webpt.com/podcast]

PT as the First Stop for MSK Care: What Must Change in Policy, Practice, and Workflow

In this episode, host Susan Lofton (WebPT) sits down with guests Stephen Hunter (Intermountain Healthcare) and Alice Bell (American Physical Therapy Association) to explore what it will take to make PT a true first stop for musculoskeletal care. Listen in as they discuss the differences between direct access, PT-first, and primary care physical therapy and share real-world examples of PT-first models, from ED-based care to PTs embedded in primary care clinics. They also discuss the cultural and operational shifts needed to move PT upstream, including consumer education, institutional referral barriers, and training that strengthens screening and referral decision-making. Plus, they examine how hybrid care and AI can expand access while keeping quality and safety front and center. You won't want to miss this one! Learn more: https://intermountainhealthcare.org/ [https://intermountainhealthcare.org/] https://www.apta.org/ [https://www.apta.org/] https://www.webpt.com/podcast [https://www.webpt.com/podcast]

Building from One Clinic to Many: What It Takes to Grow a Thriving Rehab Therapy Practice

Tune in for a conversation with Dr. Daniel Reizis, founder and CEO of Prestige Rehab, on what it takes to scale a rehab therapy practice. Daniel shares his path from clinician to entrepreneur, the lessons he learned from building and selling his first outpatient practice, and what led him to launch Prestige Rehab, which focuses on on-site therapy in assisted living communities. Now leading 40 locations across multiple states, Daniel explains why the assisted living model can create a more sustainable business with reduced overhead and a more predictable payer mix, plus the systems and processes required to grow responsibly. He also breaks down how he centralizes operations across dozens of locations, builds a connected company culture, and prioritizes retention through communication, mentorship, and streamlined workflows. This episode offers a look at scaling with practical insights on using data to guide decisions and navigating the operational and billing challenges that can make or break a growing practice. Learn more: https://www.prestige-rehab.com/ [https://www.prestige-rehab.com/] https://www.webpt.com/podcast [https://www.webpt.com/podcast]