Category: Leadership

Gratitude for 20 Years of SPEAR

by: Dan Rootenberg, CEO

To the Entire SPEAR Team:

March 22, 2019, marks twenty years since SPEAR first opened its doors.  Wow, just wow.

Please allow me to take a brief walk down memory lane so I can reflect on where we are today and share SPEAR’s humble beginnings with you.  March 22, 1999 – 20 years ago today:  Dave and I (with a lot more hair – see pic below) attended a talk about ski conditioning at my local Equinox gym where we met Dr. Glashow, a surgeon from Lenox Hill Hospital who was the guest speaker.  SPEAR then was not SPEAR now.  Dave and I each handed the doctor a business card that I had printed up at home that afternoon.  Mine had my home address. Dave’s had his home address.  The doctor thought we had two locations, was very impressed, and sent over SPEAR’s very first patient Vito Tricarico, a friendly, retired NYC architect, who walked into our rental gym space to be treated post-shoulder surgery.

1999: Our first pic as co-founders!

Dave and I first met at a wedding.  We were not invited guests. Dave was a waiter and I was a valet parker.  It was the first week of PT school and we recognized each other in the catering kitchen.  We became friends very quickly and realized that we shared an ethos, a grinder’s mentality, a “do whatever it takes” attitude.  We found that we had a lot in common besides being wedding crashers.  We both lost our fathers at a young age and recognized that nothing in life is handed to you, owed to you or should be expected.  You make your own luck and create your own breaks.   Eight years later, when Ryan Kitzen joined the company, he shared a similar story and attitude.  I realize now that the thread of overcoming circumstances, of bringing a smile without entitlement, has been so woven into our company from the very start.  As I look around at our team today, I clearly see a connection to SPEAR’s origin story.  Call it the “law of attraction” or call it our culture, we are fortunate to have 325 humble, talented, hard-working, caring team members.  For that, I am extremely grateful.

I want to take this opportunity to recognize the efforts (in no particular order because it takes all of us working together!) of our team.  The care coordinators who pay attention to setting the welcoming vibe for every patient that walks through our door.  The award-winning therapists, who give of themselves so selflessly, passionate about making their patients lives better.   Our techs, who are out there on the floor every day making sure our patients have a positive healing experience.   And the HQ team who (has to put up with me every day) manages the behind the scenes magic to make the company run like a company.  I owe deep thanks as well to our talented and skilled Directors and Regional Directors who lead with heart and lead by example every day.

Twenty years is hard to believe.  The emotion of GRATITUDE comes to the forefront of my mind.  I truly appreciate all that we have accomplished together.  The awards are special, but I read somewhere never to inhale.  Receiving the pinnacle industry award – the APTA’s private practice section, Practice of the Year – was a highlight for us. One that we celebrated.  We don’t stop there, however.  I see much greater heights in the distance.   I see our company growing the SPEAR way, the right way, and the thoughtful way.   I see us graduating our 100th team member through our SPEAR future leader program.   I see creating opportunities for growth for those that want it and have the discipline to develop the skill set.   I see SPEAR transcending excellence in PT and adding state of the art wellness services that elevate our brand and increases patients’ expectation every time they walk through our doors.  I see many more people benefitting from our special brand of physical therapy and wellness, with a much broader footprint.

2019: SPEAR ensuring no middle school child in NYC avoids trying out for a baseball or softball team because they can’t afford a glove or bat

Spring started this week.  Spring has always been a special time for me.  The weather is getting nicer, the flowers are starting to bloom, but really and most importantly, it’s time for the baseball season.  I have coached over 200 kids in the past decade and sit on the board for two little leagues, one in Manhattan (PSLL) and one in Brooklyn (Bonnies Youth Club) for inner-city kids, where I also played.  I give up most of my afternoons during the spring to bring the concepts that have made SPEAR a special place, to these kids.  We talk about what it means to be a good teammate, what a winner looks like, the importance of grit, hard work, and goal setting.  Just this week I was honored to speak to all the middle school coaches of Manhattan about keeping kids safe and the importance of correct throwing biomechanics.  As some of you may recall, at our last annual Picnic in the Park, we pledged $10,000 to the middle schools of NYC.  I am proud to say that we made good on that pledge and delivered equipment to all the city boys’ baseball and girls’ softball programs.  Every team got five beautiful leather baseball gloves and a bat, and every girls’ softball team additionally got a pair of catchers’ gear.  No child this year will be too embarrassed to try out for their school team because they couldn’t afford a glove.

SPEAR’s annual picnic in the park which evolved from a small kick-ball game to a day of celebrating “SPEAR-it”, with an egg toss, tug of war, talent show laden celebration.

Thanks for taking the time to read my note. Apologies for the length, but since 20 years can pass in the blink of an eye, I truly appreciate you taking a few minutes to allow me to reflect on SPEAR’s past, present and future.  We are making a difference in peoples’ lives every day.  This year, we will positively impact the lives of thirty THOUSAND New Yorkers.  I hear the stories and get letters from grateful patients whose lives you have made better. Today, as I reflect over 20 years, how it all started by showing up to talk at Equinox and then renting a single room in a midtown gym, I am filled with pride and gratitude.  We have 18 locations and over 150 talented therapists.  Vito Tricarico, if he were alive, would no doubt have a huge smile on his face, and give us a big laugh and huge hug (and pose for a SPEAR social media pic!).  I can’t wait to see how we continue to grow together and continue to heal the world – one person at a time.

Thank you for your commitment to the team, whether you have been here 20 years or 20 days.

With Gratitude,

Dan

CSM Conference – Washington, D.C. 

The American Physical Therapy Association held their annual Combined Sections Meeting (CSM) conference last week, the largest conference of physical therapy in the nation—and SPEAR was there to take part in it! Held in Washington D.C., thousands of people were in attendance, including close to 16,000 industry professionals and students. It was a great occasion for members of the physical therapy community to get together and share their growing knowledge and expertise. It was also a fantastic opportunity for students and future physical therapists alike to learn about the ever-evolving science of the PT world, learn how to become involved in the community, and gain some answers and pertinent information to their questions.

Students mingling and chatting at our cocktail hour 

SPEAR was on-site to offer our knowledge and stir up a little fun, too! We hosted a complimentary cocktail hour for students right in the lobby of the Renaissance Hotel, complete with a selfie photo booth section where guests and friends could use some fun props and take some awesome pictures.  We had a great turnout with approximately 90 attendees, including APTA’s vice president and the New York Physical Therapy Association (NYPTA) president who stopped by to say hello! It was an ideal space perfect for generating some great conversations among students and physical therapyprofessionals

Not only were attendees able to ask questions about what it’s like to work within the PT realm on a daily basis—they also learned why SPEAR is such an incredible place to work. Our fantastic team leaders were able to provide insight on SPEAR’s mission and values, and how our defining factors can help them excel in their current and future careers. With so many opportunities to grow with SPEAR, it was a wonderful time to spread the word and let people know what we’re all about. SPEAR is committed to bringing A-players onboard to experience the motivation, drive, empathy and spirit that all our team members share in common. Our team is the core of SPEAR and what pushes us to be great, and as a result, consistently provide the most excellent care for our patients.

Guests having a grand ol’ time at our selfie station

Our annual baseball functional movement screen to decrease injury risk in kids

SPEAR’s Investment in Youth Sports & Our New Charitable Partnership

As the Yankees and Red Sox get set for another playoff showdown, SPEAR is announcing our renewed commitment to the youth of NYC by teaming up with Pitch in for Baseball & Softball (PIFBS), a charitable organization that shares our dedication to supporting young local athletes and helping them become the very best versions of themselves. In the past year, SPEAR has offered three free injury prevention clinics for young baseball and softball players across the city. Now that SPEAR has joined forces with PIFBS, we are excited to contribute even more. SPEAR is thrilled to announce that, with your help, we will match at least $10,000 in donations to PIFBS by the end of this year.

You can click here to join us in supporting young athletes in NYC – even a ten dollar donation helps!

At SPEAR, we have a passion for helping baseball players of all ages. For example, during the 2017 World Baseball Classic, CEO Dan Rootenberg was  selected by MLB to be a team Physical Therapist and Strength & Conditioning Coach in Asia. Dan also coaches local little league which is close to his heart. This year Dan coached a SPEAR-sponsored team of 10-12 year old baseball players throughout their 2018 season, providing guidance and physical therapy (as needed)  along the way. Each week the team discussed topics like teamwork, grit, handling adversity, goal-setting and focus. “Personally, I love coaching little league baseball because as a coach I’m not just teaching baseball skills, I’m teaching life lessons.” The players learned how to think like champions, practiced team building skills, and gained confidence. They also grew as baseball players: after a slow start, the team won the Peter Stuyvesant Little League Majors Championship and, from there, members of the team went on to become the Manhattan champs in their quest to reach the Little League World Series!

Pitch in for Baseball & Softball (PIFBS) is a registered 501(c)(3) not for profit organization that provides new and gently used baseball and softball equipment to boys and girls in NYC and around the world who want to play ball but lack the equipment to do so. SPEAR is thrilled to join forces with PIFBS, an organization that has helped over 800,000 kids gain access to baseball and softball through their equipment donations since 2005.

The 2018 SPEAR-sponsored little league championship team, coached by our CEO Dan Rootenberg (top left)

On today’s season finale show we are joined by Adam Greenberg. Adam is a former professional Baseball player and CEO of Lurong Living. Some highlights from our conversation included:

• Adam detailing the need to always “Get Up” from adversity.
• Look and connect the good support system around you.
• Learn to love and own all your passions and accomplishments.
• Finally, share your story, share imperfections with the world, empower others.

On today’s episode we have Dr. Stephen Fealy, founder of BetterPT and Orthopedic Surgeon in Hospital of Special Surgery. Some highlights from our conversation include:

• Dr. Fealy detailing how you always must look for the positive in every situation.
• The need to simply, LISTEN. Listen to everything that is going on around you with intent to learn.
• You must apply the mindset of “owning it” through all aspects of your life.
• Always have the belief to always “do the right thing” as a guide in life.