A Message from the President Expansion and growth continue at Premiere Physical Therapy! Our company’s steady growth over the past eleven years has been a testament to all of the hard work and dedication given by our excellent staff of professionals, both past and present. This commitment to excellence has allowed us to achieve the success we experience today in our non-physician owned, private physical therapy practice in Central Illinois. We currently operate three outpatient physical therapy clinics, two in Springfield, Illinois and one in Virden, Illinois. With all three clinics combined, we have become the largest private physical therapy company in the Springfield region, serving more physicians and patients each and every day. Over the years, our two main organizational goals have always remained the same. We want to produce extremly well-satisfied physicians and patients who would gladly refer their patients, friends, and family to our clinics, along with extremely well-satisfied patients treated to a maximum level of improvement who would gladly come back to us if care is ever needed. Our staff's commitment to these goals has launched Premiere Physical Therapy into its current position in the Springfield health region. Our dedicated staff of professionals continues to deliver excellent care to patients today in the same manner as was done back in the “early days” of our existence. Compassionate, personal and professional service delivery has been our trademark throughout the years. When you are a patient at any Premiere facility you should expect to be treated as part of our family. Each day, more area physicians, and their patients are experiencing and realizing the “Premiere Difference.” For those of you who have yet to visit one of our facilities, I wish to extend a warm welcome from our entire staff.  We look forward to helping you return to a healthier and more productive lifestyle, both at work, and with your families.  Welcome to Premiere Physical Therapy! Tony Rubba, President   About Premiere Physical Therapy: Tony Rubba and John Woodard formed a partnership and opened Premiere Physical Therapy in 1997 after working together at another facility in Springfield. They started the practice as the only two employees in a small suite in the Centrum Building. In 2000, Premiere moved to a larger facility, the Downtown Clinic at 320 E. Carpenter St., Ste. 1B, to accommodate growth in the business. In 2004, Tony and John opened an additional clinic, Premiere’s West Clinic at 2901 Old Jacksonville Road in Springfield. In the fall of 2006, Premiere opened its third clinic at 1226 North Springfield Street, in Virden, IL. Today, there are 20 employees and the company plans are for continued growth.  Our Commitment: To provide quality patient and physician service delivered with high ethical standards. To produce extremely well-satisfied physicians and patients who would gladly refer their patients, friends and family to our clinics. To produce extremely well-satisfied patients treated to a maximum level of improvement who would gladly return to us if care is ever needed. All of our treatment staff are nationally certified and licensed by the State of Illinois. A common question that we hear from many patients is about the initials after our names. They are:  PT– Physical Therapist: A licensed healthcare professional who works with people that have sustained disabilities, impairments, or limitations in their overall physical function. Physical therapists examine, evaluate, diagnose, develop treatment plans, and provide prognosis for each patient on an individual basis. PTs work to restore function, improve mobility, and decrease pain with the goal of re-establishing a patient's prior functional level. Over the course of the rehabilitation period, they will document progress, re-evaluate physical findings, and modify treatment strategies as appropriate. At Premiere our physical therapists may refer you to work with a physical therapist assistant (PTA) or a certified athletic trainer (ATC) depending on your diagnosis. PTA – Physical Therapist Assistant: A licensed healthcare professional that performs components of physical therapy procedures and related tasks under the direction and supervision of licensed physical therapists. They assist the PT with the development of treatment plans, documentation of patient progress and modification of specific treatments in accordance with patient status and within the scope of treatment plans developed by a physical therapist. PTAs at Premiere specialize in treating all neck and back injuries as well as geriatric patients.   ATC – Certified Athletic Trainer:  A licensed healthcare professional that specializes in the prevention, recognition, management and rehabilitation of injuries that result from physical activity. Athletic Trainers help prevent and treat injuries for people of all ages. ATCs help prevent injuries by advising patients on the proper use of equipment and applying protective or injury-preventive devices such as tape, bandages or braces. In a clinical setting they work under the direction and supervision of licensed physical therapists progressing patients through rehabilitation programs. ATCs at Premiere specialize in treating shoulder and knee injuries as well as sports injuries.   The Greater Springfield Illinois Chamber of Commerce www.gscc.org Council of Better Business Bureaus, Inc. www.bbb.org