Trying Something New

In joining the blog era, Luke and I had two purposes. We wanted a method to share a quick story/ clinic event with our Rock Valley "following." We were also looking for a way to demonstrate commonly used exercise progressions that we might incorporate to a patient's home exercise program that might be challenging if accompanied by only a handout. Bare with us, this is our first attempt, and I am sure there is a learning process involved. We took the first steps by purchasing a HD flip video and creating a blogger account. Now let the fun begin... (A)

Open House Wrap-up

I am here to tell you that the sugar cookies were delicious from last night (I thought I would include a picture so you could see for yourself), and I am looking forward to eating the left overs today. Speaking about left overs (the picture doesn't even begin to paint the picture of the amount, you should see the fridge)...we had a lot of individuals attend the Open House, but no one was really in the eating and drinking mood, just the standing and talking mood. That left us with a surplus of meat and cheese trays, fruit trays, vegetable trays, cookies and cake balls. Luke and I decided to send a majority of the food back up to the Quad Cities for other staff members to enjoy. Being the "newbies" to the Rock Valley family, you have got to score points when you can. However, Luke and I did not share the cookies. Instead, we decided to share these with area physicians and their office staff. I bet you thought that we were going to keep them all to ourselves. I am not going to lie...we did eat our fair share! (A)

Open House Time

I think Luke and I sent out over 400 invites for our Open House this evening. Most of the invites were sent to area physicians, past/ current patients, and friends/ family members. Some people (especially Lily from the nail shop next door) have found it odd that the clinic has been open for almost three months and that we are just getting around to hosting an Open House. Well, the first month doesn't count because I had not joined the Rock Valley staff. I have no excuse for the next two months, but to state that there are a lot of little start-up tasks that take time. Anyway...having said that, we are hoping to have a crowd of 100 tonight. It should be a good time! There will be refreshments and prize drawings. Rumor has it that there is this bakery (Old Towne Bakery) located up in the Quad Cities that makes a delicious sugar cookie and somehow finds a way to place a Rock Valley Logo in the icing of the cookie. I am looking forward to sampling these! (A)

Houston! We have a problem!

I just got back from the Sports Medicine Symposium of the Americas in Houston, Texas. This was a great opportunity to hear some of the top therapists and orthopedic surgeons in the country present together on current advances in treatment of the shoulder, knee, hip, and ankle. Represented were team surgeons and therapists from multiple professional and college level programs including, of course, the Houston Astros/Texans/and Rockets to name a few. Of particular interest for me was hearing the latest in ACL prevention, hip/labral problems, PRP, and scapular evaluation and treatment. It is always refreshing to get to a great learning opportunity like this to motivate continual progress in your own practice. Even though I left my ten gallon hat in Texas, I look forward to applying what I've learned to assist my patients here in central Illinois. Oh, by the way, if you plan on travelling to Houston watch the movie Tin Cup, as the landscape in the movie pretty much sums up what it is like down there. (L)

What is Speed Networking?

I was asking myself that question until this morning. Here's the answer...speed networking is a program that the Peoria Chamber of Commerce offers. It is intended for those businesses whose success depends on word-of-mouth referrals and marketing. The Chamber limits the participation to one company from each business sector (example: health care, insurance, advertising, engineering, etc.) and basically you have 90 seconds to present your "company basics" and then it is another person's turn. You then move down the table and repeat the process all over. This continues for the next hour to hour and a half.

It was fun to see how much information you could present in 90 seconds and how much you could learn in 90 seconds about another company. I met a lady whose company is responsible for creating all of the decals for he Caterpillar skid steer line. I will tell you one thing though...I was definitely tired of talking after the event! (A)

I Didn't Want to Keep You in Suspense...

If you had trouble sleeping last night wondering if the "big"scissors actually cut the ribbon from our ribbon cutting, I thought I would be put you out of your misery. They worked! After the ribbon cutting, Luke and I gave a quick tour of the facility and discussed the services we provide. Then the crowd feasted on Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory apples. Those apples are so delicious and addictive! I think we feel a namesake bound with the folks over there at the Chocolate Factory...Rocky Mountain, Rock Valley...they are pretty close. (A)

It's Official...The Ribbon Has Been Cut

Luke and I were looking for a cost efficient way to become more visible to the business community and that led us to become a Peoria Chamber of Commerce member. As part of the benefits, we were able to host an "official ribbon cutting" ceremony. Well, that day is today! I only hope that the giant pair of scissors that I am holding actually cut the ribbon. It would be embarrassing if they don't. I guess I would compare it to trying to blow out the candles on a birthday cake with everyone watching and nothing happens. I will keep you posted... (A)