Today we’d like to introduce you to Erica Franks.
Hi Erica, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My name is Dr. Erica Franks and I’ve been an Orthopedics Physical Therapist since 2008.
Growing up, I began dancing at the age of four years old. I also was a cheerleader, on several dance teams, played soccer, tennis and loved swimming. I attended Howard University and majored in Dance Arts. While at Howard, I struggled with a knee and ankle injury and took an interest in the field after seeing several therapists. My third year at Howard, I switched my major to Pre-Physical Therapy with a minor in Dance Arts. From there, I’ve always been intrigued in orthopedics because of my sports background.
In 2005, I graduated Magna Cum Laude from Howard University and subsequently earned my Doctorate of Physical Therapy degree from Emory University in 2008. I received my advanced board certification in orthopedics in 2013 becoming an Orthopedic Certified Specialist (OCS). I then later became certified in Dry Needling (Cert. DN) and then certified as a Kinesio Taping Practitioner (CKTP). I’m also a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. I currently sit on the Career Technical and Argricultural Education Board-Sports Medicine Pathway for Benjamin E. Mays High School.
My clinical experience includes treatment of Orthopedics and Sports Medicine cases and Vestibular Rehabilitation at Benchmark Physical Therapy and Select Physical Therapy; home healthcare with Gentiva and Kindred Healthcare and Emory University Hospital Midtown. I’ve also worked as the Clinical Director at Genesis Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation-Cascade.
My passion is providing treatment for dancers and athletes and all orthopedic injuries. I’m grateful for a growing practice, my patients and their families. I proudly offer a wealth of personalized services for positive results. I decided to start my own company when I didn’t feel valued in the workplace and wanted to make my own decisions on my own terms. My patients and mentors have pushed me this past year and I’m forever grateful.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road has definitely not been easy opening a practice, but things worth having come with obstacles and hard work. In the medical profession, it’s a lot of parts that make it stressful at times. My biggest challenge has been with credentialing with insurance companies and then reimbursement.
My second biggest obstacle is that I learned early on how other business owners in Fitness and Healthcare look at me as competition and will not try to support or help. A lot of owners have that mentality that they are for themselves. This has definitely made me stronger because it has given me the mentality to hustle. As a woman business owner, it’s hard, but as a black woman it’s even harder. I recently joined HerSuiteSpot Network which is designed for women of color which provides the resources to close the racial equity gap in business. They have become my tribe.
I had a patient last year give me a journal that said, “May your goals, visions, and aspirations be achieved. May this journal hold the most sacred and precious thoughts and ideas of your dreams.” He then sat me down after his session and wrote out a business plan layout and told me to come back the following week with stuff filled in. From there, Invigor went from just seeing private patients in their homes to something more.
I’m a PT first and knew nothing about the business side. The hardest part was learning about the business and becoming the mentee versus the mentor. Learning about the business side of the profession became the next level of success for me.
I have had mentors and patients who have given me the strength to keep going. I call my challenges small roadblocks. At the end of the day, I knew I wasn’t meant to keep making someone else successful. This is my time!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Invigor Physical Therapy, LLC?
I established my LLC in 2014 for home-based private outpatient orthopedic patients. I was playing around with names with a friend, and they mentioned invigorate when they thought about physical therapy. I then instantly said what about “Invigor”, which means to invigorate, to give strength or energy to. That day “Invigor” became my name.
Last year I decided I wanted a physical location of my own. While I’m still looking for an independent location, another idea came up by several therapists who are business owners and a great opportunity presented itself. I am excited to say I am located inside of Treigned gym at 1075 Whitlock Ave SW Ste E Marietta, GA 30064.
Every therapist is different in their treatment approach. My clinical approach is on the whole body. I educate my patients on not only exercise but diet which is so important in healing. The services I offer are: Outpatient Physical Therapy, Injury Prevention, Manual therapy, Core stabilization, Orthopedics, Concussion management, Dry Needling, Kinesio Taping, Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo treatment (BPPV), Vestibular Rehabilitation, Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM), Myofascial Cupping, Sports Performance, TMJ Rehabilitation, Total joint replacement, Pre rehab/Post-surgery, Wellness- Cardiac Phase III-IV, Diabetic, High Blood Pressure, Weight Management, and Work Conditioning.
What sets me apart from others is my compassion for helping people and my strong work ethic. I truly enjoy what I do, and my patients get better.
To schedule, people can call 770-400-0026 or email ericafranks@invigorpt.com for services.
What does success mean to you?
I believe success is different in many stages of your life. Success is about becoming the person you believe you were meant to be. It is hard work, perseverance, sacrifice, learning, being uncomfortable and loving what you do. At this stage in my life, it means having financial stability, creative freedom, and lifestyle design meaning I can prioritize family, hobbies, self-care and my health while still delivering quality patient care and running a company.
When I was younger, in school, working toward obtaining my degree and certifications; that was a moment of being successful. That was the goal I set for myself. Now being established and 14.5 years in this profession, I desire more.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.invigorpt.com
- Instagram: Invigorpt
- Facebook: Invigor Physical Therapy, LLC
Image Credits
2 professional pics – Shoccara Marcus @shocphoto
