Meet Beverly Stegman of Foundation Therapy Center in Sandy Springs and Roswell

Today we’d like to introduce you to Beverly Stegman.

Beverly, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I was recruited and hired in 2001 by a local businessman who had no experience in healthcare to start up an outpatient therapy clinic specializing in pulmonary rehabilitation. I was responsible for managing the center as well as marketing and program development. In 2003, we added the Roswell facility. We continued to grow our teams and add specialty areas like balance and fall reduction as identified with local physicians whom referred to Foundation Therapy Center. In 2010, he retired and sold me the business, not at the friends and family rate!

With the changing healthcare industry, we have added natural and holistic options for care such as yoga for medical conditions, reflexology, essential oils, and massage therapy. I also devised a technique called Raising the Bars Yoga ~ The Stegman Method℠. It is an innovative, one-of-a-kind yoga utilizing strategically placed, multiple levels of ballet barres. This revolutionary method is effective for individuals suffering from and/or preventing injury or illness. It blends restorative yoga (supported postures), gentle yoga, breath work, hands-on energy work, and guided meditation techniques. Utilizing multiple levels of bars maximizes leverage, gravity, and bodyweight for resistance. These unique techniques challenge core stability and balance, and increase flexibility, strength, and endurance in ways not typically achieved by traditional yoga or through other therapeutic exercise and treatment.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not been a smooth road but more of a bumpy adventure. Changes in healthcare, insurance and coverage serve as obstacles for therapy providers. Many physicians who referred to our center in the past due to our high quality of care and treatment outcomes are now hospital employees and are required to refer patients within the hospital system for all services, physical therapy included.

Healthcare insurance and coverage changes include higher deductibles, higher copays, treatment limitations, and pre-authorization requiring excessive paperwork are a few additional challenges in the industry.

I have also found staffing to be a challenge. Finding therapists that are passionate and truly dedicated to patient care has been difficult. The recruiting industry has grown significantly, with recruiters earning a living by finding therapists new employment opportunities. Most new graduates have had more jobs within two years of graduating than I have had in my career of over 30 years. Additionally, many other settings are able to pay higher than outpatient rehabilitation as they are reimbursed higher for services provided.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Foundation Therapy Center – what should we know?
Founded in 2001, Foundation Therapy Center is a privately-owned therapy company that specializes in providing physical therapy, occupational therapy, yoga for medical conditions, reflexology and other types of therapy for medical conditions, in Atlanta, GA. We are committed to providing the highest quality of therapy to a diverse patient caseload, ranging from pediatrics to seniors. Patients are not always aware of their specific problems/needs, and it is our duty to identify these needs and achieve real results through personalized, comprehensive and passionate care.

In addition to routine physical and occupational therapy, we also provide the following specialty services: Sports injuries/orthopedic and pain, scoliosis rehabilitation, neurological rehabilitation, vestibular rehabilitation, pulmonary rehabilitation, osteoporosis rehabilitation, arthritis rehabilitation, balance/mobility and fall risk reduction, and pediatric physical and occupational therapy.

We offer individual and group yoga sessions for various medical conditions. It is estimated that over 80% of people will experience back or neck pain at some time in their lives. The Yoga Back Care classes focus on preventing and/or reducing back and neck pain, improving core/ leg strength and postural alignment. Breath work and muscular release are incorporated in all classes. I am the only certified yoga for scoliosis trainer in the State of Georgia, helping those with scoliosis find balance, improve alignment and reduce pain.

“Building the Foundation for Better Health”

Foundation Therapy Center is not only committed to helping patients with their individual needs, but also to building lasting relationships with them. We strive to make the workplace an enjoyable and welcoming environment where both our employees and patients feel at home. Our employees are also presented with unique opportunities to participate in community service events and opportunities to mentor under seasoned therapists. Although these opportunities are not mandatory, many of our employees find great satisfaction in participation, as this gives a chance to give back while continuing personal growth.

Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Perseverance! We continue to identify areas of improvement and growth, as well as areas of need in our community. For every problem, there is a solution. Our goal is to help patients and clients find solutions that are natural and holistic as well as life changing.

Contact Info:

• Address: 6160 Peachtree Dunwoody Rd
  Suite B90
  Sandy Springs, GA 3032811660 Alpharetta Hwy, Suite 560
  Roswell, GA 30076
• Website: www.foundationtherapy.com , https://www.raisethebaryoga.com/
• Phone: 4044355052
• Email: bsbrook@bellsouth.net
• Facebook: Foundation Therapy Center
• Other: Foundation Therapy Center