Read Victor’s Story
INNOVATING THERAPY
Dr. Victor Washington
PT, DPT ‘11 Owner, Theralution Roving Physical Therapy and Fitness Arlington, VA Dr. Victor Washington, a decorated Army veteran, found his passion for physical therapy during his own recovery at Walter Reed Medical Center after sustaining multiple injuries from a mortar attack in Iraq. He is the founder of Theralution, a mobile therapeutic practice. |
“I found my passion for physical therapy during my recovery at Walter Reed Medical Center after a tour in Iraq. After graduating with my DPT, I started my career in a post-acute rehabilitation facility. I knew I wanted to innovate the delivery of physical therapy services, so I founded Theralution, a mobile physical therapy practice. The required Physical Therapy Management course at MU was a tremendous training ground for running a business. The class project took us through every step of starting your own practice from the ground up – a perfect foundation.”
Q: How have you used your Marymount DPT degree in your career?
A: I started my career in a post-acute rehabilitation facility, where after seeing some constraints in facility patient care, I quickly realized I wanted to innovate the delivery of physical therapy services. Toward that goal, I took a position with an orthopedic clinic to hone my clinic skills in orthopedic services. I started pursuing advanced certification in orthopedic specialization (OCS) and developing my concept of a roving PT practice. I felt I could dispel the notion that clients always had to go to the facility where the physical therapist works. A mobile practice meant I could work in a one-to-one customized care model with my clients in the comfort of their own environment – their home or work setting. I opened my practice part-time in 2013. By 2014, Theralution was a full-time business in Northern Virginia.
Q: What specific coursework at Marymount prepared you for the role of an entrepreneur?
A: The required Physical Therapy Management course was a tremendous training ground for running a business. The class project took us through every step of starting your own practice from the ground up– a perfect foundation. Theralution’s professional care model is we go to our clients to assess and create custom-designed PT and fitness programs for recovery that get them back to where they were – back to work, or to their sport or fitness regimen, back to their lives. Our practice is family-centric for all ages, and if they want, clients can enjoy a concierge level of service, like 24/7 support with “On-Call Therapist.” Client education is critical. Our website has a “No Boundaries” blog on nutrition, fitness, strengthening and injury prevention, and we also post how-to videos on YouTube.
Q: Have you found ways to connect with Marymount since graduating?
A: Marymount instills a powerful sense of service in students. My class was the first to go to Costa Rica on medical missions, which was an inspiring and humbling experience. I was blessed to participate as one of the corporate sponsors of the MU 5K Race that raised funds for the Costa Rica missions. It was coming full circle for me – giving back to the school that helped me navigate my path to my life’s calling. I see my mission is to evolve the field and techniques of rehabilitation, enrich lives through physical therapy and fitness, and serve others through humanitarian efforts.