Sports Spine and Industrial Physical Therapy and Performance Training Center is the dream of co-owners Amanda Somers, Lance Owens and Darlene Pope. Somers, Owens and Pope worked together for many years at a successful local private practice. In the mid 90’s the owners of this private practice sold the company to a national corporation. Somers, Owens and Pope became the district leadership for this corporation, and became increasingly disappointed in corporate healthcare and its polices and procedures. Realizing that corporate healthcare was not for them, they began planning a different future. A future that most describe as the “American Dream”, but to Somers, Owens and Pope it was a way to returning to the core values of excellent patient care that they believed in.
Somers left the corporate arena first and opened SSI-Greer in June of 2002. The original location was 1600 sq ft and was in the renovated basement of a used car dealer. In September 2002, SSI-Simpsonville began treating patients. In March of 2003, SSI restructured its corporate documents and Somers, Pope and Owens all became equal partners. Owners and staff focused on their core values:
- Exceptional Customer Service
- Professional Growth and Development
- Energetic, fun-filled atmosphere for patients, members, visitors and employees
The emphasis on these core values, the recruitment and retainment of excellent staff, community involvement and the drive to be the top resource in the community for injury/illness prevention has been the formula for the success of SSI. Maintaining the focus on these core values allowed SSI to grow quickly.
Within 2 years, SSI-Greer’s original office was too small to serve its patient’s needs. The vision of providing a community health club in conjunction with a larger therapy office began to take root. Greer needed a facility that everyday people could call home and receive guidance to make lifestyle changes. Not another typical health club, but one that meet the needs of those intimidated by traditional health clubs. A club for women, seniors and those that needed extra assistance living healthier lives.
Rather than just moving into a larger therapy space, Somers, Owens and Pope decided to take the risk and develop a $2M state of the art health club and therapy clinic. The new SSI-Greer opened its doors in November 2004 and became the first Physical Therapist owned Health Club in the region.
SSI was named the 2006 Greer Chamber Small Business of the Year and the 2007 SC Small Business of the Year. Currently, SSI-Greer health club serves close to 600 community members with their healthy living needs. SSI-Greer’s elite team of 14 physical therapists eliminate pain and restore function to over 1,400 patients annually.
