226: How To Start And Scale An Outpatient Neuro Practice With Katie Bouchillon, OTR, CBIST, MCMT
Aug 12, 2024
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Katie Bouchillon, OTR, CBIST, MCMT, is the owner and CEO of Spero Rehab, a thriving multidisciplinary outpatient clinic across Texas. She shares her transformative journey from therapist to entrepreneur, revealing the challenges of starting a neuro clinic. Katie emphasizes the need for core values and vision, as well as the importance of community engagement. She candidly discusses financial strategies, the significance of mentorship, and the vital role of independent practices in countering corporate healthcare influences.
Katie Bouchillon's motivation to establish Spiro Rehab stemmed from witnessing patient care decline due to inadequate Medicare policies, highlighting a critical need for sustainable neuro rehabilitation options.
Building a strong community network was essential for Spiro Rehab's success, as Katie utilized local events and social media to enhance brand recognition and attract both patients and staff.
The importance of core values became evident for Katie in shaping the culture of Spiro Rehab, ultimately leading to improved satisfaction among staff and patients as the clinic aligned its mission with clear organizational principles.
Deep dives
Katie Bush's Journey and Vision
Katie Bush is the owner and CEO of Spiro Rehab, with a strong passion for neuro rehabilitation. After working in a neuro rehab center and witnessing the negative impacts of decreased patient stays due to Medicare policy changes, she was motivated to start her own clinics to provide effective care. Katie's instincts drove her to launch a multidisciplinary outpatient clinic focused on aggressive, functional treatment, leveraging advanced technologies and robotics. Despite initial challenges, including risky loans and a lack of business knowledge, she successfully expanded her practice to multiple locations in Texas.
Community Engagement for Growth
Katie emphasizes the importance of community involvement in driving her clinics' growth. By participating in local events, engaging with organizations like the Chamber of Commerce, and offering scholarships through nonprofits, Spiro Rehab has generated brand recognition and referrals. Events such as 5K runs and community outreach initiatives have successfully fostered connections and built a solid reputation. The unique environment of her clinics, enhanced with personalized touches like beach-themed decor, contributes to a warm atmosphere that resonates with patients.
Navigating Insurance Contracts and Financial Challenges
Katie decided to open Spiro Rehab as an in-network provider to make therapy more accessible for patients who have suffered traumatic injuries. Though this choice aligns with her mission, it poses ongoing financial challenges amid decreasing reimbursement rates from insurance companies, particularly with conditions that require longer therapy sessions. The clinic often faces funding issues due to the disparity between operational costs and reimbursement, prompting innovative solutions like collaborating with nonprofits for support. This pursuit highlights the ongoing struggle private practices face to navigate a landscape increasingly dominated by larger corporate providers.
Lessons on Hiring and Building a Passionate Workforce
Building a high-performing team is crucial to Katie's success, and she places great emphasis on hiring individuals who share her passion for neuro rehabilitation. By creating a welcoming work environment and offering growth opportunities, she fosters loyalty among her employees despite the competitive healthcare landscape. The challenge of finding ideal candidates is mitigated through networking and a strong community presence, which helps attract talent aligned with her clinic's values. Ultimately, she believes that passion for the work outweighs technical skill, leading to a dedicated and enthusiastic team.
Core Values as a Guiding Principle
Katie highlights the significant role of core values in shaping the culture and direction of Spiro Rehab. Initially, she struggled with establishing and adhering to these values, which led to challenges in patient and staff satisfaction. Over time, she recognized the importance of setting clear organizational values that reflect her dedication to neuro care and community. This clarity helps maintain the clinic's mission and ensures everybody, from employees to patients, is aligned in their goals and expectations.
In this episode of the I Love Neuro podcast, hosts Erin Gallardo and Claire McLean sat down with Katie Bouchillon, OTR, CBIST, MCMT, owner and CEO of Spero Rehab, a multidisciplinary outpatient clinic with 6 locations across Houston and Austin, Texas. Katie shared her journey into neuro rehabilitation and entrepreneurship, offering valuable insights for other clinicians looking to start or grow their own practices including what NOT to do based on the big mistakes she made along the way.
- Katie was motivated to start her own clinic after becoming frustrated with the decreasing length of stays for neuro rehab patients at her previous employer. She saw a need in the community for more effective and sustainable rehabilitation options. - Starting a brick-and-mortar clinic from scratch came with its challenges, including taking out a large loan and making mistakes in the early years. Katies emphasizes the importance of establishing core values and a clear vision before opening a practice. She explains what this looks like in practice. - Building a strong network and community involvement are crucial to Katie’s success. She leveraged relationships with former colleagues, participated in local events, and used social media to attract patients and employees. - Running a neuro-focused practice comes with unique financial and operational challenges. Katie discusses strategies like outsourcing services, partnering with nonprofits, and diversifying service offerings to maintain financial stability. - Hiring the right team and delegating responsibilities were key to Katie’s ability to scale her business. She prioritizes finding passionate, adaptable employees who share her core values. She explains where to find “A players” and how long it could take to find the right people.
Overall, Katie’s story highlights the rewards and difficulties of entrepreneurship in the neurorehabilitation field. Her insights offer valuable lessons for clinicians looking to take the leap into private practice.
