happy summer, team!
We made it, 3 clinics moved/opened to start the summer off, multiple events around the M4L community and lots of people on the team to celebrate.
As I reflect on what we have spent the first half of the year working on, it’ s a reminder that success in business isn’t just about numbers, strategy, or systems it’ s about people. It’ s about us. At Movement for Life, our mission is to serve our communities through empowering personalized care, and our vision is to create lifelong movement advocates. That only happens when we focus on what matters most: each other.
When we show up for one another - with kindness, with collaboration, and with purpose - we build more than just a strong team. We bring our mission and vision to life. Every interaction with a patient, every idea shared, every moment of support between teammates - it all matters.
Thank you for the heart you bring to this work. You are what makes Movement for Life more than a name - you make it a reality.
Let’ s keep putting people first and continue building something meaningful, together.
Kelly Sanders
the bright side
Where we share in our team members success! Please share any team accomplishments with us so we can share them with the whole team.
two new director track graduates!
Please join us in honoring Zoe Martin & Angelica Maldonado who are our newest director track graduates.
congrats on passing your board exams!
New Orthopedic Clinical Specialists (OCS) PT’s:
Maeve Talbot (Falls Church)
Robby Jones (Hendersonville)
Whitney Marsh (SLO-Aerovista)
Zoe Martin (Candler)
the bright side from PTA to PhD
Please join us in celebrating an incredible milestone for one of our own Daniel McPherson, who recently graduated with his Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) from the University of Southern California (USC).
Daniel’s journey began over six years ago with Movement for Life as a passionate and driven Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA). Not only has Daniel earned his DPT, but he is also continuing his academic journey by pursuing a Clinical PhD, while maintaining an impactful role with Movement for Life as a Clinician Scientist.
In this role, Daniel will continue to blend his deep clinical expertise with research application advancing patient care, supporting our teams, and helping bridge the gap between science and practice
Daniel’s academic achievements have not gone unnoticed. During his commencement at USC, he was honored with multiple prestigious awards:
Kathleen Bice Award – Awarded for excellence in clinical practice, honoring a graduate who demonstrates outstanding patient care and professional conduct
Order of the Gold Cane – USC’s highest honor for leadership and scholarship in the DPT program.
ACAPT National Student Honor Award – Recognizing outstanding achievement, leadership, and contributions at the national level in physical therapy education. Order of Arete & Order of the Laurel and the Palm – Celebrating Daniel’s extraordinary leadership, service, and academic success across the broader USC community.
Joanne Gronley Research Award – Honoring excellence in clinical research and contributions to evidence-based practice.
the bright side taking the stage
We’re thrilled to share that Maeve Talbot, PT, DPT from our Falls Church clinic will be presenting at not just one, but two prestigious conferences this year! In July, she’ll be speaking at the Performing Arts Medicine Conference in Washington, DC, on “The Pros and Cons of Using Motion Capture Technology in Screening Dancers.”
And in September, she’ll take Dance Medicine & Science to Scale for Maintenance Care
Way to go, Maeve! Your ded performance is inspiring!
shaping the future of care
Big congrats to Adrianna Rivera from our Indio clinic, named Clinical Instructor of the Year at the College of the Desert PTA graduation!
Adrianna brings energy, heart, and a deep dedication to both the clinic and the students they mentor. We're proud to have them on our team and grateful for the impact they make every day.
the bright side leading the movement forward
Congratulations to Ryan Miller, Kallie Slette and Megan Simien for completing the APTA Private Practice Business Fundamentals series this quarter!
Over 10 weeks, they joined other PT industry professionals from across the country and leaned into growth embracing new skills, challenging their thinking, and stepping boldly into the future of our profession. Modeled after an executive MBA, this intensive experience helped participants sharpen essential business tools in organizational leadership, people management, and financial literacy. From decoding balance sheets to building stronger teams and aligning strategic goals, our graduates now have the tools to make an immediate impact in their clinics and communities.
To each of you - congratulations on your commitment, your growth, and your leadership. M4L will be better because of the work you ’ ve done.
Here’ s to applying what you ’ ve learned, continuing to lead with purpose, and raising the standard for what leadership in physical therapy looks like.
Telehealth, Teamwork, and a Life Saved: A
Story of Clinical Excellence & Personal Impact
(as told by the patient)
I considered it handled.
For years, I attributed the nagging pain in my left shoulder to an old injury an accident where a horse fell on me nearly 50 years ago. I had healed from the initial trauma and only occasionally felt discomfort during activities like weightlifting or in cold weather. A few years back, some x-rays showed arthritis in my shoulder and hip, and after a round of physical therapy, the pain subsided.
Then last fall, the pain returned. This time it was more persistent especially when I tried to resume exercising. My son Lukas, who happens to be the Clinic Director at Fort Lowell / Tanque Verde Physical Therapy, recommended I start PT again. But he wisely knew that treating a close family member wasn ’t ideal. So, he connected me with Daniel Musselwhite, the AZ digital provider for Arizona. Living two hours from the nearest clinic, Telehealth was a logical and convenient option for me.
During our virtual PT session, Daniel listened closely. He didn’t just take his patient’ s shoulder at face value he asked detailed questions, analyzed my symptoms, and gently suggested something surprising: that the pain might not be musculoskeletal. In fact, it could be cardiac.
Daniel suggested some questions to ask my PCP and referred me for a coronary calcium scan. The results showed high levels of calcification, and I was referred to a cardiologist. The cardiologist scheduled a nuclear stress test, but I couldn’t complete it because of the shoulder pain. That led to an angiogram, which revealed what none of us had expected: severe coronary artery blockages 100%, 99%, 97%, and 70%. I was immediately admitted for a quadruple bypass (CABG x 4).
I am thankful for Daniel's expertise in PT and making a suggestion to talk to my PCP about potential cardiac concerns. Had he not interpreted the symptoms correctly, well lets just say the outcome could have been different.
Thank you, Daniel, for looking beyond the obvious, for speaking up, and for embodying the kind of care that changes everything.
milestones & momentum
This quarter is full of exciting momentum across Movement for Life! Two of our clinics are moving into new, expanded spaces—creating fresh opportunities for growth through improved locations, improved access, and greater capacity.
We’re also thrilled to celebrate the grand opening of our brand-new clinic in East Asheville, a meaningful step forward in our mission to bring the 3 A’s to more communities.
On top of that, we ’ re honoring several important anniversaries across our existing clinics milestones that reflect the dedication and impact of our teams.
Together, these moments represent the vibrant growth and lasting strength of the Movement for Life family. Here’s to continuing to flourish, together!
clinic anniversaries:
milestones & momentum
Stockton-Pacific Is Now Stockton-Pine with a New Location and Hand Therapy!
SLO-Meinecke Is Now
SLO-Phillips with a New Location!
milestones & momentum
Sumin, from our Indio clinic hosted an energetic and info-packed workshop for 40 local runners looking to boost their form, strength, and injury smarts.
From stride tips to mobility moves, attendees got hands-on advice tailored to runners of all levels.
It was a great mix of movement, learning, and expert guidance to help everyone feel stronger this season.
going the distance on the court
& in the community
Nathaniel, Clinic Director at our new East Asheville clinic, joined CenterWell Senior Primary Care for their Pickleball Play event and led a group warmup.
It was a great way to connect with the community and introduce our newest location!
milestones & momentum making waves
Huge shoutout to our Morro Bay team for their incredible work supporting Project Surf Camp again this year! They organized and hosted our annual BBQ fundraiser, raising over $13,000 to support programs for individuals with special needs. And they didn’t stop there! The team also volunteered at camp, helping participants build confidence and skills through beach and surf activities. This is a fantastic example of our values in action and the difference we can make when we show up for our communities.
happy work anniversary!
we’re hiring!
Physical Therapists
Arizona
Green Valley
Oro Valley
California Central Coast
Orcutt
Pismo Beach
SLO-Phillips
Morro Bay
Paso Robles
Hand Therapy
vision
To transform lives through an unwavering commitment to proactive care that delivers more health and less healthcare from one generation to the next. core values
ABILITY | ACCESS | ATMOSPHERE
contact us!
$3K RECRUITING BONUS
Given to anyone who refers a physical therapist to the recruiting team and is hired on at M4L
California Desert
Cathedral City (CD Role)
Indio
North Carolina
Candler
Hendersonville
South Asheville
mission
Movement for Life provides flexible and early access to rehabilitation, lifestyle support, and movement enhancement services delivered by a team of able professionals in a friendly atmosphere that prioritizes collaboration among our team, our clients, and the communities we serve.
Do you have suggestions, comments or ideas for this newsletter?
Something else you would like to see? Do you have something to share in the next issue? Photos to submit?
Please email kelly.sanders@movementforlife.com