We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kat Hamilton. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kat below.
Kat, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear the backstory of how you established your own practice.
Thank you for the opportunity to share the story of Mendwell Pelvic Health Physical Therapy, and how we started a reputable, pelvic health clinic from scratch. It has been a rewarding, yet at times very challenging, journey and we are proud of what we have achieved. The work has just begun!
When we decided to open our specialty clinic, we had a clear vision of what we wanted to provide: a welcoming and safe environment for patients to receive high-quality pelvic floor physical therapy services from skilled and passionate practitioners. Our main steps involved developing a business plan, finding a convenient location, hiring the right staff, and marketing our services to the local community.
Building a business from the ground up comes with many hurdles and obstacles to overcome. One of the major challenges we faced was finding the perfect location for our clinic. We were looking for a place that was easily accessible, safe and spacious enough to accommodate our patients and staff. After conducting extensive research, we finally found a suitable location that met all our requirements and quickly settled in to make the space our own.
Another challenge we encountered was building up our patient case load. Pelvic health as a topic is still niche, and it is not a relatively well known field. With 1 in 5 people in America suffering from pelvic floor dysfunction, the lack of awareness, resources and help is alarming! By fostering relationships with our first patients, we were able to attract more patients through reviews and positive word of mouth experiences. We also lean on social media and community networking to continue to educate on pelvic health topics and promote conversations.
Hindsight is always 20/20, right? Looking back, we realized there are a few things we would have done differently. One example would be our clinic software management system. As our practice grew, we found that the original systems were not scalable and caused inefficiencies in our operations. We ultimately had to transition to a more advanced and user-friendly management platform. Had we had known, we would have invested upfront in a more comprehensive software, as we did have goals of growing and it makes sense to have a system to support that growth.
For young professionals contemplating starting their own practice, we advise staying adaptable and open to change. You never know what challenges or opportunities may arise, so being able to adjust your approach is crucial for success. Additionally, don’t hesitate to seek help or advice from experienced professionals in your field. Collaborating with mentors and peers can be invaluable resources in navigating the ups and downs of starting your own practice.
Kat, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I’m a physical therapist assistant who got into the field after experiencing my own injuries and witnessing the transformative power of physical therapy firsthand. While working at a large outpatient practice, I noticed a troubling lack of resources for patients struggling with pelvic floor issues, which sparked my interest in pelvic health physical therapy.
Determined to provide the highest quality of care for these patients, I spent the next few years traveling the country to attend every pelvic health class I could get my hands on. My goal was to create a safe, private, and comfortable environment where patients could receive the high-quality care they needed with confidence. That’s how I came to co-found Mendwell, a pelvic floor physical therapy clinic that provides one-on-one sessions with trauma-informed specialists who are passionate about pelvic health. We offer birthing prep classes as well, and our mission is to empower our patients with the knowledge and tools they need to manage their pelvic health issues and improve their quality of life.
What sets Mendwell apart is our unwavering focus on providing exceptional care for people who struggle with pelvic health-related conditions. Our team takes a holistic approach to healthcare, focusing on treating the whole person, not just the symptoms. We see a wide range of conditions such as incontinence, pain with intimacy, constipation, prolapse, diastasis, and more related to the pelvic floor. Our trained pelvic health therapists are committed to making patients feel safe, heard, and comfortable during treatment. We stand out by taking the time to understand each patient’s goals and creating personalized treatment plans that target the root cause of their condition. We believe that open communication and collaboration between our therapists and patients are crucial to achieving successful outcomes. Our welcoming and supportive environment empowers patients to take an active role in their own care. Ultimately, our goal is to improve our patients’ quality of life by helping them regain control of their pelvic health. Patients who choose Mendwell can trust that they will receive exceptional care from a team that is committed to their well-being.
We’re incredibly proud of the work we do at Mendwell and the impact we’ve had on our patients’ lives. Our goal is to expand our clinics across the country, making pelvic health physical therapy more accessible to everyone who needs it. We believe that everyone deserves to live a healthy, pain-free life, and we’re committed to helping our patients achieve that goal. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to share our story with you!
If you could go back in time, do you think you would have chosen a different profession or specialty?
If I could go back, I would absolutely choose the same profession and specialty in pelvic health physical therapy. From the moment I started working in this field, I recognized a significant need for access to trained pelvic health physical therapists who could help patients with intimate issues in a setting that was private, safe, and comfortable.
As a co-founder of a pelvic health physical therapy practice, I’ve been fortunate to witness the positive impact that our services can have on patients. We’re able to address a range of conditions related to the pelvic floor, from incontinence and pain with intimacy to constipation and prolapse, and we take a holistic approach to treatment that focuses on the whole person, not just the symptoms.
Even today, I still see a glaring need for more access to trained pelvic health physical therapists. So many people suffer in silence, not knowing where to turn for help with issues that can significantly impact their quality of life. I feel incredibly grateful to be in a position where I can help fill that need and make a real difference in the lives of my patients.
Overall, I’m very happy with the choices I’ve made in my career and wouldn’t change a thing. I’m excited to see what the future holds for our practice and for the field of pelvic health physical therapy as a whole.
Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?
Succeeding in the field of pelvic health physical therapy involves more than just having the necessary knowledge and training. It also requires a genuine concern for the well-being of both the therapists and the patients involved, and a commitment to creating a supportive and caring environment.
At Mendwell, we strive to provide a holistic approach to care that focuses on treating the whole person, not just their symptoms. We prioritize open communication and collaboration between our therapists and patients, recognizing the importance of working together towards the same goals.
In addition to caring for our patients, we also prioritize the well-being of our therapists. We understand that a happy and supported team leads to better outcomes for our patients, and we provide ongoing training and professional development opportunities to help our therapists grow and develop.
Overall, our aim is to create a welcoming, supportive environment where both our therapists and our patients feel valued, safe, and heard. By prioritizing the well-being of everyone involved, we believe that we can help our patients achieve their goals and improve their quality of life.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mendwellhealth.com/
- Instagram: mendwellhealth
- Facebook: Mendwell Health
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katherine-hamilton-aa70b7113/
Image Credits
PHOTOS BY KARINA B. PHOTOGRAPHY