Healthcare jobs come to West Michigan as Northern Physical Therapy practice grows

Northern Physical Therapy practices what it preaches: keep moving to stay healthy. The Coopersville-based physical therapy, occupational therapy and fitness company is staying healthy by moving on job creation as the practice grows.

Physical therapists Janis Kemper and Gina Otterbein bought the business in 2003 and now have locations in Coopersville, Cedar Springs, Sparta, Grant and Wayland. The practice has 43 employees, up 15 percent in 2011 with the addition of eight full-time equivalent therapist and fitness positions.

"Our numbers have grown in the last year because we've recently moved into health and fitness and have added massage therapists and fitness instructors," says Otterbein. "Our main business is physical therapy and occupational therapy in an outpatient setting. We also provide niche physical therapy for women who have urinary incontinence or pelvic floor pain, which is a unique service for small towns."

Otterbein says Northern Physical Therapy provides trained staff for Wayland Union Schools Community Fitness Center and employs high school students as certified lifeguards for the school's pool. The company also works with high school interns and coordinates physical therapy and occupational therapy internships with local community colleges, Grand Valley State University and Central Michigan University.

For 2012, Otterbein hopes to add at least one more full-time equivalent therapy position.

"Most of our locations employ people who are local," Otterbein says. "We try to be involved in the communities we serve. We want people to know that they have a choice in who to use for physical therapy and wellness."

Source: Gina Otterbein, Northern Physical Therapy; Andrea Snyder, Studio3Twenty
Writer: Deborah Johnson Wood, Development News Editor