From Dan Brownridge, MSPT & Dave Larson, MSPT
Co-Founders, Joint Ventures Physical Therapy

To the graduating class of new physical therapists,

First, congratulations. You’ve put in years of hard work, late nights, early clinicals, and countless moments of wondering, “Will this all be worth it?” We remember those feelings well.

When we opened Joint Ventures back in 2005, it wasn’t because we needed another clinic in the Boston area. It was because we believed there was a better way to care for people and a better way to support the therapists providing that care. We wanted a place where patients were truly seen as people, not diagnoses, and where clinicians could practice at the top of their skills with the time and attention each person deserves. 

Nearly two decades later, that same vision is still what gets us out of bed in the morning.

We’ve built a company around one-on-one, individualized care in private treatment rooms, delivered by clinicians who are not only highly trained, but genuinely invested in the people they work with. We check in with patients outside of visits, we show up at community events like the Boston Marathon, and we spend a lot of time educating local teams and organizations on how to move, play, and live with less risk of injury. Not because it looks good on a website, but because it’s the right thing to do.

As you step into your first roles as physical therapists, we want to share a few thoughts from our journey so far.

1. Your story matters as much as your skill set

Both of us came into this profession from slightly different angles.

Dave is a lifelong athlete who loved math and science, and physical therapy brought all of that together—a way to apply problem-solving and movement to real people’s lives. He was also deeply influenced by parents who modeled hard work, resilience, and service, and that shaped the way he thinks about building a practice and a team. Joint Ventures Physical Therapy

Dan was driven by a simple but powerful question: “What would it look like to provide care the way we’d want our own families to be treated?” That question ultimately became the blueprint for Joint Ventures—one-on-one time, a calm and private environment, and colleagues you’d trust with the people you love most. Joint Ventures Physical Therapy+1

You bring your own story—your background, your community, your experiences as an athlete, musician, caregiver, or something else entirely. Don’t leave that at the clinic door. The very things that led you to PT school will shape the kind of clinician you become.

2. Treat people, not just injuries

It’s easy, especially early in your career, to focus on the technical details: special tests, manual techniques, exercise progressions, documentation. Those things matter. But the longer we do this, the more we’re reminded that what patients remember most is how we made them feel.

At Joint Ventures, we talk a lot about being:

• Inviting – approachable, accessible, and genuinely glad our patients are here.
• Caring – thoughtful, empathetic, willing to walk with people through tough seasons.
• Whole – seeing the person in front of us, not just their shoulder, knee, or back.
• Best in Class – committed to clinical excellence and continual learning. 

Wherever you practice, you can bring those same values into the room. Listen a little longer. Ask one more question. Explain things in a way that builds confidence, not fear. That’s how you turn a treatment plan into a relationship.

3. Protect the craft and your joy

One of the promises we made to ourselves when we started Joint Ventures was that this would be a place where we would actually want to work: a team of talented clinicians who support each other, challenge each other, and celebrate each other’s wins. We’re incredibly proud that the same two physical therapists who opened the doors in 2005 are still here and still invested in this community.

As you begin your career, advocate for the things that help you give your best:

• Time to really be present with patients.
• Mentorship and collaboration with colleagues.
• Space to keep learning—courses, certifications, journal clubs.
• A culture where you can bring ideas forward and help shape how care is delivered.

Burnout is real in healthcare. But so is the joy of watching someone return to running after months of pain, or seeing a patient lift their grandchild again, or hearing, “You gave me my life back.” Those moments are worth protecting.

4. You are stepping into an important moment for our profession

Physical therapy is playing a bigger and more visible role in healthcare than ever before. Patients are seeking us out not just for post-op rehab, but for performance, prevention, and long-term wellness. We see that every day across our clinics in the greater Boston area.

You are going to help define what comes next—how we collaborate with other providers, how we use technology, how we address access and equity, and how we make sure every patient feels seen, heard, and welcome.

Our hope is that you will bring both curiosity and courage to that work.

5. The profession is at an inflection point — and you’re arriving at exactly the right time

We want to be honest with you about the landscape you’re entering. The physical therapy profession is experiencing something rare: genuine momentum. Across the country, PTs are expanding into direct access models, primary care partnerships, employer clinics, and telehealth. Research backing the effectiveness of PT — compared to surgery or opioids for many musculoskeletal conditions — continues to grow. APTA’s national campaigns have raised public awareness of the PT’s role in pain management and injury recovery. At the same time, the field faces real pressures: reimbursement constraints, electronic documentation burdens, and persistent inequities in access to care. These challenges are also your opportunities. The PTs who are going to shape the next chapter of this profession are the ones entering practice right now — people like you. We believe deeply that the best way to meet these challenges is through the kind of individualized, high-quality care that made us love this work in the first place. Don’t let the system squeeze that out of you.

From both of us, and from our entire #JVFamily:

Thank you for choosing this profession. Thank you for the sacrifices you’ve made, the resilience you’ve shown, and the commitment you’ve made to helping people move and live better.

We can’t wait to see the clinics you’ll shape, the communities you’ll serve, and the countless lives you’ll impact—one person, one visit, one conversation at a time.

With congratulations and a lot of respect,

Dan & Dave

Dan Brownridge, MSPT
Co-Founder & Owner, Joint Ventures Physical Therapy

Dave Larson, MSPT
Co-Founder & Owner, Joint Ventures Physical Therapy