We had the good fortune of connecting with Monica Vandervoort and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Monica, is there something you can share with us that those outside of the industry might not be aware of?
Most people can say they have heard of or been to a physical therapist at some point in their life. What most people do not realize is that physical therapists can treat urinary incontinence (leakage), urinary urgency/frequency, bowel disorders (such as constipation, stool leakage, diarrhea), and sexual dysfunction (such as erectile dysfunction, pain with orgasm, pain with penetration). While PTs help reduce/eliminate pain and discomfort, it can also be used for prevention. For example, patients who are pregnant can come to PT to learn about how to safely exercise during pregnancy, learn about the pelvic floor muscles (what they are and why they are important), and learn how to protect these muscles during labor. Physical therapy can help the patient find the best positions to labor and give birth in to minimize damage to the back, hips, pelvis, and pelvic floor. It is also really important to remember that urinary leakage and constipation are common, but NOT normal!
Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Dr. Monica Vandervoort graduated from Northwestern University in Chicago with her Doctor of Physical Therapy. After graduation, she worked for corporate physical therapy and then had the opportunity to build out a pelvic health program at a hospital outpatient clinic. During this time, she took several continuing education courses, had extensive mentorship, and became a Board Certified Women’s Health Clinical specialist. In February 2021, Dr. Vandervoort moved from Chicago to Denver and decided to open Summus Rehabilitation. During the transition from Chicago to Denver, COVID-19 was prevalent, there were limited open PT positions, and she was more discerning of who she wanted to work for and how she wanted to practice and provide care to her patients. Because of this combination of factors, she decided to open Summus Rehabilitation and create a model and culture where patients have time to express what brought them into physical therapy, be heard by a healthcare provider, and have uninterrupted one on one time during their treatment so they may return to participating in activities they weren’t able to when they first came in. Through this model, Summus can provide excellent patient care, but also allow PTs to thrive in an environment in which they do not have to double book or overlap patients and do not feel rushed to provide treatment in a short amount of time. Summus Rehabilitation strives to provide compassionate care and develop individualized treatment plans based on patient values, clinical expertise, and recent research to restore and promote overall health, well-being, and comfort. Dr. Vandervoort helps each patient reach their goals through various types of treatment such as, manual therapy, cupping, dry needling, strengthening, stretching, and postural education to improve movement patterns causing dysfunction so they may return to the activities they love doing. Dr. Vandervoort aims to empower and educate patients about their bodies and encourage patients to be their own advocates in the healthcare space. Having patients feel cared for, heard, and return to their activities is the whole purpose of owning and operating Summus Rehabilitation.
Some say opening a practice in a place I didn’t know anyone and in the middle of COVID was courageous and most are surprised, however, I wouldn’t know any different since I did it! Building a network in the Denver metro area has proven to be challenging and rewarding all in one and I have found that after just 18 months of business, I am integrated into the community. The ultimate goal when starting Summus was to create a space in which the environment and space is warm, friendly, welcoming, and calm where patients can explain their story without feeling rushed. I also wanted to preserve my love for treating patients and reduce my burnout or potential for burnout. Not necessarily all, but several physical therapy operations (corporate and hospital) care so much about productivity, the bottom line, and numbers that I wanted to move away from that in my own practice. In the process of creating this space, I am happier treating patients, providing better patient care, and helping patients get better faster than I ever did before!
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I love having people visit Denver!
The first day they fly in, we go get dinner in Old Towne Arvada at either Lady Nomada or Teocali for Mexican food. The following day, we will walk through the Regis neighborhood and go to The Nosh for coffee and breakfast. Then we will drive out to the mountains and down to Durango. With our few days in Durango, we would hike along Molas Pass, hike Engineer Mountain, drive into Silverton to explore. We would stop at Animas Brewing Company, Steamworks, and then have dinner at El Moro. The mornings would consist of coffee and breakfast at Hermosa and Durango Coffee Company. We would also add in floating down the Animas River in Durango one day and another day, drive to Pagosa Springs, rent tubes from Pagosa Outside, and float down the San Juan River. Of course, one of the days, we would do an afternoon at the Durango Hotsprings to soak, relax, and enjoy beverages. On the way back to Denver we will stop in Leadville on the way home and and go to the reservation at Melanzana for base layers. We will have some food and a beer at The Legendary Silver Dollar Saloon.
When back in Denver we will go to New Terrain Brewery, especially in the evening when it cools off we can sit outside with views of the Table Mountains. The remainder of the trip will be spent exploring RiNo and Downtown and going to a Rockies game. Then end the night at Goldspot Brewing in the Regis/Berkeley neighborhood. I always say the Rockies are our backyard and so whenever someone comes into town, we prioritize the mountains and frequent breweries.
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d like to give a shoutout to Eric. Eric has provided endless support, confidence, and encouragement before this process even started and throughout the growth of Summus. He was the first to believe in me and Summus Rehabilitation. Of course, my family is an integral part of my development as a physical therapist and now business owner and they deserve a lot of credit in who I have become today. I’d like to give a shoutout to my physical therapy mentors. They provide invaluable advice and information as I navigate being a business woman. A very special shoutout to all the patients that have trusted me with their care and continue to spread the good word about Summus and how pelvic health PT can help all sorts of conditions and people. Without you, Summus Rehabilitation would not be here today. Last, but absolutely not least, I’d like to thank everyone who has referred a patient, friend, or family member to me.
Website: www.summusrehabilitation.com
Instagram: summus_rehabilitation
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/summusrehabilitation/
Image Credits
Tyler Hoff Rob Hoff