271: Scaling A Mobile Insurance-Based Neuro Practice With Katie Wadland, PT, DPT, GCS
Release Date: 06/23/2025
I Love Neuro
We know that you know your neuro clients have a pelvic floor… but are you doing anything to help it?? You may be surprised how many of your clients have weak, tight, spastic, or flaccid pelvic floors, and the issues arising from this may be preventing them from fully engaging in their lives. If you want to help but don’t know where to start, this episode is for you! We break it down for the non-pelvic floor PT and give you the skinny on how to screen and incorporate an easy, functional progression of activities into what you’re already doing with your neuro clients. Grace Weiland, PT,...
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In this week’s episode hosts Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS and Claire McLean, PT, DPT, NCS discuss how Claire is introducing a new exercise class at Rogue called "Stretch and Flow." This class was designed to meet members' requests for a gentler, more restorative exercise experience. The class will combine guided meditation, slow power moves, and breath work, offering a unique approach for people with Parkinson's and varying mobility levels. In the show Claire will explain the structure of the class as well as the rationale for offering it in this way. She emphasizes that while the class is...
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In this week’s episode, NeuroBiz coach Emily Duval Ledger shares with hosts Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS and Claire McLean, PT, DPT, NCS the lessons she’s learned so far from attempting a hard thing: Learning to roller skate at 48 years old. Emily decided to try something new. Something she wasn’t inherently good at and through her roller skating experience, she’s picked up lessons that overlap with the things business owners need to keep in mind. She describes how her initial skating lessons put her face to face with the biggest thing she wanted to avoid - falling - and why...
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Neuro rehab / neuro wellness… if you’re listening to this podcast chances are anything you’re doing is skilled! On today’s show you’re going to be inspired by Chris McElderry, PT, DPT, NCS as he shares his journey with host Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS. Chris went into PT with a sports focus but quickly realized neuro was where it’s at. After completing his neuro residency and working full time in outpatient he was compelled to expand. He wanted to provide inspiration and ideas to other clinicians on social media and also grow his own wellness side gig. Chris, also known as...
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Wonder if your documentation is up to snuff to pass an audit? Tune into this episode where hosts Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS and Claire McLean, PT, DPT, NCS interviewed Phyllis Goldstein, a speech-language pathologist with extensive experience in Medicare audits and appeals! She shares her journey from clinical work to becoming an expert in navigating the complex world of therapy documentation and reimbursement. Phyllis emphasizes the critical importance of detailed, skilled documentation using precise language that explains exactly what makes their intervention unique and necessary. The...
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Have you ever been curious how a naturopath approaches medicine for a person with Parkinson’s? Turns out it’s super comprehensive. Spoiler alert - we couldn’t cover it all, but what you’ll learn from Dr. Tanya Denne, ND will blow your mind! Hosts Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS and Claire McLean, PT, DPT, NCS learn about Dr. Denne’s journey into naturopathic medicine and her groundbreaking research on Mucuna pruriens, a botanical treatment for Parkinson's disease. Driven by a personal connection to neurological conditions through her grandmother's Alzheimer's, Dr. Denne discovered...
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Ever dream of having a lively clinic space where all of your neuro dreams come true? In this episode Claire McLean, PT, DPT, NCS and Emily Duval Ledger, NeuroBiz coach dive deep into the challenging journey of finding and establishing a brick-and-mortar space for a neurological therapy and fitness business. They share candid insights about their personal experiences, emphasizing that the process is far more complex than traditional real estate hunting. The conversation highlights the importance of starting small by renting space from others, which allows entrepreneurs to test their business...
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If you’re anything like us you always want to do everything possible to help your neuro patients recover and improve as much as possible. On today’s show host Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS interviews Rose Tilton, OTR/L, OTD about an intervention that she took straight from the research to the clinic: spinal cord stimulation with transcutaneous stimulation. After learning about its applicability in the literature Rose was eager to use it with her patients but hit some road blocks. Finally she was in touch with the authors of a study who helped her and her colleagues become trained in using...
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In this episode of the I Love Neuro podcast, hosts Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS and Claire McLean, PT, DPT, NCS sat down with Rachel Wiley, MS, OTR/L, CDP, an innovative occupational therapist who is transforming dementia care through her Dementia Collaborative. With over a decade of experience, Rachel has dedicated her career to supporting individuals living with dementia, their families, and healthcare professionals. Rachel's journey began with a personal connection - her practice, originally named Day by Day Home Therapy, was inspired by her grandmother and aunts who lived with dementia....
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We know our listeners are lifelong learners and there are different ways to gain clinical excellence. On today’s show Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS talked to 4 occupational therapists who’ve completed an OT fellowship. Briana Elson, MS, OTR/L, BCPR, CBIS, Lindsey Talcott, MOT, OTR/L, Gianna Neutts, MS, OTR/L, and Jocelynn Aguilar, MSOT, OTR/L are here to discuss their experience and provide insights about OT fellowships and specifically the one they completed. OT fellowships are intensive one-year programs that offer more than just additional training; they provide a comprehensive approach...
info_outlineDr. Katie Wadland, PT, DPT, GCS's entrepreneurial journey is a testament to adaptability and patient-centered care. What began as a pandemic-era pivot while homeschooling her children transformed into Healthy Aging Physical Therapy, a robust 20-person mobile practice specializing in geriatric and neurological rehabilitation.
Her practice emerged from a critical healthcare need, offering innovative at-home therapy services that prioritize patient accessibility. Unlike traditional clinical models, Wadland created a flexible business approach that allows therapists to manage their own schedules while maintaining high-quality care standards.
Financial sustainability came through a strategic blend of insurance-based and wellness services, with approximately 70% of revenue from Medicare and 30% from wellness programs. By maintaining transparent financial practices and implementing a profit-sharing model, Wadland cultivated a collaborative team culture that values both professional growth and work-life balance.
A key differentiator in her practice is the emphasis on continuous learning and interdisciplinary collaboration. Therapists are encouraged to co-treat, leveraging individual specialties to provide comprehensive patient care. This approach not only enhances clinical outcomes but also creates a supportive professional environment.
Wadland's success underscores an important healthcare entrepreneurship principle: innovative practices can thrive by remaining patient-focused, adaptable, and committed to both clinical excellence and team development. Her model offers a compelling blueprint for healthcare professionals seeking to reimagine traditional service delivery.
FB: @HealthyAging PT
IG: @HealthyAgingPT