Building a business from a small physiotherapy practice to a multi-faceted allied health provider takes years of dedicated effort.
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But that’s what Deborah Hunter from Rusden Street Physiotherapy and Workhealth Australia has done.
Her efforts were recognised at the New England North West Business Awards, where she won the Business Leader Award.
The awards celebrated the success of 50 finalists from a range of industries including health care, education, technology and manufacturing.
Ms Hunter said she was “really surprised” but pleased to win the award.
“It was great – especially as a woman – to receive the award as there were so many men among the finalists,” she said. “It can sometimes be hard for women to achieve recognition. I’ve grown this from a single person practice to what it is today with a fantastic team.”
Rusden Street Physiotherapy began with a single purpose, but now offers allied health, occupational therapy, podiatry and massage therapy in addition to services offered by the practice’s five physiotherapists.
“We see patients at the practice and go up to the Armidale Private Hospital as well as home visits,” Ms Hunter said.
They are a service provider under the NDIS and offer a wide range of services from help with sports injuries, to falls prevention classes, hydrotherapy, and Parkinson’s health classes. The second arm of the business – Workhealth Australia – helps insurance companies and employers to get injured workers back to work quickly and safely and is an accredited workplace rehabilitation provider.