Today we’d like to introduce you to Brie Strang.
Brie, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
So, I’m originally from New Jersey and spent all of my life living on the east coast. After graduating from Columbia University’s doctor of physical therapy program, I moved to San Diego. I actually did my last internship for PT school at the Clairemont Select PT office, which led to a job offer and the easy decision for me to move across the country. After working as a staff PT for 1.5 years, the opportunity arose for me to take on the role of the clinic’s center manager. This isn’t typical for a “new grad” PT, however, I had amazing mentorship and support from my boss, as well as the rest of the staff. It was (and still is at times) a big challenge. However, taking on this position has helped me grow in ways that I otherwise wouldn’t have, which is always worth the challenge.
For fun, I love to climb, hike, and snowboard with my future husband Greg. We also love our cat Archie very much. 🙂
Has it been a smooth road?
Because of amazing mentorship and an awesome staff behind me, the road to becoming a manager was actually very smooth. However, as with any job that involves leadership or management, the day to day struggles come and go in waves. There are stretches of time where I feel like “I got this” and everything is running smoothly. Then, there are other times where I feel like the world is crashing down and I don’t know how to handle it. But I’ve realized that it’s all normal and a part of the process. There is no steady state and you have to be willing to accept the fact that you can’t control everything. Being a manager, you are expected to know everything–however, the truest sign of intelligence is being okay with admitting that you don’t know something. I do this every day. However, if you don’t know something, you better recognize it, and then go find the answer. Being resourceful will take you far.
My advice to other women who are just starting their journey would be to surround yourself with people who you find motivating and look up to. Find a good mentor, have discussions, ask questions. Be open to growth. And most importantly, never forget that if you’re the smartest person in the room, you’re in the wrong room. Luckily, my staff is pretty damn smart. 🙂
We’d love to hear more about Select Physical Therapy-Clairemont Mesa.
I am a doctor of physical therapy in an outpatient orthopedic office. I treat a large variety of patients with orthopedic conditions however I especially love the shoulder. Being a climber myself, I am becoming known for my interest in treating climbers through my close relationship with my climbing gym, Mesa Rim.
I am definitely most proud of the energy that I help create/facilitate in the clinic. We pride ourselves on maintaining a fun, positive, and uplifting atmosphere for our patients. Many of our patients enjoy coming to PT not only to get physically better but for the sense of positivity and feeling like they are part of a family. We also spend a lot of one on one time with our patients which helps build lasting rapport. I feel lucky that I get to spend my day helping people alongside such an inspiring and hardworking staff.
So much of the media coverage is focused on the challenges facing women today, but what about the opportunities? Do you feel there are any opportunities that women are particularly well positioned for?
I think that there are opportunities wherever you are willing to create them. As females, we might have to work a little harder, but that’s what makes the victories that much sweeter.
Being a physical therapist, which is mostly a female-dominated profession, has allowed me to view women in leadership roles as the norm– which is how it should be in any profession.
Contact Info:
- Address: 7625 Mesa College Drive, Suite 101a
San Diego, CA 92111 - Website: https://www.selectphysicaltherapy.com/community/southern-california/center/?id=50821&ty=xt
- Phone: 858-277-1586
- Email: blstrang@selectmedical.com
- Instagram: @sandiegoDPT & @briestrangDPT
Image Credit:
Bryanna Strang, Greg Nowicki
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