Jürgen Cowling, P.T.
President
Healing Hands Physical Therapy Centers
Why We Love What We Do . . .
Other people might call this the Biography Page or the About Us section, but we have a different perspective on a lot of things here at Healing Hands and this page is not just our background, but a heartfelt explanation of why we do what we do and who we have to thank for the opportunity: YOU !
These stories help explain the reasons why we have such a strong commitment to your health and happiness. They may even make you smile!
As part of our caring contribution, we find out a lot about you and your lifestyle. We think it’s only fair that you know something about us as well! So here are our stories, inspired by our passion for care and our gratitude for your trust:
“The real secret to our success is love.”
I always knew that I wanted to be someone who facilitated people in their journey to optimal health and I never diverged from that path. In high school and college I was a passionate long-distance runner and basketball player, but when I started seeing all the injuries and pain my fellow athletes suffered, my vision for the future really started to come into focus.
Physical therapy was the natural progression of everything I had been thinking about and experiencing in my life, so I committed myself to mastering the profession, starting with my formal education. That journey still continues today, because there is always something more to learn in order to bring the highest-level contribution to our patients.
My 30-year history in health care included four years in a hospital setting, where I discovered that relationships with patients were strictly professional and human interactions were as sterile and predictable as the facility itself. The technical care was often excellent, but I felt like there was more to offer patients than just treatment. My desire to provide care with a heart connection inspired me to go out on my own and do something extraordinary.
From day one Healing Hands focused on the whole person (often called a “holistic” approach). That meant seeing people as not just an injured right shoulder or a lower back-pain sufferer, but as a whole human being. Part of that perspective is getting to know not just about your symptoms, but about your lifestyle, your hopes, and even your fears. Because knowing that your neck hurts, for instance, is not as important as knowing that you want to be able to enjoy your work again, or go snow skiing with your friends, or pick up your grandchild. A properly functioning body is not a luxury option; it’s the foundational core of your life and your lifestyle.
This patient-focused approach led to a successful business that grew to an additional location and attracted top-notch talent who share my philosophy and vision. The Healing Hands staff is the “Dream Team” of physical care and there is nobody, big or small, who can come close to the level of technical skill and caring attitude this team brings to our patients every day. I truly feel that these people are my family and that Healing Hands is my home.
I am passionate about making constant, positive changes to Healing Hands and I invest a great deal of time, energy, and money to ensure that we are always on the leading edge of scientific knowledge and that we are using the most-effective techniques, in addition to honing our people skills. Like painting the Golden Gate Bridge, it’s a job that’s never over, but it means that you can rest assured that the care you receive here is second to none.
I want Healing Hands to be the best it can be. I want it to be a place where patients come to enjoy their experience, not just endure it. Seeing a healthcare professional should be a “want to” and not a “have to,” so we want every visit here to be an exceptional human interaction, not a transaction.
Part of your Healing Hands experience is learning more about how your body works, what you can do on your own to improve your physical and lifestyle outcomes, and what changes you can make to avoid injuries and chronic problems. So education is a big part of my passionate commitment to you.
My promise to every patient we serve:
- We will listen to your needs with an open mind and a caring heart.
- We will treat you as a whole person and not just a list of symptoms.
- We will partner with your physician to personalize a care and treatment plan that’s unique to you.
- We believe that you are our patient for life, so we are committed to helping you live your best life, free from pain and ready to step into your full potential as a human being.
The real secret to our success at Healing Hands is love. We love what we do. We love to learn and improve. We love our fellow team members. And we love the people we get to serve every day.
Thank you for making all of this possible.
Shanita Banks
Operations Director
Healing Hands Physical Therapy Centers
I guess you could say that I bring a feminine touch to the “boys club” management of Healing Hands–and by that I mean that I’m here to get things done and make patients happy! (You didn’t think I meant lace curtains and throw pillows, I hope!)
I attended the “Real GSU” (Georgia Southern University) by way of my hometown of Macon, and I’ve been with Healing Hands for seven happy years. In that time I’ve grown in my appreciation for the contribution we make here and in my own growth as a human being. It’s been an amazing journey!
I started out as a Physical Therapy Technician, but I grew into the Clinical Supervisor role and now I’m officially the Operations Director (that job title is code for “Gettin’ It Done!”–and that’s exactly what I love to do!) I’m here to work behind the scenes to ensure that the day-to-day functions of both clinics are running like clockwork.
In short, I’m the go-to gal at Healing Hands. My most important job is making sure that we’re helping as many people as possible and that our patients are not just healthy, but happy. That involves a lot of meetings, daily problem solving, TONS of emails, (and did I mention meetings?) but I enjoy every minute of it because I can truly see the growth and progress of the company, which inspires me to contribute even more.
Growing up I adopted my dad’s work ethic and played competitive sports. This made me a hardworking, driven person, which has helped me in the physical therapy world. But I never lose sight of the fact that this is a human business and that we don’t treat patients, we help human beings.
I welcome and embrace the challenges of my work. I thrive when I’m learning and growing and helping others, and this is a job that gives me those opportunities.
We’re here to serve you and to help you not just manage, but eliminate your body aches and pains. We don’t just work ON you; we work WITH you to ensure that you’re getting the best possible results. It’s a partnership with a promise: we won’t stop until we get you back to being 100% you!
Now enough about me! Let’s get to work!
Patricia Burnley, CPC
Billing Specialist
With ten years of experience in Medical Billing, Patricia expertly handles the Healing Hands billing, filing of insurance claims and follow-up to keep all the paperwork on track. She enjoys working with the patients to assist on the financial end. Patricia is also responsible for obtaining the up-to-date credentialing of the therapists on staff.
Patricia is a lifelong resident of Thomson and is married with a daughter in college.
Lisa Walton
Patient Coordinator – Thomson
Lisa is our friendly face at the front desk in the Thomson clinic. Lisa will be happy to assist you in all of your physical therapy related needs. Lisa brings her expertise in scheduling to the table with her years of experience in the healthcare field.