Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Ciao 2008 - It's Been Great!


There are many traditions that we have become accustomed to in ringing in the New Year – the ball dropping, party hats, champagne toasts, noisemakers and of course, nostalgia. Every magazine, newspaper or website you read features a nostalgic look at the year past - from fashion do’s and don’ts and Hollywood blockbusters and busts, to top news stories and famous faces that have passed on. Lists commemorating a year that will be no longer have become a part of welcoming a new year, filled with hope and promise.

In this grand tradition of list making, we are taking a swing at it – highlighting the things that we were most grateful for in 2008.

10. A Historical Year – From the presidential election to the Olympics to the Tampa Bay Rays not only winning more than they lost but making the World Series, 2008 was by all accounts one that will make the history books. We were simply grateful to be a part of it!


9. Bruce Springsteen – He is THE BOSS after all and he is actually a pretty big part of the Progressus Experience. Our esteemed colleague, and Progressus President Don Scheeler is an Über-fan and it runs much deeper than Born in the USA or the Jerry Maguire track. Bruce and his musical wisdom have become a fun part of what we do and how we do it. He’s become a motivator, a messenger, a welcome part of the Progressus Team and the half-time act at this year’s Super Bowl, which will be held in Tampa, home of our corporate offices.


8. Growth – 2008 represented a significant growth spurt for Progressus – in the number of clinicians on our team, in the number of districts we partnered with, in the number of children we serve. We’re no psychics, but if we had to make a prediction, 2009 will bring more growth, allowing us to make an even greater impact on the lives of children around the country.


7. Connecting – With each passing year, we wonder how we ever lived without the technology that has become part of our everyday lives. As miles often separate colleagues, friends and family, technology has helped keep communication frequent and consistent. This year, Progressus was excited to introduce social networking as a new part of our culture. ProgressusConnect helps us do just that – connect anytime, anywhere. Clinicians that live in Los Angeles can connect to folks in Baltimore with a simple click.


6. Face-Time – 2008 was a year filled with events around the country. Conferences are especially fun because they give us the opportunity to meet new and experienced SLPs, OTs and PTs. As much as we appreciate technology and all that it does to make life easier, there is nothing that replaces meeting someone face to face and having a real, live conversation. It is priceless!

5. Amelia – Our Soaring Star – 2008 brought a lot of changes – one very important one was our new logo and tagline. In July we proudly introduced Amelia – who graces our logo and shows up where good things are happening. She illustrates the notion of leaping free of bounds – of soaring – and is accompanied by our new tagline, The Power of What’s Possible. We know that every dream, every goal is possible and that is truly powerful.


4. Investing in Students – We feel privileged to have the opportunity to invest in students that are entering the fields of Speech-Language Pathology and Occupational Therapy by funding scholarship and grant opportunities. We are inspired by the brilliant students that are getting ready to launch their careers. It is an honor to help them on their journey and celebrate their success!

3. Powerful Partnerships – One of the greatest gifts we celebrated this past year were the partnerships we were able to build. With our school-districts around the country, creating customized services to meet their needs. With professional organizations such as the American Speech-Language Hearing Association, the American Occupational Therapy Association and the American Physical Therapy Association. We were also proud to partner with companies like TheraSimplicity, Speechpathology.com and Advance – each of which has helped us achieve our goals for the year.

2. 25,000 – that is the number of students our clinicians are currently serving in school-districts around the country. We are awestruck by the number of lives we are able to touch – to change - through the work of the country’s best SLPs, OTs and PTs.

1. The Progressus Team – We aren’t afraid to say it – even brag on it a little bit. Progressus Therapy has the best Speech-Language Pathologists, Occupational Therapists and Physical Therapists in the country. And it’s not just our humble opinions that we base this on. It’s what we hear from our partnering school districts, parents of the children our clinicians work with – sometimes even from other companies in the arena. We’re extremely proud of our team and, gosh-darn-it, it has truly been the best part of 2008!



As we say goodbye to 2008 and warmly (at least in Tampa!) welcome 2009, we wish everyone a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year!




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