People process technology trends at Upstream Rehabilitation

Each and every one of us has a different measure of success by which we judge ourselves. For some, it may be the amount of money earned or praise garnered that demonstrates achievement; for others, it may be simply putting a smile on someone’s face.

At health provider Upstream Rehabilitation, though, success is measured by the trust and love patients and their families feel through the healing journey.

Currently, Upstream Rehabilitation is continuing its remarkable expansion across the United States. And though the company uses cutting-edge tech across its broad ecosystem of companies and partners, its technology team appreciates that humans will always be required.

Founded in 2004, Upstream Rehabilitation is a portfolio company of Revelstoke Capital Partners and, with more than 1,200 locations in 28 states, is the largest provider of outpatient physical therapy in the United States. Headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, the company provides a comprehensive suite of outpatient and specialised physical therapy services through a network of industry-leading regional brands, including: BenchMark Physical Therapy, Results Physiotherapy, Drayer Physical Therapy, Elite PT, and SERC Physical Therapy.

Jeff Petet is Vice President of Information Technology for Upstream, overseeing the company’s strategic planning, implementation, and management of all IT functions. Before joining Upstream, he led a global software development team, having previously graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from The University of Tennessee, Chattanooga.

“I love working in healthcare,” says Petet. “I love working for an industry whose primary aim is to help people achieve optimal health; it really makes a difference. You're not just manufacturing widgets; you're working for a company that is there to help people.”

Petet says a high point for his team came with the successful merger between Upstream and Drayer Physical Therapy Institute in 2018. The combination of Upstream and Drayer created a single network of more than 560 owned-and-managed clinics in 27 states, serving over four million patients annually. “It took us almost two years to complete all the merger activities on the IT side,” says Petet. “But that success was pivotal to ensuring the future growth of Upstream.”