Nice Guy Physical Therapists Finishing First

Brian Cardin and Steve Miller: NICE GUY

Physical Therapists Finishing First

By Diane McNaughton

Image: Brian Cardin '94 and Steve Miller '94 have taken their Central Penn College PTA degree to new heights of academic and professional excellence. For a health care professional who witnesses the aftermath of trips and falls all the time, perhaps it was no accident that Brian Cardin, PT, C.Ped, admits he “stumbled” into the field of physical therapy years ago.

In the early ‘90s, fresh out of high school, Brian was working at GIANT on 29th South Street in Harrisburg, unsure of his next steps. A postcard arrived unexpectedly in his mailbox from Central Penn College, telling him he could earn a Physical Therapy Assistant degree in two years. He jumped in, feet first.

Thank goodness for that postcard and fortuitous stumble, because 30 years later, Brian and his business partner and fellow CPC alum—Steve Miller, PT, C.Ped.--have helped alleviate pain for hundreds of happy clients.

It’s been quite a run for the duo.

Brian’s passing curiosity about physical therapy became a passion, and a talent fueled by an innate entrepreneurial spirit. The bright, clean, welcoming Cardin & Miller physical therapy offices are now located at Flowers Drive in Mechanicsburg, on Cumberland Parkway in Mechanicsburg, and in their original location at East Pomfret Street in Carlisle. The Carlisle location also houses their sister businesses: Appalachian Running Company and The MedGym.

And in breaking news, Appalachian Running Company will soon be opening another location through their retail partner, Shoe Fly Shoes, in the former Pier One space in the Camp Hill Mall.

Whether it’s a golden-ager suffering from back and hip pain, a competitive runner suffering from sore knees, an office worker dealing with wrist and neck aches, or virtually anyone troubled by pain, Cardin & Miller, PT will customize a plan to help everyone “Move better, Feel better, Live better,” as their motto promises.

As Certified Pedorthists—experts in foot/ankle and orthotic care—Brian and Steve have long realized the importance of the proper footwear in preventing and alleviating pain. This understanding led to their creation of Appalachian Running Company.

Cardin & Miller’s passion for promoting lifelong wellness resulted in the development of The MedGym in 2014, with business partner David Drinks.

Steve and I would kid in PT school that we were going to start ” ‘Nice Guys’ PT .

Image: As the Cardin & Miller practice has taken off, Brian Cardin has taken on many of the entrepreneurial activities.

The MedGym is a unique exercise training facility that offers personalized assessments to people of all ages and abilities, followed by customdesigned exercise, nutrition and lifestyle management programs.

The MedGym Exercise Specialists and Certified Nutrition Coaches are required to have a minimum of a four-year degree in an exercise-related field, such as exercise science, kinesiology or exercise physiology, along with certifications in their field.

While members access The MedGym in a variety of ways, the relationship with Cardin & Miller PT allows for the seamless transition of clients from the gym to physical therapy and vice versa. Brian and Steve’s business partnership, rooted in both friendship and physical fitness from their earliest days at Central Penn, taps into their individual strengths.

Steve’s role remains primarily on the clinical and staff training side—the orthotics and pedorthic side in particular. Brian’s role has transitioned to the business growth and management side, with occasional special consults with patients when necessary.

Miller said his favorite memory of Central Penn is “the close friendships that were formed as a result of all the time we spent studying together.” He encourages current physical therapy students to, “Be ready and willing to work hard, study and put the time in that’s required for success. Focus on applying what you learn clinically versus just memorizing the information for the test. Observe as many PTs as you can in different settings prior to and during school if you are able, to see how the knowledge you learn can be applied clinically.

In addition, it will help you learn how to develop good rapport with patients and that’s half the battle.” Clearly, both Brian

and Steve have become masters in the “rapport” department.

“Steve and I would kid in PT school that we were going to start ‘Nice Guys’ PT,” Brian said. “Healthcare was very transactional back in the day. We wanted to change that approach.”

Miller said he thinks the main secret to the success of Cardin & Miller is “teamwork, adaptability, and having the right people in the right seats so that we are all rowing in the same direction."

Cardin ultimately went to Slippery Rock University and Penn State Harrisburg and earned his degree in Physical Therapy from University of Findlay in Ohio, as did Miller.

Brian received his pedorthic training at Temple University's School of Podiatric Medicine. By combining his experience as a Physical Therapist and a Certified Pedorthist, he is able to provide a unique service to their clients.

Brian practiced full-time as a Physical Therapist assistant for six years while working toward this Physical Therapist degree. The clinical experience this provided proved invaluable, he said. He feels strongly that more pathways should exist for physical therapy assistants to advance to the role of physical therapist.

Both Steve and Brian attended Central Penn College during the Milano years, when the program was led by Gary Karkuff of Mechanicsburg, now retired. Because Karkuff was a private practice owner himself, this exposure became a motivating factor in both Brian and Steve’s careers.

Brian’s wife, then Nikki Hench '96, went to Central Penn as well, and became an important part of that first office. Clearly, Brian’s skill set transcends physical therapy to include entrepreneurial spirit.

“Someone told me I was ‘a serial entrepreneur.’ I tend to not do one thing for very long without thinking about what is next,” he said.

And by the way he cheerily greets every patient and staff person, his personality is key.

When he and Steve started, the PT office was 2,500 square feet, and Nikki worked at the front desk. Their growth led to the acquisition of the 16,000-square-foot building in Carlisle where they now operate all three businesses.

Nikki and Brian have two daughters. Rileigh is a junior at East Carolina University, where she earned a Division I scholarship as a pole-vaulter. Their younger daughter, Reagan, in 8th grade, is a volleyball enthusiast. Both girls feel fortunate to have their own in-house physical therapist for aches, injuries and preventive care.

“We see a very high volume of foot and ankle clients,” Cardin said. In fact, he said they are seeing an epidemic of foot pain. From those with diabetes and recreational athletes to high-level competitors and workers standing all day–the lawyer in the courtroom, the surgeon in the operating room–they help them all.

Cardin lamented the fact that many clinicians left the field during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many had to stay home with children as schools pivoted to online learning, or they found another job.Image: Bonnie Wann is one of the first patients that Brian Cardin and Steve Miller ever treated. She has been a lifelong patient ever since!

As a PTA, he said, “You build a rapport because you spend a lot more time with patients. If people like you, they will come.”

In 2006, they had three employees. Now, they have 43 employees on the PT side.

He said the practice is built on four core values:

1. Hire employees who value personal growth. 2. Hire people who will be set apart.

“We want people to leave saying,

“That was different than any other therapy I’ve ever experienced,’”

Brian said. 3. Get the job done. Grind.

Sometimes “you just have to grind it out to get the job done.” We also look for people who are willing to go the extra mile for their clients. 4. Put others first. “We are a service industry,” Brian said emphatically.

“We are looking for people who appreciate the opportunity to be servant leaders.”

Cardin and Miller see the value in continuity of care during a course of PT. Their practice prides itself on allowing clients to stay with their PT/PTA throughout their plan of care rather than seeing a revolving door of providers.

He stressed that successful therapists must be likeable, like Mariano Figeruoa Perez '20, a CPC graduate they hired. He said they “would take a hundred Marianos,” because he related well to people, was empathetic, and was a good communicator. He not only talked well; he listened well. Mariano was a team player, too. As the “doers,” it is imperative for PTAs to relate well to their clients; they spend their days putting the PT’s plan of care into action, Brian said. While PTs spend a good bit of time with their clients, they are also responsible for a higher volume of administrative work.

“A good PTA is priceless, Cardin said. “They can make or break the patient experience.”

It doesn’t matter whether they are dealing with a surgeon, a patient, an insurer or co-workers -- they must treat people with the same level of respect, Cardin said.

“My interest is in leading people and developing leaders,” Brian said. As a member of the American Physical Therapy Association, he is in the peer-to-peer network in the Private Practice Section. He is also in a local CEO group and serves on the PT Advisory Board at Central Penn.

“Big box models look at the client as a commodity. We see it as a service,” Brian said.

“Often, you don’t realize when you are working, and your head is down…. You don’t look up and see how far you’ve come in the journey.”

“Sadly, in this country, we do sick care, not health care,” Brian stated. He, his business partner and staff are devoted to changing that.

“You can’t really avoid accidents,” he said. “They happen…people fall down the steps or whatever, but we need to change the culture.”

Image: Brian Cardin is active in the community and at his alma mater.