FEBRUARY 2020
HAPPY
Valentine’ s DAY
IT WAS NEVER JUST ME...
As I look back over the last twenty years, it’s hard to wrap my head around what our people and our organization have accomplished.
business for over $900,000 just $5,000 of my own money.”
IN THIS ISSUE
Starting out, I was lucky to have had some great people encouraging me – even if they were easily outnumbered by the people who thought I was crazy! I had been working for, and negotiating with, the previous PTSMC owner for two years. It was a slow and occasionally painful process.
I walked into the house, where my then fiancée Sandra was waiting. I told her about the meeting and the money, and I explained that I Clinician’s Corner by Nic Sauerbrunn intended to return the check and back out of the deal. How Long Can You Go? Decreasing Pain Through Exercise Induced Hypoalgesia I’d proposed to Sandra the day after her cancer surgery on February 12, 1999 and she said yes, knowing that chemo and radiation were 2020 Courses the next steps in her treatment. By the time I received Brian’s significant investment, the wedding date was already set - Sandra Apply for PTSMC’s Orthopaedic Residency 2020-21 and I would be married in August of 2000. The date was chosen because Sandra wanted “her own hair.” We had already been engaged and saving for about six months, with goal plans to hold a The Extra Mile by Kristen Forster To Cancel or NOT to Cancel? modest wedding that we would pay for ourselves.
Three months prior to the scheduled closing date of December 31, 1999, Brian McGann, a successful entrepreneur and consummate salesman, invited me to his home in Old Lyme. We had become friendly years earlier when I was working in healthcare consulting, and he eventually became a mentor and an advisor. I’d already shared the idea of PTSMC’s partner model with him, about which he was enthusiastic and confident that it could work.
We had a long conversation. Her final comments to me were, “We both know this has been your plan, your dream, since you started working there.” She then said something that would change the course of our lives forever. “We both know that life can change in the blink of an eye. If you don’t do this, you will regret it. I think you should go for it. If it fails, we can sell the house and move into an apartment and start over.”
When I arrived at his home, he invited me to join him and his wife, Bobbi, in the dining room. I don’t remember exactly what we were talking about, when he slid an envelope across the table to me. He said, “Bobbi and I want you to take this. We believe in you and what you’re trying to accomplish. Trust me, you’re going to need it.”
I signed piles of legal and financial documents and took ownership of PTSMC on January 1st, 2000, and then, in August of that year, Sandra and I exchanged vows. Brian McGann is well into his eighties now, and we remain close friends, and yes, I did pay back the loan! Sandra and I will also celebrate our twentieth 20th anniversary this summer.
When I consider the path to the successful purchase of our first location in Waterbury, the odds against this year’s 20th anniversary celebration are overwhelming. Much of the credit for PTSMC’s genesis is due to an incredible support system of friends, family members and colleagues, for whom I will forever be grateful.
I opened the envelope and sat stunned! It was a personal check addressed to me for $125,000. I remember saying, “The closing isn’t scheduled for months. I can’t take this now.” While we had talked about him “helping” me at some point, I expected legal loan documents, a repayment schedule, a personal guarantee and maybe an attachment to my house. We never discussed how much help I would need or what they were willing to provide.
As I reflect on the last twenty years, I am thankful for the people in my life who gave me the confidence and courage to take the first step. I am also grateful for my “PTSMC family.” Some of you extend all the way back to our first day, while others have joined our team as recently as last month! Together, we have built something special, and the work we do for those we serve improves lives. “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” Helen Keller
He shook my hand and said, “This needs to be in your bank for at least three months. As long as it’s your money for at least ninety Thanks for all you do, days, the bank can’t question where it came from. After you buy the business, we can figure out how you plan to pay it back.” I don’t recall the drive home. I distinctly remember sitting in my driveway after parking the car thinking, “I can’t do this. I can’t buy a
Wethersfield Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting & Open House event at PTSMC Wethersfield
Thursday, Feb. 27 5:30 - 7:30 pm 84 Wolcott Hill Road Wethersfield, CT (860) 781-7264
Join us in celebrating the opening of PTSMC Wethersfield with Partner & Director Kasey Adinolfi. RSVP to Emily at Emily.Fillion@ptsmc.com.
HR Buzz Vacation Requests Holiday Policy Reminder 401(k) Open Enrollment Meetings Wellness Program Lifebeat - A Little Self Love Goes a Long Way American Heart Month 4 Week Challenge
20 Years in Review Talk about growth! 2000
15
Employees 2020
323
Employees Of the original 15 employees, 6 are still employeed! Alan Balavender Carol Corbo Sandra Boccialetti Mike Durand Erin Walsh Tina Boccialetti