Today we’d like to introduce you to Brian Knutsen.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
After completing my degree in Occupational Therapy, I was fortunate to be placed in a specialty internship at the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center with a focus on treating upper extremity injuries and diseases. I gained experience treating a multitude of shoulder, elbow and hand problems including many traumatic injuries and amputations. Upon completion of this internship, I returned to Massachusetts where I worked in a hand and upper extremity clinic with a local hospital system for the next 10 years. During that time, I pursued and earned my industry’s Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) designation and continued to learn and gain experience treating complex injuries of the upper extremity and also fostered relationships with local surgeons as well as hand surgeons in the Boston area. In 2005, I founded Buzzards Bay Hand Therapy in Marion, MA. This is a small owner-operated therapy clinic specializing in the treatment of the upper extremity. I continue to work closely with both local and Boston area surgeons and physicians to treat patients experiencing problems with their upper body.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The most challenging part of my practice continues to be pressures related to our country’s constantly evolving healthcare system (most specifically health insurance requirements and policies).
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Buzzards Bay Hand Therapy story. Tell us more about the business.
Because my practice is small, I wear many hats. I greet each patient at the door, assist with the intake paperwork and complete a detailed evaluation of the injury or problem. My patients like the fact that they will see only one therapist at my office as opposed to other large clinics where a patient may see multiple therapists throughout the course of treatment. I strive to provide personalized, evidence-based care to my patients and deliver skilled treatment comparable to any large clinic in the area. I pursue continuing education opportunities and stay current on trends and new approaches in my industry.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
I don’t think anyone has a solid or concrete vision of where healthcare will be in the next 5-10 years. Like the rest of healthcare delivery in our country, the trend in hand therapy is shifting toward providing the best possible care and achieving the best possible outcomes in the fewest number of visits, all while limiting the overall cost of the care being delivered. Providing evidenced based care ensures that the treatment methods are both cost and therapeutically effective.
What were you like growing up?
I grew up in Fairhaven, two towns from my office in Marion in the South Coast region of Massachusetts. Growing up, I loved sports. I played three sports in high school, played college soccer (Quinnipiac University) and continue to play in a MA adult league into my 40’s. I also enjoy skiing, traveling and sailing in Buzzards Bay.
Contact Info:
- Address: 119 Warehm Rd.,
Unit 107, Marion, MA 02738 - Website: www.buzzardsbayhand.org
- Phone: 508 748 3933
- Email: bknutsen@buzzardsbayhand.org
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Buzzards-Bay-Hand-Therapy-191707030856599/
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