Willard Physical Therapy | Focal Point Fridays

A huge draw for Willard is the fact that we’re a strong, rural community with hometown values while still being within driving distance of larger cities like Springfield and Joplin. Having businesses like Willard Physical Therapy, Center, LLC in our backyard is incredible not only for our own neighbors, but also for the smaller communities up the road like Ash Grove, Everton, and Walnut Grove.

I loved having the chance to sit down with Kala Sheppard, owner of Willard Physical Therapy, several weeks ago to talk more about the clinic, being part of the Willard community, and all the exciting things on the horizon for them.

Sheppard is an Everton High graduate, and she obtained both her undergraduate and Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) from Southwestern Baptist University, so she’s no stranger to the area or the things that make southwest Missouri a great place to live and work.

In fact, Sheppard worked at (and met her now husband) at the Junction Café back when she worked there as a waitress. During our interview, Sheppard said her time working there solidified the desire to one day call Willard “home.”

In 2021, Sheppard began operating Willard Physical Therapy as a mobile clinic, visiting patients in their own homes. Soon after, she was able to open the doors of the physical clinic in the East Center right off Jackson and Miller where she now practices with seven other staff members (two PTs, one PTA, four PRN, one patient care coordinator, and one office manager) and two sweet dogs – Lou and Missy.

Sheppard didn’t always have such a large team, though. Initially, Sheppard planned on hiring one other PRN and an administrative assistant. She shared with me that she quickly realized that she could make a more sizable impact on our community with a team, and one of her goals became to cultivate a culture of learning, teamwork, and community as she brought on a student and several other PTs.

Sheppard explained that the clinic became a real family – and that was easy to believe between the laughing, jokes, and all-around great attitude I observed by all the staff during our short time together.

Exciting things are on the horizon for Willard PT, too. In January of 2025 they will expand into a brand new clinic with 6,500 square feet right here in Willard, and the staff will grow to include six clinicians and four administrative assistants. Kala says she’s, “super pumped,” because not only is the clinic growing – but now a new goal is to cultivate a clinic where others can fit their careers inside it.

When Kala isn’t caring for patients in the clinic or mentoring students, she can be found serving on various boards in town including the Chamber of Commerce and the Better Together Playground initiative. It’s apparent that she loves her team and has a real desire to see our community flourish, and it’s easy to see why they have had the success they have had – it’s a family based atmosphere led by a physician who truly wants to invest in other clinicians, her patients, and the community.

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