Healing Motion Physical Therapy, Inc. was established in 2005 by physical therapist, Eileen Tokuda. She was the sole clinician, joined only by her husband, Craig Tokuda. They each wore many hats in the beginning, operating the clinic by themselves to minimize start-up expenses.
The name “Healing Motion” came out of the desire to communicate the skills and expertise of physical therapists as “movement experts,” empowering clients through exercise, hands-on care, and education. Eileen hoped patients would desire a more active role in their recovery process through being compliant with an active, progressive, movement-based recovery program – hence the original slogan “Moving to a Healthier You.”
732 Main Street was chosen as Healing Motion’s first location for a number of reasons. Geographically, the Tokudas felt that there was an opportunity for a physical therapy clinic in Philomath, as there were no other clinics within a 10-mile radius. Additionally, they saw the potential to be a local resource for the patients of a nearby, well-regarded primary care clinic, which had five physicians at the time. Finally, choosing a comfortable, non-institutional environment was consistent with the Tokuda’s intent to establish a warm and welcoming atmosphere that would aid patient-therapist rapport and ease patients’ anxieties.
The values of Healing Motion have not changed through the years. The Tokudas desired to deliver the best possible physical therapy services to help others in need. They wanted to convey kindness, be trustworthy and compassionate, respect that each person has a unique perspective and deserves to be heard, empower others to be the best they can be and do the best they can do, and finally to be honest in their work – regardless of whether it maximized the bottom line.
Healing Motion Physical Therapy, Inc. opened the doors for business in the final quarter of 2005. Eileen provided patient care and Craig was instrumental in establishing the accounting and billing infrastructure to ensure they could “float the boat.” Part-time physical therapy services were offered until gaining sufficient exposure and reputation in the local market to build a consistent patient volume. It was not long before Eileen was full-time and Healing Motion realized the need for a larger space. By the middle of 2006, the Tokudas started looking locally for a larger clinical setting to support the growth the clinic had achieved. Ultimately, the decision was made to stay at 732 Main Street and build an addition. The new wing was completed in the first quarter of 2008. At that time, Healing Motion employed a full-time physical therapist and a part-time physical therapy assistant. The local community and primary care clinic embraced Healing Motion, allowing the clinic to maintain a full census and weather the economic downturn of 2009-2012. In the years that followed, expansion of the practice proceeded at a rapid pace, growing to two, then three full-time physical therapists, in addition to Eileen, by the middle of 2015.
Dr. Ashlee Roderick joined Healing Motion in June of 2015. She was originally hired with the intention of allowing Eileen to step away from patient care entirely. However, over the following four years, Eileen stepped in and out of clinical retirement to help fulfill staffing needs. In June of 2019, Eileen was finally able to step away from the business for good, transitioning ownership to Ashlee and her husband, Stephen Roderick. Both parties felt extremely blessed in the transaction. The Tokudas were able to fully retire, enjoying a multitude of activities not limited to bicycling and hunting. More importantly, they were able to leave the business they had built from the ground up in the hands of one of their own therapists, a therapist who shared their same core values and was committed to maintaining those values over time. On the other hand, the Rodericks were able to step into a successful and established business with the continued support of the Tokudas, the Philomath community, and a phenomenal staff who also shares the same values and vision.
In the time since the transition of ownership, the Rodericks have exhibited an inordinate capacity to recruit, lead, and provide a supportive setting in which team members can excel, thus enabling outstanding and innovative clinical care. They have additionally embraced creative use of medical technology allowing Healing Motion to meet the increasing challenges associated with a changing health care environment.
In February of 2020, Healing Motion proudly announced the expansion of their services into a second location, Corvallis, led by Dr. Dane Happeny.
Since 2020, several more clinics have opened in an attempt to better serve the communities of the Mid-Willamette Valley and to provide opportunity for growth to the members of the Healing Motion team:
- North Albany: March 2022, operated by Dr. Erin Erven.
- Salem: August 2022, operated by Dr. Kevin Coriano.
- Eugene: June 2022, operated by Dr. David Holte
Stephen and Ashlee consider it a tremendous privilege, as did Eileen and Craig, to serve Philomath, Corvallis, Albany, Salem, and surrounding areas. The trust and confidence shown in the Healing Motion team is an enormous source of pride and extremely humbling.
