A Korean-American’s Journey to Elevate Wellness in Montgomery County, Md.

Dr. Jonathan Kim, founder of Elevated Strength Rehab, takes pride in being a minority-owned business that provides optimal customized 1-on-1 care for their patients. Dr. Kim is a hands-on physical therapist with a lifelong dedication to health and wellness.

Like many entrepreneurs, especially minority entrepreneurs, his path to fulfilling his dream of owning his own practice was filled with obstacles and setbacks. Dr. Kim worked full-time while completing the Physical Therapy Assistant program at Montgomery College. He then pursued his doctorate degree at Neumann University, continuing to work full-time while attending classes on the weekends, and graduated three years later. By then, he was ready to make a big life change and to start his own business. “I always wanted to become a minority owner in the field of sports rehab,” he says.

Growing up in Silver Spring as the youngest of three sons to Korean immigrants, he never left Montgomery County. “I loved the diversity and the opportunity this county provides for small businesses to grow. It also has the right demographic for my practice: active adults and a vast population of motivated, high-level middle school, high school and collegiate athletes,” he says.

The abundance of diverse doctors, trainers and other medical professionals in the county has translated into ample referrals for Dr. Kim to his practice. “In the industry I am in, you don’t see a lot of people who look like me at higher levels of management.” This inspires Dr. Kim to be at the top of his game.

And he never forgets to pay it forward, treating people with the same attentiveness and empathy no matter what background and beliefs they have. “Every patient feels the authentic relationship we are building through physical therapy.”

In addition to performance physical therapy, the company helps patients with post-operative care, strength and conditioning training, blood flow restriction therapy, and return-to-sports testing. “We work alongside local high school athletic trainers to help rehab their athletes and have constant communication to help progress their rehab and transition them to return to their sports in a safe manner.”

Fulfilling his dream, Dr. Kim’s practice is booming. He recently brought on a Doctor of Physical Therapy and plans to add another Doctor of Physical Therapy to his team, along with a nutritionist and sports psychologist to round out his practice in the future. “We are creating more than a company. We are creating a culture that believes in ‘elevating’ above our current circumstances to improve one’s health.”

One patient at a time, that’s exactly what Elevated Strength Rehab is offering to the Montgomery County community.

Visit Elevated Strength Rehab to learn more.