According to PracticePromotions.net, as of 2021, only 5% of Physical Therapists were Black – a severe underrepresentation in the field. The statistics are even lower for Black-owned physical therapy private practices. Which is why it was important to Dr. Jerome Adams to open his own clinic.  

“I was born and raised in Flint and never considered going away,” says Adams. “I wanted to serve the community that molded and built me, so having the opportunity to be here in a business that is growing and get support is an awesome thing.” 

Adams, who graduated from the University of Michigan-Flint in 2006 with a Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree, went straight into the field after completing his education. After a few years, he received some advice from Clarence Sevillian, current EVP/COO of Prisma Health, who told him if he wanted to get into private practice then he had to work in private practice. So, he took a few managerial roles in private clinics before branching off on his own and starting Horizon Physical Therapy in 2012.  

Over the past 12 years, Adams’ journey has been one of continual growth and community service. He tackled the early challenges of enhancing the practice’s visibility by investing in marketing courses, even when it meant relying on credit.  

“If you want to walk your dog and can’t walk, we need to look into why,” says Adams. “If you want to run the Crim, we need to train for that. We strive to go above and beyond for our clients, providing more value than they anticipate.” 

With over a decade of experience, Adams is now focused on expanding his practice’s impact and nurturing the next generation of physical therapists to ensure high-quality care throughout Genesee County. This vision led him to apply for and receive the Moving Flint Forward grant in 2023, a collaborative initiative by General Motors and Flint & Genesee Economic Alliance to support local small businesses. 

The grant enabled Adams to enhance training resources for his staff, amplify marketing efforts, and develop educational seminars and materials for the community. 

“For those looking for funding, my advice is to ‘Just do it,’” says Adams. “It’s easy to be held back by fear, but it’s important to keep moving forward and give it your all.” 

Learn more about Horizon Physical Therapy by visiting HorizonPTFlint.com.