Missouri native Physical Therapist Brad Lohbeck started with a travel PT agency shortly after graduation. What started as a travel opportunity in South Carolina became an 8,000-mile adventure with ATI and its Explore program. 

Brad began his time in South Carolina, spending six months in residence before taking a year-long post in Tucson, AZ. He packed up his car and drove out west. He made the most of his year in Arizona, providing excellent patient care and exploring the area–skiing in Flagstaff, awing over the Grand Canyon, and hiking the numerous trails in the desert landscape. Once done in Arizona, Brad packed his bags again and headed back to the Midwest for a six-month stint in Bloomington, IN. At the time, he and his fiancée, another ATI Explore PT, split time between Chicago, St. Louis, and the Hoosier State to enjoy the holidays and wedding festivities. 

After tying the knot, he and his wife packed their bags and headed east to Boston, MA. The pair made the most of their time in the New England area. There they visited New York, Vermont, and New Hampshire, ticking Acadia National Park off their travel list in the process. “We were out east for six months,” Brad said. “There was maybe only 6-8 weeks that we were not exploring.” 

From Boston, the pair decided to head back out west, this time to Seattle, WA. The pair trekked over 3,000 miles across the country, stopping in Big Sky to ski and checking several other National Parks off their checklist. They made the most of their six months in the Pacific Northwest, hiking Mount Rainer and visiting Banff National Park in Canada. When their six months in Seattle were up, Brad and his wife packed up their cars again and headed back to the Chicagoland area. This time, the pair pursued a more permanent position with ATI.  

“What has been great about the Explore program is that it provides us consistency with our benefits and the flexibility to travel,” Brad offered. “Other travel PT companies don’t offer that kind of stability. Plus, now that we are looking for something more permanent, it’s nice to ease into a new clinic without having to learn all the ins and outs of a new company.” 

When asked what tips he would offer to any therapist interested in travel PT, he said, “If you’re a new graduate, I’d recommend spending at least one year in a location to become comfortable with your practice. Then, there are lots of travel opportunities out there, including short and long-term assignments.” 

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