Working in physical therapy, Michelle Collie’s responsibility is to maximize movement and function of the human body for the best quality of life. As the owner and director of Performance Physical Therapy, she has certainly maneuvered herself through the positions for success, while helping others do the same.
Collie began her career in the culture of New Zealand after graduating from Otago University. Rex, her father, had the most influence on her career. “My dad empowered me by demonstrating that hard work, common sense and calculated risk can lead to success,” she said in her 40 Under Forty application.
She has proven that risk is not an intimidating factor for her either. Collie began post-graduate studies in Boston while still working full time. When her current practice, Performance Physical Therapy, became available, she bought it without any formal education on running a business.
Although the opportunity was outside her comfort zone, she made it a success. Performance Physical Therapy is now the practice that employs more board-certified clinical specialists than any other in Rhode Island.
“The biggest transition I have made at Performance is the commitment to community involvement,” said Collie. She has transferred money formerly spent on advertising to focus on community causes.
And in June, she organized an event that raised more than $10,000 to go towards the building of a clinic in Honduras.
Collie is currently president of the Rhode Island Physical Therapy Private Practice Group.
She’s also an avid writer on health and exercise issues. Last year, she published the first issue of Care at its Best, a free, biannual magazine providing health information.
Her career has proven one of her father’s favorite adages: “The harder you work the luckier you get.” •
