A Body Of Work
Catherine Hoover-Smith
Title: Owner/Executive Director
Company: South County Physical Therapy
Location: Auburn
Catherine Hoover Smith opened her own physical therapy practice in 1985 after working for a number of years at Worcester City Hospital. Today, South County Physical Therapy has three locations — in Auburn, Westborough and Worcester — and 65 employees. It offers patients traditional physical therapy as well as aquatic therapy, dance medicine, sports medicine and women’s health.
Who is your most influential role model, and why?
I would have to say my office manager of 25 years, Patricia Sexton, because she is the most selfless person I know. She is devoted to family and shows that same caring and devotion to her staff. She can remain calm under stress and defuse static. She gives of herself to the community, to charities, to anyone in need and she does it mostly behind the scenes or secretly because she really gets the act of doing good is enough. She takes great joy in seeing the people she helps succeed. This company and I have been blessed to have such a classy and compassionate role model that has instilled in me the importance of doing the right thing for family, employees, the people we serve and our community.
Why are you good at what you do?
That’s easy — because I love what I do. I help people achieve goals, overcome physical limitations and put joy in their life. I love the study of the human body; its form and function. You can study it for a lifetime and never get bored. There are new discoveries every day so the learning is perpetual. You also become a teacher, a motivator and sometimes a counselor. I love to see people be their personal best and if I can be a part of that it gives me joy in knowing I’ve helped someone on their journey.
How does your organization give back to the community, and what role have you played in those efforts?
We are very active with the chamber of commerce in our town and support scholarship funds. We frequently do community lectures on health and fitness. We have organized and run charity golf tournaments for athletics. We have participated with the Special Olympics. Personally, I participate in an annual bike ride to raise money for multiple sclerosis. I have given dance medicine lectures and have been on the advisory board of the Pakachoag Music School of Greater Worcester. My hope is to bring greater understanding of the special considerations of physical conditioning to the performing arts. I am also an avid skier so I find myself volunteering for screens and conditioning for our ski patrol or race team. When my children were young it was Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts and all the school activities that I donated my time to. Now, I am able to do more with fundraising and lecturing. I do have another area I would like to give more to, and that is to inspire young women to be their personal best and reach for the glass ceiling.
When the stress level gets too high, what’s your secret remedy?
Take a hike or go for a bike ride, breathe deeply, get a massage, have a cup of tea. I believe you should work hard and play hard and plan a vacation.
How have you tried to balance your career and your personal life?
That’s no easy task. I guess that’s one reason it’s easier to be in your own business. Every year when the new school schedule came out with the new list of kids’ activities, I would rearrange my schedule so I could get to everything and still treat all my patients and run the business. It also helps to have a husband that works with you. I never wanted to miss out on anything my kids did, so I didn’t. I just made it a priority. I must confess, I may not have been as good to myself during those days, but I wouldn’t trade my choices.
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