Dr. Delaine Fowler, DPT

President and CEO
Accelerate Therapy and Performance
Salisbury, NC

Accelerate Therapy and Performance is a pioneering firm specializing in injury prevention consulting and physical therapy. The firm collaborates with corporations to significantly reduce injury rates by serving as frontline health care providers, specifically addressing work-related stress. Through its dual model of care and coaching, Accelerate Therapy and Performance aims to decrease workplace injuries and enhance employee satisfaction and retention.

Describe your personal journey to becoming a CEO who “gets it.”

My journey toward becoming a leader who “gets it” has been enlightening and challenging. Early in my career, I observed a significant gap in how employers approached employee well-being. Traditional models often saw human resources and safety departments working in silos, rarely leveraging insights and communications from their most valuable asset – the employees themselves.

My pivotal realization occurred while serving as a consultant in response to significant workplace injuries. Clients sought advice on ergonomic adjustments post-incident, but I recognized a more profound need: a proactive, knowledgeable health care approach that understands workplace movements akin to athletic movements. This insight led to the development of programs focusing on individual employee wellness rather than just production metrics. Our ethos centers around the belief that happy, healthy employees are safer, more engaged and more productive.

However, my path to leadership was more than just defined by focused passion. Embracing the adage that “leaders are made, not born,” I transformed my small PT practice – founded in 2008 – into what Accelerate is today. It wasn’t until 2016 that we crystallized our values, vision and mission, marking a turning point in our journey. From just six employees in 2016, we’ve grown to over 90 this past year. This growth is a testament to aligning our hiring and operational strategies with our core values.

Leadership at Accelerate isn’t about top-down directives; it’s about nurturing a culture in which every team member aligns with our mission. In our leadership meetings, the atmosphere is electric, with energy and commitment. My team brings forward opportunities and solutions, not problems and demands. This culture has been pivotal in achieving our goal of reducing workplace injuries while enhancing employee satisfaction and retention.

In summary, my journey to becoming a CEO who “gets it” was shaped by recognizing the need for a holistic, proactive approach to employee well-being; aligning our organizational mission with our everyday practices; and fostering a leadership culture that values solutions and alignment with our core values. This journey has not been just about personal growth but also about creating a sustainable, positive impact in the realm of workplace health and safety.

Why is safety a core value at Accelerate Therapy and Performance?

At Accelerate, safety is not just a policy; it’s interwoven into the very fabric of our organization. It reflects our unwavering dedication to the health and well-being of our employees, reflecting our belief that a safe workplace is fundamental for a highly productive and satisfied workforce. Drawing inspiration from our “industrial athletes” concept, we emphasize the importance of safety beyond prevention – it becomes a linchpin of professional excellence. This stance builds trust with our clients, showcasing our expertise in injury prevention and workplace wellness, perfectly aligned with our strategic objectives. A safe workforce translates to lower absenteeism, reduced turnover and an enriched company culture – crucial for attracting and retaining top-tier talent. Thus, safety is more than a policy at Accelerate; it’s a cornerstone of our identity and success.

What’s the biggest obstacle to safety at Accelerate Therapy and Performance?

Addressing the challenge of fostering a sense of community and connection within our largely remote workforce is paramount, especially for upholding our high safety and wellness standards. To achieve this, we employ a multifaceted approach. First, we leverage technology for effective communication through virtual meetings and digital platforms, facilitating discussions and providing consistent safety education and resources. Our communication structure ensures all team members, regardless of location, have access to crucial information and feel included in the company culture.

Additionally, we place great emphasis on personal check-ins and one-on-one sessions. These interactions go beyond work-related topics, delving into individual well-being and any specific challenges faced in a remote setting. It’s a practice that ensures every employee feels heard, valued and supported.

We organize engaging virtual team-building activities and workshops to enhance team cohesion and connection, centered around our core concept of “industrial athletes” – promoting a shared understanding and commitment to health and safety.

Moreover, we’ve successfully integrated small group projects with clearly defined goals within quarterly time frames. These projects not only foster collaboration and a sense of purpose but also help build interpersonal relationships and accountability among remote team members. The small group setting allows for more meaningful interactions and a stronger sense of belonging to the team and the company.

Finally, encouraging peer-to-peer connections through our mentorship group has been instrumental. This strategy provides additional support and camaraderie, crucial for a remote workforce.

Through these combined efforts, we are dedicated to building a strong, cohesive and safety-conscious remote workforce at Accelerate.

How do you instill a sense of safety on an ongoing basis?

Cultivating a robust safety culture is a perpetual and dynamic commitment deeply embedded in our organizational ethos. Our approach encompasses regular, comprehensive education and training programs, ensuring safety awareness is not a singular event but an ongoing dialogue. Emphasizing open communication, we actively nurture an environment where employees are empowered to openly discuss safety concerns. This commitment is reinforced through frequent feedback sessions and surveys designed to swiftly address emerging issues. Leadership plays a crucial role in setting the safety standard, exemplifying unwavering commitment to adherence.

Additionally, our peer-to-peer safety initiatives foster collective responsibility, ensuring safety is a shared concern among all team members. As part of our strategy, we actively recognize and reward safe practices, contributing to the solidification of a positive safety culture throughout our organization. We consistently evaluate and refine our safety protocols, drawing valuable insights from any incidents to continuously enhance our practices. Recognizing the integral role of mental well-being in overall safety, we advocate for a harmonious work-life balance, offering resources and flexible work options. This holistic approach extends not only to our internal operations but also to our clients, ensuring our unwavering commitment to safety permeates every facet of our business. Through the integration of these practices, we cultivate a secure and healthy environment for our employees and the services we deliver, solidifying our position as a safety-focused leader in our industry.

How does Accelerate Therapy and Performance measure safety?

We measure safety through a multifaceted process involving quantitative and qualitative indicators. Our approach to safety measurement is designed to provide a comprehensive view of our safety culture, operational practices and the effectiveness of our safety initiatives.

1. Incident rates. We track the frequency of workplace incidents and injuries. Incidents include minor and major incidents, providing us with a clear picture of the frequency of safety-related issues. A lower incident rate typically indicates a safer work environment.
2. Near-miss reporting. We encourage reporting of near-miss situations, where an incident could have occurred but was averted. This proactive measure helps us identify potential hazards before they result in actual harm.
3. Employee safety surveys. Regularly conducting surveys enables us to assess employee perceptions and attitudes regarding safety. This feedback is crucial for understanding the effectiveness of safety policies that are being understood and followed.
4. Safety training completion rates. Monitoring the completion rates of our safety training programs allows us to ensure all employees are up to date with the necessary knowledge and skills to maintain and manage a safe work environment.
5. Safety audits. Regular safety audits of our processes and work environments help us identify areas of noncompliance or potential risks, allowing for timely corrective actions.
6. Engagement in safety programs. Additionally, we measure employee engagement in safety initiatives that include participation in safety committees or contributions to safety discussions.

In terms of areas for improvement, we are continually looking to enhance our remote safety measures. As a significant portion of our workforce operates remotely, developing more effective ways to monitor and ensure their safety is a key concentration. This focus includes improving our virtual training methods, finding innovative ways to conduct remote safety audits, and enhancing communication channels to ensure remote workers feel as integrated and informed as in physical workplaces.

By continuously monitoring these indicators and being open to evolving our strategies, we strive to maintain and constantly elevate the standard of safety within our organization, ensuring a healthy and secure environment for our employees and clients.

What roles do off-the-job safety, mental health and well-being play in Accelerate Therapy and Performance’s overall safety program?

We proactively incorporate off-the-job safety and holistic employee well-being into our comprehensive safety program, recognizing the profound impact they have on the overall health and effectiveness of our team.

In addressing off-the-job safety, we go beyond the workplace, providing resources and training relevant to our employees’ everyday lives. This includes guidance on maintaining ergonomic practices at home, promoting safe driving techniques and offering general injury prevention tips for personal activities. Our aim is to instill a culture of safety that transcends professional boundaries, ensuring our team members are safe, healthy and equipped to excel not only in their work but in their daily lives.

Holistic well-being is a fundamental pillar of our approach to employee health. Instead of simply offering mental health days, we conduct monthly meetings focused explicitly on employee well-being. These sessions cover a wide range of topics, spanning from managing workplace stress and enhancing physical health to addressing financial wellness, managing personal relationships, practicing self-care and more. By providing a platform for education, open discussion and support, we empower our team to navigate the multifaceted challenges of both their professional and personal lives.

In addition to these proactive measures, we have implemented an employee assistance program that offers confidential access to professional counseling and support services. This program is essential for addressing mental health concerns and ensuring our employees have the necessary support to thrive both in and out of the workplace.

Our commitment to safety and well-being at Accelerate is comprehensive and positive. By focusing on physical, emotional and mental aspects of health, we cultivate a work environment that is not only supportive but also resilient, benefiting our entire team.