Star City 6 – Katie Tiedeman
Proactive Solutions, Inc. (www.pastherapy.com) specializes in designing, implementing and supporting workplace health, safety, and wellness programs. Katie Tiedeman is the Midwest Regional Manager of Proactive Solutions, Inc., including management of operations for the Lincoln office.
Tell us a little about your business.
Proactive Solutions, Inc. promotes a preventative or ‘proactive’ approach for small and large businesses in their wellness and injury prevention programs. Our commitment is to work with each business to help develop a meaningful program that helps them attract and retain talent, increase productivity, reduce stress and injury and increase overall employee health and satisfaction. What we offer is different from traditional wellness programs as it features hands-on guidance from licensed physical and occupational therapists who work onsite within a company to address their individualized needs. Our programs pay for themselves, with an average return on investment of 5 to 1 for the employer.
How did you get started in the business?
I have been a physical therapist for 13 years and graduated from the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, NE. I met Rudy Haberzettl, CEO of Proactive Solutions, in Colorado Springs and learned about the innovative work his company was doing to get ahead of the traditional reactive approach to healthcare. As my family and I prepared to relocate back to Nebraska Rudy and I discussed the potential for expanding Proactive Solutions into the Lincoln area. After moving here and seeing how welcoming the community is to new technology and entrepreneurship I knew Proactive Solutions would be a great fit in the local business community.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally?
I started a very intense manual therapy program shortly after having my first child. It consisted of approximately 240 hours of post-graduate work while juggling a full-time career and adjusting to a growing family. However, it was well worth the time as I use the skills I gained from it on a daily basis.
What has been your most important achievement professionally?
Whether it’s helping an elderly man uphold his family tradition and return to the ski slope with his family to celebrate his 70th birthday, helping a 40 year old woman overcome a pain that has hindered her ability to perform and enjoy her job, or helping a teenager return to their sport that means the world to them, I consider each success to be an important achievement.
Tell us a little about your family.
I have been married to a wonderful man, Rob, for almost 13 years. We have 2 children, ages 9 and 7 years old, 3 goofy chocolate labs, and recently added a cat to the mix.
What is your favorite thing to do on a day off?
Hang out with my kids in one of the many activities they participate. Whether it involves going to one of their sporting events, scouts or a school activity, they keep me busy.
What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know?
I’m pretty good with power tools!
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
If you want something you need to work for it. Both my parents instilled that in my brothers and I from a very young age and modeled it in their daily lives.
What local non-profit organization(s) are you passionate about or involved with, and are there any special reasons why?
Boy Scouts, Girls Scouts and the American Cancer Society.
If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so?
Phone: (402) 480-4266; Email: k.tiedeman@pashaw.com; Websites: www.pastherapy.com or www.pashealthandwellness.com.