Business Matters

Like its patients, Pediatrics Plus set to keep growing with plans in NLR

Amy Denton doesn't want this to come off the wrong way.

Denton, co-owner of Pediatrics Plus with her husband, Todd, and two business partners, was asked what prompted her to open a clinic for special-needs children in 2002. As she explains it, Denton was working as a physical therapist at another clinic in Conway and, to be completely honest, figured there had to be a better way of operating.

"I have specific ways I like to do things. I wanted to have an opportunity to do it on my own," Denton says, quickly following up to make sure the explanation doesn't come across as too self-centered.

Putting children first, treating patients and families with respect and patience. These were the principles that led Denton to set off to do her own thing, operating out of her house until the first clinic was opened in 2002.

Pediatrics Plus opened with about 20 patients and eight part-time staff. Today it has expanded, with locations in Conway, Little Rock and Russellville. There are 400 employees -- about 85-90 percent are full-time -- and there are plans to open a North Little Rock clinic in 2016.

Services offered by Pediatrics Plus include physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech language therapy, plus a developmental preschool and specialized care for children with autism. Pediatrics Plus has also begun a research department, partnering with the University of Central Arkansas to find treatment options.

North Little Rock is following a similar path to the clinics already established in Little Rock and Russellville.

When patients began driving to Conway from out of town, Pediatrics Plus started offering outpatient services in those towns. As that clientele grew, full-service clinics were established.

Pediatrics Plus opened a North Little Rock office and began offering outpatient services in 2011. There is enough demand built up that the company plans to build a 30,000-square-foot facility in North Little Rock next year with therapy clinics, specialized therapy gyms and a developmental preschool.

The North Little Rock campus will be a significant investment for a business that has grown considerably over the last three years. Pediatrics Plus is, by many measures, a successful business.

Denton, however, gets uncomfortable talking about that end of things.

Pediatrics Plus declined to offer revenue figures or discuss the financial commitment needed for previous or upcoming expansions. There is a concern that if they start talking dollars and cents -- millions of dollars -- that it will take the focus off the core mission of helping children with developmental needs.

That 20,000-square-foot expansion in Russellville last year was valued at about $4 million. It was scheduled to open with 50 employees. Details on the North Little Rock expansion are still under wraps -- no contracts have been signed yet.

Growth can be gauged by looking at the patient list. Pediatrics Plus served about 20 children its first year and so far this year they've served more than 2,000 unique visitors. They treat about 1,000 patients weekly.

Like any other business that hopes to maintain a certain culture, those founding principles become more difficult to enforce with growth. Denton believes the clinics have been able to maintain the spirit with which she founded the business.

Establishing clinics that can be reached within an hour's drive have helped. And while there have been discussions about statewide expansion, Denton said the ownership team, which includes David and Krista Tapp, isn't in a rush. Denton has a certain way of operating and having clinics nearby allows her to make sure they're operating the way she envisioned nearly 15 years ago.

"We recognize it as a challenge," Denton said of maintaining a culture over multiple locations. "We don't want our clinic directors just hunkered down over their desk and with their heads down constantly. We require our directors to leave white space on their calendars every week to take the pulse of the clinic, make sure we're running them with a culture of positivity."

If you have a tip, call Chris Bahn at (479) 365-2972 or email him at

cbahn@nwaonline.com

SundayMonday Business on 08/30/2015

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