Maddie Traylor sits down with Wayne Fraleigh, CEO of the Orthopaedic & Spine Center of the Rockies, to uncover how he went from working hands-on with patients as a Physical Therapist to leading one of Colorado’s most respected orthopedic and spine practices.

Wayne shares his journey of navigating large healthcare systems, transitioning to private practice, and leveraging both clinical expertise and business leadership skills to drive growth, innovation, and patient-centered care. He offers candid advice on team building, leadership development, and how self-care plays a critical role in sustainable success at the executive level.

Whether you’re a healthcare recruiter, practice administrator, physical therapist, or an emerging healthcare leader, this episode delivers actionable insights into how clinicians can successfully step into executive roles while keeping patient care at the heart of their leadership.

Key Takeaways:

• How to transition from clinician to healthcare executive

• The pros and cons of large healthcare systems vs private practice

• Leveraging clinical background for leadership success

• Building a strong, collaborative leadership team

• Innovative approaches to orthopedic and spine care

• The role of self-care in leadership longevity

• Key skills healthcare recruiters should look for in executive candidates

• Lessons for aspiring leaders on resilience, adaptability, and growth

Episode Highlights:

00:32 Guest Introduction: Wayne Fraleigh
01:08 Transition to Private Practice
02:28 Challenges in Large Healthcare Systems
05:51 The Shift to Private Practice
08:23 Innovative Approaches in Healthcare
13:48 Wayne’s Journey from PT to CEO
21:26 Advice for Aspiring Leaders
29:36 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Keywords:

Wayne Fraleigh Orthopaedic Spine Center of the Rockies,
Physical therapist career pivot,
Healthcare leadership podcast,
Orthopedic practice management,
Private practice vs large healthcare systems,
Clinical to executive transition,
Healthcare CEO success stories,
Orthopedic and spine care innovation,
Leadership development in healthcare,
Medical practice growth strategies,
PT to CEO career journey,
Healthcare recruiter insights,
Executive leadership in healthcare administration,
Healthcare recruiting agency,
Flat fee healthcare recruiter,
Nurse practitioner and physician assistant recruiter,
Surgeon and orthopedic staffing agency,
Medical office and billing staff recruitment,

Connect with Wayne Fraleigh:

LinkedIn: Wayne Fraleigh
Visit Orthopaedic & Spine Center of the Rockies