Tag Archive for: growth

Growing with Tx:Team: How Dan DeCraene Built a Legacy of Care in Frankfort, Indiana

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Dan DeCraene didn’t start his career in healthcare. After earning a business degree from Indiana University, he spent three years working in accounting, followed by another three in medical sales. While the work was fine, it wasn’t something he truly loved. His time in hospitals as a medical sales rep gave him a unique window into what physical therapists actually did—and it left a lasting impression.

Inspired by a high school friend who was going back to school for physical therapy, Dan realized it was time to make a career change of his own. He began taking the science classes he hadn’t needed as an accounting major at IUPUI in Indianapolis.

At the same time, Dan worked full-time as a rehab aide at Physical Medicine Associates (PMA), which would later be renamed Tx:Team. The role gave him valuable hands-on experience and even financial support for his tuition. At the time, PMA primarily served nursing homes such as Hoosier Village, Marquette Manor, and Westminster Village. Dan also occasionally filled in at Johnson Memorial Hospital, where he worked alongside Greg Jennings, founder of Tx:Team. While in PT school, Dan completed an 8-week clinical rotation at Johnson Memorial, followed by another with Tx:Team at the Speedway Clinic.

Dan earned his Master of Physical Therapy degree from the Arizona School of Health Sciences in Mesa. During PT school, he met his wife, Christie. After several years in Arizona, the couple decided to move back to Indiana where Dan accepted a position with Tx:Team in Frankfort. Though Christie hadn’t initially planned to work for Tx:Team, she eventually joined the team as well, and the two worked there together for nearly 20 years.

Dan held the title of team leader, but said the group was easy to lead because everyone shared the same commitment to patient care. He described the team as, “a special group of people we unfortunately won’t be able to reproduce.”

This tight-knit team operated under a long-standing contract at a local hospital in Frankfort that was taken over by another hospital system in 2017. In September 2024, the rehabilitation contract was terminated—a decision that deeply impacted not only the team but also the community they served.

When a patient shared the termination letter online, the response was immediate and overwhelming:

“That team is like no other. I know how well they helped me in my time of need. They will be missed terribly.”
“This team was amazing caring for our son after a major accident. I credit them with literally getting him back on his feet in record time. Wishing them the best.”

The reaction didn’t stop at social media, it quickly made its way into the clinic. In the days and weeks that followed, patients came in with questions, concern, and heartfelt gratitude. Dan recalled the emotional toll of that period: “The public found out, and we were reliving it every few days.”

Patients wanted to know where their trusted therapists would go next and how they could continue their care with the same team they had come to rely on. One thing became undeniably clear: this was never just about physical therapy—it was about connection. The community’s loyalty wasn’t to a building or brand, but to the people who had made a lasting impact on their lives.

As word spread, the chorus of support continued to grow:

“Frankfort needs them!”
“These folks are not only great therapists, but valued friends! Where will they be? I need to know so I can request my therapy there!”

Fortunately, Dan and colleague Lily Del Toro, PTA, were able to stay in Frankfort by joining Witham Health Services, where Tx:Team now manages rehabilitation services under the leadership of Chris Gray, Director of Rehabilitation. Christie, Dan’s wife, remained within the Tx:Team network as well, accepting a position at Riverview Health, where Brad Austin serves as Director of Rehabilitation. With an expanding network of partner contracts across Central Indiana, Tx:Team continues to foster a strong, connected community of therapists dedicated to exceptional care.

The transition to Witham Frankfort has been both busy and rewarding. The clinic quickly doubled its full-time staff and still needs more help. Patient volume remains high, with Dan seeing three to four evaluations each day. Many former hospital-affiliated physicians continue referring patients to Dan, despite his team now operating outside their system, because they know the level of care remains exceptional. Many former patients have followed Dan and Lily to their new location, a true reflection of the trust, relationships, and quality care that have defined their practice over the years.

Dan has always thrived in the outpatient setting, where his approach to therapy is deeply rooted in anatomy, movement, and patient education. He emphasizes manual therapy and exercise, but what truly sets him apart is his dedication to helping patients understand what’s happening in their bodies. “It’s one of the most important parts of what we do,” he says.

For Dan, empowering patients to become active participants in their recovery is key. He spends time teaching them about posture, movement patterns, and why these details matter, highlighting how proper movement can reduce dependence on pain medications.

When asked why he has remained with Tx:Team through so many changes over the years, his answer is immediate: “The autonomy.” He values the trust he’s been given—never micromanaged or told how to treat. Instead, he’s been supported in doing what’s best for each individual patient. He appreciates Tx:Team’s commitment to 1:1 patient care and its intentional departure from high-volume, high-pressure models used by some competitors. Tx:Team remains a therapist-led, patient-focused organization.

Recently, Dan’s professional and personal worlds intersected in a meaningful way. His son Jake, a rising sophomore at Indiana University, had the opportunity to shadow Spencer Sheridan, Director of Finance at the Tx:Team Home Office. It was a full-circle moment, reflecting the company’s ongoing investment not only in its patients, but in its people.

Dan DeCraene’s story is a powerful reminder that true healthcare goes beyond treatments and protocols—it’s about the relationships built and the trust earned along the way. His dedication to one-on-one patient care has made a lasting difference in the Frankfort community. As Tx:Team continues to grow and adapt, professionals like Dan show how compassionate care remains at the heart of successful therapy.

Growing with Tx:Team: Amanda Bancroft’s 16-Year Journey of Leadership and Learning

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Amanda Bancroft never set out with a specific plan to join Tx:Team—her clinical rotation there was randomly assigned. But what began as a convenient placement close to home has grown into a 16-year career defined by personal growth, leadership, and a deep appreciation for the power of teamwork.

“I feel like I grew up here,” Amanda says. From student to rehab aide, to licensed physical therapist assistant (PTA), and now into a leadership role, Amanda has experienced nearly every aspect of the rehab continuum. “Walking the walk” across different roles has shaped her into a leader who truly understands the people she supports.

Amanda was initially drawn to physical therapy through her background in sports and a strong desire to help others. While communication, especially with physicians and other authority figures, was an early challenge, her confidence grew with experience. She learned to view everyone as equals working toward the same goal: better patient outcomes. “I realized we are all just human and it doesn’t matter your title, your background, or your position. What matters is that we’re all here for this common purpose, and that’s to make the patient better. And so, once I gained that experience, it was just a no-brainer for me,” she shares.

That mindset now guides her leadership. Rather than seeing her role as leaving behind the hands-on care she loved, Amanda sees her current position as another way to care for patients. By streamlining processes and advocating for her staff, she helps improve inpatient rehabilitation care at Frederick Health Hospital every day. She shares, “Knowing I can remove barriers for these clinicians to provide better care is really rewarding for me.”

Though she began her career as a PTA, Amanda now leads a multidisciplinary team, including speech-language pathology and occupational therapy professionals. Complementing her clinical experience, Amanda also holds a business degree, strengthening her ability to manage teams and operations effectively. While it was a learning curve at first, Amanda welcomed the challenge. “It’s been a really fun ride to be taught by my peers,” she says.

Amanda has found inspiration and guidance in those around her throughout her career at Tx:Team. One leader who made a particularly lasting impact is Carroll Nelligan, Chief Operating Officer. “Carroll will always have a special place in my heart,” Amanda says. While she has leaned on many individuals for support, it’s her team that stands out most. “I believe people are put into your life for a lot of reasons,” she shares. “Even difficult interactions have taught me what not to do. My team has taught me things I’ll never fully be able to express.”

Why has she stayed for 16 years? Amanda doesn’t hesitate: “Because I’m not bored. I challenge myself every day, and I know what I’m doing is positively impacting other human beings.” She also credits the company’s leadership for creating a culture that values both quality care and people. “It doesn’t feel like it’s only about the money. They really do care about metrics and outcomes.”

As she looks to the future, Amanda hopes for continued improvements in technology and insurance reform that supports better patient care. But no matter what comes next, her journey at Tx:Team stands as a testament to growth, resilience, and the power of believing in both your mission and your people.