Dr. Larry Benz, DPT, OCS, MBA, MAPP, is co-founder and executive chairman of Confluent Health, a private physical therapy company with related businesses in education (Evidence In Motion), occupational medicine (Fit For Work), and provider network management (PTPN). Confluent Health’s holdings include over 625+ outpatient physical therapy centers under several industry-leading brand names, education and training companies with university partnerships, and a national provider of onsite workplace injury prevention services. Dr. Benz is nationally recognized for his expertise in private practice physical therapy and occupational medicine, executive management and recruiting, including expertise in finding and retaining employees to build a thriving organization.
Prior to restructuring at Confluent Health, his PT Development LLC equity fund included holdings in Family Home Health, US Worldmeds, Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions, and physicaltherapist.com amongst many others. From 1987 to Sept 2007, he founded and served as President/CEO of Kentucky Orthopedic Rehab Team (KORT), a private practice outpatient physical therapy company. From 1984 through 1989, he served in the U.S. Army as a Captain in the Army Medical Specialists Corps where he received the Meritorious Service Medal.
Dr. Benz’s interests include conducting research and integrating empathy, compassion, and positive psychology interventions within physical therapy. His book published in 2019, Called to Care: A Medical Provider’s Guide to Humanizing Healthcare, became an instant best seller on multiple lists. A frequent lecturer with over 250 invited presentations at multiple conferences, physical therapy, MBA, and Executive Education programs throughout the country, Dr. Benz has served on the American Physical Therapy Association’s Advisory Panel on Practice, American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties, and Foundation For Physical Therapy Research. He is the past Board Chairman at The University of Louisville, Neighborhood Engagement, and The University of Louisville Medical Center. He currently is a Trustee at Bellarmine University and board member of the University of Louisville Athletic Association and Evolve 502.
He is the recipient of numerous business and physical therapy awards, including the Kentucky Physical Therapy’s Outstanding Physical Therapists Award and Ernst & Young’s “Entrepreneur of the Year” for his region. He is the co-developer of physicaltherapist.com and blog.evidenceinmotion.com, a blog devoted to the principles of EBP in physical therapy. His Foundation is the co-developer of Jacmel Rehabilitation in Haiti which can be found at PThelpforHaiti.org.