Inside BRG’s 2025 Leadership Retreat

At Buffalo Rehab Group, leadership is not about who has the highest title. It’s about how we show up for our patients, our teammates, and our community every single day. Each year, our annual Leadership Retreat provides us with the space to pause, connect, and invest in the people who move our purpose forward.

This year’s retreat was held at Wayland Brewing and filled the entire day with learning and connection. We gathered both our executive and established leadership teams, as well as included emerging leaders.

Emerging leaders are clinicians and support staff from across BRG who have expressed interest in growing into leadership roles. Bringing everyone together reinforced a core truth: we are one team working together to deliver the best patient experience.

A Hands-On Approach to Leadership

In past years, much of the retreat focused on presentations from the executive team. While informative, we wanted to shift from lecture to practice. Leadership develops best when we actively engage. With guidance from guest facilitator Mike Osler, our retreat became experiential and hands-on.

Rather than presenting, executive leaders took on new roles as coaches and guides. Small groups tackled real-world leadership scenarios they face in clinics every day. Teams practiced conversations, problem-solving, and decision-making in a collaborative environment. Feedback was immediate, authentic, and practical.

Participants told us they felt empowered and more confident in conversations that matter, from coaching peers to navigating complex situations. The format helped build both skill and self-assurance.

As Marv Levy, legendary coach of the Buffalo Bills, once said, “Where else would you rather be than right here, right now?” That spirit of being fully present and ready to lead is exactly what we aimed to capture during the retreat.

Eric Herman, PT and John Bard, PT DPT CSCS working in a small group at the 2025 BRG Leadership Retreat.

Emerging Leaders Step Forward

One of the most inspiring parts of this retreat was the inclusion of emerging leaders. These clinicians and support team members have shown readiness and ambition to take the next step.

Leadership is not bestowed overnight. It grows through mentorship, practice, and opportunity. By welcoming clinicians and support staff who aspire to lead, we are investing in the future of BRG. Many of our outstanding leaders began their careers with us fresh from college. By offering early opportunities to grow not just clinically but professionally, we are nurturing a pipeline of talent that will sustain BRG for years to come.

Team Spirit and a Dunk Tank

Leadership development does not have to be all serious. What makes BRG special is how we balance meaningful work with joy. In the afternoon, we brought on some competitive fun.

Teams formed into eight groups and rotated through challenge stations. Based on team performance, each group earned throws at the dunk tank to dunk our CEO, Jeff Woodrich, PT. Leadership, laughter, connection, and a CEO splash all came together in one afternoon.

The cheers, the laughter, and the splash reminded everyone that joy is a key part of our culture. We work hard, and we celebrate together too.

Growing Talent, Growing BRG

At the heart of our Leadership Retreat is growth. Growth for individuals, for teams, and for BRG. Every activity, every conversation, and every shared moment contributes to building a culture where people feel supported to grow into their full potential.

That matters most for our patients. Leaders who feel capable and encouraged cultivate environments where clinicians and staff can thrive. When our team thrives, patients feel the difference in the care they receive.

Leadership Coach Mike Osler conducting a presentation at the 2025 BRG Leadership Retreat.

Tiger Woods once said, “No matter how good you get you can always get better, and that’s the exciting part.” This mindset is what drives our leadership development. We know that learning never stops, and every step forward creates stronger teams and better care for our patients.

We do not just hire clinicians and support team. We hire people who care, and then we invest in them for the long term. From new graduates stepping into clinical roles to seasoned leaders guiding teams, we commit to creating meaningful pathways for growth at BRG.

Looking Toward Next Year

Looking back on this year’s retreat, we take pride in reimagining leadership development at BRG. We thank every participant, from executives to emerging leaders, and our guest facilitator for bringing energy to the day.

Most of all, we are excited for what lies ahead. The ideas, energy, and relationships formed at Wayland Brewing will ripple through our clinics and offices in the coming weeks and months.

Next year’s retreat will build on this momentum, with even more opportunities for hands-on learning, collaboration, and fun. At BRG, leadership is not just about where we are today. It is about where we are growing together.