Ed Farina, PhD, MBA, PT

Ed’s professional bio & career are extensive. His 40+ years of experience as a practicing physical therapist specializing in orthopedics, joint replacements, and sports medicine coupled with 20 years as a competitive CrossFit athlete, and a 13-year CrossFit affiliate / +3 year micro-gym owner has uniquely prepared him to lead the charge in training the elderly. In 2012, after years of owning and operating outpatient rehabilitation clincis, and treating patients in the outpatient sector, Ed elected to sell his physical therapy practices and solely focus on the preventative and corrective care of his aging patients which he now proudly calls his “athletes”.

Ed’s educational background, numerous certifications, and comprehensive experience are listed below.

HISTORY

Ed’s final outpatient physical therapy private sector venture of three outpatient rehabilitation clinics from 1999 to 2012 was a product of a non-competition contract in the direct Tampa Bay Area. Ed and an exceptionally small administrative team managed all aspects (strategic, financial and operational) of the three Sarasota-based clinics that expanded to 38,000 visits and $1.0 million in annual profit. Ed brings 32 years of executive operational and financial management expertise, including holding positions at an executive level with Select Medical Systems as an Officer and Vice President from 1997 to 1999 and at RehabWorks, a subsidiary of Continental Medical Systems, Inc., as a Regional Vice President from 1993 to 1997.

In addition to his executive roles, he has also served these companies as a pioneer in the development of systems to educate, communicate, monitor and control expectations and results at both the therapist and administrative levels. These systems allowed for a lean infrastructure and generous incentive plans for the caregivers and care teams, resulting in ambitious and loyal workforces.

Ed’s business personality and philosophies have allowed him to function successfully and with mutual respect at all levels within an organization. As a hands-on, systems-based manager and executive, expectations are always realized.

EXPERIENCE

  • 2020-present: Cofounder of GrandMastersRx Pro, the educational company focused on training CrossFit affiliates, micro gyms, and healthcare professionals through seminars and other resources with specific exercise training methods for ages ranging from 60 to 100 years of age.
  • 2020-present: Cofounder of GrandMastersRx, the gym, the lab. Currently training over 100 members over the age of 55, mean age 75.
  • 2015-2020: Cofounder Legends Strength & Conditioning at CrossFit Rebels. A robust, dynamic & revolutionary training program for hundreds of aging athletes average age of 75. In February of 2017, an educational compilation of the Legends S&C program launched its first continuing education seminar to coaches, trainers, and healthcare professionals (primarily physical therapists) on cutting edge methods to train the aging athlete.
  • 2010-2020: Cofounder & Owner of CrossFit Rebels, a CrossFit affiliate of 300 members located in Clearwater, Florida.
  • 1999-2012: Owner, Officer, and Administrator of Sarasota Therapy Centers – three highly successful physical & occupational therapy centers in Bradenton & Manatee counties.
  • 2000-2016: Researcher, author & Not-For-Profit work with the Arthritis Research Institute of America, involving the largest & oldest study on Osteoarthritis in the US. Coauthored 5 research papers on OA published in peer-reviewed, highly respected journals. Board Member including Chairman for 11 years.
  • 1997-1999: Officer and Vice President, Outpatient Operations, Select Medical Corporation
    • Supervised growth and development of 100+ outpatient rehabilitation clinics throughout the US and Canada.
    • Directly responsible for 23 outpatient rehabilitation clinics within five states realizing $3.5 million in annual profit.
    • Created and implemented national computerized management and outcome-based programs to monitor fiscal and patient population goals.
  • 1993-1997: Regional President and Vice President of RehabWorks, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Continental Medical Systems. Supervised growth & development of 25 outpatient rehabilitation clinics realizing $30 million in revenue. Engineered acquisitions & startups for the Outpatient Clinic Division. Instrumental in cutting-edge clinical pathways enhancing above-average patient outcomes.
  • 1987-1994: Founded KneeWorks, an education-based company solidifying his professional expertise as an expert in knee rehabilitation. National & International lecturer of over 100 seminars throughout 3 countries and 25 US states including a commission by the US Government under President George H.W. Bush as a consultant to the US Trade Commission in Tokyo, Japan. Created the first Knee Fellowship program for rehabilitation professionals.
  • 1985-1992: Founded, owned & operated the Florida Institute for Physical Therapy -three outpatient physical therapy clinics in Tampa Bay, Florida, specializing in knee rehabilitation.
  • 1984-present: Practicing & licensed physical therapist, PT#4162.

EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS

  • Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration, 1998, LaSalle University, Louisiana, with honors
  • Masters in Business Administration, 1997, LaSalle University, Louisiana
  • Bachelor of Health Science in Physical Therapy, 1984, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, with honors
  • CF-L2 CrossFit Trainer, 2020
  • CF-L1 Trainer Revalidation, 2015
  • CF-L1 CrossFit Trainer, 2010
  • CrossFit Football Course (currently PowerAthlete)
  • CrossFit Gymnastics Course
  • CrossFit Mobility Course
  • CrossFit Competitors Course
  • CrossFit Kids Course
  • Starting Strength, Mark Rippetoe
  • Functional Movement Systems, Gray Cook, Level 1 & 2
  • USA Weightlifting Level 1
  • OPEX Competitors Course
  • i-99 Gymnastics Level 2

SIGNIFICANT ACHIEVEMENTS

PUBLIC SECTOR

  • Authored the following research papers with the Arthritis Research Institute of America, involving the largest and oldest study on Osteoarthritis in the nation.
    • Wilder FV, Barrett JP, Farina EJ. The Association of Radiographic Foot Osteoarthritis and Radiographic Osteoarthritis at Other Sites. Osteoarthritis & Cartilage. 2005 Mar; 13(3): 211-5.
    • Wilder FV, Barrett JP, Farina EJ. Radiographic Progression of Foot Osteoarthritis and the Role of Regular Exercise. J Am Podiatric Med Assoc. 2005 Jul.
    • Wilder FV, Barrett JP, Farina EJ. Exercise and Osteoarthritis: Are We Stopping Too Early? Pilot Findings from the Clearwater Exercise Study. J of Aging and Phy Activity. 2005 Oct.
    • Wilder FV, Barrett JP, Farina EJ. Sex-Specific Incidence and Progression Rates of Thumb Carpometacarpal Osteoarthritis: The Clearwater Osteoarthritis Study. 2005 Oct.
    • Wilder FV, Barrett JP, Farina EJ. Joint Specific Prevalence of Osteoarthritis of the Hand. Osteoarthritis & Cartilage. 2006 June.
  • Published research on the advances of aquatic treatment for joint replacement patients
  • Commissioned by the US Government in 1989 as an International Consultant for the United States Trade Commission under President George W. Bush, to Tokyo, Japan

RESEARCH & NOT-FOR-PROFIT WORK

  • A founder of Select Medical Corporation in 1997, assisted with the growth and development of a startup organization, realizing $800 million in annualized revenue within three years
  • Designed and implemented numerous computerized management programs for RehabWorks

PRIVATE SECTOR/ENTREPRENEURIAL EFFORTS

  • National Consultant for Medtronic Corporation and Chattanooga Corporation
  • Created a series of educational videos to teach healthcare professionals new and innovative protocols for the treatment of numerous knee pathologies
  • National and International lecturer for 12 years on the subject of knee rehabilitation and corporate management
  • Created the first Knee Fellowship Program for rehabilitation professionals
  • 2003 Founded Vista Therapy Center, LLC
  • 2001 Acquired Progressive Rehabilitation Agency, Inc
  • 1991 Founded Florida Bladder Control and Incontinence Specialists, Clearwater, Florida
  • 1990 Founded Sixty-Sixth Street P.T. Inc, St. Petersburg, Florida
  • 1989 Founded Florida Institute for Physical Therapy, Port Richey, Florida
  • 1989 Founded The Arthritis Spa, Clearwater, Florida
  • 1989 Founded KneeWorks, Clearwater, Florida
  • 1985 Founded Florida Institute for Physical Therapy, Clearwater, Florida