River City Physical Therapy celebrates 30 years in North Idaho
CAROLYN BOSTICK | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 7 months AGO
David Hillman stands in the area where therapists take patients through exercises at River City Physical Therapy. The business is celebrating its 30th year in business today.
CAROLYN BOSTICK/Press
Carolyn Bostick has worked for the Coeur d’Alene Press since June 2023. She covers Shoshone County and Coeur d'Alene. Carolyn previously worked in Utica, New York at the Observer-Dispatch for almost seven years before briefly working at The Inquirer and Mirror in Nantucket, Massachusetts. Since she moved to the Pacific Northwest from upstate New York in 2021, she's performed with the Spokane Shakespeare Society for three summers. | August 25, 2025 1:07 AM
POST FALLS — After three decades in Kootenai County, reaching their official 30-year milestone this week for River City Physical Therapy has been an emotional journey for staff.
“We have been so blessed to have such an amazing place to come to work,” Trish Ortega said.
The two founders began the business after their wives, who were both NICU nurses, met and realized their husbands had the same dream of opening a practice. By combining efforts, it became a reality.
David Hillman formed River City Physical Therapy with Eric Verhaeghe in 1995.
Today, Hillman remains at the practice after 30 years, having navigated moving over that time to different locations in Coeur d’Alene and Post Falls.
“This was a field before we were here,” Hillman said.
The office sees more than 8,000 patients a year and has three physical therapists and 21 staff members.
Emblazoned on the wall above the physical therapy area are the words, “Engage, encourage and empower.”
Ortega pointed out that one of the things that’s made Post Falls such an endearing place for her work is how clients find their business.
Although some find River City Physical Therapy with a Google search, others turn to more time-honored methods.
“Post Falls is such an interesting part of the world and I still have people who walk in with their phone book in their hand after seeing their doctor rather than call,” Ortega said.
Enjoying a hometown reputation and Christian values has been a mainstay for the business over the years.
Upon entering the reception area, a Bible is prominently displayed on a coffee table near the entrance for anyone looking for comfort.
Ortega said it all goes back to finding ways to “treat the patient beyond their injury.”
“People come in sometimes and they haven’t seen someone for three years and they show up or stop by to drop off treats,” Ortega said. “We’ve lived for 30 years on word of mouth and a relationship with doctors. You need a good rapport with the community.”
Hillman said one of the most rewarding parts of continuing the physical therapy business has been bringing folks of all ages to continue the tradition of care.
“The fun part now is reaching out and training the next generation,” Hillman said.
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