H O W E J C A M E T O B E

EJ Therapy was established in 1998 between two experienced therapists desiring to provide quality Occupational Therapy services to Wayne County, OH schools.

Eunice Herman is an OTR, working in the profession since 1981, a graduate of Ohio State University.

Janine Bair is a COTA, working in the profession since 1987, a graduate of Stark State College.

Eunice and Janine began working together in 1989 as fellow employees at Wooster Community Hospital. By 1998, Eunice was a Rehab Manager, and Janine was working 4, long 10-hour days. It was time for a change and both recognized the climate for branching out as independents in school services. They began talking to some of the Wayne County schools and received contracts from six school districts. By September of that year, they hired an additional COTA.

Each year following, Eunice and Janine have watched God bring therapists and school districts into working relationships with EJ. They have felt blessed and overwhelmed with God's gentle but persistent impact on their personal and professional lives. Many school districts and staff have been added to the EJ family, and not one has come by solicitation but through personal referrals. In 2003, EJ moved all of its independent contractors to employee status and offered a multitude of other benefits to all their staff members.  

Up until 2008, EJ Therapy had operated out of Eunice's dining room for many years. However, at this point, the file cabinets were crowding and overflowing. Brenda, the administrative director, needed a real desk, and so came the decision to start up a proper pediatric clinic. The first move happened in May, and EJ was even able to start offering summer programs. Over time, the clinic ended up moving three more times, each time to bigger, better facilities.

 Initially focused on private pay, the clinic work started slowly. This brought the realization that EJ needed to add the ability to bill private insurances. Clinic work continued to grow slowly but positively. Summer camps, clubs, and services continued to change and expand. Another change came in the spring of 2016 when EJ was able to open a second clinic in Canal Fulton. Services again started building slowly but positively, and by the summer of 2019, we added administrative support staff and got the certification to bill Medicaid.

Through hard work and expanded marketing strategies, EJ has shown a lot of growth.  By January of 2019, it was clear the Wooster clinic needed a size upgrade. God was expanding our plans beyond our thoughts or vision. In August 2019, EJ Therapy took possession of the new, permanent home in Wooster, providing over 4000 square feet of treatment and office space. In September 2019, EJ Therapy moved into a newly renovated rental space in Canal Fulton, adding 3200 square feet of treatment.

 In 2018, Eunice and Janine were approached by Dave and Angela Earley from Chrysalis Family Solutions to develop a non-profit group focusing on providing our community with services that cannot be supported through private pay or insurance billing. Over time, the development of JADE Family Solutions as a non-profit came into play in March 2019. Though the non-profit has taken a long time to get off the ground, EJ Therapy is still developing its focus and ways to impact children in our community.

Eunice and Janine continue to watch in awe and anticipate continued success and blessings to all involved in the business, secondary to keeping our eyes on God and His plans for us. If we stay with Him, we cannot fail. God bless you as you work for this company, and be a blessing to the children you touch professionally and personally.