It’s an honest, insightful conversation for anyone who’s felt isolated in private practice, wondered how to grow a healthcare team with integrity, or simply wants to be reminded of what really matters in patient care.
Like many osteopaths, Orit began her journey working alone — first in clinics owned by others, then in her own solo setup.
“I was running around doing all the things,” she recalls. “Wearing every hat — the admin, the diary, the bookings, the follow-ups, the cleaning. I wasn’t really building anything long-term — I was just surviving the day-to-day.”
But the real issue wasn’t the workload. It was the lack of team.
“Even when there are other practitioners working under the same roof, it’s often like ships in the night,” she explains. “You see them in the car park, you say hi — but there’s no real collaboration, no shared thinking, no support.”
She wanted more. Not just for herself, but for the kind of clinic experience she imagined — for both practitioners and patients.
One of the pivotal moments in Orit’s story came when she realised she couldn’t grow the clinic she envisioned while being fully booked, all the time.
“I was so used to focusing on the patient in front of me — always in that one-to-one mindset,” she says. “But I hit a point where I knew: if this clinic is going to grow, I have to step back from full-time treating. I have to start working on the business, not just in it.”
That shift was terrifying — and freeing.
“There’s a guilt that comes with it, especially in healthcare,” Orit admits. “You feel like if you’re not treating, you’re not helping. But I had to reframe it: I can create more impact by leading the team and shaping the culture than I ever could on my own.”
One of the boldest decisions Orit made was to employ her team — not take on associates or subletters.
“We’re not a typical clinic model. We employ everyone,” she says proudly. “It means our team gets holiday pay, sick pay, maternity cover — all the things a normal job would offer. But it also means we’re truly invested in each other’s growth.”
It wasn’t the easiest path financially. But for Orit, it was never about quick wins.
“I didn’t want to build a clinic where people came in, did their shift, and left,” she says. “I wanted to create a place that felt like home — where people could build careers, not just fill treatment rooms.”
During the pandemic, when clinics across the country were forced to close, Orit took the opportunity to recalibrate. With the support of a business coach, she mapped out the vision and values that would underpin everything at Meadowside.
“I asked myself: if I had to start again from scratch — with no space, no team — what would it look like? What kind of clinic do I want to walk into? And what do I want patients to feel when they’re here?”
That deep reflection gave birth to five core values that have shaped Meadowside ever since:
“We’re in the business of people,” Orit says. “Whether it’s the patient on the bench, the person making the booking, or the mum holding a crying baby in reception — our job is to connect on a human level.”
At Meadowside, this starts from the moment someone walks through the door.
“We’re not just offering treatments — we’re offering space. We want people to feel they can exhale here. That they’re not rushed, not just another appointment. That’s why we take time, we listen, and yes — sometimes we make a cup of tea before we talk about symptoms.”
Collaboration runs deep — within the team, and with the broader healthcare network.
“We’re always learning from each other,” Orit says. “That could be swapping ideas between osteopaths, working with massage therapists, or connecting with dentists and GPs for shared patient care.”
They’ve even hosted therapist networking events to foster cross-referrals and community.
“We don’t see ourselves in a silo. It’s about what’s best for the patient — and often that means working together, not apart.”
“Excellence doesn’t mean perfection,” Orit says. “It means caring enough to keep getting better.”
At Meadowside, this shows up in continuous learning, top-tier equipment (like laser therapy and shockwave machines), and hiring clinicians who are both highly skilled and deeply kind.
“We attract people who want to be better clinicians — but also better humans. Because great treatment is only half of it — the rest is how you make someone feel.”
Empowerment is a big word at Meadowside — for patients and practitioners alike.
“For patients, it’s about helping them take ownership of their recovery,” Orit explains. “We’re not here to fix you. We’re here to guide, support, and walk with you as you reclaim your body.”
And for staff?
“We want our team to feel like they can bring their ideas, their voice, their vision. We’re not a top-down clinic. Everyone contributes — and that’s how we grow.”
“We’re always asking: what else is possible?” Orit says.
Whether that’s a new way of working, a better system for patients, or just a small act of kindness that makes someone’s day — inspiration fuels evolution.
“We don’t settle. We’re always tweaking, listening, improving. That’s how we stay alive as a clinic.”
Unlike clinics where values are just stuck on a poster, Meadowside lives them.
“We run regular team alignment days,” Orit says. “We down tools, reflect on how we’re living the values, check in on each other, and make space to dream a bit too.”
They even have a values-based recognition box.
“If someone does something amazing — like really embodies ‘connection’ or ‘empowerment’ — their teammates can nominate them. It sounds small, but it creates such a lovely culture of appreciation.”
The real magic of Meadowside is how all of this translates into the patient experience.
“From the minute you walk in, we want you to feel like we’ve been waiting for you,” Orit says. “We’re not rushing. We’re here to listen — not just to your symptoms, but to your story.”
Patients often say it doesn’t feel like a clinic — more like a warm, safe, healing space.
“And that’s before we even touch anyone,” Orit smiles. “Sometimes, the most healing part is just being heard.”
Meadowside doesn’t just exist behind closed doors. The team regularly volunteers at local events — like setting up massage tents at charity races, or supporting community fundraisers.
“We do 10-minute massages in exchange for donations,” Orit says. “It’s a great way to meet people, introduce what we do, and give back. It’s not a hard sell — it’s just showing up with value.”
While they do use digital tools like Google Ads, Orit believes nothing beats human connection.
“Trust is built when people see your face, feel your energy, and hear your voice. That’s where real relationships start.”
Whether it’s attracting passionate clinicians or welcoming loyal patients, Meadowside’s model speaks for itself.
“We’ve never struggled to recruit,” Orit says. “Because when people see what we stand for — they want in. They want to be part of something that feels alive.”
And it’s not just about feeling good — it’s about results.
“When you create an environment where people feel safe, supported, and empowered — healing happens faster. It’s that simple.”
Orit sums it up best:
“Meadowside isn’t perfect — but it’s real. It’s human. And it’s built with heart. I wanted to create the kind of clinic I’d want to walk into — as a practitioner, and as a patient.”
If you’re looking for a place where healthcare feels personal, where your voice matters, and where values drive every decision, you’ll find it here.
At Meadowside, you’re not just being treated. You’re part of their family.
