For more than two decades, Ruben and Lorrie Laurel have built Chipley Physical & Aquatic Therapy side by side. What began as a shared vision has become a lasting reflection of their commitment to their family, their patients, their team, and the community they call home.
OUR FOUNDERS
Built Together
Built to Last.
OUR STORY
It Started With a Need
Close to Home.
Long before CPT opened its doors, Lorrie saw firsthand how difficult access to care could be for families in a rural community. In 1991, while her father was battling cancer, her family had to travel for over an hour for therapy. The distance showed her the need for quality rehabilitation services closer to home.
After earning her Physical Therapy degree from Florida A&M University and beginning her career in 1996, Lorrie met Ruben in 1997. Together, they combined her passion for patient care with Ruben’s experience in entrepreneurship and business leadership. After the birth of their second child, they founded Chipley’s first privately owned physical therapy practice on Railroad Avenue, later expanding it to become the area’s first aquatic therapy clinic. What began as a shared vision grew into the practice they continue to lead together today.
The Beginning
Chipley, FL
Same
Mission.
A Brighter
Tomorrow.
TWO PEOPLE. ONE VISION
RUBEN LAUREL
OWNER & CEO
Building More Than Buinsess.
Born and raised in Corpus Christi, Texas, Ruben Laurel is a U.S. veteran whose time stationed at Fort Rucker, Alabama, ultimately brought him to the area he would call home.
An entrepreneur since the age of 26, Ruben brings decades of business ownership and leadership experience to CPT. His leadership has helped shape the practice into what it is today while remaining grounded in hard work, meaningful relationships, and making a positive difference in the community.
"The challenges that come are far less than the rewards they bring."
—Ruben Laurel
LORRIE LAUREL, PT
OWNER & REHAB DIRECTOR
A Career Centered on
Helping People.
Born and raised in neighboring Holmes County, Lorrie has called Washington County home for more than 27 years. A first generation college graduate, she earned her degree in physical therapy from Florida A&M University, and has been practicing since 1996.
She believes exceptional care begins with understanding the person behind the diagnosis, a philosophy that has shaped both the way she treats patients and the team she has built around them. Her commitment to her patients, her team, and her family has remained at the heart of her work throughout her career. For Lorrie, the greatest measure of success is knowing that the work she has dedicated her life to continues to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.
"Don't tell my boss, but if they
didn't pay me, I'd do it for free."
—Lorrie Laurel
Still Leading the Way
What began with a need for better access to physical therapy close to home has grown into a practice deeply rooted in the Chipley community. Through every stage of its growth, Ruben and Lorrie have remained at the heart of CPT, working alongside their team, staying connected to their patients, and continuing to lead the practice they built together.
PEOPLE | PURPOSE | PROGRESS | TOGETHER