Dr. Glenna Tolbert is a double board-certified physician who has specialized in physical medicine, rehabilitation and spinal cord injury medicine for more than 25 years. Her company is Tolbert Center for Rehabilitation and Wellness in Encino and Beverly Hills. According to her practice’s website, “We have what it takes to help you enjoy long-term pain relief, avoid surgery and pain medications, and have hope and healing!”
What inspired you to start your business?
Around 2000, I was working as the chief of the only outpatient spinal cord program at the Department of Veterans Affairs, when a nurse administrator attempted to bully me into prescribing an antiquated controlled substance in order to satisfy a patient who was suffering from chronic pain. Doing that would have gone against my clinical judgment as a physician. I didn’t spend 14 years going through medical school and board certification just to end up in a situation where I knew I could potentially cause harm to someone. I became a doctor to provide excellence, integrity and have pride in providing patient care on my terms. So I started my own private practice.
Do you like being your own boss?
Do you ever think about trading it for a steady paycheck?
I love it! I have never looked back.
What’s the best aspect of running your own business?
I love having the freedom to create my vision and determine how much money I will make in any given year.
And the worst?
My brain never turns off.
What’s the biggest challenge your business has faced? And how did you deal with it?
My biggest challenge is finding a way to empower patients so they can take control of their own health. I do this by introducing patients to the world of regenerative medicine and non-surgical healing options the insurance companies and health care plans will not offer them. In fact, they downplay and criticize treatments that could actually provide long-term pain relief to people without all the negative side effects. I’m talking about advanced DNA micronutrient nutritional testing and supplementation, hormone optimization and regenerative medicine injections to heal joints and potentially prevent joint replacements.
What’s your favorite story about running your business?
In 2016, I was invited to appear on CNN and interviewed as a guest to talk about the controversy over Prince’s death (yes, “Purple Rain”) and the reports about his opioid death. It was a true test of sticking to my integrity as a physician. Initially, the narrative CNN wanted me to focus on was the opioid crisis and the problems with addiction and opioid abuse. But I assertively shared a less glamorous story – the story about the inappropriate management of pain and how that oversight leads to a lot of suffering in people and even death. After the first interview, the producers quickly took me out of the studio and put me back into to the Lincoln Town Car they picked me up in. The next day, I felt so bad until one of my patients who saw the interview told me, “Doc, thank you for standing up for us!”
Has your race or culture affected your business?
Who knows really? However, race is a part of life and business. I choose to focus on those things that propel me forward.
How has the pandemic affected you and your business?
My practice actually grew during the pandemic. I am so proud of my staff’s resilience, flexibility and compassion toward our patients and one another. They responded with a smile – quickly covered by their masks – and showed up daily for patient care.
What advice would you give someone who wanted to start their own business?
Put God first. Pray before all decisions. Plan, plan, plan. Commit 100 percent and be consistent and tenacious. In addition, be flexible and pivot during adversity and change. Also, have fun!