SPARTANBURG, S.C. — Niel Visser, PT, president of Advanced Therapy Solutions, Inc., has been named the recipient of the 2007 Butch Buchanan Clinical Excellence Award by the South Carolina Chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association. The award is given annually to acknowledge and honor a physical therapist who demonstrates superior clinical skills and expertise in a particular area of physical therapy.

"I am humbled and honored to be named in the same company as the list of previous winners, including the esteemed Butch Buchanan," Visser said. "I could, however, not accept the award without mentioning the brilliant group of support staff and colleagues I work with. They are top class when it comes to clinical skills and abilities and from a character point of view, always seem to do the right thing, even when no one is looking."

A native of South Africa and a graduate of Stellenbosch University, Visser co-founded Advanced Therapy Solutions in 2003. He has been a member of the American Physical Therapy Association since 1996, the South Carolina chapter of APTA, and has served as secretary of the S.C. Association of Rehab Professionals for three years. As a clinician, Visser specializes in treatment of injured workers, from performing pre-employment testing to functional capacity assessments, as well as pre- and post-operative spine patients, using the Maitland approach.

"I have seen firsthand the quality of care Niel Visser provides and have been impressed by the holistic approach he uses for all his patients," said Jean Hamrick, academic coordinator of clinical education at Greenville Technical College, who nominated Visser for the award. "He makes each patient part of the team and expects them to be proactive in their own recovery. He is not doing this for fame and glory but for the love of the profession and what he can do help his fellow man."

Advanced Therapy Solutions, Inc., provides physical and occupational therapy services from four facilities in the Upstate region. The company’s headquarters are located in Essex Square in Spartanburg and can be reached at 864-574-7282.