Kennedy Hawkins, MBA, JD, LLM is the President of Kennedy Hawkins Consulting. Prior to launching his consulting career in early 2023, Kennedy was the President & CEO of PT Northwest. He helped PT Northwest become a widely respected physical rehabilitation group at the state and national levels. When Kennedy started at PT Northwest, it was a “mom & pop” business with 3 service locations. He helped grow PT Northwest into a complex organization and one of the largest independent physical rehabilitation groups in Oregon with 26 service locations including 12 outpatient clinics, 2 hospitals, 3 universities, 3 minor league sports teams, and 6 high schools. Later, Kennedy spearheaded PT Northwest’s search for a strategic partner and successfully negotiated the partnership agreement with U.S. Physical Therapy (NYSE: USPH).
In 2016, 2017, 2018, 2021, & 2022, PT Northwest was named a Top Oregon Workplace by The Oregonian newspaper. Kennedy was instrumental in helping PT Northwest win the National Association of Rehabilitation Agencies (NARA) 2016 Innovation Award for its use of data analytics. PT Northwest has won other awards such as the Best of the Willamette Valley Award in 2021 and 2022 and the Best of the Mid-Valley in 2020, 2021, and 2022. He has 30 years of healthcare experience.
Kennedy has a very diverse educational background. He received a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from Oregon State University, a Master of Business Administration from Willamette University, a Doctor of Jurisprudence from Willamette University, and a LLM in Taxation from Southern Methodist University.
Currently, Kennedy serves as a NARA Board Member responsible for membership and co-chairs NARA’s Outpatient Special Interest Group. He has been involved with NARA since 1996. During his NARA tenure, Kennedy has served as President, Past President, Vice President, Treasurer, Board Member, and Regional Coordinator. He has won NARA’s George G. Olsen Award and NARA’s Service Award. He has served on numerous industry work groups and has met with healthcare organizations in 20 states.
Another area of interest for Kennedy is public speaking. He really enjoys connecting with people. Some of his speaking venues have included the American Physical Therapy Association, NARA, Intermountain Healthcare, the Veterans Administration, the US Capitol, and various universities.
Kennedy believes strongly in giving back to his community. He has served on numerous nonprofit boards, such as the Willamette Chapter of the American Red Cross. Currently, Kennedy serves on the Advisory Board of Willamette University’s MBA Program as well as the Sherwood West Citizen Advisory Committee on Land Use Planning.
Kennedy enjoys snowboarding with his family, hiking behind his in-laws’ farm in the Highlands of Scotland, international travel, and mentoring teens and young adults.
States/Districts where Kennedy has met with healthcare organizations include: Arizona, California, Connecticut, D.C., Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Washington.