About Core Rehabilitation: We built the practice we'd want our own family treated in
Core Rehabilitation exists to give Polk County unhurried, hands-on physical therapy — one licensed therapist with you from the first visit to the last. Independent, veteran- and physical-therapist-owned since 2013.
Serving Lake Wales · Haines City · Winter Haven
Our story: From one clinic to three, without losing the personal touch
Core Rehabilitation opened in Lake Wales in 2013, founded by physical therapist Joe Koloc after nearly two decades treating patients in hospitals, the VA system, and outpatient clinics. The idea was simple: give people the unhurried, hands-on care the bigger systems rarely allow — and keep it that way as the practice grew. Today that means personalized, evidence-based treatment for pain from injury and other orthopedic conditions, built around improving each patient's quality of life across Central Florida.
2013
Founded in Lake Wales
Joe opens Core Rehabilitation with a one-therapist-per-patient model of care.
Growth
Haines City clinic
A second Polk County clinic opens, offering the same full service menu.
2026
Winter Haven clinic
A third clinic opens at 3017 Cypress Gardens Rd, extending care further across the county.
Today
Three clinics, 8,000+ patients
Still independent, still physical-therapist-owned, still local to Polk County.
What we stand for: The principles behind every visit
These aren't slogans — they're choices about who treats you and how your time is spent.
One licensed physical therapist works with you from start to finish, one-on-one at every visit.
Care that stays personal
Evidence first
Recovery built on movement, education, and progressive loading — the approaches physical therapy research supports.
Access without the wait
Florida's direct-access law lets most patients start PT without a referral. How it works →
Rooted in Polk County
Independent and veteran-owned since 2013 — when you call, you reach the clinic down the road, not a call center.
Meet the founder: Joe Koloc, PT, MSPT, MBA
A lifetime Lake Wales resident and U.S. Army veteran, Joe founded Core Rehabilitation in 2013 to practice physical therapy on his own terms — patient-centered, hands-on, and grounded in evidence.
He earned his physical therapy degree at the University of Central Florida and an MBA at Webber International University. Before opening the practice, he spent 18 years treating patients across hospital, VA, and outpatient settings, and today brings more than 25 years of clinical experience to the clinic floor. His clinical focus includes back, neck, and shoulder pain.
Joe is an active member of the American Physical Therapy Association and serves on the Physical Therapist Assistant Clinical Review Committee at Keiser University's Lakeland Campus.
Our people: Meet the clinicians
Whichever clinic you visit, your care is delivered one-on-one by a licensed physical therapist or physical therapist assistant.
Joe Koloc, PT, MSPT, MBA
President & Founder
Lake Wales · back, neck & shoulder focus
_jfif.jpg)
Dave Dangan, PT
VP of Clinical Care
Lake Wales · back, neck & shoulder focus
Logan Stroud, PTA
Clinician
Haines City · back, neck & shoulder focus
Zack Burkholder, PTA
Clinician
Haines City · back, neck & shoulder focus
Teaching facility: A teaching facility, training the next generation of clinicians
Core Rehabilitation is proud to serve as a teaching facility, offering clinical internships in partnership with leading universities across Florida and beyond — and many interns go on to join our team.
University of Central Florida
Doctor of Physical Therapy
University of South Florida
PT & Rehabilitation Sciences
Florida Southern College
Doctor of Physical Therapy
Polk State College
Physical Therapy Assistant
Keiser University
PT / PTA programs
Webber International University
Academic Partner
.png)
Warner University
Academic Partner
+ several out-of-state universities
50%+ of our current team began here as student interns.
Students & new grads — hands-on experience in a supportive, educational environment.
In their words: What patients say from PT Stories
Across our three clinics, patients hold us to a 4.9–5.0★ average on Google.
★★★★★
I came in using a walker, and in two weeks, I didn’t need a walker or a cane. What a great team; they are like family and were always aware if anything was causing me any discomfort. With all the work, there was no pain in my knee. It has been two months since my surgery, and my activity level is awesome.
Suzanne Jones - Lake Wales Patient
★★★★★
I was in PT for 2 weeks, starting 4 weeks after knee surgery. I came in very stiff in the knee with limited movement. The staff worked with me to increase my range of movement. I feel very comfortable walking without a cane or assistance now. The staff is very knowledgeable and friendly. I would use this service again if needed.
Kenneth Sandy - Haines City Patient
Common questions about Core Rehabilitation
Is Core Rehabilitation part of a hospital or a large chain?
No. Core Rehabilitation is independent, veteran- and physical-therapist-owned, and has served Polk County since 2013 from three clinics in Lake Wales, Haines City and Winter Haven. When you call, you reach the clinic down the road, not a call center.
Who will treat me at Core Rehabilitation?
Whichever clinic you visit, your care is delivered one-on-one by a licensed physical therapist or physical therapist assistant. The team includes founder Joe Koloc, PT, MSPT, MBA, and Dave Dangan, PT, in Lake Wales, and Logan Stroud, PTA, and Zack Burkholder, PTA, in Haines City.
What is Core Rehabilitation's approach to treatment?
Unhurried, hands-on physical therapy that is personalized and evidence-based. Visits are one-on-one, and recovery is built on movement, education and progressive loading, the approaches physical therapy research supports, with the goal of improving each patient's quality of life.
What is Joe Koloc's clinical background?
Joe Koloc, PT, MSPT, MBA, earned his physical therapy degree at the University of Central Florida and an MBA at Webber International University. He spent 18 years treating patients in hospital, VA and outpatient settings before founding Core Rehabilitation, and has more than 25 years of clinical experience.
Do you train physical therapy students?
Yes. Core Rehabilitation is a teaching facility that offers clinical internships with universities across Florida and beyond, including the University of Central Florida, the University of South Florida, Florida Southern College, Polk State College and Keiser University. At least half of our current team began here as student interns.
Request an appointment
Tell us a little about you and your preferred location, and our team will reach out to schedule your visit. Prefer to talk? Call the clinic nearest you.
Lake Wales · 863-678-0705
Haines City · 863-421-2000
Winter Haven · 863-268-6523