In this insightful episode of The FOX Five, FOX Rehabilitation’s Alex Germano, PT, DPT, GCS shares her personal and professional perspective on what makes FOX an exceptional workplace for parents. With seven years at FOX under her belt, Alex has experienced major life milestones while growing her career—from getting married to welcoming her first child and now preparing for her second.

Alex’s list, “Five Reasons FOX Works for Parents,” highlights the unique ways FOX empowers clinicians to thrive both at home and in the field. From the autonomy to craft her schedule around daycare pickups and pediatrician appointments to the unmatched flexibility that allows for telehealth visits during naptime, Alex paints a picture of a work culture that genuinely supports work-life balance. She shares touching stories of understanding leadership—many of whom are both clinicians and parents themselves—who go above and beyond to provide real-time, compassionate support in moments of need.

Whether it’s a regional director offering to bring medicine to her house or a patient offering words of encouragement and advice, the examples of community and care are endless.

Alex also reflects on how FOX Rehabilitation’s approach to maternity leave, with a gradual return-to-work model, helps parents transition smoothly back into their roles. Her enthusiasm is infectious as she celebrates not just her own journey, but also the broader culture at FOX that celebrates parenthood, not as a burden but as a strength.

With humor, honesty, and heart, this episode is a must-watch for current and future parents, clinicians curious about working with FOX, and anyone interested in how supportive leadership and thoughtful policies can make all the difference.

Whether you’re in the toddler trenches or planning your next chapter, Alex’s perspective offers reassurance that with the right team behind you, it really is possible to have both a thriving family life and a fulfilling career in home-based care.

Jim: Welcome to The FOX Five. The show explores FOX Rehabilitation through an original list created by a FOX colleague. Today’s featured colleague is FOX Rehabilitation physical therapist Alex Germano. Welcome to the FOX Five.

Alex: Thank you. I appreciate being here.

Jim: It’s hard to believe you’ve never been on the FOX Five before, but now, here you are—making up for lost time. You’ve contributed on social media, been a guest on the podcast, and now you’re doing The FOX Five. Alex, what is your FOX Five today?

Alex: My FOX Five is: Five Reasons FOX Works for Parents. This topic is especially close to heart. After seven years with the practice, I have gone from being unmarried to marrying my husband, having one child, and now being 20 weeks pregnant with my second.

Jim: So, what is Number One on your FOX Five?

Alex: Number One is autonomy in scheduling. This is the biggest and most important reason. Parents, especially those with toddlers, are juggling daycare pickups, drop-offs, Halloween events, school pickups, and sick days. It’s necessary to have the ability to schedule around kids. At FOX, that’s easy. All the doctor’s appointments during pregnancy can be managed smoothly. It works. There’s no need to ask for approval. The schedule is created independently, and patients are fit into the day as it makes sense. It’s wonderful.

Jim: Alright, so Alex that brings us to Number Two on your FOX Five:

Alex: Number Two is flexibility. Flexibility is different from autonomy. While autonomy is about creating a schedule, flexibility is about adapting it. Sick kids are a reality. Last week, there was one in the house, and it was a relief to have understanding patients—and leadership that says, “Drop everything, go get your kid, we’ll figure it out.” That ability to move patients around in order to meet kids' needs is incredibly helpful.

Telehealth also plays a big role. When a sick child is napping, it may be possible to fit in one or two virtual sessions. During pregnancy—especially near the end—telehealth is a great option. If a few patients are suited for it, those sessions can make a real difference.

Jim: That brings us to Number Three on your FOX Five:

Alex: Number Three is directors and leadership who get it. Most senior leaders with FOX are clinicians. Many of them are also parents. That perspective makes a huge difference when someone is in a crunch. When my toddler is sick, support flows in. Leaders ask what they can bring or how they can help. My regional director is like, “What do you need?” She’s ready to do a Tylenol drop-off or whatever I need. The support level is unreal.

Jim: Yes, I agree and if you ever feel like you’re not supported, all you have to do is talk with someone.

Alex: One hundred percent.

Jim: And then, like your t-shirt says: We’ll will figure it out. That brings us to Number Four on your FOX Five.

Alex: Number Four is having really supportive and excited teams and patients. When you’re in this stage of life, like pregnancy and having young kids, like, my patients are some of the most supportive people that I have. I don’t know if it’s the specific population we work with, but they are, excited. I have had patients find my registry online and try to purchase me gifts for baby. It’s insane. So just having that level of support—I feel like I’ve always been celebrated as a mom on a team, especially from my leadership. They’re throwing baby showers for the dads too—not just the moms. If you’re in this stage of life, and you’ve got an amazing leader, they go above and beyond for making parents feel welcomed. Not like a burden, you know?

Jim: No, I saw a video recently, and it was a clinician who was pregnant, and she was working with an older adult who I think was in their 80s. It’s neat to think of all the generations represented. You have an 80-year-old, you have someone in their 30s, and then you have a new baby on the way. I just think it’s really cool!

Alex: Yeah, it’s cool to be celebrated during this time in life and not feel like I’m a burden and things like that.

Jim: So that brings us to Number Five on your FOX Five.

Alex: It’s that return from maternity leave. FOX is really kind in that if you have six weeks off or more, you are going to come back with, a ramped-up schedule. You’re not coming back full-tilt; you don’t have to do everything all at once. We are given this period of ramp-up, which, when you’re in such a transitionary time of life, makes such a big difference.

Jim: When your second child is born, at some point we will have to show them this.

Alex: For sure.

Jim: We can say, “You were there while this whole video was going down.”