Forty Under 40: Derek Lee

When Derek Lee was a child, he wanted to either be a veterinarian or an architect. As his schooling progressed, he veered toward an interest in the human body. He ran cross-country, and soon, he became interested in how he could improve his strength and speed by understanding how muscles, bones, ligaments, organs and other body parts move in concert during an athletic endeavor.

He got his four-year degree in exercise science from the University of Arkansas. He received his doctoral degree in physical therapy in 2011 and spent the next five years at Mercy in Northwest Arkansas.

Several changes came about in 2016, and Lee, along with his business partner Tyler Green, decided to venture out on their own. They started their clinic, Rise Physical Therapy.

A business plan was developed, and they got financing for the project. Then a serious problem arose. Lee was diagnosed with lymphoma the same week they acquired the loan.

“Yeah, I got cancer … it was tough,” he said. “I had multiple hospital stays for chemotherapy treatment.”

Lee continued working at Mercy during this period due to his health insurance. He would work for a couple of weeks seeing patients, then take time off for chemo treatments.

Green left Mercy and started Rise. Lee would help as much as possible, usually working there on Fridays. Eventually, his cancer went into remission, and he was able to devote all his attention to Rise.

Even though he is the business co-owner, he still spends up to 75% of his time treating patients.

The business has grown substantially since it opened eight years ago. Rise has four clinics — two in Fayetteville, one in Springdale, and another in Rogers — and more than 50 employees.