Alumni News - Issuu

from Sherman College EXCEL Magazine, Spring 2021

Feature – A New Model

Where are you originally from, and how did you hear about Sherman College?

I am from Blainville, Québec, Canada, and I heard about Sherman College from Jason Sabo, D.C., and Gabriel Desrosiers, D.C., two great Canadian chiropractors.

Why did you decide to become a chiropractor?

I had the privilege to witness the power of chiropractic help people live a better life during the two years that I worked as a chiropractic assistant in Dr. Desrosiers' practice.

Why did you choose to attend Sherman College?

Sherman College is one of the only places where the philosophy of chiropractic is followed and respected so passionately. The innate intelligence that we all possess in our body doesn’t need any help, just no interference, and it is our job as future chiropractors to get rid of these nerve interferences, the subluxations. Sherman College teaches with the 33 principles of chiropractic at heart.

How was your experience moving to a different country for school?

At first it was terrifying because English is not my first language, and I thought it would be very difficult to adapt and study in my second language. It turned out to be much easier than I anticipated because my classmates are always there to help me when I need it.

What do you enjoy most about attending Sherman?

I like the fact that there is only one program here: chiropractic. You get help from upper quarter students, and you help the quarters below you, which creates a strong, family-like feeling.

What is the most challenging thing about being an international student?

Obviously moving to a new place that you don’t know and where you don’t have any acquaintances is very stressful. I didn’t attend a Showcase Sherman Weekend before moving down here, which would have helped a lot to make a few connections and learn about the local area – so that is really something that I would recommend to any prospective students.

How did the Sherman community help you adjust?

When you enroll, the school hosts an orientation program, and they really know how to ease you through the process of getting ready for your first quarter. You get to meet your classmates, you are assigned a mentor, and upper quarter students come and talk to your class to let you know that they were in the same shoes as you, and that everything will be all right.

What are your plans after graduation?

At first, I plan to go back and associate with Dr. Desrosiers. Then I plan to open up my own practice so that we can serve even more people.

Alumni Association to Host Associate Job Fair

by Alumni Association President Jillian Farrell, D.C., ’09 One of my biggest fears as a student crept up during the last year in clinic. I knew that at 24 years old I was not ready to fully own a business and be on my own just yet. So I was determined to find the best associate opportunity out there. After a few terrible interviews, I landed in the exact opportunity I was looking for with fellow association member Bryn Gillow, D.C., ’00. I couldn’t have asked for a better experience, and after my time with her in Pennsylvania, I had truly become the chiropractor I always wanted to be. Fast forward to 2021, and we have so many excellent about-tobe Sherman graduates looking for that same opportunity — one that allows them to grow, learn, and pay off that student debt. Currently we have an entire generation of chiropractors on the precipice of retirement (or partial retirement, because who can give up this great calling?). Many other docs are looking to hire in an effort to alleviate their time limitations and expand their practices. Wouldn’t it be great if we had something that connected these groups who need each other? We think so, too.

After graduating from Sherman College, Jillian Farrell, D.C., ’09 (right), worked as an associate with Bryn Gillow, D.C., ’00, in Pennsylvania.

The association is pleased to announce that we’ll be hosting an Associate Job Fair at Lyceum 2021 on October 28. Space for those looking to hire a Sherman graduate is limited, and priority will be given to members current with their dues who are also planning to attend Lyceum. If you’d like to reserve a spot at the event to find a rock star associate, please contact the association at alumniassociation@sherman.edu.

WE’RE LOOKING FOR YOU TO JOIN US!

Are you a Sherman graduate interested in being part of an organization that supports fellow alumni and the next generation of chiropractic through programming, networking and scholarships?

If so, visit www.sherman.edu/ alumniassociation to complete a membership form and pay annual dues. You will be notified of our events and projects as we work together to adjust the world for a better future.

Alumni Association and Student Affairs Announce PrePAIR Mentorship Program

If you are not currently an Alumni Association member and are interested in joining the Association and becoming a mentor, email us at alumniassociation@sherman.edu for more information on the program. When looking at successful doctors of chiropractic in the field, you often see one thing in common: a mentor. This realization is what inspired the Sherman College Alumni Association leadership to create its newly launched PrePAIR Mentorship Program.

The program aims to inspire, motivate, and build students’ confidence as they take on chiropractic school and become licensed D.C.s. It pairs Alumni Association members with current Sherman students to mentor them as they prepare to make the leap to practice. The Alumni Association is currently accepting applications for alumni mentors willing to commit 15 minutes per week with their mentee.

DC2B ChiroCon Focuses on Students

On January 9, 2021, the Sherman College Alumni Association sponsored its first-ever DC2B ChiroCon, an event designed specifically for students. The event was created because DCs2B are in a different phase of their careers, with no large events directed specifically toward them and their needs. DC2B ChiroCon was the first event of its kind to be offered by a school and made free to all students from any college. With more than 100 students registered from eight different schools, the first DC2B ChiroCon was a great success. DC2B and attendee Julie said of the event, “I thoroughly enjoyed learning from all five doctors who shared their knowledge with us. I have more than 10 pages of notes I took at the event.”

Speakers pictured: Alumni Kathryn Heidt, D.C., ’20, Charles Tucker III, D.C., ’20, and Danielle Stetzel, D.C., ’18, along with Stephanie Wigner, D.C., and Zues Cornish, D.C.

“Chiropractic students are the future of our profession, and as a cohort, they face very different challenges than many docs who have been out in the field for a decade or more with the evolution of education and current economy,” says Sherman College Associate Vice President of Institutional Advancement and Alumni Association President Jillian Farrell, D.C., ’09. “If we want the chiropractic profession to thrive, we must invest in our future. We hope for this annual event to gain traction with students navigating their path toward practice.” Spring 2021 29

the

Director of Reach Out And Recruit Jorge Campos, D.C., A.C.P., visited five ROAR offices in February during a whirlwind winter tour of Kansas City, MO.

“As a hot-blooded Latino, I have to admit that it was rough to be out in the cold visiting ROAR doctors, but knowing how passionate these chiropractors are, I had to go visit their offices.”

— Jorge Campos, D.C., A.C.P.

diaries

Winter in Kansas City: Cold Weather, Warm Hearts

There I was in Kansas City, MO, coming out from the airport into a bone-chilling 9-degree weather. As a hot-blooded Latino, I must admit that it was rough to be out in the cold visiting ROAR doctors, but knowing how passionate these chiropractors are, I had to go visit their offices. These doctors, as members of our Reach Out And Recruit program, are on the front lines, changing students’ lives by mentoring them and recruiting them to build our chiropractic profession.

ROAR PIT stops

Taylor Phipps, D.C. JJ Schmidt, D.C. Casey Berry, D.C. Andrew Harding, D.C. Chris Harris, D.C. Chase Carlin, D.C.

All in the FamilY

My first stop was Taylor Phipps, D.C., at Innate Family

Chiropractic. His office was very welcoming, and as I arrived, they were getting ready to serve afternoon patients. It was very special to see the family business — even their young daughter, Elsie, was there to help. Phipps says he encourages prospective chiropractic students to visit Sherman College because he knows that we will teach the philosophy of chiropractic, giving the students a sense of purpose as future chiropractors.

Impromptu Philosophy Breakfast

My next stop on this trip was JJ Schmidt, D.C., at

Active Chiropractic. Even though the weather outside was freezing, a woman in her early 70s was there waiting for her adjustment. She was telling everyone in the reception area how important chiropractic is in her life and how grateful she is for Schmidt’s care. While having breakfast together, we encountered several students from another chiropractic college at the café, so we had an impromptu philosophy breakfast. We had a great time, and Schmidt invited the students to shadow his office so they could see how chiropractic changes people’s lives.

IDEA

Sharing the Big Idea

Next, I went to visit Casey Berry, D.C., at

All Star Chiropractic, and to my pleasant surprise, the first thing that I saw was a stack of Sherman College promotional materials in his waiting room area. He shared that the materials are a great educational tool in his office. “When patients see my chiropractic diploma from a different school, they often ask me why I have materials from a different chiropractic school in my reception area,” Berry shared with me.

“This allows me to explain to them the philosophy and purpose of chiropractic,” he said. “Once my patients get the big idea, they understand why they come to my office and why I support Sherman College.”

The Power ofHumanTouch

The following day, I had the pleasure of visiting Andrew Harding, D.C., at The Chiropractic Healing Center. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the International Chiropractors Association, and he is a strong Sherman supporter as well. Harding’s office had a great energy. We discussed the importance of human touch, and we talked about how special it is to provide that service in a chiropractic office.

I also had a great conversation with his daughter about chiropractic as a career choice. She has an intense desire to serve humanity and make a positive impact in the world. I have no doubt she will make an amazing chiropractor, since she already has a servant’s heart.

SHERMAN Kansas City

Mentoring Aspiring Chiropractors

Finally, I visited the office of Chris Harris, D.C., and Chase Carlin, D.C., at Apex Chiropractic. Again, it was great to see our college’s promotional materials at their front desk. These doctors love mentoring prospective students, and they have an open-door policy for any student who would like to learn more about chiropractic. Harris shared that he appreciates Sherman College’s hands-on approach to education, even during these difficult pandemic times. As a dog lover, I truly enjoyed getting to know their beautiful support dog at their office. She was such a good girl!

This office also had great energy, and that day, the doctors were taking care of Hispanic patients. A mother from Ecuador said, “I love coming to this place. These doctors are just wonderful.” Harris replied with his thanks, adding that, “Your son should go check out Sherman College. He would be an amazing chiropractor!” He thought better of it and then joked, “Hmm…or better not, though, because we love your family, and we don’t want to lose you as patients.”

As I thought about these visits on my way home, I realized these passionate Kansas City doctors had blown me away. I could feel the love for chiropractic and support for Sherman College in each office. The extremely cold temperatures of that week did not stop them from being there for their patients, serving and making the world a better place, one spine at the time.

ROARing In All 50 States

THE SHERMAN COLLEGE REACH OUT AND RECRUIT (ROAR) PROGRAM RECENTLY ACCOMPLISHED ITS GOAL OF HAVING ROAR DOCTORS REPRESENTED IN EACH OF THE 50 STATES.

R AR

REACH OUT AND RECRUIT

The ROAR Program is designed to mentor and inspire the next generation of doctors of chiropractic. This program gives current D.C.s the opportunity to change students’ lives by mentoring them and recruiting them to build the chiropractic profession.

If you are interested in learning more or registering as a ROAR doctor, visit www.sherman.edu/roar or contact ROAR Director Jorge Campos, D.C., at jcampos@sherman.edu.

From Fresh Grad to Chiropractic Entrepreneur Molly Spohn, D.C.

SINCE GRADUATING FROM SHERMAN COLLEGE IN 2019, MOLLY SPOHN, D.C., HAS BEEN HARD AT WORK BUILDING A THRIVING PRACTICE AND BRINGING CHIROPRACTIC TO HER COMMUNITY.

Spohn is the owner and sole chiropractor at Matrix Chiropractic in Greenville, SC, and in a very short time has gone from being a fresh graduate to a successful chiropractor and entrepreneur. Spohn shares some insight into her path from student to practicing D.C. and local business owner, in hopes it will help students, new graduates, and those establishing a solo practice for the first time.

Q: Why did you decide to open your own practice instead of working as an associate?

From the day I started school, I knew I wanted to open my own practice. I had a very specific idea of what I wanted it to look like, feel like, and even smell like.

Q: How were you able to make your practice successful in such a short time?

A series of discipline, professional guidance, clinical results, and a kick-butt team. In my last quarter at Sherman, I started scoping out office spaces, and I had already signed up with a consulting group that was helping me sort through the good, the bad, and the unknown. After finding a space and learning what an LLC was, how to attain a business license, how taxing it is to renovate an office space, and hiring my first staff member, I was off to a slow start, but a start nonetheless. Growth after my second month was exponential. We went from seeing a handful of patients each day to 15, to 30, to 45, and now we see more than 100 patients a day.

All the while, I was waking up early, working out, visualizing how I wanted my day to go, and journaling about the process. It was utterly amazing. I now have two staff members who work hard, problem solve well, love chiropractic, and are always in my corner. After 517 days in practice, I have paid off all my student loans, totaling $180,000.

Q: How do you market your practice?

Before I opened in August 2019, I was attending every networking event, every local market, and reaching out to all of the holistic health care providers in the area to meet for coffee and chat. Since I am not originally from Greenville, SC, where I practice now, I spent a lot of time trying to get to know my community and get involved in any way possible. I was able to reach out on social media to businesses and individuals to connect in person or cultivate an online relationship. After opening, many of our patients came from the community I had met at events, but the majority came from my Facebook ad. I created and designed the ad before I opened, and it is still the same ad that runs today. Now that I am almost a year and a half into practice, the majority of my practice members have been referred by their friends and family.

Q: How have you used social media to grow your practice?

Social media has been a huge advantage for the immediate and exponential growth of my practice. From reaching out to the health care community prior to opening, to the ads that I posted when I opened, social media has been a huge source of patients from the beginning. While I was in school, I started my social media accounts (thanks, Dr. Dooley!). I was candid about the opening process on my social media platforms and allowed followers to help me pick my logo, my office space, and point and laugh at my mishaps and misfortunes. I still have people reach out weekly via Instagram messaging and ask to get on our schedule. They will say things like, “I see that you adjust children; do you think you could help my child with autism?” Or, “I see that you adjust athletes, and I am looking to play college basketball. Should I come get adjusted?” The accessibility and ease of communication cuts out the intimidation of having to call the office to set an appointment.

Q: What tools did you gain from Sherman College that have helped you succeed?

Sherman College gave me the knowledge, confidence and resources to handle all clinical situations. There would be classes that hammered certain conditions that seemed so irrelevant and rare… and then a patient would walk in with that exact condition, presenting the way Sherman said they would, with the associated radiographical findings. I felt clinically confident. Patients can feel your confidence, so to me, Sherman gave me a priceless gift.

At Sherman College, we see social media as an opportunity to connect with you. Follow us on Facebook (Sherman College of Chiropractic) and on Instagram (@shermancollege) and share your updates with us using #shermanpride. P.S. We’re on TikTok, too!