Virtual Career Fair: Chiropractor

Name: Dr. Walter F. Priestley – Chiropractor

Degree: B.A. – Stony Brook University

 D.C. – New York Chiropractic College

D.I.C.C.P. – Palmer College

What made you decide on your profession: I wanted to go into the Marine Corps and be a Pilot; I ended up breaking my ankle one month before Officer Training School . I learned about Chiropractic from my brother that year. I visited his practice, went to a few seminars on Chiropractic and thought that I would be good at it, make some money, help some people and have some fun.

How did you get your job: In 1988, I started on a shoe string, 26 years old, no money, no patients and no place to work. I borrowed some money from my parents and I sub-leased some  part-time office space from another Doctor, worked side jobs, solicited new patients everywhere I went i.e. parties, bars, the beach, the park, family gatherings, at my side jobs, mailings. Eventually, I started making money and building my practice, then it snowballed from there.

Describe a day or week in your job: 8:00am-7:00pm Monday through Friday and Saturday 8:00am-12:30pm and on Sunday mornings, we do paper work from 7:00am-10:00am.I have 200-300 office visits each week which consist of providing Chiropractic adjustments, examining patients, performing X-Rays, advising of Rehab exercises, Nutrition, activities of daily living, doing talks for the public, encouraging patients to lead healthier lifestyles, community service, writing reports for insurance companies and attorneys, managing other doctors and staff, marketing, making sure there is enough money to pay the bills and the staff, changing light bulbs, you name it, I do it!

Advice for teens interested in doing your job: This job has no golden parachute, no retirement plan, no health benefits, no paid days off, no sick days, no personal days, no paid disability or worker’s compensation insurance, no guarantee that the phone is going to ring or if you’re going to have enough patients to stay in business. Over the past 25 years, I have only taken one 10 day vacation for my honeymoon, took one other week off which, when I came back I realized it wasn’t worth taking that week off. Why I do it? Because there is nothing better than having a constant flow of interesting people coming to visit you everyday. Most are wonderful and some test you, but I can tell you that I have never had a dull day of practice. I feel adequately compensated for my efforts and when you can help people on a daily basis and have them thank you and get paid, nothing beats that. People are a lot more interesting to work on than computers or any other inanimate object. 

 There's even a video to watch if you are interested:  Walter Priestley