Today we’d like to introduce you to Cam Mizeracki.
Hi Cam, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
At a young age, I always had an interest of pursuing a career in healthcare. The excitement of helping people while being active was very exciting to me. When I was an undergrad, I dabbled in a few fields. Initially, I was interested in studying medicine with a focus on neuroscience. Then I considered becoming a pharmacist. During my quest to discover what I wanted to do with my life, I was seeing a chiropractor and never thought I’d be interested in that specialty. I wrote my MCAT and was on my way to becoming the next medical student at my Alma mater. I went to my chiropractor (Dr. Dan)‘s office during the summer and noticed how busy but at ease everyone was in practice. Patients were happy to see him and receive care. The environment had this comfortable but professional atmosphere, no sterility or alarms of a hospital ward. The care provided was also so minimally invasive it just made sense to me. I was interested in care that was conservative and safe in nature as I had a growing interest in indigenous healthcare and indigenous health philosophy.
After some time, I asked questions and more about the profession. I soon found out my Alma mater didn’t offer Chiropractic in the health science curriculum. As a result, I saw I’d have to move away to go to school. Mind you. I was based in Canada. I had no intention of moving to another country. I also didn’t want to live in Toronto with the exorbitant rent prices and costs of living. Dr. Dan suggested I look at schools in the US. I came to decide to move to Northern California and attend Life West Chiropractic college. I made many friends and joined several groups, including the equality council. We had a speaker one day that ran a sports centred LGBTQ+ practice in San Diego. Dr. Angel was so excited and embodied all of the traits of a good doctor. I remember thinking this Doc had my dream practice! A year or so later, I was volunteering with Oakland Pride to help walk in the parade with the school. Dr. Angel was there with his partner and ran into my little group of friends. We had some succinct conversations but nothing elaborate.
Several years later, during my internship in the school clinic, I was nearing the end of my program and was seeing out-patients. The pandemic struck near the end, and I was short on patient care visits and completing my requirements. The school already offered interns to complete thé remainder of requirements with a doctor in the field granted they were in good standing. I was thinking of Doctors that I could possibly work with that had relations with the college. I remembered Dr. Angel was a fit, and he was also in sunny San Diego. I was excited about the thought of a warmer climate and new scenery but terrified to start anew once more. I reached out to Dr. Angel, and he said he had someone under consideration and would let me know if he could take on another intern. A few days later, he was invited to move down and work in his practice under his supervision. Over the months that passed, I gained many insights that I was not able to grasp in a community school outpatient clinic. At the end of my internship, I was able to complete my necessary state and national board exams (5 in total) and state license exams. Dr. Angel offered me an associate position. It was so surreal. Under the panic of the pandemic and uncertainty of how I was going to ever get a job, hère it was! I have never be so happy to work with patients on a daily basis and get paid to do this, it feels more like play than work.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Looking back, it seemed very coincidental and very smooth. There were several periods of self-doubt and fear. Going to any professional program requires stamina and funds. When pursuing a program that costs over 150k in student debt, you always keep thinking to yourself, ‘Is it worth it?’ Furthermore, the pressure of being an international student and ensuring you learn about the new place you now reside at. Being away from family, not having access to go home whenever there is a situation, missing birthdays, graduations and celebrations.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Spectrum Chiropractic is a minority-owned Chiropractic practice located in the heart of Hillcrest. Nestled at the corner of Normal Street and Harvey Milk Street, the practice provides our community a safe space to receive equitable care. Our name says it all, we see a spectrum of patients. We especially love working with athletes and our local military service members. We take pride in offering chiropractic care that is effective, efficient, and patient-centered. We stand out from others as we take a closer look at a patient’s overall function. We look not only to the back and spine but the extremities and address movement and biomechanics. That being said we treat soft tissue ailments and use a plethora of therapies to help our patients heal. We’re also a multidisciplinary practice, with not only great chiropractic care provided by our team of doctors but therapeutic massage by our amazing massage therapists.
Our product is truly designed to help our patients heal most effectively and efficiently. We always have patients’ outcomes and goals first. That is our priority.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
When you’re young and a fresh graduate from an undergraduate program, please don’t forget your value. Some of the challenges you face at the onset may appear insurmountable. Just remember that you’re more than enough to conquer you’re greatest fears. The skills you possess always seem to shine through when the times get tough, persist and flourish.
Contact Info:
- Email: info@spectrumchiro.com
- Website: spectrumchiropractic.com
- Instagram: @spectrumchiropractic
- Yelp: Spectrum Chiropractic
Image Credits:
Orly Cumplido Angel Ochoa-Rea
