LIKE DOCTOR MOTHERS, LIKE DOCTOR DAUGHTERS
Hayward, Calif., August 9, 2004

Through the years, Life West has always had a number of men attending to earn their doctor of chiropractic degree so they can follow in their fathers' and/or grandfathers' footsteps to become successful chiropractors. And, as like other chiropractic colleges, the percentage of this group of students continues to increase as more graduates have children who also want to join the professional ranks of their fathers. It is also noteworthy that the number of women attending Life West, who want to follow their fathers and/or grandfathers' career choice, continues to increase impressively. But this year, there were two women who graduated together from Life West who both looked up to their mothers as role models for their professional careers.

Meet Dr. Candace McDonald (December '03) and her mother Dr. Christina McDonald (left)and Dr. Melissa March (March '04) and her mother Dr. Sharon March (below):

Recent Life West graduate, Dr. Melissa March (daughter) began her chiropractic experience literally from the get-go, when her mother, Dr. Sharon March, gave Dr. Melissa her first adjustment—just hours after giving birth. It wasn't long until Dr. Melissa became a fixture at mom's practice: “Since our house is connected to my mother's office, I started hanging out at three months old. I would interact with the patients daily. I still hear stories about being in the office and crawling under the curtains to talk to ‘my friends.'” Later on, she talked to those friends behind the reception desk, as she worked off-and-on as her mother's office CA, beginning at the age of 14.

How did mom decide to become a chiropractor during the days when it was a far-more male dominated career? “When I was six years old, my mother was very sick,” reminisces Dr. Sharon. “Someone encouraged her to go to a chiropractor and after about a year she had regained complete health. My mother was so impressed with her recovery that she began chiropractic care for our entire family. I was the oldest of six children, which meant that we were frequently in the chiropractor's office. Over the years, I saw many positive changes with the patients in the chiropractor's office. When I was in 8th grade, I decided to become a chiropractor.”

Dr. Sharon earned her D.C. in 1967 at National Chiropractic College in Lombard , Ill. “I think there were only six women in our graduating class of approximately 100,” says Dr. Sharon. On April 7, 2004 , she celebrated her 35 th year at her Waynesboro , Pa , practice.

When did Dr. Melissa decide to become a chiropractor? “I don't remember an exact time, I think I have always wanted to be a chiropractor,” says Dr. Melissa, “it is in my blood.”  When she told her mother, Dr. Sharon said, “I was more than thrilled. I am so proud of her.”

Dr. Melissa, who graduated cum laude, decided on Life West on the recommendation of former Dean of the Clinics Pat Gayman, D.C. Plus, she wanted to try life on the West Coast for awhile. “There are some really great people at Life West,” says Dr. Melissa. “The professors and clinic doctors work so hard, they love to teach chiropractic. I also had a super great class and we did a great job of supporting each other.” While at Life West, she was active in the college's Pediatrics Club.

How do family members work together in the same practice? “Mom and I have separate practices and work in the office on different days,” says Dr. Melissa.

When asked if any interesting stories have occurred yet with a mother and daughter practice, Dr. Melissa said that it had to be when she recently saw one of her mother's patients. “I was covering my mom's practice while she was on vacation and one of the patients brought in a picture of a spine to show me what mom adjusts. I told the patient that I have seen one of those before.”

Not so many years ago, across the nation from Waynesboro , Pa. , at Preference Chiropractic Clinic in Chico , Calif. , a young Dr. Candace McDonald was also helping out her mother, Dr. Christina McDonald, with her (now 24-year-old) private practice. “Oh yeah, I probably hung out in the office more than the staff wanted me to,” recalls Dr. Candace. “My parents always had my brother and myself doing yard work, filing, typing, and dumping out the trash, while, of course, we would cause a little extra chaos in the office as we carried out these duties.”

Dr. Christina graduated from Western States Chiropractic College in Portland , Ore. , in 1979. Also in the minority, she was one of only three women out of her December graduation class of 36.

Why take the path in chiropractic? “After my father had three heart attacks when I as in high school, I became afraid of dying and so I looked for a preventative health-care profession,” says Dr. Christina. “I wanted to be able to do the things I did as a kid when I got old. And, after 24 years, I'm still excited about my work!”

As for her daughter's first adjustment, Dr. Christina checked Dr. Candace's spine on day one. “I gave my daughter her first adjustment after a tumble she had taken when she was about five months old.

"I was about 16 when I decided I wanted to become a chiropractor,” says Dr. Candace. “I thought about it from the time I was ten, but the professional beach volleyball player role was pretty tempting too! After I helped my mom with a career day at my high school, I knew for sure.” Dr. Christina remembers the day she heard her daughter talking about a career in chiropractic: “She was speaking at a California Scholarship Federation banquet and said ‘after high school, I'd like to go to chiropractic college, and then one day open a free clinic in Costa Rica with my mother.' I was more worried about the trip and who'd take over my practice!”

Dr. Candace also took great advice from the wise Dr. Patricia Gayman: “Dr. Gayman told my family about how awesome Life West is, and to check out a Life West open house in Redding , [ Calif. ]. We did, and we loved everything we heard!”

While attending Life West, Dr. Candace was active in intramural soccer, volleyball, and flag football. She also served as senior class representative and was on the Dean's List. When asked about her college experience, Dr. Candace said, “ The number one thing I loved about going to Life West was the ‘family' feel I got every time walking onto campus. All of the people in the halls smile and say hi, give you a hug or high five and just make your day better. All of the school activities were definitely excellent as well. From flag football and Spring for Life picnics to the dances, Life West does a fantastic job keeping life for the students exciting.”

How is working with mom? Dr. Candace says, “It's pretty much like a party! We stay professional, but always have a lot of fun. We both like organized chaos, and with more than one doc in the office we get exactly that! We are still trying to figure out what to call me: Dr. McD; Dr. McDonald 2, Dr. McD, Jr.; or Dr. Candace? The survey is still out!”

Drs. Candice McDonald and Melissa March are not the only female doctors who've followed in their mothers' chiropractic footsteps, of course. Other examples include two earlier Life West graduates, Dr. Carree Picker ('90) and her daughter Dr. Tiffanee [Zelmon] Hansen ('00), who practice together in Walnut Creek , Calif. Still, these doctors belong to a fairly exclusive club. A club whose membership will surely grow in time, especially when young women decide to carry on the chiropractic tradition of their mothers and their grandmothers

Life Chiropractic College West, established in 1976, is an accredited non-profit institution of higher learning offering the doctor of chiropractic degree through a four-academic-year program of academic study and clinical internship. The college currently enrolls close to 600 men and women from across the U.S. and abroad. More than 3,300 graduates of Life West are now practicing throughout the world. The college’s Public Health Center, operated by approximately 200 senior interns who are guided by licensed doctors of chiropractic, provides health care for more than 1,700 patient visits a week. Life West maintains a Web site at www.lifewest.edu.

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For updates or additions to our Latest News page, please contact Jonathan Lance at (510) 780-4500 ext. 2470 or email him at jlance@lifewest.edu