As part of a听Px (Pediatric Experience) Club event, students heard directly from Diana Husk, DC, who operates in Cumming, Georgia, which specializes in pediatric medicine along with pregnancy and post-partum care.听听
Diana Husk, DC.
Dr. Husk shared tips on how she juggles a thriving practice while raising a young family.听听
鈥淚f you want to have a thriving practice, make a lot of money and spend time at home, you 100 percent can,鈥� she said. 鈥滷irst, you have to have a clear vision of what your ideal work/home balance is. Be specific and actually write it down.鈥�听
She highlighted several ways students can create a proper work and home balance. One way is to always stick to their office hours in practice as this will allow you to make your days predictable and less stressful. And, utilize resources available to you. Her schedule includes working Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. with a nanny who brings her children to the office, where they have a designated room. Tuesday and Thursdays from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., her nanny cares for her children at home. Every weekend is dedicated to family time. 听
When building a practice, she suggests creating a culture and focusing energy on your niche and the type of patient you want to treat. She recommends making sure you train your assistant well for first phone calls so they know the kind of patient that best fits your practice.听听
鈥淲ith a lot of chiropractic practices out there, you have to distinguish yourself. Your online presence, for example, can play a big role in defining what your practice is all about, so make sure it鈥檚 top notch,鈥� she said.听
At Dr. Husk鈥檚 practice, she sees many patients who are traumatized. She discussed the importance of creating a relaxed environment that鈥檚 more like home rather than a traditional medical practice.听
鈥淭hink about how you want your patients to feel in your office. I want my patients to feel lighter here like a weight has lifted. I want them to feel stress relief,鈥� she said.听
Diana Husk, DC, adjusts a patient at her practice, Cumming Family Chiropractic in Cumming, Georgia, which specializes in pediatric medicine along with pregnancy and post-partum care.
Early on when opening a practice marketing budgets can be low, but Dr. Husk mentioned there are lot of other ways to get the word out about your practice. She recommends getting to know the local Mom Community by finding out where they shop, take their kids and what providers they see. Connect and find ways to utilize those places and providers to your advantage. 听
鈥淢eet with providers like pediatricians and offer them free care so they can get to know your practice. Don鈥檛 assume providers like the people they’re currently referring to or that they won鈥檛 be open to you,鈥� she said.听
She also shared a few suggestions for maternity leave.听
“When it comes to maternity leave, you should assume you鈥檒l need more time than you think,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 hard to come back.鈥�听
She told students to consider getting short-term disability, which can help provide an income while you鈥檙e caring for your baby. She added that while you鈥檙e gone, be sure to incentivize your staff and get them excited for your cover doctor.听听
鈥淚t can be helpful to utilize programs like Sked, which can be used for appointment scheduling,鈥� she said. 鈥淪lack can also be useful for communicating with staff. Both were lifesavers during my maternity leave.鈥�听
Overall, she said it鈥檚 important to recognize that being a business owner is hard.听
鈥淥wning a practice can be mentally, spiritually and emotionally demanding,鈥� she said. 鈥淚f you鈥檙e burned out, you can鈥檛 hide it. Your patients deserve good energy and so do your staff along with yourself. Make your happiness a priority and don鈥檛 forget to enjoy life.鈥�听
For students who want to specialize within chiropractic medicine, clubs are a great way to gain practical experience and advice. Px Club provides 911爆料 University of Health Sciences鈥� students with information regarding the powerful impact of pediatric chiropractic care, treating pediatric patients and running a successful pediatric practice.听
