Chiropractor at Acumen!

I first heard of Acumen as a clinic and entity through the Canadian Pro Rodeo Sport Medicine Team (CPRSMT) of which I am the chiropractic coordinator.  One of the other members working that event was an Athletic Therapist at Acumen. This was the first time I heard about the Private Model of surgical and post surgical care in Alberta and I was intrigued. 

I learned that Acumen Clinic was made up of multiple practitioners such as an Orthopedic Surgeon, Athletic Therapists, Kinesiologist and Strength and Conditioning Coaches. Since learning about Acumen I have been able to watch them grow not only the Sport Medicine world but also the Rodeo Sports industry. CPRSMT and Acumen hosted the first ever Spring Rodeo Training Camp involving musculoskeletal testing and performance testing to make fitness programs for these astonishing athletes (something that has been neglected in this sport). CPRSMT and Acumen also are headlining Rodeo research involving high end performance testing equipment and data in hopes to publish it in the literature and make an everlasting impact on the sport around the world. 

Not only does this align with my philosophy as a practitioner but something I want to help grow. So, I approached Acumen late in the summer to see if they had any interest in adding a Chiropractor.  There’s never been one there before, but I felt it would be a great fit.  I wasn’t sure if they would go for it, but I knew I wanted in. 

Spoiler alert, they did.

Why Acumen?

1. It’s all for the patient/client – Many clinics say they have the patient’s best interest at hand, and I believe that most do.  However, this is different.  In talking with anyone from Acumen, there is a true, honest passion for helping those seeking care. It’s palpable. 
2. Teamwork/Collaboration – They’re not just words – it’s a mantra.  Ingrained in the culture.  From Dr. Slade Shantz to Francesca as CEO to the Admin staff to the other practitioners. Creating a high standard of constant communication to better the patient experience and the clinic.
3. Growth/Learning – There’s a hunger to get better, to never stop improving one’s craft.  There’s also the drive to make the clinic an ideal experience for both patients and staff.  It’s contagious.  You can’t help but want to take it to the next level for yourself and the patient.
   

What does Acumen mean to me?

I’ve been asked by multiple people what made me want to join this team.  Because exactly that.  It’s a team.  Learning together, growing together, helping people together.  I’m a few weeks into officially being a part of Acumen and I haven’t had a time or situation where there have been fewer than two people collaborating with a patient/client and it’s incredible to see and be a part of. The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.  I’m so excited to learn from everyone else here and share my knowledge and experiences as well as enrich the lives of those who seek our services.  I want to do my part to help grow Acumen into something even better than it already is.  

I guess you can say I’m drinking the Kool-Aid.