Birthplace: New Glasgow, N.S.
Company: Our chiropractors and RMTs provide musculoskeletal care to the National Capital Region.
Education: Doctor of chiropractic, Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College, Toronto (2006)
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Charitable involvement: The Ottawa Humane Society’s Brightening Lives Animal Visits Program and the Women’s Business Network of Ottawa
Biggest biz achievement: Being part of a vision and team that has grown from its humble beginnings nine years ago. The Byward Chiropractic Clinic + Massage Therapy Centre is a successful multidisciplinary clinic and one of Ottawa’s largest chiropractic and massage therapy centres. The clinic employs three full-time chiropractic associates, six full-time registered massage therapists and three chiropractic health assistants.
Biggest obstacle: Balancing professional responsibilities, practice obligations, contributing to my community and being the best mother and wife I can requires constant juggling. Focusing on the task at hand and honing time management skills are a big help!
Biggest influences: My mother and father, and my mentor, Dr. Ken Brough. My parents were immigrants who raised me to be independent and resourceful in a world where there were no limits to what I could achieve through hard work. Dr. Brough is a chiropractor who leads by example, and I am fortunate to have his influence in my career. A leader is his own right, he is the owner and clinic director of two successful chiropractic and massage therapy clinics, maintains a full-time practice and is the current president of the Ontario Chiropractic Association. His support and guidance through inclusive, team-based leadership strategies have nurtured my professional development.
Biggest lesson learned: None of us is as smart as all of us. Our health-care landscape is constantly evolving and providing exceptional health care that meets the needs of patients requires inter-professional collaboration. When team members can rely on one another and teach each other, it creates a successful working environment enabling professional satisfaction, team satisfaction and, most importantly, patient satisfaction.
First job: Delivering papers
Advice I’d give the younger me: Support staff are the pulse of your clinic team. Their dedication and hard work ensuring everything runs smoothly can sometimes go unnoticed. Thank them, engage them, empower them and treat them with the respect they deserve. Advice from Maya Angelou also comes to mind: “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” While technical skills are important in practice, personalized care means connecting with the individual and putting patients first.
What’s left to do: I have a young family and look forward to creating wonderful memories on exciting adventures around the globe. In my professional career, I will continue to learn and grow my skill set, and I look forward to mentoring young chiropractors in their development as successful professionals.
Favourite pastime: Rediscovering the world through the eyes of my two-year-old daughter.
I’m currently reading: Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Harari
Favourite movie: The Sound of Music is at the top of my list. I have fond childhood memories of watching it at Christmas cuddled up with my mom.
Favourite song: Ahead by a Century by the Tragically Hip
Favourite local pro sports team: Ottawa Fury FC
Favourite local summer event: Ottawa Bluesfest
Preferred social media platforms: Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, Instagram
Twitter handle: @bywardchiro
