22 Years of NHC: Unwavering Principles, Difficult Challenges, and a Focus on Health Literacy

Natural Healthcare Center (NHC) is celebrating its 22nd anniversary as a private, independent practice. In this article, we discuss how Dr. James Proodian’s principles have never changed since day one, the challenges created by corporate healthcare, and why health literacy is still the key to longevity.

July of 2025 marks the 22nd anniversary of Natural Healthcare Center. In this age of small practices being gobbled up by corporations, and ever-shrinking payment rates from insurance companies, the longevity of our center is no small achievement.

My gratitude to the local community that we call home is immeasurable. Long Branch is an amazing town. To those of you from Monmouth and Ocean Counties and across the state who come to see us in person, and those from all over the country who see us virtually, I thank you for trusting us with your health.

From Humble Beginnings, Three Constants Remain

I opened the doors of Natural Healthcare Center in the same week that my wife, Stacy, and I welcomed our third child into the world. We had a staff of three. I recognized early on that one was uniquely special. Many of you know Patty, who retired from Natural Healthcare Center just a couple of years ago but was the anchor who allowed me to build my vision. 

Today, we have a team of 27, offering a range of services under one roof that few practices in the state can match. While chiropractic care remains one of our core services, Natural Healthcare has become a hub of research and innovation in disciplines like regenerative health, stem cell, and nutrigenomics.

There were three little sheets of paper that were in my backpack in college and in my pocket on the day Natural Healthcare Center opened. Today, they’ve been professionally designed, hang on our walls, and continue to guide everything we do.

• The World Health Organization’s definition of health: “The state of complete physical, mental, emotional, social and spiritual well-being and not merely the absence of disease of infirmity.”
• The Pyramid of Health: A visual representation of the many factors that contribute to health, which can be applied to daily lifestyle choices to prevent disease and maintain an optimal state of health.
• Our core values, which hang in the lobby of Natural Healthcare Center and are one of the first things people see when they walk through our doors.

These principles will never change. I’m very proud of that.

The Struggle to Maintain a High Level of Care Is Real

According to a 2024 report from Healthcare Dive, more than three-quarters of doctors are employed by hospitals, health insurers, private equity, or other corporate entities. More than 44,000 practices were acquired between 2019 and 2024. Nearly 60% are now owned by corporations.

The report cited a survey from the American Medical Association that said most physicians sell their practices to negotiate higher payment rates with insurance companies and receive help managing administrative and regulatory requirements.

This is not a new trend, but it accelerated during and after the pandemic.

Insurance companies will negotiate payment rates with corporate-owned practices. Corporations can also share resources across their practice portfolio. Neither is the case for independent practices like Natural Healthcare Center and local physicians who provide such wonderful care.

Private equity and corporate healthcare think it’s laughable that we continue to operate as an independent practice. But we’ll never compromise our core values and beliefs. Never have, never will.

Health Literacy Is (Still) the Key to Longevity

The sad reality is that out-of-pocket costs for healthcare will only increase as smaller practices continue to be acquired by corporations. The best option for you and your family is to take better care of yourselves by increasing your health literacy. 

The good news is that we all have the ability inside our bodies and brains to make good healthcare choices that reduce the risk of disease and improve our health.

Become more informed about the Pyramid of Health, and you’ll be more empowered to make decisions that enable you to feel better, function better, and live longer. The Pyramid of Health is the “formula” without leakage. 

The Road Ahead

As we celebrate Natural Healthcare Center’s 22nd anniversary as a private, independent practice, we’re not slowing down. 

Our staff continues to grow. The services we offer continue to expand. Our incredible team continues to learn and build on an already-impressive knowledge base so we can better educate and treat our patients. And we’re all as committed as ever to the people and communities we serve.

Thank you to my family, our team at Natural Healthcare Center, and to all of you who support us and trust us with your health. I am eternally grateful and look forward to many more years of Natural Healthcare Center being a resource and an inspiration to the community!