30-25-20: How Natural Healthcare Center Came to Be, and What It Has Become

I decided to write this 30-25-20 series when I realized that 2023 is a big year for milestones in my life, personally and professionally. 

As I discussed previously, 1994 was the most consequential year in my life because I passed my boards, started my first job as a chiropractor, and met my wife, Stacy. It’s hard to believe that this is my 30th year as a chiropractor and my 30th year with Stacy in my life.

On Valentine’s Day of this year, Stacy and I celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary. A quarter century and five kids later, could I possibly be more blessed? I definitely couldn’t be any more grateful.

Today, we move to the biggest step I’ve ever taken in my career – opening Natural Healthcare Center in July of 2003.

A Giant Rollercoaster

I remember going through the rollercoaster of emotions leading up to the opening of Natural Healthcare Center. 

Hearing about Dr. Dennis Nitto in West End selling his practice. Finding out he had another buyer. Setting up a deal to purchase a practice in Princeton. Having that deal fall through. 

Getting a call from Dr. Nitto five minutes later and finding out his other deal fell through. Meeting with Dr. Nitto that day and agreeing to a deal.

Figuring out the financing. Using our house as collateral. Borrowing money from my mother, who took out a second mortgage to make it possible. Being broke. Receiving unconditional love and support, and countless signatures, from Stacy.

Closing on Natural Healthcare Center in July. Celebrating the birth of my son, James, one week later.

All that just to get in the building and get started.

Making It Work

Once Natural Healthcare Center opened, the next step was to manage the transition and build relationships with patients – with a staff of one.

I remember running up the stairs to show someone how to do exercises, and running back downstairs to perform adjustments and other treatments on patients. I was there until midnight, seven days a week.

Back then, I was an infant. I slowly learned to crawl. Then I was able to stand up and walk. I eventually broke into a jog. 

Today, I’m sprinting. And I’m not slowing down.

My Dream Come True

Everything I ever dreamed of doing from the time I was an undergrad student has come true at Natural Healthcare Center. The philosophy, the integrative approach to care, the education, the public speaking, the patient outcomes – I get to experience it every day.

I work with wonderful people who share the core values I’ve had throughout my career – be passionate about what you do, do it with a high level of consistency, and provide outstanding customer service.

As I drive home each night, knowing this incredible team has made such an impact on so many lives, thousands of people every year, is an indescribable feeling.

When I look at our Google Reviews, I see 225 reviews and a 5.0 rating. Not 4.8 or 4.9. Every single patient who has reviewed Natural Healthcare Center has given us a perfect rating.

And let’s be honest about reviews. Any practice or business that opens itself up to reviews has to be prepared for the good, the bad, and the ugly.

The fact that we’ve only received exceptional reviews is a testament to the talent, the intent, and the culture we have here at Natural Healthcare Center.

A few quotes from our reviews from the last month or so…

• “Absolutely the best hands down. The staff is wonderful from the time you call to the time you leave. Office is always organized and clean. Very caring, understanding, compassionate! I highly recommend.”

• “Dr. Proodian helped me overcome intense neck pain in a short time after orthopedist, physical therapy and medication offered no relief. He really cares and knows what he is doing.”

• “My ailing problems were handled very Professionally. The staff treated me like family concerned about my condition. The treatment they gave to me helped the pain I was experiencing in my Neck, Back & Lower Back. I would recommend them to anyone who is experiencing same or similar problems. Thank you so much.”

• “I love them, they take care of me my husband and my handicap son with such respect caring and love.”

• “I’m suffering from a terribly painful pinched nerve and could hardly walk. If I could give it higher than a 5 I certainly would! The staff was kind and hospitable.  Dr. Hostnik was very professional and informative.”

• “I have been getting massages from Mike at Natural Healthcare. I have been going for about five months now and get one massage per month. I can’t recommend Mike enough!! Not only is he phenomenal at his job but he is genuinely such a nice person. My back has never felt better.” 

• “In all the years I have been going to see Dr Proodian for chiropractic care, nutrition, hormone specialist care and acupuncture; the staff has always been warm, patient and caring. Dr. Proodian takes his time to address any of his patients’ concerns and always follows up. My family and I know that when we don’t feel our best, we will leave his office feeling better.”

Those are recent reviews, but feel free to dig deeper here.

A New(?) Layer of Healthcare.

When I opened the doors of Natural Healthcare Center 20 years ago, I set out to create a new layer of healthcare. It’s been 20 years, so I’m not sure if we can call it new anymore.

Everyone understands traditional medical professionals, such as primary physicians, cardiologists, and pulmonologists. You also have a fragmented layer of non-medical professionals – chiropractors, physical therapists, occupational therapists, clinical nutritionists, massage therapists, acupuncturists, podiatrists, and others. 

With Natural Healthcare Center, I wanted to build a functional medicine practice that would serve as a buffer between the medical layer and the fragmented, non-medical layer.

In this layer, well-educated professionals collaborate to get to the root cause of health problems, develop personalized treatment plans, consistently provide exceptional care, educate patients, and deliver the best possible outcomes.

We’ve achieved this vision at Natural Healthcare Center. 

The unfortunate reality is that healthcare as a whole doesn’t seem to be improving. People have less insurance coverage and higher out-of-pocket costs. Because many private practices have been absorbed by large hospitals, people have fewer options and customer service has suffered.

This is another reason why Natural Healthcare Center is so special. For 20 years, we’ve been an independent, private practice. We do not let insurance companies dictate the type or quality of care we provide. 

The health, comfort, and peace of mind of each patient are our top priority. Always.

Thank You 

As we celebrate 20 years of Natural Healthcare Center, I want to thank everyone who is or has been part of our clinical and non-clinical teams for their hard work, sacrifice, and dedication to our patients. 

I want to thank our patients for their confidence in us and their commitment to improving their own health. 

I want to thank God for guiding me on this journey.

And I want to thank my family for their love, support, and inspiration.

This is a truly special place with truly special people, and I’m eternally grateful.