Dushore Chiropractic is a rural practice in Sullivan County, PA—one hour north of Williamsport. Dr. Margery Hinebaugh opened the practice in August, 2010, and she feels the location of the practice, and her continued strength in her old age thanks to the PulStar, has contributed a great deal to her overall job satisfaction. Scroll down to get to know Margery in a Q & A below.
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Tell us about yourself.
“I’m the only chiropractor in Sullivan County, so my draw area is quite large and includes more than enough population to maintain a practice. I will be 72 years young next month, so I guess you could call me a ‘mature citizen’ … I was born in Philadelphia and raised in Lock Haven, PA, where I went to high school. In my spare time, I love to be in nature—camping, hiking, bird watching, kayaking, canoeing.”
Why did you decide to become a chiropractor?
“Personal experience with headaches and low back pain. I went to a neighborhood chiropractor as I was raising my family, and finding such relief made me think, ‘this is what I want to do.'”
How did you become a chiropractor?
“I raised my family first and then went to college. I started college when my kids got through school, so I was 43 when I started at Palmer Chiropractic College and 47 when I graduated. I guess you could say I followed my heart—it just took me 43 years to get there.”
Tell us about your career.
“I started my own practice in the upper peninsula of Michigan after I graduated in 1993, and I was there until 2000. I’ve owned the Dushore practice since 2010, but I worked for several chiropractors in between. For the Dushore practice, I took ownership when another chiropractor stepped out, but I set my practice up from scratch … I’ve proven myself over these seven and a half years. I’m very busy, and I’m doing pretty good for a 72-year-old. I just take as much work as I can handle.”
Tell us about your practice.
“I have a lot of responsibility here, and being a chiropractor is a small part of it. I run the practice myself. I check patients in, I check them out, and I take care of the billing, along with anything else to maintain the practice function. I get mentally tired, not physically tired. Some days end up being pretty long days.”
What are the challenges and the benefits of owning your own practice?
“Insurances. They have become a nightmare as of late. But other than insurance and billing, I love my job. My age sometimes steps in the way, because I’m limited on energy on some days. Though I plan on practicing until I can’t move anymore. It’s very rewarding most of the time. I like 3D puzzles and every time a body walks in the door, it’s a puzzle and I want to solve it. When a patient gets off the table and says ‘I feel better!’ there is a sense of satisfaction.”
Tell us about your experience with the PulStar.
“I don’t have to advertise, because my people are impressed by the fact that I have a system that is ‘up to date.’ I’m in the computer age, even with my adjusting. I’ve always used [multiple impulse therapy], but the computerized version is just the next level. The patients are impressed with it. They like to see the graphs pre and post. They also prefer to be adjusted without twisting. So their word of mouth is that ‘She doesn’t twist you. She uses instruments. She’s safe.’
Also, I use the pre-programmed voice of ‘Samantha.’ My patients like it. Sometimes I will say, ‘I don’t’ agree with Samantha here. Let’s try something else.’ But it’s like having a second opinion in the room. I have practiced for 25 years, but I practice alone in a remote area, so it’s nice to have a second opinion coming from the computer to help me zero in a little faster than I normally would without it.”
In your career, what are you most proud of?
“I’m so thankful that I can still serve the public chiropractically at a mature age. That would be in relationship to the fact that I use a PulStar, which allows me to help people without injuring my body … I’m healthy and feel like I am a forty-year-old most days. It’s nice to mature and get to the point that people realize you have a brain, you are a professional, and you can speak your piece and be respected for that. I’m just happy to be able to get up and do what I do and help the people. My patients keep telling me there’s no way I can retire. It’s fun. I love my people—they are country people and are like family.”
If you had one piece of advice for someone looking to enter the field, what would it be?
“You kind of have to think with your heart as to WHERE you are gong to practice, so that you end up where you want to be. I always would think ‘practice rural. I don’t want to compete in the city.’ You have to pick a spot where you will be most content. It’s more about YOU when you are entering the field to practice. It’s nice to look back and say ‘I belong here.’ I also have a granddaughter in Williamsport, so I knew this is where I belong. This is it.”
