Dr. Kevin R. Lee grew up and went to high school in Kirkland Lake, Ontario, Canada. He received an NCAA Division I athletic scholarship in hockey to Colorado College, Colorado Springs, CO. where he majored in biology. Subsequently, he attended Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, IA. At Palmer, he was an academic and' athletic All-American and graduated on the Dean s List. After graduation in I995. he took an associate position in Tampa, FL. In 1997, he started his own practice in Pinellas Park, FL, as a DC-only clinic. In 1999, upon the introduction of rehabilitation and a physical therapist, he incorporated the Family Chiropractic Center as Gulf Coast Rehabilitation and Wellness Center, Inc., a multi-disciplinary medical corporation. In an interview with The American Chiropractor (TAC), Dr. Kevin R. Lee (K.RL) answers TACs questions concerning the secrets of his success. TAC: What influenced you to become a chiropractor? KRL: Through high school, I was very interested in the sciences, especially human biology. It didn't hurt that my father was a high school biology teacher. I think he was a strong influence on my science direction. When I got to college, I knew I wanted to become a doctor. I didn't know, at the time, what specialty, however. That is where the research began. Being athletic and very health conscious, I knew I didn't want to sit behind a desk and prescribe medication. I wanted to truly help people and increase their awareness to the healing power of the body. I was then directed to a chiropractor, Dr. Rod Frieling, in Colorado Springs. When I met him at his practice one day, I was in awe. I wanted his philosophy, his attitude, his energy and his peace of mind. At that point, I knew I wanted to become a chiropractor. TAC: Do you have someone to whom you attribute your success? KRL: My success cannot be attributed to just one person. My influences have come from many different sources. Dr. Jeff Lewin has been my mentor for some time now. He has coached me through practice and through my life. I treasure his ideals and morals. I have learned, and continue to learn, many valuable lessons from him. My mother and father have also been very influential. They have always motivated me to strive and achieve my goals. They have supported my decisions and given me encouragement the whole way. TAC: What techniques do you use? KRL: I practice the Gonstcad Technique. Being educated in Iowa, I was not far from Clarence Gonstcad's practice at Mt. Horcb, WI. The convenience of the additional training, knowledge, and philosophy in the Gonstead principles that I was able to benefit from has helped me tremendously. TAC: Do you enjoy your work? How do you feel about going to work in the morning? KRL: Truly, I feel that 1 have been blessed. I would not want to be in any other profession. The profession, itself, could not be stronger. Our philosophy on health is so true with the balance of life. I have no difficulties getting myself up in the morning or prepared for work. I even get up without an alarm clock. I love to go to work everyday. I love my patients, I love my staff, 1 love my family and my friends. I have everything that I want and desire. TAC: How many hours a week do you work? K.RL: Our office is open 4 days per week. (28 hours a week). I spend an additional 6-8 hours a week on paperwork, reports, and insurance correspondence. 1 reserve 1-2 hours, as well, for development of marketing ideas and implementation of these ideas into the practice. I have what I refer to as "my power-hour". I speak with my mentor, on a weekly basis. This hour is invaluable. Always motivating, informative, educational, and caring. Kevin Lee's Profile PERSONAL Married to wife, Kacey, for 2 years next January; one son, Dominic Jason, born on November 15,2001. Recreation and leisure: Weight-training, softball, and hockey Professional Affiliations: Florida Chiropractic Assn., Pinellas County Chiropractic Society, Palmer College Alumni Assn., and Colorado College Alumni Assn. Vacations: Many extended weekends in major cities across the USA and in resort areas within Florida. PRACTICE PARTICULARS Clinic: 3500 sq. ft., free-standing brick building. Practice Hours: Practices 4 days (28 hours) a week; 6-8 hours/week planning and paperwork; 1-2 hours/week devoted to marketing strategies Techniques: Gonstead Staff: Dr. Lee's office employs 1 D.C., 1 M.D., 1 P.T., 1 LMT, 1 office manager, 1 insurance clerk, and 1 clerical assistant. TAC: What type of practice do you have? (Is it insurance based, cash based, sub-luxation-based, etc?) KRL: 1 have taken the multi-disciplinary approach to my practice. We have components of both insurance and cash-based patients. By having a well-rounded type of patient, we are quite diverse. I want to make it clear for any readers that, even though we have approached our practice with other health disciplines, our patients still are educated and influenced in a chiropractic frame of mind. TAC: What's the income service level that you provide annually? KRL: My income level has allowed me to have the freedom that I have always wanted. My wife and I are able to travel, drive new vehicles, plan our dream home, invest in our retirement, and invest in our baby's future. Recently, we've been looking into purchasing a new boat so we can enjoy much more of what Florida has to offer. We live the lifestyle that we both feel we have worked for and deserve. TAC: What seminars do you regularly attend? Any association memberships? KRL: lam a member of the Florida Chiropractic Association, Pinellas County Chiropractic Society, Palmer College Alumni Association, and Colorado College Alumni Association. I, also, attend quarterly chiropractic management seminars. TAC: Do you have any hobbies? KRL: I enjoy weight training and playing softball and hockey, and I look forward to taking up boating someday soon. As a matter of fact, if you ask my wife, she would tell you that I am addicted to softball. I play softball 3 nights per week and participate in tournaments throughout the country on many weekends. (Through this avenue of sport, I have been able to market myself, and my practice.) The camaraderie, motivating one another to achieve and improve, and accomplishing goals together as a group are what I think I enjoy the most. The team approach. TAC: Could you tell us a bit about your family? KRL: I am married to the most wonderful woman and friend, Kacey. She is my inspiration. She keeps me in line, as well. Editor s Note: At the time of this interview Dr. and Mrs. Lee were expecting their first child to he born on Hallowen. Their son, Dominic Jason Lee arrived on November 15, 2001, at 4:14 AM, weighing in at a whopping 9 lbs. 11.3 ozs.! TAC: How many vacations per year do you take? KRL: I am thrilled at the fact that my wife and I, along with our newborn child, will be visiting my hometown in Canada for a week-and-a-half during Christmas and New Year's. Besides this vacation, we are able to take many extended weekends together. We've recently been to Las Vegas, New York City, Memphis and Chicago, to name a few. Not to mention the more local trips to Miami's South Beach, Orlando, Cocoa Beach, Fort Lau-derdale, and the Florida Keys. TAC: What marketing strategies do you use to attract new patients and to keep current patients? KRL: I have taken the perspective of relationship marketing. What I mean by this is forming relationships with other professionals such, as medical doctors, attorneys, and other business professionals. Also, I keep a marketing journal. Separated by month, we plan two programs within the practice (internal marketing) and two programs outside the practice (external marketing) each month. At the back of my journal, I keep a record to gauge successful programs and not-so-successful ones. The following year, I implement more of the ones that worked and fewer of the ones that did not. TAC: With your practice being multidisciplinary, can you tell our read- ers your advice about setting up and maintaining such a practice in today's healthcare system? KRL: Firstly, my advice to others...find a mentor. Find someone who has done what you are doing. Take their advice and wisdom and harness it for yourself. There is no need to re-invent the wheel! Find a system that works, and stick to it. (You should only need to make minor adjustments to your system when it is working). Secondly, read as much as you can. Read motivation pieces and success stories. Learn from those that can teach. Finally, establish a quality assurance program within your office. By doing so, you will be able to monitor the patients. This will allow and enable the patients to receive the treatment that they need and deserve as well. TAC: Any final words for our readers? KRL: Be involved and active in your cities, communities and the municipalities that your offices are located in. I recently discovered that my practice was located in a beautification zone. I received a government grant in the amount ofS 125,000. That's right, a grant!!! With this grant, I am building a magnificent sign that will accompany my soon-to-be-lush re-landscaped property. The timing could not have been better. I am in the process of doubling the working capacity of my practice to 4000 square feet. You may contact Dr. Lee at 727-541-2520 (office) or e-mail doclee611 (acs. com.
