Dr. Charles Schuster graduated from Eastern Illinois University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Science and Zoology. Subsequently, he attended Logan College of Chiropractic and graduated on the Dean's List, in 1995. After graduating from chiropractic school in 1995. Dr. Schuster start- cd his clinic in his hometown of Charleston, IL, as a sole proprietor of a DC-only clinic. As the clinic t>rew. he implemented rehab in 1997, and in 1999, he incorporated Schuster Chiropractic Center as Back to Health Physician's Group, Ltd.. a multidisci-plinarv medical corporation, located in Charleston. IL. Dr. Schuster has been in practice for 5 vears this month. In an interview with The American Chiropractor (TAC). Dr. Charles Schuster (CS) talks about his success in a nuiltidisciplinary Industrial Medicine practice. TAC: What influenced you to become a chiropractor? CS: I can't put my finger on any single event: except tor the fact that I believe it was my destiny, and that I had very little choice in the matter. 1 can say that I had never had an adjustment before I was in chiropractic school (thank God. it was an incredible experience). I think my subconscious led me to this profession because I had been discouraged from seeking help at a crucial time in my boyhood when I was vying for a starting position on the 8lh grade basketball team. I had worked hard all summer to improve from my bench-warming position of the previous year. Three weeks into the pre-season prac- tices. I was in all my glory when I was chosen as a captain and seemed certain to be a starling guard. Then, one day. I went up lor a lay-up and felt a paralyzing pain in my low back. I was scared and sought much needed help from our trainer. He prescribed hot-packs and exercises, while I was replaced as a starter. My self-esteem and confidence sank to an unforgettable low. and when I asked my trainer if I should see a chiropractor, he replied. " 1 wouldn't go to one of those." I don't know why 1 chose to remember that, except that I must have heard that same voice a thousand limes, after I discovered the truthful answer to that question. Even after I became very interested in chiropractic. I was intimidated by the physics and organic chemistry prerequisites, and wondered if I had the academic ability to get through school. I took a job with Nabisco Brands, managing a sales territory in Chicago's south suburbs. But. I couldn't stop thinking about going to chiropractic school long enough to know whether the stop light was red or green. Finally. I realized that I couldn't find fulfillment being the best cookie and cracker salesman in the Midwest. I turned down, great incentives, a new company car every 2 years, benefits, and stock options, to go after a dream that wouldn't fade. I knew that I was going to be a chiropractor and that my wife and I would return to our beloved hometown to have a successful practice. I was the luckiest young man in the world, the day I received my acceptance letter to Logan. I thank my wife for understanding and supporting me for the next 4 years. TAC: What type of practice do you have? CS: 80% general insurance. 10% Worker's Comp. 5CA cash, and 5% Medicare. TAC: How many hours a week do you work? CS: Days? I see patients three days a week, from 8:30AM to 5:30 PM, and do paperwork, planning, and marketing one day a week. Thursdays are sacred "Dad's Days" with my 3-year-old daughter. TAC: What's the income service level that you provide annually? CS: Having come from a relativefy poor family, I feel very fortunate to have the income I now have. Even though my father is no longer alive. I think it would sadden him. if I were boastful about my income. I was raised in a household that was short on cash, but tall on values. Let's just say that. ill the last year alone, since becoming a DC7MD practice, we doubled our services and increased our collections by greater than 7.W. I think it's safe to say that our clinic has grown into a qualifier for your article, however, the quality of care, and not our income, is our focal point of pride. TAC: Which techniques do you use in your practice? CS: Gonstead listings. Gonslcad/ Diversified Adjusting. TAC: Do you have someone to whom you attribute your success? Any mentors? CS: First of all. I have to thank Dr."s Mark and Steve Hutti for their support and encouragement, when I was inquiring about the profession. Their bedside manners and reputation for being competent and caring physician's in our community, made them role models for me. early on. To this day. I feel very small in their presence. Early in practice. 1 attribute my confidence and clinical success to "The Diversified Guys" at Logan College. Any Logan grads out there surely know who those guys are: Dr.'s Barrale. 1 son. W'ilmer. and the late Dr. Diamond. Perhaps the most significant mentor, since I have been in practice, came into my life about 2 years ago. when I he. Dr. Mark Sanna talk about integrate^ protocols of a DC/MD/PT practice. I was moved by his inside-out philosophy of bringing chiropractic to the forefront of healthcare by giving patients the best care possible. And. finally. I'd like to thank Dr. Jeff Lew in. for keeping my head in the sky and my feet on the ground. TAC: Which seminars do you attend? Association memberships? CS: I attend chiropractic management seminars quarterly, and credentialing seminars quarterly. I also belong to the ACA and Illinois Chiropractic Association. Charles Schuster's Tronic PERSONAL Married to wife. Suzi. for 11 years 2 daughters: Katclyn.7. & Ellianna. 3. 1 son: Mallhew. 4 months. Recreation and leisure: Lawnwork/landseaping. running . golf and reading. Professional Affiliations: ACA: Illinois Chiropractic Association: etc. Vacations: 4-day family vacations, quarterly: one-week vacation, annually PRACTICE PARTICULARS Clinic: 3500 sq. ft., free-standing brick building. Practice Hours: Practices 3 days a week, from 8:30AM to 5:30 PM: planning and paperwork. 1 day per week. Techniques: Gonstead listings. Gon-stead/ Diversified paperwork, planning, and marketing 1 day a week. Staff: Dr. Schuster. DC: Dr. Rose. MD; 2 CA\s, 1 Physical Therapist. TAC: How many vacations do you take per year? CS: Family vacations are a quarterly priority. We typically take a 4-day vacation quarterly and a week-long vacation annually. TAC: Tell us about your family. CS: I have a beautiful wife. 2 daughters (6- and 3-years-old). and a 4-monlh-old baby boy. My wife runs the "home business" and her efficiency and discipline command my greatest respect. I truly believe that a supportive spouse is a springboard to success. TAC: Do you have any hobbies? CS: I enjoy mowing the lawn, of all things, because it's one of the few j things that I can do that I can see j where I'm going and where I've been j so clearly. I think lawn work/land- [ scaping is therapeutic. I also enjoy | handy-man work around the house. Even though I'm dangerous with a circular saw. it gives me great satisfaction to see a completed project. I run at least 4 times a week for clear thought, and enjoy golfing (most of the time), and reading. TAC: What marketing strategies do you use to attract new patients, and to keep current patients? CS: I've learned thai gimmicky marketing doesn't work, and that patient-based referrals are still the best source of referrals. Our best months in practice have come at the hands of our rela-tionships with industry. We have signed 2 corporate contracts, so far this year, and are in the process of signing several others. These relationships are more than just worker's compensation : injury management contracts: they are open doors to in-services and safety talks as well. While our marketing representative does our eompany marketing. I set up the talks. I also make it a point to schedule professional lunches at least weekly. I think it's a shame to waste a lunch hour alone. I enjoy eating lunch with other professionals and expanding my circle of influence. TAC: Do you enjoy your work? How do you feel about going to work in the morning? CS: More than ever, our office is a pleasure to go to. I look forward to ; seeing our staff and helping our patients receive the best chiropractic care available, bar-none. I feel like I can come to our patients from a posi- j tion of affluence and not desperation. ! Most insurance companies provide I coverage for our physical therapy ser- ! vices, whether they have chiropractic j coverage or not. We can afford to treat j everyone who needs care and is truly i committed to full-spectrum spinal I healthcare. \ 1 love treating patients who have I been treated on a first-aid basis for j years and no longer get the results they j once had with a "quick pop". They | really see the difference between a j one-man renegade chiropractic show j and a "team approach". They like the j idea that I have put the ego aside for the good of the patient. Results are better than ever, and I don't feel like it's all on me. TAC: With your practice being mul-tidisciplinary, can you tell our readers your advice about setting up and maintaining such a practice in a time when many are concerned about the legal challenges involved? CS: In a sentence, enlist the services of a competent management group that your association recognizes and your colleagues recommend. 1 have spoken with many colleagues who have been misled and lost many thousands of dollars attempting to go-it-alone. Some groups want a percentage of your practice. When you begin to realize the real value of your DC/MD practice, you may wonder if you sold your soul. I am a firm believer that there are legal, ethical and conservative multi-disciplinary practice management companies available, and the one I use has truly expanded my vision over the last year and a half. TAC: Any final words for our readers? CS: The lime has come to consider a truly "inside-out" approach to bringing chiropractic care into the forefront of healthcare. The rules have changed, in case you haven't noticed. People cannot get chiropractic care over the Inter- net. We have the reason people come to a healthcare office, time and time again, in the palm of our hands. Managed care can be our best friend, if we use it correctly. It's the adjustment that brings the patients into the office, and it's the team approach that insures the best long-term results. Everyone in our profession should have the right to treat patients with the finest treatment plans available, while providing a good standard for our families. Proper protocols beg for more treatment, when it's necessary, and there need not be a crystal ball that determines when the patient is released from active care. If we need to have an MD as a partner to accomplish this then why not take the opportunity to change the medical view of chiropractic from the "inside out"? You may contact Dr. Schuster at 217.345.9600 or: [email protected]. Editor's Note: Do you hare a million dollar practice that you'd like TAC to highlight in our Millionaire Series? Contact TAC's editor Jaclyn Busch by phone/fax: 1-305-716-9212 or email at: [email protected] We want your inspiring story! Contact us todax! a
