Dr. Patrick Hammond has enjoyed a career unlike many others in his profession. After graduating from the College of Chiropractic at Cleveland University-Kansas City (CUKC) in 1997, he worked as an associate doctor for four years. A desire to follow his own path led him to open Hammond Chiropractic Center in 2002, where he soon learned about the joy of business ownership. During his first three years, he often worked seven days a week doing screenings or promoting his practice at community events. This effort was in addition to time in his office seeing patients. It wasn’t easy, but he persevered, and he now has a thriving family practice. He treats athletes at all competitive levels and also serves as the chiropractor for Major League Baseball’s Kansas City Royals.
Q. Was there a specific time or event that started you down the path to a career in chiropractic?
A. Yes. I injured my back playing basketball in high school and limped around for about a week or so. Then I went to a chiropractor whose treatment got me back to feeling good again.
Q. What reaction do you get from others when you share that you are a doctor of chiropractic? How has that reaction changed since you entered the profession?
A. The majority of people are excited to talk to me about some ailment they have, or a great story of chiropractic helping them or a loved one. The perception has changed with time, and now, being more mainstream, there’s just more acceptance (of chiropractic) when you have conversations with others.
Q. When you think about your career, what keeps you motivated?
A. Helping people and keeping them doing the things they enjoy doing.
Q. What personal characteristics have been helpful to you in your profession?
A. I have a caring, outgoing personality, and I always put the patients’ needs first.
Q. What has been the greatest challenge for you professionally, and how did you handle it?
A. The biggest challenge for me was first, opening my practice and then getting enough patients in the door. The first three years were the toughest. But looking back, that was also the most enjoyable time, due to the hard work and effort that I put in, and the rewards that I’ve received for that hard work.
Q. What is one of the more memorable days or events in your professional life, and how did it make an impact on you?
A. Becoming the chiropractor for the Kansas City Royals was pretty memorable, and maintaining that relationship for 18 years has been enjoyable. Being their chiropractor for that length of time separated my practice from other practices and gave me more credibility.
Q. Has there been a time when the results you achieved with a patient surprised or amazed you?
A. Yes. The daily blessings of treating patients and the responses they receive from chiropractic. Also, things like helping kids walk without a limp, or stop wetting the bed through the use of chiropractic care.
Q. Reviewing what you’ve done so far in your career, of what are you most proud?
A. I’m most proud of maintaining a practice for 22 years and helping thousands of people in my community.
Q. You graduated more than 20 years ago, and you continue to be very active with the University through your service in various roles. Why is that so important to you?
A. We all have to give back in some capacity. I couldn’t be doing what I do as a chiropractor if it wasn’t for that piece of paper on the wall that says, “Doctor of Chiropractic degree.” There’s no way that every student looks at my life or my practice and wants to emulate that, but if one or two do, and if I can give them that motivation, then I’m happy.
Q. What advice would you give to someone who wants to follow in your career footsteps?
A. Get ready to work, but enjoy the work. If you enjoy what you do, that happiness emits from you and people want to be around that energy.
Watch the 3-minute interview with Dr. Patrick Hammond below for more in his own words and follow #CUKCinsight on social media!
