COVER STORY PROFESSION Leading with purpose Navigating business as women in Chiropractic and Naturopathy T BY DR. ERIN KEMPT-SUTHERLAND, DC; DR. MARIA BOYLE, DC; CELESTE LANGDON, ND (CANDIDATE); DR. KAYLA MAYBERRY, DC he COVID-19 pandemic has brought to light many of the differences that men and women face in society in general. While both genders certainly have their own struggles, women in general tend to hold the bag on child-care, work in the home, and other elements of “emotional labour.” These are things often not realized by men, but certainly can take a significant toll on women. Chiropractic has been a traditionally male-dominated profession, but since 2004, along with many other health fields, includ-ing naturopathy, female students dominate the classes. Yet, have these healthcare professions really pivoted to better accommodate the majority? The female business owner 77% Naturopathic medicine is predominantly a female profes-sion, with 77% of those entering this profession being female. female DCs,” Kempt-Sutherland says. Balancing practice and family life is a unique struggle for everyone. “I would give young chiro-practors the advice of Sheryl Sandburg from her book Lean In: Consider who you are choosing as your life partner, especially if there are going to be kids in the mix. How much you are able to “lean in” to your career is going to depend completely on them. How “leaned into” their job are they? The two of you need to outline a clear plan that you both have to be happy with that works, together.” She goes on to say: “You each have to view your career like an elite athlete views theirs – you have an on-season when you work hard, and an off-sea-son where you take a step back.” She suggests planning your “on-season” to align with your life partner’s “off-season.” This “on-season” might be a few years long if you’re starting a practice, or on a smaller day-to-day scale, it can mean practicing a few days a week and staying home with the kids on the other few days while your partner works hard at their job. Dr. Erin Kempt-Sutherland was mid-way through the planning phases of starting her own multi-dis-ciplinary practice when she found out she was pregnant with her first child. “I was just about to sign the lease when I found out that I was preg-nant. My mother gave me the best advice I could have ever received. She said: “If not now, you may never do it.” Women probably receive more input or advice from patients, family and fellow doctors than a soon-to-be-dad would. “Everyone has an opinion and you cannot let them affect what you know is right for you. Plenty of people tried to talk me out of starting the clinic, knowing I would soon be a mom, including bankers and even fellow 12 Chiropractic and Naturopathic Doctor September 2020 Does the ‘old boys’ club’ still exist? Historically, chiropractic was a male dominated field. However, in recent years, there are generally just as many female as male DCs in graduating classes. This is a similar trend to many other pro-fessions such as medicine, engineering and law. However, in those fields, it’s well known that there is still “the old boys’ club,” which can make it chal-lenging for talented females to make their profes-sional mark. But does this “club” exist in chiroprac-tic today? “I think in some cases there can be a bit of a “boys’ club,” especially in the sports injury side of www.Cndoctor.ca Photo: Stephanie Guimond
Chiropractic + Naturopathic Doctor September 2020: Page 12
