FEATURED DONOR
PROFILE
Dr . R . James Gregg
Investing in LIFE
Dr . R . James Gregg is one of the co-founders of Life University and has been in chiropractic practice in Garden City , Michigan since 1972 . In 1973 , he met Dr . Sid Williams through a mutual friend , and they began talking about starting a school . At the time , many chiropractic schools were trending toward the medical model , and they wanted a school that was a subluxation model . “ It concerns me when other schools lean toward a medical model ,” Dr . Gregg added . “ The world doesn ’ t need another medical doctor . People are sick and tired of medications and surgery and want alternatives , especially with the opioid crisis , and now we are able to demonstrate that people can be well without drugs and surgery .”
Dr . Gregg was appointed to the Life University Board of Trustees in 2004 and was appointed as the first Board Member Emeritus at the July 2019 Trustees ’ meeting . “ I am very happy and humbled by this distinguished honor .” It is personally important for Dr . Gregg to invest in Life University because it began with 22 students and one building . From there , the growth was phenomenal , and he wants to continue that expansion . “ When we started , chiropractors from all over the world began sending students to LIFE . We were proud to continue the tradition of trusting the body ’ s innate ability to heal itself and make sure it wasn ’ t erased .”
Dr . Gregg ’ s personal mission is to be a 24 / 7 chiropractor . “ This profession is not just 9 to 5 ; it goes with me and is in me . I want everyone to know I am a chiropractor .” While reflecting on Chiropractic , Dr . Gregg explained how he thinks public opinion has evolved . “ I remember a time when people would shy away from you and were afraid of Chiropractic , and thought it was a cultist type of profession . It was frustrating because many of us were getting people well when others couldn ’ t .” However , he is encouraged at the progress being made . “ People are gravitating toward Chiropractic . It is always a surprise to me now when I mention it and someone says they or a family member go to a chiropractor , as if it was commonplace .”
Dr . Gregg shared some advice for Life University alumni , “ In the future , you may have the opportunity to be interviewed and appear in many places . It is a wonderful thing to be invited to shed light on something that some people didn ’ t think they could have again : re-establishing health in their body .” He also pointed out that it is important to be an educator outside of the office . “ You were taught in classrooms with jargon that the average person won ’ t understand . When you are talking to the community , you need to translate it into common language in order to teach Chiropractic ’ s benefits to the public , and then you will become a master at your profession .”
Life University has come a long way from the day it was established . Dr . Gregg explained that not only has the geographical size of the campus expanded , but also the use of technology to teach LIFE students . “ I love what is going on with the technology and how it has allowed the instructors to teach at a very high level of understanding . Utilization of technology is producing a tremendous doctor when they graduate .”
Dr . Gregg is proud to invest in the next generation of chiropractors . “ When I go to board meetings , I get to speak to 13th quarter students who are just about ready to go out on their own , and it ’ s wonderful to see how prepared they are and what they have learned . What they now know is what the world needs to know . Remember , Chiropractic is not just in the office but in you , and you carry it everywhere you go .”
It concerns me when other schools lean toward a medical model . The world doesn ’ t need another medical doctor . People are sick and tired of medications and surgery and want alternatives , especially with the opioid crisis , and now we are able to demonstrate that people can be well without drugs and surgery .
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Dr . R . James Gregg
Alumni . LIFE . edu | 2019
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