Hi, guys. Welcome to another episode of Living Life. I love you. This is your host, Dr. Veronica Rossi. And for today's episode, we have an amazing resource to life university students, specifically in the chiropractic program. We have Dr. John Markham with us. Hi. How are you doing today?

Hi, guys. Welcome to another episode of Living Life. I love you. This is your host, Dr. Veronica Rossi. And for today's episode, we have an amazing resource to life university students, specifically in the chiropractic program. We have Dr. John Markham with us. Hi. How are you doing today?

Wonderful. Good to see you. I'm glad to be here with you. I remember you as a student.

Wonderful. Good to see you. I'm glad to be here with you. I remember you as a student.

I know. I remember knocking on the door. Me. I just wanted to introduce myself. Oh, I was early on, but I definitely wanted to learn a little bit more about what you did. So for the audience, exactly what is your role at the university currently?

I know. I remember knocking on the door. Me. I just wanted to introduce myself. Oh, I was early on, but I definitely wanted to learn a little bit more about what you did. So for the audience, exactly what is your role at the university currently?

Well, since 2006, I've been in charge of the peak program. That's the Preceptorship program for 13th and 14th quarter students. Dr. Tim GROSS put the program together and I got to shepherd this program right along. And Peak stands for Practice, Excellence, Art and Knowledge. Wow. So that acronym says a lot. Yeah. So that's really what we're trying to do, is preparing the students for practice at the speed of life. Most students become involved in the process to the clinic system, but they don't quite know how to apply that on a basis of real life because they're being supervised so heavily in the clinics. Right. And so the program gives them a chance to actually experience what it's like to be in a live practice with real patients who come and pay for their services and to see how that side of it works when it's not an educational institution program but a life practice. And I think it works. The feedback I have from the students in our research shows that it's very powerful.

Well, since 2006, I've been in charge of the peak program. That's the Preceptorship program for 13th and 14th quarter students. Dr. Tim GROSS put the program together and I got to shepherd this program right along. And Peak stands for Practice, Excellence, Art and Knowledge. Wow. So that acronym says a lot. Yeah. So that's really what we're trying to do, is preparing the students for practice at the speed of life. Most students become involved in the process to the clinic system, but they don't quite know how to apply that on a basis of real life because they're being supervised so heavily in the clinics. Right. And so the program gives them a chance to actually experience what it's like to be in a live practice with real patients who come and pay for their services and to see how that side of it works when it's not an educational institution program but a life practice. And I think it works. The feedback I have from the students in our research shows that it's very powerful.

So absolutely. Would you say it's more like like an internship, right, where you get to clock into work and clock out and do all the things and learn all the conversations? Because I do I do agree. I love my experience here and I love that we have the different levels of clinic that allows you to while I first kind of work on your peers and then work in a little bit of the outside community that you've already built, and then all of a sudden be in this beautiful practice by doctors who they may or may not have graduated from Life University, but they are opening their doors for students to actually come in and experience that transition. What are some of those, I guess, benefits that you think that students have when they go into that that P program?

So absolutely. Would you say it's more like like an internship, right, where you get to clock into work and clock out and do all the things and learn all the conversations? Because I do I do agree. I love my experience here and I love that we have the different levels of clinic that allows you to while I first kind of work on your peers and then work in a little bit of the outside community that you've already built, and then all of a sudden be in this beautiful practice by doctors who they may or may not have graduated from Life University, but they are opening their doors for students to actually come in and experience that transition. What are some of those, I guess, benefits that you think that students have when they go into that that P program?

The benefit to the student is amazing and really almost limitless, but there's also a benefit to the doctors. Most doctors who have worked hard really want to pass along what they've learned. And it's so interesting how many times the doctors will will say when they sign up to become a big doctor. I just want to give back. I just want to reach out to helping you. I know how hard it was for me getting started. I want to make it a little easier for the next people, so they want to mentor them and teach them and show them what they've learned. Right. And I used to do practice consulting, and it was our common thing when the student would graduate. Want to get started practice. We'd like for them to intern for about nine months in a doctor's office, get their feet wet, then open their own practice. Well, in the peak program, they can get most of that accomplished through their peak quarters and be ready to open when they graduate. It's actually possible.

The benefit to the student is amazing and really almost limitless, but there's also a benefit to the doctors. Most doctors who have worked hard really want to pass along what they've learned. And it's so interesting how many times the doctors will will say when they sign up to become a big doctor. I just want to give back. I just want to reach out to helping you. I know how hard it was for me getting started. I want to make it a little easier for the next people, so they want to mentor them and teach them and show them what they've learned. Right. And I used to do practice consulting, and it was our common thing when the student would graduate. Want to get started practice. We'd like for them to intern for about nine months in a doctor's office, get their feet wet, then open their own practice. Well, in the peak program, they can get most of that accomplished through their peak quarters and be ready to open when they graduate. It's actually possible.

That's amazing. It is the absolute final steps, right? In the chiropractic program, you said quarters 13 and 14. I understand that there's a possibility of doing of doing just 14 or just 13. Can you talk a little bit more about the different opportunities within the peak program?

That's amazing. It is the absolute final steps, right? In the chiropractic program, you said quarters 13 and 14. I understand that there's a possibility of doing of doing just 14 or just 13. Can you talk a little bit more about the different opportunities within the peak program?

Just 13 or just 14 in peak, Yes. Well, they have to do both quarters as peak students.

Just 13 or just 14 in peak, Yes. Well, they have to do both quarters as peak students.

Gotcha.

Gotcha.

Now they can combine their and accelerate their program where they can do 13 and 14 simultaneously. Some students find that to be an advantage in terms of preparation for practice. They're better off taking the additional time, but there's personal situations and family considerations. Many times they need to accelerate, so that's entirely possible. Some students have lengthened their time by doing the peak elective in the middle of the two peak courses to give them nine months in an office. Just to learn more. Yeah. And some of these docs really go all out to educate the student and prepare them. Quite proud of of the doctors and I know the students. The benefit to the students is more than they realize. And if you have a moment, I'll tell you a story. Our very first big class student got into an office with the doctor that they weren't eye to eye. Personality wise, it was a big stress. The student was. In my office every week complaining about this doctor asking to be released from the program. And I said, No, this is our pilot program. You have to stick it out. So six months after graduation, she came back to my office and she said, You know, I've been in my practice now for a few months and everything I'm doing in my office, I learned in my peak doctor's office. It turned out to be the best educational experience I ever had, even though it wasn't the most pleasant while it was going on. Most students have a great experience while it's going on, but even when it's not, the benefits are more than the student realizes.

Now they can combine their and accelerate their program where they can do 13 and 14 simultaneously. Some students find that to be an advantage in terms of preparation for practice. They're better off taking the additional time, but there's personal situations and family considerations. Many times they need to accelerate, so that's entirely possible. Some students have lengthened their time by doing the peak elective in the middle of the two peak courses to give them nine months in an office. Just to learn more. Yeah. And some of these docs really go all out to educate the student and prepare them. Quite proud of of the doctors and I know the students. The benefit to the students is more than they realize. And if you have a moment, I'll tell you a story. Our very first big class student got into an office with the doctor that they weren't eye to eye. Personality wise, it was a big stress. The student was. In my office every week complaining about this doctor asking to be released from the program. And I said, No, this is our pilot program. You have to stick it out. So six months after graduation, she came back to my office and she said, You know, I've been in my practice now for a few months and everything I'm doing in my office, I learned in my peak doctor's office. It turned out to be the best educational experience I ever had, even though it wasn't the most pleasant while it was going on. Most students have a great experience while it's going on, but even when it's not, the benefits are more than the student realizes.

Absolutely. Absolutely. I and I think it's a beautiful benefit for you to be able to start getting a beautiful taste of what the doctor is about, of what being outside of the classroom, outside of what we call the beautiful life university bubble, where we talk the same language and start impacting the different communities and talking about communities. I had the opportunity of doing my peak internship here in Georgia, but I know that there's a lot of other opportunities outside of Georgia. What are what are some of those? I guess some of the states countries tell us a little bit more about where you can you can peek at.

Absolutely. Absolutely. I and I think it's a beautiful benefit for you to be able to start getting a beautiful taste of what the doctor is about, of what being outside of the classroom, outside of what we call the beautiful life university bubble, where we talk the same language and start impacting the different communities and talking about communities. I had the opportunity of doing my peak internship here in Georgia, but I know that there's a lot of other opportunities outside of Georgia. What are what are some of those? I guess some of the states countries tell us a little bit more about where you can you can peek at.

Yes, we have about 200 250 doctors in Georgia that they can choose from.

Yes, we have about 200 250 doctors in Georgia that they can choose from.

Yeah.

Yeah.

But we have about 600 doctors outside of Georgia to choose from. We're in 42 different states. There's only a few states that don't allow the students to adjust as preceptorship students. And so we can't go in those states because the students aren't allowed to. But in 42 states we can go into also in seven different international destinations. Also, we have a half a dozen V.A. facilities around the southeast and one Department of Defense facility in Alaska that we can send students to. So we have a broad array of opportunities. The VA centers have been a great benefit for students who would like to graduate into service in the military care program. And a, the doctors there at the V.A. just phenomenal. We just love working with them and our doctors around the country. A little secret, The students are so much in demand, they want very much to higher life students. And so they really like to get more. So if we had more students to send out, they'd be happier.

But we have about 600 doctors outside of Georgia to choose from. We're in 42 different states. There's only a few states that don't allow the students to adjust as preceptorship students. And so we can't go in those states because the students aren't allowed to. But in 42 states we can go into also in seven different international destinations. Also, we have a half a dozen V.A. facilities around the southeast and one Department of Defense facility in Alaska that we can send students to. So we have a broad array of opportunities. The VA centers have been a great benefit for students who would like to graduate into service in the military care program. And a, the doctors there at the V.A. just phenomenal. We just love working with them and our doctors around the country. A little secret, The students are so much in demand, they want very much to higher life students. And so they really like to get more. So if we had more students to send out, they'd be happier.

Well, I guess we need to apply more money to reach more people. And that's what we're doing that we're doing it, love it. And I think that every class is growing a little bit more, which allows us to then keep reaching more communities. And the program really for me specifically, it really helped me to shape into the doctor that I am today and has been for years, and I'm still well in contact with my peak doctor and all the staff, the clinic managers, the C. A's, every single person in the building, in the billing department, in the in the practice. And I know that she recently opened another practice that is also within the peak because it is for as under her and I think that to to have the opportunity of having those six months of going like we were talking about into that practice personally, it shaped me into understanding that, oh, this is for real, for you, for hey, this is happening. I am, I am the doctor that I am that I have become in for the past three and a half years through every single quarter. And these are the pros and the cons and these are the things that that I can love on. Because you don't know what you don't know until all of a sudden is right in your face and you're like, Oh, I didn't think I was going to love that so much until now.

Well, I guess we need to apply more money to reach more people. And that's what we're doing that we're doing it, love it. And I think that every class is growing a little bit more, which allows us to then keep reaching more communities. And the program really for me specifically, it really helped me to shape into the doctor that I am today and has been for years, and I'm still well in contact with my peak doctor and all the staff, the clinic managers, the C. A's, every single person in the building, in the billing department, in the in the practice. And I know that she recently opened another practice that is also within the peak because it is for as under her and I think that to to have the opportunity of having those six months of going like we were talking about into that practice personally, it shaped me into understanding that, oh, this is for real, for you, for hey, this is happening. I am, I am the doctor that I am that I have become in for the past three and a half years through every single quarter. And these are the pros and the cons and these are the things that that I can love on. Because you don't know what you don't know until all of a sudden is right in your face and you're like, Oh, I didn't think I was going to love that so much until now.

Yes. And that's what I love to hear, how it lands for people, how it opens them up and doesn't scare them, but empowers them.

Yes. And that's what I love to hear, how it lands for people, how it opens them up and doesn't scare them, but empowers them.

Right.

Right.

To. I'm ready for this. I can handle this right. I can actually be the source of helping others. And that's what got me into chiropractic, was the idea that without drugs and surgery, we just with my hands, I could help people with their health. And that chiropractic idea that helped us on the inside to see that amplified and and brought to life in these offices. And the students then step up and say, Oh, I'm no longer just a student of chiropractor, I'm the doctor of chiropractic. And then when they cross the stage, it's more than just a ceremony. They really are prepared to step in and be the doctor and help people. And that's the excitement.

To. I'm ready for this. I can handle this right. I can actually be the source of helping others. And that's what got me into chiropractic, was the idea that without drugs and surgery, we just with my hands, I could help people with their health. And that chiropractic idea that helped us on the inside to see that amplified and and brought to life in these offices. And the students then step up and say, Oh, I'm no longer just a student of chiropractor, I'm the doctor of chiropractic. And then when they cross the stage, it's more than just a ceremony. They really are prepared to step in and be the doctor and help people. And that's the excitement.

Exactly. I love that. And what what would you advise for maybe students that are in their first year, in the first four quarters? Do you think that it would be wise for them to maybe start thinking ahead in the program? And what are some of those steps that they can start to take to prepare for those last. Two quarters.

Exactly. I love that. And what what would you advise for maybe students that are in their first year, in the first four quarters? Do you think that it would be wise for them to maybe start thinking ahead in the program? And what are some of those steps that they can start to take to prepare for those last. Two quarters.

Well, they must be reading your mail because each quarter now I'm getting early quarters, students contacting me say I'm thinking ahead and what they can do is get the list of doctors and visit offices. Yeah, most of the docs are happy to have you drop in and just spend an hour with them, see their office, meet their people, get a feeling for how they help chiropractic fellows in their office. Mm hmm. And that's a great way. And many times students will find offices to assist in and volunteer in before peak, and all of a sudden they've got their peak office already lined up because they've developed a relationship. Right? They don't have to do it that way, but it sure makes it better because the fit for them and for the doctor to make sure it's going to be all it can be is just so much more sure. And it's better because communication has been established. I love that idea and students can just contact me if they would like to get more information early on. Happy to do that.

Well, they must be reading your mail because each quarter now I'm getting early quarters, students contacting me say I'm thinking ahead and what they can do is get the list of doctors and visit offices. Yeah, most of the docs are happy to have you drop in and just spend an hour with them, see their office, meet their people, get a feeling for how they help chiropractic fellows in their office. Mm hmm. And that's a great way. And many times students will find offices to assist in and volunteer in before peak, and all of a sudden they've got their peak office already lined up because they've developed a relationship. Right? They don't have to do it that way, but it sure makes it better because the fit for them and for the doctor to make sure it's going to be all it can be is just so much more sure. And it's better because communication has been established. I love that idea and students can just contact me if they would like to get more information early on. Happy to do that.

I love that. And where can they contact you? Where can they find you on campus?

I love that. And where can they contact you? Where can they find you on campus?

You can't find me on campus at the moment. And it's not because I'm hiding. The C building is going through some renovations, so I'm temporarily relocated onto the Lucille Avenue offices. Okay. I'll probably be back on campus proper in June. Okay. But I'm always available by email. Yes. John Dot Marcum at Life dot edu. And so I can coordinate from that. So just send me an email. I'll get your questions answered. And if need be, I'll even direct you to Lucille Avenue. Yeah. It's a little hard to find, but we can get you there if need be. And. But it's a great program, and I'm glad that you thought to talk about it.

You can't find me on campus at the moment. And it's not because I'm hiding. The C building is going through some renovations, so I'm temporarily relocated onto the Lucille Avenue offices. Okay. I'll probably be back on campus proper in June. Okay. But I'm always available by email. Yes. John Dot Marcum at Life dot edu. And so I can coordinate from that. So just send me an email. I'll get your questions answered. And if need be, I'll even direct you to Lucille Avenue. Yeah. It's a little hard to find, but we can get you there if need be. And. But it's a great program, and I'm glad that you thought to talk about it.

Absolutely. This is it. It really did shape my experience into kind of also culminating everything, kind of the cherry on top of the whole experience at Life University and allowed me to make a huge transition and to practice that even though it was huge, it was easy. So thank you so much for being here. Thank you so much for taking taking that that project and running with it and helping because you've always through every email that I sent you and I know I sent you way too many for him to answer, you always replied out of a sense of love and just understanding with every single question. Thank you so much for being here today. Thank you for what you do for the students and what you do for the doctors. And watch out for my application to become a doctor because it's coming in about a year and a half. That's how much longer I have to apply for it.

Absolutely. This is it. It really did shape my experience into kind of also culminating everything, kind of the cherry on top of the whole experience at Life University and allowed me to make a huge transition and to practice that even though it was huge, it was easy. So thank you so much for being here. Thank you so much for taking taking that that project and running with it and helping because you've always through every email that I sent you and I know I sent you way too many for him to answer, you always replied out of a sense of love and just understanding with every single question. Thank you so much for being here today. Thank you for what you do for the students and what you do for the doctors. And watch out for my application to become a doctor because it's coming in about a year and a half. That's how much longer I have to apply for it.

I can't wait till you're there. And I'm so proud of all that you've accomplished and continue to accomplish.

I can't wait till you're there. And I'm so proud of all that you've accomplished and continue to accomplish.

Thank you so much. I appreciate you. Thank you guys for being with here with us here today. I ask that you subscribe to four four notifications for the next podcasts here at Life University. Thank you.

Thank you so much. I appreciate you. Thank you guys for being with here with us here today. I ask that you subscribe to four four notifications for the next podcasts here at Life University. Thank you.