Forging her own Path

Dr. Jessica (Mueller) Dean '05 found a way to earn a degree that would help her accomplish her dreams.

Mount Mercy's curriculum and resources helped her prepare for the necessary additional schooling required for her profession.

MMU: What does a typical day at your chiropractic practice look like?

JD: Every day is different. Some days are busy from the time I walk in the door treating all kinds of patients. I usually have some people scheduled ahead, but I also have people who call the same day to be seen and can accommodate walk-ins most of the time. I really like the flexibility of the office.

My favorite days are the ones when lots of kids and babies come in. Some days are slower, and I feel like those days are important too. There’s always paperwork to catch up on and phone calls to return. My busiest times tend to be first thing in the morning and then again at the end of the day.

MMU: How did volunteering impact your time as a student at MMU, and how does it continue to impact you in your professional life?

JD:  I think that while in college volunteering was something that everyone “just did.” So, when I have the opportunity to be on a committee or volunteer in my community, I don’t have to think twice because that’s what I’ve always done. Volunteering doesn’t have to be a huge time commitment. It can be as simple as sharing your talents to make your community better. There are a lot of little things that go a long way.

MMU: In addition to volunteering, were you involved in any other extracurriculars at MMU that helped to prepare you for chiropractic school and your career?

JD: I was a three-sport athlete at MMU. I was in volleyball, softball, and track and field. I also worked at the ARC and on campus. Being involved in anything makes you manage your time. I am a planner, and I like to have a calendar that’s full. That was all something I was able to really grasp at MMU, and now that my calendar is even more full with juggling a business and a family, I seem to be able to handle it all okay.

MMU: How did the MMU coursework relate to your field?

JD: The biology courses I took at MMU were a great foundation to the classes I took in chiropractic school. MMU is very lucky to have a cadaver lab, and the exposure I had there was also a great precursor to the time spent in the cadaver lab as a chiropractic student. I also took a couple very basic business classes that were a good foundation to starting a business.

MMU: Do you have any advice for MMU students that might be interested in the same career path?

JD: There are lots of good chiropractic schools, especially in the Midwest. It’s important to look at each and, like picking any school, go visit and see which one is the best fit for you. Many chiropractors also welcome job shadowing in their offices, and it’s good to see all the different ways people are practicing.

That’s one of the coolest things about this profession—you can make your practice fit you. For me, I started out in 400 square feet of office space in my garage. It was important to our family that I was close to home. I have recently moved into a new office space, so seeing my business grow has been very rewarding.