Dr. Glo
Updated: Jan 5, 2021
When I was little, my family started calling me Glo. When I began chiropractic college, it became the running joke that my patients could call me Dr. Glo- which I hated. It just seemed a little too informal. Not because I thought I deserved some fancy title, but because as a young female I wasn't sure if people would take me seriously. If I had a name like that, would people trust me with their healthcare?
Then something happened. You may have heard of this little bug going around called COVID-19.
Due to the pandemic, my plans were very much changed around. I was recently graduated and ready to start the "real world" when the world decided it needed to shut down instead. This delayed licensing, buying the practice in my hometown, building a practice, treating patients, etc. Everything I had planned out for post graduation was disheveled.
That's when I really began to think what I wanted my practice to truly be. I had now been given this gift of time. I didn't need to (and couldn't) rush into this anymore. So I began with a vision board of what I wanted this to look like.
First and foremost - I wanted everyone to know they are safe and welcomed in my practice. When I attended Olivet College, all the RA's had a poster on there door that said "safe zone". It meant in this space every person should know they are not being judge, they are cared for, and we were there to help. I wanted that same mantra for my office.
I wanted it to feel happy. We've all sat in a doctors office and felt they dreariness of illness, heartache, and sterile white walls while sitting in a thinly cushioned chair. This is not what I had envisioned for my practice. I want it to feel warm, welcoming, and vibrant. Don't get me wrong, we've still got a lot of work to do here! However, I believe a huge part of this comes from attitude. Knowing someone is happy to see you and cares about your wellness is important to the overall 'vibes' if you will.
Then one day during brainstorming they name came back up. At this point I had already began practice and was referring to myself as Dr. Arras when I got to thinking. If people call me Dr. Arras or Dr. Glo or Dr. Gloria or whatever else they come up with- what does it matter? I'm so conscious of the idea of me that people have that I forget that isn't what it's about. Life is too short to care about about such trivial things. Besides, Dr. Glo is kind of fun and it feels more personable which to me is an obvious change that needs to be made in healthcare. If patients want to call me that and it makes them feel more comfortable - I'm here for it!
So regardless of which you choose, know I am here for you and I can't wait to see your thrive!
Have a beautiful day,
Dr. Glo
