So many thoughts are running through my head.

My emotions have been all over the place. I am overwhelmed with elation to begin my career as a Chiropractic Physician and for the real work to begin. I am sad to say goodbye to my patients but I know their new interns will treat them well. I am proud of my friends and colleagues for accomplishing what I know is a long and hard journey to become doctors. Most of all, I am grateful. I want to say thank you to all the faculty, administrators, and professors. Every single day you all helped me learn. Not just learn new knowledge, but learn about life. You all came into my life for a reason and I am truly grateful to have met each and every single one of you. I want to say thank you to Marie and Krisse for helping me share my story with this blog. To those of you thinking of coming to National or becoming a Doctor of Chiropractic, know that I sincerely believe this is one of the most rewarding professions anyone can enter and this institution will prepare you to succeed in the ever-changing world of healthcare and the chiropractic profession.

I have no regrets about the decisions I have made. Even when I was under the stress of exams, practicals, papers, or just burned out from 35 hour weeks in clinic, there wasn’t anywhere I would rather be. When I was stressed I went to the beach to soak up some rays, throw the football, and watch the sunset. I played outdoor soccer on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday nights in the middle of winter. I could see a concert any day of the year or tour a new exhibit in one of the world famous museums. I could take a vacation (or staycation) on the weekends in the beautiful downtown areas of Tampa and St. Pete. It was a tremendous experience, one that I wouldn’t trade for the world. All the hard work in classes prepared me for the Board exams which I passed with flying colors on my first try with minimal preparation. Many of the doctors I have interviewed with were impressed with my knowledge and expertise in all areas of diagnostics whether it was labs, films, physical examination, or taking a detailed history.

I am following in the footsteps of my Chiropractor and mentor Dr. Christopher J. Bott, whom I want to thank for his guidance through this journey. Thank you to my parents Anthony and Sharon Kotwicki for all that you have done for me in my life. I literally cannot list all of it but I am truly blessed to have such incredible parents. To my sister Amanda and my brother Tommy for all the love and support. To my love, Whitney for going through this journey with me. Thank you to all my friends here and back home thank you to my family. You all mean the world to me. I am so happy and proud of myself. For the rest of my life I can look back and say “I did it.” Thank you National University of Health Sciences for giving me this opportunity to make my dream come true. Congratulations to the Class of 2018. By this time next week I will be Dr. Christopher Anthony Kotwicki, Chiropractic Physician. Now it is time to change the world, one person at a time.

Yours in Health,

Christopher Kotwicki