Chiropractic is Jessica ‘Mee-Lynn’ Bentley, D.C.’s (West, ’21) second career path, one she found in her mid-thirties after her first career as a medical massage therapist. Now, as she prepares to begin in practice, she reflects on her experience taking part in Palmer’s Department of Defense/Veteran’s Affairs (DoD/VA) program.
After completing her rotation at the Clarksville VA Clinic of the Tennessee Valley Health System, Dr. Bentley said, “I learned so much, even more than I expected! Working at the VA is like working with the general population but amplified. Spinal fusion patients, for example, were seen daily there. In many cases, patients had extreme conditions who were taking more than ten medications at a time.”
Every intake involved a physical therapist, acupuncturist and chiropractor. The multidisciplinary model allows practitioners to work as a team to assess patients and build their treatment plans together. “To get to work with a team like that was incredible!” she said.
Prior to attending Palmer West, Dr. Bentley’s team consisted of her partner and two daughters. As a non-traditional student, she felt she had the same challenges as traditional students but had to be more creative in her approach. “I started out as a part-time student while working as a full-time bookkeeper and graduated only nine months after my peers. I didn’t have the same comradery with them [as a traditional student would have] because I just didn’t have the time for extracurriculars while raising two girls and working, but that just meant I structured my time differently.”
Prior to making the choice to become a chiropractor, Dr. Bentley’s first exposure to chiropractic care was in an anatomy lab during massage school. After earning her associate of applied sciences in medical massage, she received her first chiropractic adjustment only after going to work for a chiropractor. “Krisiti Billis, D.C. (retired) motivated me to go back to school. I loved massage therapy but wanted to advance my career so I could help people on a deeper level. I had so much respect for her!” she said.
Now 6 and 15, her daughters Rhea and Ella can appreciate what their mom has accomplished. Now that Dr. Bentley has completed her schooling, it’s her partner’s turn, and he’s recently enrolled at Palmer West. “We met while we both worked as massage therapists and he just started at Palmer West. We had to take turns for financial reasons. The girls think it’s cool to have two parents who are doctors!”
To new students, she wants to remind you, just as she did her partner, that while three to four years seems like a long way out, try to slow down and enjoy the ride. “Take care of yourself mentally, emotionally and physically so that you can be your best. The more you learn at Palmer, the better your self-care will get. Become who you want your patients to be!”
Dr. Bentley continues to search for an associate position in the San Jose area while waiting to take her jurisprudence exam. This former Michigander is excited to care for her future Californian patients!
