Today we’d like to introduce you to Meredith Vorrath.
Meredith, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Starting out working in a GNC in high school, I was able to help many people with common issues and knew I wanted a career in alternative medicine. I got my prereqs done at UCF before attending Florida College of Integrative Medicine. I was the youngest in my class at 22, (acupuncture seems to be a popular second career) most students being in their mid-thirties or older with previous jobs of nurses, massage therapists, and even a former stockbroker.
I worked 34 hours a week at a horse barn in addition to over 30 hours a week in the classroom and clinic rounds. I wound up student government president and gave the graduation speech for our class. After I graduated I left Orlando to return to Palm Beach County, where I was born and raised. I opened a little clinic inside a chiropractors office in Wellington and ran it for a few years but I was charging $75 per treatment and having trouble finding folks who could afford my rates despite having set them at what is thought as low for our profession.
Then I found work at a Community Acupuncture clinic in Stuart Community Acupuncture is different because we charge lower rates on a sliding scale and leave it up to the patient to decide what they can afford to pay. I found myself looking forward to the group atmosphere, I was seeing patients with more complex conditions like stroke and colitis, which was more rewarding and interesting than the nervous tension I was used to treating. I was also getting better results for my patients since they were able to afford their treatment and they were able to come for treatment more frequently. They don’t tell you in school but the folks that seem to need us the most are the ones who also have high hospital bills and little money as they deal with chronic and debilitating health issues.
I had gone to acupuncture school because I wanted to help people, wanted to make a difference, with CA I had found my calling and I soon saved to open my own practice in Boynton Beach. Ironically, we became one of those people in need after I fell in love and got married only to have my husband break his neck 4 months after we said: “I do”. We were saddled with what seemed like unconquerable medical debt. One year after opening my Boynton clinic, the owner of the community clinic in Boca Raton was really impressed with me and turned down several offers on his clinic to personally call me and ask me to buy it.
I found a way, and at 30 years old I was the owner of 2 affordable clinics in Palm Beach County it was all so surreal. Now my husband and I run both the clinics together and we have a few people that work for us, it feels amazing to be able to write checks for people, to know my business is not only helping people heal but helping to support the people who with us.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Mostly the greatest challenge has been getting the word out that we’re here. So many people are interested in acupuncture but can’t afford it or aren’t willing to lay their money down on a mystery treatment, but acupuncture has come a long way in terms of proof of its effectiveness. There has been a lot of research and acceptance by western medicine over the years.
Folks just don’t know they can pay an affordable rate. Some patients even ask me “what’s the difference if I pay $25 or $50 for my treatment today?” They are shocked when I tell them “absolutely no difference”. The treatment is the same because not all people can pay the top rate of our scale but that doesn’t mean they don’t deserve to get great acupuncture. It’s a very common occurrence for patients to say “If you weren’t here, I wouldn’t be able to afford acupuncture” or “this is the only place I can truly relax” and my favorite “acupuncture is the only thing that has been able to help me”.
That’s the kind of thing that makes you want to fight, in this clinic, it’s not just about me, it’s about helping people, being here for them. We still have a lot of growing to do but I believe we will get more patients over time and the more patients we get the bigger the difference we are making in peoples lives…
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Acupuncture Advantage – what should we know?
We specialize in acupuncture at an affordable rate. Since we are affordable our practitioners tend to have 5 times the experience per year than other physicians because we treat more patients per hour.
The patients are treated in one large room, in comfortable recliners, with low lighting and soothing music. Many of our patients prefer the community atmosphere because it makes them more comfortable to be around other people who are also relaxing quietly.
This model is also rewarding to the physicians that work here because there is more variety in their day and they can have a larger impact in helping people with their health. Patients can afford their treatments and can come as often as they need which results in better healing outcomes. Mostly, I am proud of the sheer numbers we are able to help in one day. I can help more patients in one day than most acupuncturists can in one week.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
So many people were an integral part of the clinic. Perhaps most importantly the patients themselves. It’s not always easy to allow yourself time to heal, society has taught us to struggle on without tending to our own wounds but getting help is important.
My parents, of course, helped us by letting us live with them through some tough times and personal tragedy. They also loaned us the money to purchase the Boca Clinic (blush). Very much my husband, Tyler Rands, who now runs the front desk, handles herb orders and is generally very detail oriented. We served as each other’s rock through some very tough times and I am amazed every day that I managed to find the worlds most amazing caring person.
Plus the guy thinks nothing of doing the laundry and washing dishes… like I said amazing. I can’t forget the acupuncturists and staff that have helped us over the years. Their passion and intelligence have been great to see.
Pricing:
- Acupuncture $25-$50 pay what you can afford, New patient fee of $15
- Cupping $20
- B12 injection $30
- Homeopathic pain injection $35
- Homeopathic immunity booster injection $30
Contact Info:
- Address: 600 S Dixie Hwy Suite 101, Boca Raton, FL 33432
- Website: WWW.ACUPUNCTURE-ADVANTAGE.COM
- Phone: 561-338-1771
- Email: [email protected]
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AcupunctureAdvantage/
Image Credit:
Tyler Rands
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