Student Spotlight

Mark McCullough, D.C., Candidate for Ph.D. in Holistic Nutrition

Perhaps you’ve wondered: Just how does a new student begin his or her Clayton College admissions process? Here are excerpts from the enrollment essay submitted by Mark McCullough, a chiropractor in Michigan.

“Empowering Others to Get Well and Stay Well”

It all started with the birth of our son Jacob. He had had meconium aspiration, was two weeks overdue, and the reason labor was not induced was because the OB/GYN was on vacation. When Jacob was born, we were immediately told that he may not make it through the night due to complications. After a battery of antibiotics, vaccinations, and silver nitrate in his eyes for gonorrhea, he came home one week later.

In the next year, Jacob had not slept more than two hours at a time, and he was miserable. The only remedy from the primary care physician was medication, which gave no improvements. Within three years, Jacob had had 30 ear infections and two sets of tubes. At 3 1/2, he was diagnosed with autism and mental retardation.

At this point, my wife and I had to make a decision. Being in the pharmaceutical industry, I had all of my pre-professional requirements so I decided to go to chiropractic school.

Upon beginning my new endeavor, I introduced my whole family to chiropractic care and within three weeks, Jacob no longer had ear infections. Now, being able to hear, he was able to learn language and numbers, etc. Working with occupational therapy students, his “catching up” began.

By the time he was eight, Jacob was a mainstream elementary student, and he was completely “undiagnosed” with both of the above conditions. That’s right, “undiagnosed.”

I have never seen a boy try so hard to be normal but I do know one thing. He has not been on any medication — prescription or over the counter — since he was 3 1/2. Today he is 15.

Upon returning to Battle Creek, not only did I come back to help empower people to get well and stay well, I also got my son back, got saved, and received a degree in chiropractic. This road that we have been down is by no means an accident. Though if I had the choice, I would not have chosen this road, I believe that it chose me; just like my profession. Health is not always the easy road, but it IS the most rewarding. Seeing people every day who develop a “fire” for their health is one more day worth living.

I believe that pursuing and attaining a Doctorate in Holistic Nutrition will continue to enable me to empower people through the vehicle of Holistic Healthcare. And with the disease crises as well as the economic crises that we are currently in, it is high time that TRUE “HEALTHCARE” PROVIDERS step up and take a stand for the betterment of the people.

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