Balancing Act: Dr. Thompson's Chiropractic Journey in Miami's Inner City

May 02, 2024

Photo credit: Dr. Randall Thompson--Miami Spine Clinic By B.A.D. TCHR A stark contrast exists just a short distance from the beaches and towering cityscapes of Miami Beach. Urban neighborhoods, a mere two and a half miles from the Venetian Causeway, are home to individuals who consider it a 'good time' when temporary layoffs and inadequate healthcare don't burden them. One of those neighborhoods is at the heart of Little Haiti, on the intersection of 2nd Avenue and Northwest 54th Street, where Dr. Randall Thompson, a second-generation chiropractor, brings over half a decade of experience to his practice at the Miami Spine Clinic, serving a community often plagued by blue and white-collar hustlers, unemployment, and lack of insurance. "Healthcare providers increasingly exploit communities like mine," Thompson stated. The Miami native emphasized that many practitioners in the inner city are often "transplants" whose interest in their patients only extends to the insurance invoice. Like many, the global pandemic altered Thompson's perspective on healthcare and societal values. He was "forced to reevaluate the healthcare system as the world slowed." The pandemic exposed the disparities and drawbacks within the system, with many individuals becoming victims of predatory surgeries driven by profit rather than genuine patient well-being. In response, Thompson doubled his commitment to holistic, patient-centered care, further solidifying his mission to challenge the status quo. He advocates enabling individuals to make informed decisions about their healthcare needs. "Patient education is critically important because it allows [them] to be aware of likely outcomes and what they should be looking for, especially in personal injury scenarios," he said. "For example, you see these billboards and commercials of the injured receiving $500k-plus settlements, but they are not telling you that frequently these people have undergone invasive procedures and have to live with pain for the rest of their lives." Thompson's journey into chiropractic care began long before he earned his bachelor's in biology from Florida A&M University in 2007 and his Doctor of Chiropractic from Palmer College of Chiropractic Florida in 2011. He witnessed firsthand the power of chiropractic treatment as his father established their family practice in the 9th Ward of New Orleans before relocating back to Miami in 1991. "I was always in my dad's office; I grew up there," Thompson reminisces. "As I got older, I took an oath to prevent patients from undergoing typically useless surgeries because I know they usually don't work in their best interest," he said. His commitment to compassionate care spans all age groups, from infants to seniors, with a laser-like intention of "keeping people as whole as possible." Thompson prioritizes community service and challenging social mores, particularly among impressionable, urban young men, and questions the conventional narrative that glorifies athletic and entertainment pursuits as the only pathways to success. His advocacy extends beyond his clinic. "Do those who achieve wealth through sports or entertainment truly succeed if that's their singular focus?"  he asked. Drawing inspiration from outliers like Michael Jordan, Kanye West, Jay-Z, and Oprah Winfrey, Thompson emphasizes the importance of looking beyond the superficial. "It's not about dunking or singing; it's about leveraging your platform to build something lasting," he asserts by encouraging young men to pursue entrepreneurship as a pathway to success. His message is clear: success lies not in the momentary or external validation but in the relentless pursuit of one's passions and the dedication to meaningful work.  

Chosen Freedom Academy: Nurturing Minds, Igniting Futures

May 01, 2024

Photo credit: Aina Thompson By B.A.D. TCHR Aina Thompson believes children are the future. After 20 years in middle and high school classrooms, she gave up her keys to public education. She said it was an ordained shift to open Chosen Freedom Academy, a progressive preschool in Atlanta, GA. The intention is to teach toddlers well and create an environment where they can lead the way through learning and discovery, which Thompson suggests is a more compelling purpose in nurturing young minds. Thompson's transition was with its trials. The influence of politics, formulaic teaching methods, and the sweeping violence prevalent among her students marred her tenure in the traditional education system. These factors resulted in her settling an internal dispute against the bureaucracies of a failing institution "Sometimes, to go forward, you have to go backward," she said. The D.C. native attributes her inspiration and educational expectations to Ujamaa Shule K-12 in the nation's capital, a school that shaped her formative years. Her experience there was so profound that she counts it more significant than her graduation from Howard University.  Her dedication to revolutionizing early childhood education is a passion and a pressing necessity. She understands the pivotal developmental stages of academics, apathy, particularly among inner-city children, and the urgent need for intervention. Her school, strategically positioned to intervene during the critical brain development phase between the ages of 2 and 5, is her instrument for catalyzing the change she envisions. "I have learned that penetrating the brain structure is crucial before things solidify and take shape," she said. Thompson's approach differs significantly from limiting theoretical philosophies and predetermined methodologies like Piaget's because it emphasizes each student's individuality.  To that end, "many educators fall short by always finding their work confined to a small box of philosophy … these stances are rote," she said. By meeting students where they are, Thompson believes she can better serve them by actively engaging with each student's academic identity. She's a strong advocate of reciprocal teaching.  "I don't know what I am approaching when encountering another human being. I learn who the child is and what to give them, and they teach me what they need," she added. To address students' prior knowledge, she recommends  assessing students before modeling gradual release processes to ensure they are necessary. "An educator's ego can get in the way of a student's growth," she said, adding,  "The problem with the gradual release model is that some may not accept that sometimes kids don't need to be released—they might already know it." How her students feel plays a monumental role in the learning process. "First," she said, "we measure student success by joy and happiness." Following this, Thompson seeks mastery in her students through high levels of information and scaffolding: "Can they synthesize the learning objectives? Can they grow their understanding to a level it had not been before?" Central to her students' success is communication. It enhances their belief in their ability to excel because "there is no such thing as mistakes in learning. Nothing comes out always perfect. That's not how innovation works," she said. "Communication allows us to connect in the world that evolves the human." For Thompson, engaging with and activating her students' innate learning ability "is the greatest love of all."