20 Under 40

Curt M. Kippenberger
Owner and Clinic Director, Focus On Health Chiropractic
Age: 33

Job description:

I direct patient care, oversee clinical operations and oversee procedures from other providers.

Hometown:
Rolla, Missouri.

Years lived in Columbia:

15 (minus a short four-year break for chiropractic school)

Education:

Doctor of Chiropractic from Logan College of Chiropractic, St. Louis; Bachelor of Science from Logan University; Bachelor of Science in human exercise science and nutrition from MU.

Professional background:

While attending undergrad, I had the opportunity to intern with the sports medicine department as an athletic trainer for our Mizzou football team. During this time, I became recognized as a certified strength and conditioning specialist and a USA cycling coach to further my knowledge in human biomechanics and apply it to my personal training clients. I was working at Walt’s Bike and Fitness as a bicycle fit specialist, and I recognized an opportunity to further help my clients dealing with pain or muscular imbalances. After enrolling at Logan, I spent many weekends at continuing education courses, learning advanced joint and soft tissue manipulation, functional movement analysis and various forms of rehabilitation. Since I began private practice in 2010, I have continued my educational journey in those areas, and in 2013, I became certified in Selective Functional Movement Analysis.

Mentor:

I have a lot of professional mentors, but I believe my family and my closest friends have truly helped support and shape me into the individual I’ve become.

What don’t people know about your job?

Chiropractic care is for everyone! Our youngest patient to enter the office (aside from my daughter) was on his way home from the hospital, just days old, to receive his first adjustment. Our most life-experienced patient is 96.

What is the best thing about your job?

Helping our community get out of pain and move better seems like the logical answer. All I need to perform my job is my hands. I still find it incredible that we get such amazing results with such simple tools.    

 A favorite recent project?

Our lives always seem full of projects. I’m just a few weeks away from wrapping up an entire first floor remodel in our home. To say it was my favorite would be far from the truth, but the timing is impeccable (now that it’s nearly finished, it is close to my favorite).

What was your New Year’s resolution in 2015? Did you accomplish it?

Back in 2009 or 2010, I made a resolution to never make a New Year’s resolution again…so far I’ve succeeded! I have too many areas in my life that need attention, and waiting for the end of the year to face the pile seemed overwhelming.

What are your specific professional goals for 2016?

We would like to hire a fourth provider late in the second quarter. As we continue to expand our providers, we will need a larger facility to fit our needs. We have entertained the idea of expanding our current space, or building from the ground up. The plan is to have a pen to paper by the fourth quarter of 2016. From a personal and professional standpoint, I plan on obtaining advanced certifications regarding rehabilitation and soft tissue manipulation.

What about your day do you look forward to most?

Oddly, I have a song stuck in my head every morning when I wake up…and the song is almost always different than the previous day. I am always excited to find if it going to be a “Sweet Child O’ Mine” kind of day, a “Gonna Make You Sweat” kind of day, or a “Friends in Low Places” kind of day.

What motivates you?

I am very competitive, so naturally I am motivated by results. The nice thing is that I can apply this to just about any situation. Clinical results, financial gains, fitness accomplishments, etc. “That which gets measured gets done.” – Arthur Drucker

If you weren’t doing this, what would you be doing?

Rock climbing. After I graduated from Mizzou, I took a year to decide what graduate program best suited my career goals. I was also chasing the dream of becoming a professional cyclist. During the summer of 2005, I took the GRE, applied to a few exercise physiology master’s programs, and reconsidered physical therapy school. I suppose I could have ended up walking down any of the above paths.

Community involvement:

We choose a handful of philanthropies each year to support. This year, we chose to sponsor the Dream Factory, Prayers for Bryson, and we are gearing up for our annual “Giving Tree” for two families, through the Voluntary Action Center. We also sponsor several local teams, including the Columbia Multisport Club, Walt’s/Logboat Cycling Team, Big Tree Cycling Team, the CoMo Derby Dames and the Outlaws rugby team. Our clinic also serves as the endorsed chiropractic facility for Columbia Public Schools. We are active in the Chamber of Commerce, where my wife Krista is a chamber ambassador and a co-chair for Women’s Network, along with her involvement as president of the Cherry Hill Business Association and the organizer for the Holiday Festival. Outside of that, we sponsor local bicycle and running races, CrossFit events and other athletic endeavors.

Accomplishment you’re most proud of?

I am overwhelmingly proud of our team at Focus On Health. Even though it seems funny to list it as an accomplishment, they bring balance to my life. They play a large role in helping accomplish all of our small and large wins, so therefore, the assembly of such a wonderful group is an accomplishment within itself.

What do you do for fun?

I am an outdoor junkie: hiking, rock climbing, cycling and exploring in general captivate my attention for enjoyment.

What is your guilty pleasure?

I’m innocent.

Greatest lesson learned?
A growing business is very similar to raising a toddler. It requires constant attention, tireless efforts, compassion, faith and love. At times, the answers aren’t very clear, but you have to roll up your shirtsleeves, stick to your plan, and be willing to take an alternate path to arrive at your goal.

Want some more 2016 20 Under 40? Check out Kelsey Meyer’s Q&A.