Editor’s Note: We’re republishing Mark’s interview with Dr. Baird from the May-June newsletter with updated questions and answers on Evolve Performance Healthcare’s post-shutdown opening to clients.
We shine the spotlight on advertiser Dr. Carl Baird DC, MS, CCSP of Evolve Performance Healthcare. Dr. Baird is a Portland native who grew up in Northeast Portland and attended Lincoln High School. Dr. Baird lives in the neighborhood with his best friend, his dog Bandit!
What is Evolve Performance Healthcare?
I opened Evolve Performance Healthcare to help adults stay active and strong so they can continue to do what they love and stay out of the doctor’s office. We spend a lot of time getting to know our clients, getting to know their concerns and worries as well as their goals, so that we can create a plan that is 100 percent specific to them. Our mission is to improve how people in our community experience the world around them.
What do you love most about helping your clients?
I love seeing our clients’ transformation during their care. By the time many of our clients come to see us, they have been dealing with pain for months to years. They have usually tried many different therapies that may have helped provide some relief, but never solved the issue. A lot of times they’ve been convinced that “it’s just part of getting older” or they have “bad knees” or a “bad back” and it will just be something they have to live with.
It’s satisfying to see the “light bulb” go on about halfway through our treatment programs and see the confidence that comes from knowing their body is capable of amazing feats of strength and that this doesn’t have to limit their mobility the rest of their life.
Talk about the Beaumont-Wilshire community. What has your experience been like so far serving customers in the neighborhood?
I love living in Beaumont-Wilshire. I lived near NE 49th and Fremont while attending chiropractic school. After a 4-year hiatus in Denver, Colorado, I moved back to Portland and immediately moved into an apartment on NE 45th and Fremont. I love the smaller community feel within a bigger city like Portland. I love running into my clients at Prince Coffee or just walking and biking around the neighborhood. I love the strip of restaurants and other shops along Fremont Street.
What is one thing you recommend to the community to stay active during challenging times like these that require us to stay at home?
Look for opportunities. With any situation—not just a global pandemic—we always have a CHOICE in the way that we react. We can hunker down and stress out about things that are completely out of our control, or we can look for opportunities that the situation creates. Take advantage of the extra free time we now have. Take advantage of all the free exercise classes being posted on Facebook and Instagram. Take advantage of all the video-calling technologies that allow us to stay in touch with those that matter most to us.
Update:
Are you open for clients?
Yes, we are! We were allowed to reopen for business on May 1 in accordance with Governor Brown’s go-ahead for non-emergency medical services.
How has the response been?
Very mixed. Many people still aren’t leaving the house. Others are very excited to continue their progress with us. We understand both responses and have made it our job to help our clients feel as comfortable as possible as we return to public spaces.
Any silver linings in the transition?
We’ve used the extra time to take a step back, re-examine our mission, and find ways to improve our services so that as we transition into Phases 1, 2, and 3, we’ll be able to provide an even better experience to anyone who walks through our doors.
Thank you so much for your contribution to the well-being of the neighborhood and support for our newsletter, Dr. Baird!