MONROE - A longtime community member recently received the title of Chiropractor of the Year from the Wisconsin Chiropractic Association.
Dr. William Spontak has been practicing his field in Monroe since 1990, when he began his tenure as a chiropractor. At the Chiropractic Center of Monroe, Spontak sees a variety of patients ranging from a few days old to 101 years of age.
"This was a wonderful option in healthcare that I didn't know anything about and was exciting," Spontak said of chiropractic. "I found that there were other ways to help people other than that what we'd already known. It's amazing. The most fun people come in here every day."
Though he has been offering adjustments to residents of the city since his graduation from Palmer College in Davenport, Iowa, Spontak did not begin his higher education with chiropractic work in mind.
Originally from Pittsburgh, Spontak first received a bachelor's degree in psychology at Penn State before pursuing a master's degree in international affairs and public administration. He then received pre-requisite schooling in chiropractic studies before going to Palmer and then eventually gained board eligibility in orthopedics.
Spontak began his career as part of a chiropractic clinic based in Freeport as Dr. Roger Hulsebos' first satellite office and became independent in the late 1990s.
Originally, Spontak wanted to join the United States Foreign Service, which aims to "promote peace, support prosperity and protect American citizens while advancing the interests of the U.S. abroad," according to the organization's website.
But life has a way of changing course.
"Around the time I was finishing my master's, I had a neck injury weightlifting and it really, really scared the heck out of me," Spontak said. "I wasn't able to use my left arm. It was really inhibiting; I mean, I was scared. So a friend told me to go to a chiropractor."
The lack of arm movement was frustrating to Spontak, who led an active lifestyle and spent weekends playing guitar in a band. Initially nervous about visiting a chiropractor because of his limited knowledge of the field, Spontak still tried the treatment in the hope of avoiding neck surgery.
Adjustments worked, his arm become fully functional again, and eventually Spontak stopped going to the chiropractor. Two accidents, one on a sailboat, the other the result of a collision with a drunk driver, brought him back to the table. From there, Spontak pursued the occupation that he referred to as "life-changing" for him.
Nominated for the title of Chiropractor of the Year by fellow chiropractor Dr. Charity McMahon of Body & Spine Chiropractic Wellness Center in Fitchburg, Spontak said he was honored for the recognition. When he received the award during the WCA Convention on April 7, Spontak noted he felt greatly humbled by the attention.
"It was a wonderful surprise," Spontak said. "I just feel like so many people do so much. I just didn't feel worthy."
Spontak has spent decades in his field. He works as a representative of Wisconsin to Palmer College and speaks publicly at various campuses. He spends his free time with the Monroe Kiwanis Club, Green County Crime Stoppers and Big Brothers Big Sisters.
"It's a wonderful, kind community full of people who care," Spontak said. "I feel grateful to be a part of that."
Dr. William Spontak has been practicing his field in Monroe since 1990, when he began his tenure as a chiropractor. At the Chiropractic Center of Monroe, Spontak sees a variety of patients ranging from a few days old to 101 years of age.
"This was a wonderful option in healthcare that I didn't know anything about and was exciting," Spontak said of chiropractic. "I found that there were other ways to help people other than that what we'd already known. It's amazing. The most fun people come in here every day."
Though he has been offering adjustments to residents of the city since his graduation from Palmer College in Davenport, Iowa, Spontak did not begin his higher education with chiropractic work in mind.
Originally from Pittsburgh, Spontak first received a bachelor's degree in psychology at Penn State before pursuing a master's degree in international affairs and public administration. He then received pre-requisite schooling in chiropractic studies before going to Palmer and then eventually gained board eligibility in orthopedics.
Spontak began his career as part of a chiropractic clinic based in Freeport as Dr. Roger Hulsebos' first satellite office and became independent in the late 1990s.
Originally, Spontak wanted to join the United States Foreign Service, which aims to "promote peace, support prosperity and protect American citizens while advancing the interests of the U.S. abroad," according to the organization's website.
But life has a way of changing course.
"Around the time I was finishing my master's, I had a neck injury weightlifting and it really, really scared the heck out of me," Spontak said. "I wasn't able to use my left arm. It was really inhibiting; I mean, I was scared. So a friend told me to go to a chiropractor."
The lack of arm movement was frustrating to Spontak, who led an active lifestyle and spent weekends playing guitar in a band. Initially nervous about visiting a chiropractor because of his limited knowledge of the field, Spontak still tried the treatment in the hope of avoiding neck surgery.
Adjustments worked, his arm become fully functional again, and eventually Spontak stopped going to the chiropractor. Two accidents, one on a sailboat, the other the result of a collision with a drunk driver, brought him back to the table. From there, Spontak pursued the occupation that he referred to as "life-changing" for him.
Nominated for the title of Chiropractor of the Year by fellow chiropractor Dr. Charity McMahon of Body & Spine Chiropractic Wellness Center in Fitchburg, Spontak said he was honored for the recognition. When he received the award during the WCA Convention on April 7, Spontak noted he felt greatly humbled by the attention.
"It was a wonderful surprise," Spontak said. "I just feel like so many people do so much. I just didn't feel worthy."
Spontak has spent decades in his field. He works as a representative of Wisconsin to Palmer College and speaks publicly at various campuses. He spends his free time with the Monroe Kiwanis Club, Green County Crime Stoppers and Big Brothers Big Sisters.
"It's a wonderful, kind community full of people who care," Spontak said. "I feel grateful to be a part of that."