Kentland Community Supporter: Dr. Jay Brinkman

I am originally from central Illinois, near Bloomington. I attended Illinois Wesleyan for my undergrad studying pre-med, and continued my education at Life University in Marietta, Georgia, where I obtained my chiropractic degree in March, 1983. My wife, Diane, is from the same Illinois hometown, and we decided to marry and move to Georgia together.

After graduation, Diane wanted to move back to the Midwest, but I was hesitant to leave Georgia and agreed to move north as long as we did not move back home to Illinois. I applied to several Midwest state boards (excluding Illinois), and Indiana was the first board I passed. After getting my professional license, I began my first practice in West Lafayette in November, 1983. A few years later, an opportunity opened up in Kentland. Dr. Milton Feaster was selling his practice. Diane and I thought this was the perfect place for us to move to and raise our family which now includes 4 children and 6 grandchildren. I bought the practice in September, 1986, and we have loved being a part of the community ever since.

During high school, I chose to pursue a health career and initially wanted to attend medical school. After my freshman year of college, I serendipitously met a recent chiropractic graduate just opening his office in Bloomington, Illinois, and he ended up becoming a mentor to me. Dr. William Rademacher hired me as I was attending undergrad and exposed me to the fulfilling duties of a chiropractic provider. I fell in love with the work environment, so I decided to pursue chiropractic as a career. When I was deciding between two chiropractic schools, it was Dr. Bill who encouraged me to attend Life University in Georgia, and not Palmer, his alma mater, in Davenport, Iowa.

My day-to-day work as a chiropractor is mostly patient management. I treat a variety of health issues utilizing spinal and extremity adjustments. I attend a wide demographic of patients adjusting infants, school-aged children, student-athletes, families, senior citizens, and many, many workers in strenuous occupations.

I’m actively involved in several community organizations like Trinity United Methodist Church and the Kentland Rotary Club. I am also involved in the Goodland’s Lion’s Club and the Morocco Masonic Lodge. My favorite local event is the Newton County Fair. The beautiful venue struck me as extraordinary the very first year my family attended, and Diane and I look forward to attending every summer. Diane and I also enjoy many of the social events that take place in the area, including the festivals, live concerts, and craft shows.

The sense of community in Kentland is exceptional! It’s very supportive here. This is exactly the type of community Diane and I hoped to raise our family in. It’s HOME!