Meet the Team at Summit Chiropractic
Dr James McDermott (Watford Location)
Dr James McDermott is based at the Watford practice. He started his education at the University of Hull. After completing a three-year programme in Sports Rehabilitation, he discovered a passion for chiropractic.
He enrolled in the prestigious Anglo-European College of Chiropractic in Bournemouth. In 2013, he graduated with a Master’s degree in Chiropractic. He began practising at one of the biggest chiropractic companies in Europe.
Dr James continued learning, and growing his skills, with seminars across the UK, Europe, and America. He has attended Cal Jam multiple times, one of the best known annual chiropractic conferences, hosting over 2,500 attendees from across the world.
Passionate About Chiropractic
A keen footballer, Dr James is passionate about sports and inspired to help fellow athletes recover and heal. Treatment can improve general athletic performance, allowing athletes to be at the top of their game.
Outside the Practice
You can find Dr James enjoying family time with his wife, Sophie who practises at Hemel, and their son and daughter, or travelling to see family in his home town of Scarborough. As previously said, playing football is another passion of his or you can find him busy doing DIY.
Dr Briar Nelson (Watford location)
What do you love most about being a chiropractor?
I love helping people feel their best and guiding them to reach their health goals naturally.
What chiropractic college did you attend and what was the most significant, professor, event or ‘ah-ha’ moment?
I attended London Southbank University. Robert Crowley played a significant role in shaping my education. I love how he taught through case studies, it was engaging and hands-on and made learning impactful.
When a new patient first meets you, what can they tell about you?
My patients can tell I truly care about helping with whatever problem they walk in with. I’m here to listen, support, and guide them every step of the way in their journey to better health.
It is said that the most successful people are those who are irrationally passionate about something. What’s that “something” for you?
I have a background in Sociology, which depends my passion for understanding people’s unique experiences. This allows me to provide the support they need and truly make a difference in their lives.
Read More About Dr Briar
Tell me about the moment you chose to become a chiropractor.
I can’t pinpoint exactly when I raised my career path, but it has been my goal for the last 10 years. I’ve always had a passion for the human body and helping people, making this the perfect combination for me.
How has your perspective on chiropractic or health evolved over the years?
My perspective on chiropractic care only strenghens the more I learn and practice. Seeing the positive effect it has on so many people reaffirms that this is exactly where I’m meant to be.
Are there any additional accreditations, special training, certifications or professional accomplishments that patients might be interested in?
I have training in shockwave therapy, and kinesiotaping, and I’m currently taking an xray course along with several paediatric courses. I plan to take many more courses in the future!
When you’re not in your practice, where might we find you, what hobbies might you be enjoying or what would you be doing?
I love to unwind by doing puzzles at home, reading, and spending time with my friends.
Tell me a little about your family—the one you came from and the one you’ve created.
I come from a very supportive family that has been with me every step of my journey. I have a twin sister who is a nurse, so healthcare truly runs in the family. Since moving to the UK from Canada 4 years ago, I’ve created my own family with my partner and a group of classmates who feel like family.
Dr Sophie McDermott (Hemel Location)
Dr Sophie McDermott is based at the Hemel practice. She was a teenager when her Dad experienced back pain that kept him from working. She accompanied him to his chiropractor visits and was amazed at the impact it had on his life. She decided she wanted to help people in the same way.
Dr Sophie enrolled in the Anglo-European College of Chiropractic, graduating in 2011. She’s excited about the opportunity to help her local community achieve better health. Dr Sophie says, ‘Chiropractic is for everyone'; she loves taking care of families. Her youngest client was two days old and her eldest was 100!
Dr Sophie practices what she preaches, leading a chiropractic lifestyle. She is adjusted regularly, stays positive, eats well and exercises often. She hopes her example will help empower people to make better health decisions.
Read More About Dr Sophie
Outside the Practice
Dr Sophie keeps busy taking care of her 3 children and enjoys spending time with family and friends.
Dr James and Dr Sophie are both passionate about chiropractic. They coach and mentor other chiropractors and healthcare professionals to be the best they can be.
Dr Rosa Mendes Gomez (Hemel Location)
Dr Rosa Mendes Gomez is based at the Hemel practice. She was always keen on becoming a healthcare practitioner since childhood, and thought she would become a medical doctor or nurse and specialise in paediatrics. “However, when I moved to the UK and was applying for universities, a good friend of mine suggested I look into chiropractic as he had a feeling it would be the right profession for me”.
After researching chiropractic, Dr Rosa was sold. She strongly believes that what made her choose chiropractic was its self-healing and regulating abilities and how it gives power to the body.
Finding Fulfilment Helping Others
When Dr Rosa’s clients first meet her, they appreciate that she is friendly, but professional and approachable. And she’s clearly passionate about what she does.
“My favourite aspect of being a chiropractor is seeing the changes my clients experience not only in the complaint they might have come with but how with better function of their bodies they can see a transformation in other aspects of their lives”.
Read More About Dr Rosa
Education and Achievements
Dr Rosa earned her Doctor of Chiropractic from McTimoney Chiropractic College. “My favourite memory is when it was our turn to organise the BACS (British Association of Chiropractic Students) Conference, and Guy Riekeman, former president of Life University, was one of the speakers”. Dr Rosa found his talk to be so inspiring. The way he was able to transmit his love for chiropractic and dedication made her realise she was going to be part of a special profession and that she wanted to be a vitalistic chiropractor.
An Interest in Paediatrics & Women’s Health
With her biggest passion being paediatrics and women’s health, Dr Rosa strives to provide the best care for the whole family with a particular focus on aiding children to grow healthy and happy, as they are the future. One of her favourite quotes is, “It is easier to build strong children, than repair broken adults”.
Over the years, Dr Rosa’s perspective on health has changed as she believes in the importance of taking responsibility for one’s health. She feels that when people come to the realisation that health is dependent on everything we do, from how we think, how we feel, how we move, how we eat and our daily habits, it encourages us to make the right choices to live a healthier life.
Outside the Practice
When she’s not practising, Dr Rosa loves reading about a range of topics from self-motivation and development books to novels. She also enjoys learning new skills and knowledge to apply in practice and to better help her clients. Pole fitness is one of her hobbies.
Dr Hussein Vakili (Hemel Location)
What do you love most about being a chiropractor?
Knowing that my efforts contribute to someone’s well-being and happiness is immensely gratifying. It reinforces the idea that we can all make a difference in each other’s lives.
What chiropractic college did you attend and what was the most significant, professor, event or ‘ah-ha’ moment?
I studied at London South Bank University. A pivotal moment in my academic experience was when I first connected with my classmates. This encounter highlighted the importance of collaboration and building relationships with peers. We established a study group, which significantly changed my approach to learning.
When a new patient first meets you, what can they tell about you?
They can tell that I really love what I do.
It is said that the most successful people are those who are irrationally passionate about something. What’s that “something” for you?
Running
Tell me about the moment you chose to become a chiropractor.
I came to a profound realisation when I took the time to reflect on my future and my purpose in life: my true calling is to help others.
How has your perspective on chiropractic or health evolved over the years?
Maintaining a long-term perspective on your health is crucial. As I encounter more patients, I increasingly recognize the significance of prioritizing self-care while you still have the ability to do so. Additionally, it’s essential to discover activities that you truly enjoy.
Are there any additional accreditations, special training, certifications or professional accomplishments that patients might be interested in?
I was once passionate about football and played for QPR academy. Later, I transitioned into coaching youth teams, where I focused on nurturing young talent and developing their skills.
When you’re not in your practice, where might we find you, what hobbies might you be enjoying or what would you be doing?
I will be running at the gym or be in the sauna recovering from my run.
Tell me a little about your family—the one you came from and the one you’ve created.
I come from a big family with nine members. I have five brothers and one sister. Growing up, I always had someone to spend time with.
Stuart Day, Sports Massage Therapist (Hemel Location)
Stuart Day started his education at Sports Therapy UK back in 2010. He has always had a deep interest in sports injuries, having experienced so many himself while playing sports throughout the years.
But there was a moment in his previous career, where he was teaching at a college on the topic of sports injuries when he realized, “Why haven’t I looked at becoming a Sports Massage Therapist?” Fast forward to today and here he is living out his dream.
Qualifications and Accomplishments
Stuart has additional qualifications as a sports massage therapist. These include:
- UTCT L5 Qualifications in Upper and Lower Body Injuries
- Pregnancy Massage– from the London School of Massage
- Trained in the use of the Instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM)
Love for Sports
When Stuart is not at Summit Chiropractic, you can find him watching one of his favourite sports, cricket. Following one team in particular, the Essex County Cricket team. His love for sports doesn’t stop there, he is also an avid fan of the Fulham Football Club. If there is a football match or any other sporting event going on you will most likely find him there in attendance.
Hannah, Sports Massage Therapist (Hemel Location)
What do you love most about being a sports massage therapist?
What I love most about being a sports massage therapist is the opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives, big or small. Whether it’s helping athletes reach their peak performance or enabling someone to walk and sit without pain, seeing the joy and relief on my clients’ faces is incredibly fulfilling. It’s rewarding to know that my work helps them live more comfortably and enjoy their daily activities, whether it’s excelling in their sport or simply being pain-free at their work desk. The ability to positively impact their well-being is what makes this profession truly special to me.
Where did you study?
University of Hertfordshire
It is said that the most successful people are those who are irrationally passionate about something. What’s that “something” for you?
For me, that “something” is living a healthy life and promoting the belief that movement is medicine. I’m passionate about helping everyone experience the freedom of being pain-free. I believe that everyone deserves to live without pain and to enjoy the benefits of health, fitness, and overall well-being. This drives me to help others find relief and regain their mobility, ensuring they can live their lives to the fullest.
During my competitive swimming career, I suffered an injury that required extensive rehabilitation. Fascinated by the process of regaining strength and mobility, I discovered the powerful combination of strengthening and mobility exercises with sports massage. This experience inspired me to become a sports therapist incorporating massage so I could help others achieve the same successful recovery and well-being.
I hold a Bachelor of Science degree in Sports Therapy and am certified in Cupping therapy and sports massage. My specialisation lies in treating injuries not only from sports but also those caused by day-to-day activities. I focus on effective rehabilitation and utilize soft tissue therapy to enhance recovery for athletes and clients alike.
When I’m not working, I like going to the gym for group classes and swimming. I enjoy dining out with friends and family, especially Italian food. Taking long walks with my two dogs and I also love traveling to new places.
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We’re Here For You!
Our chiropractors would love to introduce you to chiropractic care, and Stuart Day, would like to introduce you to sports massage therapy. Contact our friendly team to make an appointment today.
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