WELL-PLACED TO PRACTISE by ALTHEA BLACKBURN-EVANS
This past September, a time when many people embarked on new experiences, Luigi Nalli (BPHE 0T7) marked a major career milestone. The young chiropractor, just one year into the job, took over the practice of his longtime mentor – someone who years ago opened a door that many others had shut. In 2006, Nalli was a third-year PHE student searching for a chiropractic clinic to complete his second professional placement course the following semester. “The Faculty had chiropractors who were already [part of the placement program], but I liked the idea of doing a placement closer to home.” So the Mississauga-based student started knocking on the doors of clinics in his area, hoping to find a willing mentor. After dozens of rejections, Nalli found Dr. David Gryfe. “I figured he’d be like the 20 doctors before him who weren’t interested, but he said he’d love to meet me.” Walking into the Humber Family Chiropractic Clinic, Nalli made an instant connection with Gryfe, and the placement plans were set. The following year, on his Tuesday and Thursday visits to the clinic, Nalli was inspired by Gryfe’s approach to patient care. “Everyone he would see, everyone I got to meet, all loved him. He had such positive interactions with everybody, and, in a way, his patients became friends, too.” Nalli credits the experience – and the written reflections required in the placement course, which helped him see the “pros far outweighed the cons” – with solidifying his career path in chiropractic medicine.
PHOTO/Jing-Ling PHOTO/ coLE BURSTON Kao-Beserve
Nalli's interest in the health sciences dates back to high school, when the self-described “heavier kid” discovered wrestling, got into shape, and became his friends’ go-to guy for tips on fitness. Inspired by his older brother, a personal trainer and kinesiology student at York University, Nalli looked to the classroom – in particular, a grade 12 course in exercise science – to expand his knowledge about physical activity and health. There he met teacher Laura Zago (BPHE 9T2, OISE 9T3, Volleyball), his first U of T connection. “She was a big reason why I chose U of T. I was impressed with the knowledge she had, and the class was a good mix of physical and social sciences, just like [the Faculty’s BPHE program].” During his time with the Faculty, the sense of camaraderie, the physical activity classes and the standout teachers – for Nalli those were Doug Richards and Jack Goodman – made for fond memories, but he credits the placement program for helping him discover his strengths and his passion. The determination that drove Nalli to knock on so many doors back in 2006 is what he draws from now, as the owner of a thriving practice at just 27. “Most people who know me will tell you that when I put my mind to something, I’m determined and that’s all there is to it. When I was making calls to all those chiropractors who kept saying no, no, no…maybe things just happen for a reason. Had someone else said yes, where would I have ended up? I would like to think that everything, from that placement class all the way to today, did happen for a reason. It was a great class and it’s gotten me here.”
PURSUIT | FALL 2013
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