Kassandra Browning, 30

Malden chiropractor Kassandra Browning knew she wanted to be part of the medical field but was uncertain in what direction. After consulting with her friend Leslie, who was also interested in chiropractic, Kassandra researched the field and realized that was the direction she wanted to go. The natural approach of chiropractic appealed to her.

She had personally witnessed how surgery and medication can be overused and felt there had to be a more positive alternative.

"For us [chiropractors], it's a natural alternative to drugs and surgery and can help with all aspects," she explained, continuing that it's "not just for aches and pains, but for overall health and wellness. Chiropractic helps the body function optimally."

Kassandra has enjoyed her choice to become a chiropractor to such an extent that she does not even look at her work as a job.

She grew up in Poplar Bluff where she attended school.

As a youngster, she enjoyed fishing, swimming, and camping.

In high school, she was active with athletics playing tennis and basketball and was a member of the Beta Club.

After her 2003 graduation from Poplar Bluff High School, Kassandra began attending Three Rivers Community College.

While there, she completed four semesters studying pre-med and completing her prerequisite classes for chiropractic studies.

In 2005, she enrolled in Logan College of Chiropractic in St. Louis and dedicated the next five years to earning her doctorate of chiropractic, graduating in May of 2010.

Kassandra began making plans to have her own practice. Being from Poplar Bluff, she wanted to stay close to her hometown, but not necessarily right in it.

Dr. Lawrence Stovall from Malden had placed an advertisement in the Missouri Chiropractic, a publication for chiropractic professionals, inquiring for someone to purchase his practice.

Kassandra remembers that the magazine with the advertisement had been on her kitchen table for several weeks. She was in the process of throwing it away when she thought to look through it one more time.

Dr. Stovall's ad caught her attention.

In September 2010, just a few short months after her graduation, she finalized the deal to buy Dr. Stovall's practice.

"They did everything for me," she recalls of the help from both Dr. and Charlene Stovall who helped relocate the practice and renovate the new location.

On Valentine's Day 2011, she officially took over the practice. Charlene stayed on for two more months helping Kassandra learn the business side of the practice. Dr. Stovall substituted for her when she needed to take continuing education classes.

Kassandra also credits Dr. Stovall for mentoring her during her transition period.

"Anything he knew, he tried to share with me," she remembers, continuing that he was always available to answer her questions.

After commuting from Poplar Bluff for several months, Kassandra was able to move to Malden.

In December 2010, her son Jace was born. He has been attending daycare in Malden.

Recently Kassandra and her husband Brian purchased a home in rural Malden where they are enjoying a relaxed lifestyle with many outdoor adventures including 4-wheeling.

As a family, they try to find activities their young son will enjoy.

In addition to managing a growing medical practice, being a wife and mother, Kassandra has also been instructing Anatomy and Physiology at Three Rivers- Dexter Center.