Today we’d like to introduce you to Joseph Cangas.
Hi Joseph, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’m a pediatrician who went to medical school at the University of IL and did my pediatric training at the University of MO. I grew to love the St Louis area and found the Columbia, IL area had no pediatricians, so I started my first practice (Ideal Pediatrics) in 2006. Over the years, I found that many kids get medication that could likely benefit from lifestyle modification before medication, so I wanted to create a new practice that attracted those patients. I started Whole Child Pediatrics in 2018. I like to say, ‘I’m not holistic, I just think kids get too much medicine’. At Whole Child, we offer a mix of traditional medicine and try to connect patients with more holistic providers when it fits.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I started a practice next door to a large pediatric practice, so it’s never been ‘easy’. One thing we do differently than most practices is to see patients regardless of their vaccine status. This change in how I practice leads to more attention than I may have wanted! I have had patients leave because that made them feel unsafe and others that leave because I still recommend vaccines to them. We had just started to turn a corner before COVID and spend the last full year + recovering. We are once again turning that corner however and the future is bright!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Whole Child Pediatrics?
We offer traditional medical pediatric care with a focus on lifestyle modification before medication for kids from birth to college.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Networking has been key in growing my name and brand recognition. I dedicate one day (or two) a week to attending networking meetings and meeting with individuals.
Contact Info:
- Email: wholechildstl@gmail.com
- Website: www.wholechildstl.com
- Instagram: @wholechildstl
- Facebook: @wholechildstl
