The chiropractic world lost a great friend on Nov. 7, 2019 with the passing of Stanley Greenfield, known to many chiropractic students and young chiropractors of the 1990s and early 2000s as the "Financial Guru of the Chiropractors."
With his winning smile and quick wit, he guided many students during the years he taught as an adjunct professor and lecturer at several chiropractic colleges including NYCC, Bridgeport, Palmer and LACC. He wrote a financial column for Dynamic Chiropractic, was a board member of LACC, and spoke at a commencement ceremony and several national conventions.
Stanley wrote books on financial management for chiropractors and authored a monthly newsletter. Others advised him to charge chiropractors for his services; he tried, but it just wasn't in his heart, so his work with chiropractors was mostly pro bono. He received great pleasure in helping chiropractors through the maze of starting a business and seeing their successes. He was a guide and good friend to many young chiropractors.
Here is an example of how Stanley helped just one of many chiropractors:
My name is Dr. Ted Wetzork. I am a chiropractor practicing in Jacksonville, Florida. I met Stanley Greenfield early in my career as an associate doctor for Dr. Lee Popwell in Jacksonville Beach. I hired Stanley as a consultant when I was considering purchasing an established practice or venturing out on my own.
Stanley was able to guide me on one of my biggest decisions of my career. He kept me from making a major mistake that would have profound effects on my family and career for the years to come. He guided me to open my own practice and have the financial stability to succeed.
Stanley brought wisdom and objectivity to our discussions to include financial clarity, practice design, contract negotiations, financial planning (disability and life insurance), and general counsel. He had a unique way of looking at the facts and then letting you make your own decision. I always enjoyed the discussions and time spent with him. Stanley had a comforting personality and was easy to talk to. I was able to put full trust in his opinion and know he had my best interests at heart.
Stanley paid me the ultimate compliment later in my career by coming in as a patient. Knowing he had other choices and other chiropractic clients in Jacksonville, I was ecstatic to be able to care for him. He also referred in other family and friends. Stanley was definitely a mentor to look up to and will be greatly missed.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Gail, who often accompanied him to NYCC, teaching reiki to some of the students. Traveling was a passion for both Stanley and Gail, and some of their greatest adventures were participating in volunteer programs, such as taking care of pandas in China, elephants in India, monkeys in South Africa, and working on army bases in Israel.
Stanley is also survived by two very successful daughters: Melinda, a dermatologist, and Debra, a CPA who leads product strategy at IBM; and three amazing grandchildren.
Stanley was diagnosed in October 2017 with Stage 4 liver cancer with metastases to the spine. He lived for two years "doing it his way," writing a blog, describing from his humorous perspective the numerous trips to "Camp Mayo" and referring to himself as the "60-minute man." He was determined to live in the present and make the most of every moment. In this way, he inspired a great many people to re-examine their perspective on what is truly important in life. Stanley peacefully passed away surrounded by his wife and daughters, just days after returning from a cruise on the Queen Mary.
Editor's Note: Tribute submitted by Gail Greenfield, who encourages readers to contact her with their thoughts about / experiences with Stanley. Her email address is
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