Dr. Joel Hayward, doctor of chiropractic, is retiring after 35 years. He accomplished his retirement the old-fashioned way: he earned it.
Perseverance, hard work and dedication are traits that define Joel Hayward.
This letter is written to celebrate his life, his career, and his gift of chiropractic;
we are honored to share his story and to celebrate his career.
Dr. Hayward started his college career after graduating from Mount Vernon High School in 1966.
He attended both Drury and Missouri Southern colleges before marrying in 1970.
Shortly after, he joined the Army and completed basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. While in the Army, Joel traveled throughout the United States. His first duty stationwas Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas.
Joel completed basic lab & advanced lab courses and, by 1971, became a lab technician. It was also during this time his fi rst son Jason was born.
In late 1971, the Army moved him and his family to Hawaii where he continued to work as a lab technician. While in Hawaii, he completed his undergraduate work from the University of Hawaii with a degree in chemistry.
By 1974, Joel had a second son, Jacob.
Following Hawaii and four years of military service, Dr. Hayward moved his family in 1974 to St. Charles, Mo., to attend Logan College of Chiropractic. Joel has fond memories of his time at Logan; he often refers to this class as the “Great ‘78.” He graduated in 1978and stayed connected with his classmates by writing multiple newsletters each year for 25 years. As a unique trick, Joel can list all of his classmates by name!
Joel started Hayward Chiropractic in 1978 in his hometown of Mount Vernon, Mo. He bought a house to accommodate a third child, Jessica (1976), a farm, and built his oft ce on that property, suitably situated on Hayward Drive.
Then, 1984 was a major transition year for the family when they moved to Springdale. He opened a second oft ce in Springdale.
In early 1990, He closed both the Springdale oft ce and the Mount Vernon oftce and partnered with two chiropractors in Fayetteville (1990-1994).
Eventually, Joel branched out again on his own and reopened Hayward Chiropractic in the spring of1994 in Springdale, until his retirement in May 2013. Joel and his wife Elizabeth (Liz) of 22 years have now retired to Bella Vista, Arkansas.
Whether his practice was in Missouri or Arkansas, Dr. Hayward created an oftce that provided gentle care with a natural drugfree approach to wellness.
His beginnings started and ended the same way: humbly. Joel established and maintained strong relationships with his patients, taking the time to understand his patients and their needs. As we close this letter and as Joel closes this chapter in his life and career, we would like to say “thank you” for his years of service to his patients and the care he have provided for us, his family.
JESSICA HAYWARD BRYAN JACOB HAYWARD JASON HAYWARD
Opinion, Pages 5 on 06/28/2013