Dr. Merv Van Engen

started his chiropractic journey as a patient himself. In 1980, he had gone to David Katz, a chiropractor skilled in caring for people, with pain that would not go away after seeing his doctor. During his appointment, Dr. Katz explained to Merv what was wrong with his shoulder and how this and further chiropractic treatments would benefit his healing. When Merv returned, his shoulder was no longer in pain, and in this expressed his desire to help others with similar problems. Dave took the time, even with a waiting room full of patients, to sit with him and encourage him to become a chiropractor. He had been searching for a career direction, and this calling from Dave felt as if the Lord himself had spoken the words. He knew without a doubt it was God's plan for him.

Moving forward with this calling took great sacrifice and faith. After selling their home, Merv, his wife LaDonna and their two daughters left Adams, Nebraska and he began his training at Palmer College of Chiropractic in the spring of 1982.

After graduation, there wasn't a plan as to what would be next, but a clinic doctor at the college who used the Gonstead technique received a call from Dr. Tom Sherman in Cedar Rapids, Iowa asking for a new graduate to associate with him. Merv stayed at this office for three and a half years until it was time to return to Lincoln to begin his own practice.

Merv's goal and vision remained the same: serving and glorifying the Lord by doing the best job he could getting to the roots of patient problems, putting patient care before finances, and to hire people who share the same values and care for these employees well.

The practice has changed and grown so much since its opening. Waiting on God's timing has always been the key to success at Van Engen Chiropractic & Health Center. Not only has it out grown a few buildings, but the Health Center opened, more chiropractors were brought in to care for the growing patients who walk through the doors, support staff and RNs were hired, and through it all God's faithfulness remains.

While Merv is no longer taking patients, he has transferred many patients over to Dr. Dan Synowicki, Jr. at New Life Chiropractic located in the same office suite. As Merv and LaDonna look back on the years of building Van Engen Chiropractic & Health Center, they can see the evidence of God in all of the lessons:

Trust Him and move forward when He speaks (even when family, friends, and the CPA say something different).
Wait on the Lord and His timing.
God's dream is bigger than theirs.
Give the best care physically, emotionally, and spiritually to every patient God sends.
Add additional services as possible.
Be a light and an example of His love.
To let God live in and through us and to glorify Him every day.