Heart of Stark: North Canton chiropractor helps veterans
In partnership with The Repository, every Monday, Stark Community Foundation highlights positive happenings in our community. Here’s to Good News Mondays!
Although chiropractic care is included in veterans' health benefits, it's often an underutilized option.
North Canton chiropractor Dr. Timothy Novelli created The Patriot Project to make chiropractic care readily available to service members nationwide through an all-volunteer network of doctors across the country. Today, the nonprofit has served tens of thousands of veterans, active duty military, their family members and Gold Star dependents.
Two decades ago, legislation was passed that ensured chiropractic care as a permanent benefit for recipients of veterans’ health care services. However, The Patriot Project finds that chiropractic care has remained an area of need in many Veterans Assistance facilities — including those in major metropolitan areas. The organization’s goal is to ensure every military member receives the care they need through an extensive network of chiropractors who agree to treat service members at no charge.
More about Timothy Novelli:"He gets more done than many could." North Canton chiropractor honored with national award
“In the 10 years since The Patriot Project’s inception, I have seen it grow from a single chiropractor in an airfield working under a canopy to shield the hot Texas sun to over 9,000 clinics across America,” said Dr. Timothy Novelli, founder and president of The Patriot Project. “We have had 14 Medal of Honor recipients, generals, an astronaut and the who's-who of the military join our organization.”
There are currently six universities that encourage their new doctors to join The Patriot Project, which not only provides a way for them to give back early in their career, but also helps build their practice.
“I tell my young doctors that by joining The Patriot Project, you are strengthening families, communities and America by removing pain and restoring function to improve the quality of life for the patient and their loved ones,” said Novelli. “You are bringing back Christmas, Thanksgiving and football games by allowing moms and dads to be present with their families.”
Its upcoming annual celebration, The Patriot Ball, will highlight the year’s accomplishments, which includes Novelli receiving the George Alexander BAVF Volunteer Award from the Blinded American Veterans Foundation in recognition of The Patriot Project’s service to American veterans with sensory disabilities.
Late board member Hershel Woody Williams will also be recognized at the event. Before his passing earlier this year, Williams was the last surviving World War II Medal of Honor recipient and was an active advocate and philanthropist. The Patriot Project led the effort to install one of his Gold Star monuments, a tribute that honors Gold Star families and the legacy of their loved ones who paid the ultimate sacrifice, at Price Park in North Canton.
All funds raised by the organization support its mission of providing care and scholarships to veterans pursuing their doctor of chiropractic degree. Learn more www.patriot-project.org.
The Stark Community Foundation helps individuals, families, businesses and nonprofits achieve their philanthropic goals through a variety of charitable funds and strategic initiatives. Ranked in the top 10% of community foundations in the country, the Foundation and its family of donors have granted $215 million to nonprofits since 1963. Learn more at www.starkcf.org.
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Heart of Stark: Timothy Novelli helps veterans through Patriot Project
