Brad “BJ” Creehan, Spine Care Chiropractic Center

Best Chiropractor

“Being a family business, I think we take every patient as if they’re part of our own family,” said BJ Creehan, who launched the Cary business with his wife and fellow chiropractor, Heather, 15 years ago.

When they began, most of their patients were coming in with low back pain, but now the most common concern is pain caused by sitting at computers for long stretches.

“From sitting at the computer all the time, we get a lot of neck pain, headaches, tingling in the arms, carpal tunnel issues and low back pain,” said Heather Creehan.

The couple added a massage therapist to their staff to help these concerns, but BJ Creehan says these repetitive stress injuries can be avoided.

“Everyone asks us, ‘What is the perfect chair?’ There isn’t one. You’ve got to get up and move. A standing desk is great, but you want to stand and sit. You want to just move,” he said. “Take a lot of breaks — every 20 minutes really — even if it’s just for a few seconds to stretch.”

Over the years, the practice has grown, but one thing remains constant — the best part of the job is helping people.

“When someone comes in and in pain, and then when they start to feel better, everything about them is different, their attitude, their outlook,” said Heather Creehan. “It’s great to know that you’re making a difference in someone’s life.

spinecarecary.com

Heidi Harris, Home Sweet Heidi Realty

Best Real Estate Agent

Heidi Harris and her top-notch team of real estate agents have had a busy year. Since winning a 2019 Maggy Award, Home Sweet Heidi Realty was voted one of the Top 100 Realtors in the U.S. on social media, and Harris appeared in an episode of HGTV’s “House Hunters.” And in December, she was named to the Rethink Council, a group of 12 top-producing agents from Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices brokerages around the country.

Real estate is all about building relationships and creating trust with your clients, she says.

“People looking from the outside in, they see trust with us and that we have a lot of fun, because we really love what we do,” said Harris.

homesweetheidi.com

Erin Bircher, Foundations 4 Change

Best psychologist/therapist

Erin Bircher, founder of Foundations 4 Change, is a licensed professional counselor, a licensed clinical addictions specialist and a certified life coach. With more than a decade of career experience, Bircher relishes the personal connections she makes with her clients — some she’s known for many years.

What is unique about your practice?

I’m probably not the typical therapist in terms of a white coat who just sits there and shakes her head up and down and not really give much feedback. I do share personal experiences. I think they make a difference. I’ve been through a lot of different things.

I think that really helps a lot of clients that I’m not just sitting there and listening. I am giving you a sense of direction to go to; just as if you went to a doctor or physical therapist, they tell you what to do and what not to do.

Are there some common concerns that you address?

I mostly work with people that are going through bigger life changes, whether it’s breakups, relationship issues, setting boundaries, learning how to communicate — not just with their spouse, but maybe also with their kids, or setting adult boundaries with their parents — a lot of family stuff.

What do you find rewarding about your work?

Helping inspire people to make the changes that they can make and them doing it on their own. I like seeing people change the direction and the course that they want for themselves, and knowing that they have the power to actually do it within them.

foundations4change.com

Dr. Todd Bovenizer, Bovenizer and Baker Orthodontics

Best Orthodontist

Dr. Todd Bovenizer, left, and Dr. Chris Baker

Maggy winner Dr. Todd Bovenizer and his partner, Dr. Chris Baker, believe in the power of a great smile. They also believe that giving back to the community helps spread smiles.

Every year the team at Bovenizer and Baker donates more than $75,000 to schools and local organizations. In November, they launched A Chance to Smile, a partnership with Friends of Wake County Guardian ad Litem to treat 15-20 foster children every year with free orthodontic treatment.

“From the beginning in 2006, the practice vision was to be embedded into the community and to be an integral part in giving back,” Bovenizer said. “We feel that rooting ourselves in our community is the best way to make an impact as we believe in leading with our hearts. One of our core values is to walk with a purpose and giving back to our community really guides this value, allowing us to create purpose in Cary, Apex and Morrisville.”

The mascot of the effort is Seymour the Llama, because “children in foster care want to be seen for more than their current situation,” according to a release. “Seymour the Llama reminds us all to ‘See More’ of the good in the people around us.”

Patients and members of the public can also donate to offset the costs, and for a gift of $25 or more, the donor gets to adopt a stuffed llama. All additional funds raised will be donated to the Friends of Wake GAL.

bovbakerortho.com

Dr. Melanie Mintzer, Generations Family Practice

Best Doctor

Generations Family Practice, which Dr. Melanie Mintzer founded in 2005, has some changes planned for 2020 — a new call center, a dedicated nurse to perform injections or tests, and two new nurse practitioners.

A new company, Generations Medical Management, recently assumed the business functions of the practice, freeing Mintzer to devote more time to patient care and training students. Generations also began providing primary care for residents at the SearStone Retirement Community.

“I will become the medical director for the three medical facilities — in independent living, assisted living and skilled nursing,” said Mintzer, a six-time Maggy winner.

Another part of the practice worth highlighting is The Mariam Clinic, a free clinic for indigent patients held every Sunday.

“It is a way for a private medical practice to give back to the greater Wake County community who do not have ANY access to healthcare,” said Mintzer.

generationsfamilypractice.com

More From Our Jan-Feb 2020 Issue

• 2020 Maggy Awards: Restaurants
• 2020 Maggy Awards: Services
• 2020 Maggy Awards: Shopping
• Off the Bench and in the Game
• Strength in Numbers
• Nonprofit Spotlight: Triangle Literacy Council
• Blue-Ribbon Winners!
• Small Business Spotlight: The Closet Factory
• kō•än Public Table
• Liquid Assets: Moonlight Excursion Baltic Porter from Mason Jar Lager Company
• Liquid Assets: Fisher’s Rye Whiskey by Fainting Goat Spirits
• Garden Adventurer: The Dogwoods of Winter
• 2020 Maggy Awards: Lifestyle
• From the Editor: Maggy Winners and the State Fair