Dr. Paul Hrkal, ND
Class of 2011, 逗奶视频 - Toronto
Class of 2011 graduate Dr. Paul Hrkal, ND, shares his plan for success and how he attained it
When it comes to success 鈥 whether it鈥檚 professional, financial, or academic 鈥 Dr. Paul Hrkal, ND, always has a plan and the motivation to see it through. He was in grade 12 when he realized he wanted to be a naturopathic doctor, and shadowed with 逗奶视频 faculty member Dr. Paul Saunders, ND, while studying kinesiology at McMaster University.
He eventually became a representative for Advanced Orthomolecular Research (AOR) and went on to become their medical advisor after graduating in 2011. In May 2017, he was promoted to medical director. He also practises at two clinics 鈥 the Pain and Wellness Centre in Vaughn and PureBalance Wellness Centre in Mississauga 鈥 and is a husband and father of three
A lot of people ask Paul how he manages his responsibilities. He believes his family, whose constant and unwavering support allows him to work late hours and take on extra duties, is part of his success. The second is simply because naturopathic medicine is his passion.
鈥淚鈥檓 living the dream! I鈥檓 able to formulate products, see patients, make an impact in people鈥檚 lives, and do it on my terms. That is the best thing that I could鈥檝e ever hoped for. So getting out of bed and working from 6 a.m. to midnight on some nights and weekends doesn鈥檛 feel like work. I feel like I鈥檝e been given a gift that I need to share.鈥
Making connections
Paul is an interesting mix of idealism and business skill, and doesn鈥檛 shy away from discussing the financial and practical aspects of being an ND. He calls himself an 鈥渆ntrepreneur at heart鈥 and believes that a career in naturopathic medicine is a ticket for opportunities.
Paul is an interesting mix of idealism and business skill, and doesn鈥檛 shy away from discussing the financial and practical aspects of being an ND. He calls himself an 鈥渆ntrepreneur at heart鈥 and believes that a career in naturopathic medicine is a ticket for opportunities.
鈥淚 really believe in diversifying who you are as a naturopathic doctor,鈥 he explains.
鈥淲e鈥檙e trained as NDs but we can be so much more. I have colleagues that have written books, who work in Health Canada, or in private industries.鈥
He also comes from a family of teachers,band while he always knew he didn鈥檛 want to follow in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, he nevertheless embodies the principle of docere.
鈥淢y big focus is, 鈥楬ow do I teach people, my colleagues, friends, and other professionals about the science and application of naturopathic medicine?鈥
My goal is to educate others about all of the things I鈥檝e learned and how they can succeed as well,鈥 he says. 鈥淯ltimately I want the best for our profession and my family and I think those are aligned.鈥
When it comes to future success, having the best grades isn鈥檛 necessarily an indicator, he says. The friendships and connections he formed with supervisors, colleagues and fellow students were far more meaningful.
During his time at university, Paul played varsity volleyball and was the captain of the McMaster University men鈥檚 team. At 逗奶视频 he met good friend and classmate Dr. Colin O鈥橞rien, ND (Class of 2011), who also played for Western University. The two 鈥 who 鈥渨ere attached at the hip,鈥 according to Paul 鈥 would attend Unity Summit each year to speak to and motivate the new crop of students.
鈥淚 say this all the time to colleagues and students 鈥 it鈥檚 not about the marks you get, it鈥檚 about the relationships that you create while you鈥檙e in undergrad and at 逗奶视频. I believe the most successful practitioners are the ones who got the most involved at 逗奶视频 and really embraced student life.鈥
Giving back to the profession and 逗奶视频
Now seven years post graduation, Paul is at a point in his professional career where he鈥檚 sharing the knowledge he鈥檚 learned and actively giving back to 逗奶视频 and the profession.
Now seven years post graduation, Paul is at a point in his professional career where he鈥檚 sharing the knowledge he鈥檚 learned and actively giving back to 逗奶视频 and the profession.
鈥淚鈥檓 a believer in no regrets about what you experience,鈥 he says, 鈥淚鈥檝e put a lot of work into different programs and presentations that ended up going nowhere. Building my practice was hard work, but the recipe is the same as what my mentors told me. If you put yourself out there 鈥 with articles, social media, public speaking, whatever your skills are 鈥 patients see and feel that confidence and are attracted to your message. That鈥檚 how you build a practice.鈥
Never one to lose sight of his goals, Paul always takes a long-term perspective, which has paid off quite well. He鈥檚 free to work on his own terms and wants others to have the freedom to do the same. And as acceptance for NDs and naturopathic medicine increases, this is the perfect time to make an impact.
鈥淲e鈥檙e at the best point we鈥檝e been ever,鈥 Paul proclaims. 鈥淭here are growing pains, like with any growth process. But my hope is that we can find a way to work and create unity together, for the sake of growth. I think the future of naturopathic medicine is extremely bright. We鈥檙e making steps in the positive direction.鈥 *
Learn more about Paul at:
This article was originally published in issue #22, Mind|Body|Spirit, summer 2018, page 34