Local Community Advertising
Meet Dr. Harmony Mir. She grew up in St. John's, Newfoundland but came to Kelowna from Toronto four years ago!
Who is your favourite person to spend time with and why?
My mom. She 'keeps it real' with me and I love her for it.
What is your favourite local store in Kelowna and why?
Lakeview Market. Their bakery is amazing and they support our local farmers.
Describe yourself in one word.
Empathetic.
If you could go anywhere in the world right at this moment where would you go and why?
I would love to go to the Maldives Islands… However, there is a good chance I may never return, as it looks unreal!
What is your favourite activity in Kelowna?
I really enjoy the arts scene in Kelowna. The talent in this city amazes me! Kelowna has it all from great visual art exhibitions, indie musicians, ballet, opera and even musicals!
What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you?
You mean recently? I tend to make a fool of myself on the regular; one I can recall was five years ago. While treating a patient who happened to be one of my music idols, I was so nervous that my sweat dripped right on his forehead. Not my finest moment.
What is the most inspiring thing that has happened to you?
My work brings me many moments of inspiration, and I have lots of amazing humans in my life that inspire me daily. One example of inspiration I can recall was six years ago when I worked in Toronto. I had a pediatric patient who had suffered a brachial plexus injury when she was born resulting in great limitations in the use of her arm. The mother of this child could barely walk into the office when she brought her daughter in for my care and I asked her if I could help her too. After some talking, she broke down and admitted she was suffering from an abusive marriage and was living out of a room in the women’s shelter with her five kids. She didn’t have a car or cell phone and very little money to her name. I told her to pay what she can, and whatever she cannot afford to pay she could contribute to community service and volunteer work. Not only did her daughter get full range and function of her arm, but the mother also made a complete recovery from her trauma-induced injuries as well. Two years later I got a thank-you email from them… All the volunteer time the mother had done lead her to start a charity organization of her own and she found her life and independence through it all. I truly feel privileged to do the work I do as people like this enrich my life every day.
Tell us your favourite childhood memory.
I was very close to my grandmother on my mother's side and my fondest memories always involved her. She had this way about her that was just so graceful and kind to everyone. One of my favourite memories was a joke she and I shared for as long as I can remember. She would speak words of endearment towards me in Farsi, and I would interrupt her and speak her very words back to her. I had heard her say them to me thousands of times so I always knew what sentence was coming next. This never failed to make her belly laugh. If I could be half the human she was to others, I’d know I lived a good life.
Where do you volunteer or give back to in the community?
My love language is random acts of kindness so giving back means a lot to me. I try to give back to the community by donating money to charities that are close to my heart, as well as by sharing my knowledge of health and wellness. I do this through educational seminars and talks on ergonomics, childhood backpack safety, scoliosis screenings in schools, pre and post-natal seminars as well as pediatric educational talks on ways to keep healthy and happy. I also give talks to at-risk youth to help provide some perspective about health and wellness. Outside our community, I have completed six chiropractic mission trips to provide free care to the less fortunate.
If you could change one thing in the world what would it be?
That empathy and compassion be basic human traits.
Where would you sneak away to in Kelowna to spend some time alone?
I sneak away for walks, as the landscape in Kelowna is so lovely with great hiking trails and scenic walking paths.
Where would you like to see positive change in Kelowna and why?
Kelowna is such a beautiful place to live and it is growing quite rapidly. I do hope we continue to get more family physicians to meet the demands of our growing population.
What do you think makes Kelowna great?
Although it is a city, it still feels like a small community. Every time I leave my house I see someone I know and I love that as it reminds me of where I grew up in Newfoundland.
What are 3 things on your bucket list?
1. Complete my PhD. This will likely end up being the plan for retirement though
2. Go to Scotland
3. Take a long holiday and trip with my mom
Tell us something that not everyone may know about you.
I can play six instruments and I like to compose orchestral music. Mind you, very few know this about me because they are just awful compositions, but I enjoy the challenge!
How do people connect with you, personally, through social media? (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc.)
Facebook and LinkedIn.
What is the name of your business/organization?
Harmony Chiropractic Clinic.
Why did you get into/start this business?
During my undergrad, I ran with the varsity team and sustained many injuries that were affecting my ability to perform at my best. One of my coaches was a chiropractor and after a couple treatment, I felt like new. I knew I wanted to help others so I became a chiropractor.
What is the goal of your business?
To teach that the pursuit of optimal health and wellness is more than being symptom-free. It is established by increasing immunity and resistance to disease, enhancing energy and the ability to age without a disability, while becoming emotionally balanced.
What has been your biggest struggle either at work or in life?
Time is always a struggle for me. I always wish there were more hours in the day.
If you could start all over again would you do things the same or would things be different?
Same.
What do you always find yourself saying?
'Onwards and upwards!' AND 'Scooch down please.' Man if I had a nickel for every time I asked a patient to scooch down on the table…
Tell us your best piece of life advice.
Want less and you will get more.
If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select?
I would spend the day with my mom and brother. They are my favourite people on the planet and spending time together makes me very happy.
Why do you think it is important to shop locally?
I think that the quality and often times morality of the product is better when it is made locally than something that is mass produced overseas.
What has been your proudest accomplishment?
Gaining my Doctor of Chiropractic degree and license. I feel really blessed to have graduated from the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College and to have my knowledge in musculoskeletal health. Without this, Harmony Chiropractic wouldn’t be what it is.
Give someone you think that deserves it a shout out and explain why!
Courtney MacRae. She is my dear friend and an amazing Lawyer at Phil Law Corp.
My choice for the KelownaNow In Focus spotlight is:
Courtney MacRae.
Some general comments I would like to share are:
I just want to thank all my patients who support and trust me to help them. I also want to thank all the practitioners and physicians who refer, believe and trust their patients in my care. Lastly, I would love to send a warm heartfelt thank you to Dr. Mandy Wong, owner of Restore Vein and Skin, for nominating me for this! She is brilliant and I am confident she will keep my skin looking young forever!
We encourage you to leave your comments and words of support below and submit your own nomination by clicking HERE. You are also welcome to submit a form of your own by clicking HERE.
In Focus is our gift to the community. A way for us to help show our recognition of the people, businesses, and organization that help make our city great. Thank you, Kelowna!
Local Community Advertising