Dr. Rick Hodish

Dr. Rick Hodish received his Doctorate of Chiropractic in 1979. He graduated Life Chiropractic College (now Life University), in Marietta, Georgia with many scholastic honors, including: Magna Cum Laude and Pi Tau Delta, a national scholastic honor society.

Dr. Hodish was Editor in Chief of the school newspaper "Life Force", and a co-founder of the Philosophy Communications Club. He was and still is very active in sports and fitness.

Dr. Hodish has been in private practice in Pembroke Pines since 1980. He has helped thousands of individuals and families achieve and maintain optimum health, naturally,

and through specific chiropractic techniques.

Dr. Rick’s passion for chiropractic and people is overwhelmingly obvious in the compassionate and professional care to every person, from precious new born to proud senior citizen.

During the time Dr. Hodish has been in practice, he has been active with professional and civic responsibilities. He served as Life Chiropractic College Alumni President 1986 - 1988. L.C.C. Board of Trusties 1986 - 1989. He served on several committies with the Miramar - Pembroke Chamber of Commerce. In 1995 Dr. Hodish was elected the 1st President of the Southern Chiropractic Association, a regional affiliate of the Florida Chiropractic Society. He held that office for 3 years and was the Chairman of the Board through 2000. He has freely given his time and services to the Orange Bowl Marathon, Think Life, Inc., The Salvation Army, The Pembroke Pines Optimists, and The Broward School Board as a "partner" to various schools.

Dr. Rick is married to "his favorite chiropractor", Dr. Karen Shelby Hodish, a 1981 Magna Cum Laude graduate of L.C.C. She has her family practice in Lake Worth, Florida. Dr. Karen can be reach @ Greenacres Chiropractic & Massage Therapy Center (561) 964-9331.

Together they are proud parents of 3 home-birthed, drug-free boys: Myles, attending FAU to earn his MBA in Finance. He is a graduate of Florida State University, and former Longsnapper for Bobby Bowden and the FSU Seminoles. Then there is Jeff. Jeff is a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army National Guard, and is stationed in Alabama training for helicopter flight. He graduated The Citadel with a BS in Accounting and Longsnapped for The Bulldogs. Their youngest son Ross is in the United States Marine Corps, Logistics Combat Battalion.

Meet The Staff

MABEL LOPEZ, Team Leader
Mabel earned her Bachelors in Microbiology and clinical lab from Mayor College of Antioquia, in Medellin, Colombia. She enjoyed her studies and the profession, but after she had her 2 children, she realized it involved too many hours of work so she left the profession, in order to spend more time raising a family with her husband, Edgard.

As the children grew, she sought “temporary” employment at Family Health and Wellness Center of Pembroke Pines as a receptionist. That was more than 5 years ago. Now she is the designated “back bone” and Team Leader for Dr. Hodish and The Center.

As if the challenges above weren't enough, Mabel returned to Broward Community College and in December 2006 she received her Associate Degree in Health Information Management, and plans to continue…...

Of course, Mabel still makes time to support and cheer her children Rebekah, a freshman at FSU, and Simon, a junior at Westminster Academy H.S., in academics and sports.

NORA CATAPANO – Receptionist (Director of First Impressions)
Nora graduated Brooklyn College with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Elementary School Education. However, she spent the majority of her career working for the U. S. Postal Service (30 years), and her last position was Executive Secretary to the District Manager and was responsible for all the South Florida Post Offices from Pompano Beach to Key West.

After recently retiring from the U. S. Postal Service, she immediately started working as our Front Desk Receptionist.

Nora was born and lived in Brooklyn, NY all her life until she relocated to South Florida 13-1/2 years ago. She is married, and has two adorable Yorshire Terriers which are her and her husband's pride and joy. She is fortunate in that her parents live 10 minutes away and she can visit and help them with their needs daily.

“When I was “just” a patient, going back to 2003, the staff at Family Health & Wellness Center, always made each office visit an extremely comfortable experience for me; friendly, compassionate and caring. Most important, however, I received exceptional treatment from Dr. Hodish for the healing of my herniated disc and sciatica.

“When the staff learned that I was going to retire in a couple of years, they immediately went into action, planning a strategy to get me to begin a new part-time career on their team. The rest is history. Now I am honored to be part of Dr. Hodish's team, in addition to being a “wellness” patient.”