Chiropractor leaves practice after half century.
Dr. Adrian Grice, centre, is flanked by daughter Leslie and son Kyle as friends, family and patients gather Saturday at Grice Chiropractic Clinic for the doctor's retirement party. Dr. Grice's children have taken over his practice.
Photo/MANNY RODRIGUES
After 51 years of delivering chiropractic services in Weston, Dr. Adrian Grice has called it a day.
"He is loved by his patients for his exceptional skill as a chiropractor and his exemplary bedside manner," said receptionist Niraj Joshi. "Some of his patients have been with him for as long as he has been in practice and others travel from significant distances outside of Toronto just to see him. He is also widely respected within the discipline itself because of his notable contribution to chiropractic research and development."
A surprise retirement party under the guise of a community open house was held for Grice Saturday, June 19 at Grice Chiropractic Centre on Weston Road, north of Church Street.
"I was very impressed with his integrity and dedication," said Joshi, who began working at the clinic in October. "On my first day, he was running late and he phoned me four times from the road. He was conscientious about that and who was waiting for him. He later went for lunch and brought back lattes for everyone. He did that all the time."
Grice, who resides in Caledon, taught at Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College at Leslie Street, north of McNicoll Avenue, for 45 years while running his practice.
"I was head of the department for 10, 12 years and I still guest lecture," said the 73-year-old.
Though he retired three months ago, Grice comes into the office once a month to please patients who were upset with the doctor's departure.
"I have four children and three are chiropractors," Grice said, adding two have taken over his practice. "They asked me when was I going to retire and I said September. I trained another doctor, who works with them, and retired in March. It's very hard to leave because I've treated families and generations. There were a few tears in the office. One old chap in his eighties said I can't do this to him."
After a nurse Grice was treating at a London practice said a good chiropractor was needed in Weston, he set up a practice in York before moving to the location he's been at for 49 years.
"Our profession is a very personal one," he said. "We treat patients over the years for a number of different problems. It's the most wonderful profession in the world to practice."
Nowadays, Grice can be found taking bridge lessons and playing tennis, with the hopes of taking up golf.
"I always thought when I retire I'd play golf, but I haven't had time," he said, chuckling.