Meet Roger Fong of Bodhi & Sage in Hyde Park

Today we’d like to introduce you to Roger Fong.

Roger, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My wife and I have come to this work from opposite directions. She has an interesting story as well. For my part, my family owned several successful restaurants but despite their success my parents did not want that lifestyle for me. From an early age, I remember my mother saying I can either become a doctor or a lawyer. I was drawn to medicine but being a doctor didn’t speak to me; I was more fascinated with the mechanics of human body, how it worked and moved. Diverging slightly from her guidance I chose to become a physical therapist. I began my career at the University of Chicago Medicine and remained there for over 12 years. The experience was amazing. I worked alongside world class doctors and dedicated my expertise to helping individuals from all walks of life; from the city, suburbs, and around the world. I was often the only therapist working with people who suffered from neurological issues, and the entire hospital depended on my specialty to help them advance their healing. Most physical therapists are never exposed to these conditions.

However, I started to notice my limitations as a practitioner. I would incorporate forms of mindfulness and breathing techniques to compliment the traditional physical therapy interventions but my patients wanted more. They shared how they were fed up with the ineffectiveness of Western medicine in treating chronic conditions. I began feeling frustrated with my inability to help them fully as a physical therapist. I knew there must be more that I could do to help. After a conversation with my wife, Emily, I looked back to the medicine I grew up with. My mother skillfully prepared herbal medicines, teas, & soups that were passed down from her uncle, a practicing herbalist in China, and my ancestors before him. My mother never received a formal education but she was taught how to care for her family. The herbal medicine was so effective that I never went to the doctor except to get an annual checkup so I could go to school. I decided to continue my education and study acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine. I felt that by using my western training to assess their current state of health and then integrate the eastern training, provides me the advantage to see things from multiple perspectives and hopefully gain deeper insight not found when looking at a condition from one angle.

Building on the entrepreneurial spirit running through my blood, Emily and I decided to leave my stable position at a prestigious institution to begin our own practice on our own terms giving us the liberty to meet people’s health needs from various traditions and methods. I now practice a truly integrative form of medicine that relies on both Western and Eastern forms of medicine. The name Bodhi & Sage represents these two East and West aspects of the practice while playing on the meaning of the words enlightenment and wisdom. I’ve been very fortunate, the dream of a creating a community of like-minded professionals is coming to fruition. Collaborating with an outstanding massage therapist, yoga therapists, an occupational therapist, reiki practitioners, and another acupuncturist, we are creating a holistic practice that enables the client to be a very active participant in managing their own health.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I wish!! I spent my entire career working on the South Side of Chicago and the majority of the area is sorely underserved in holistic and human centered health options. There are no businesses serving residents of the South Side that offer a fully diverse holistic approach, or that is easily accessible. So, Emily and I decided to create one. Finding the right location and securing adequate startup funds was challenging, but we eventually gathered the resources we needed to open to the public. Yet, soon after, I quickly discovered a larger obstacle, just because a need exists does not mean everyone realizes they need it. A holistic health focused community was not embraced by most of those needing support as quickly as I would have liked. Education and awareness has become an integral and prominent part of our practice. Another obstacle is a mainstream Western cultural aversion to needles. Many are open to a variety of techniques classified as “alternative medicine,” from nutritional recommendations, to homeopathic, to massage, to meditation, but draw the line at acupuncture. Part of my practice is working in step with this fear to help my clients become comfortable with the process so they can accelerate their healing. I would never do something a client is uncomfortable with or unsure of, but I continue the conversations so they learn about the benefits and the process and have exposure to the tools. They learn for themselves that acupuncture needles and treatments are vastly different and much more symbiotic than the needles doctors and nurses use to draw blood or deliver shots. I also allow myself the time and make it a part of my regular practice to explain other possible options to address their condition, including acupressure or herbal medicine. My goal is to develop a relationship where my clients feel comfortable and trust that I’m there to help. For the clients who feel squeamish, usually once they finish their treatment and feel the benefits they are ready to set up their next appointment.

Another challenge is trying to find a happy medium with work/life balance. I have an amazingly supportive wife and four rambunctious young boys at home. The demands of work, everyday life, and home responsibilities pulls at me every day. With any new business endeavor, a lot of time must be invested for it to succeed. Leaving a prestigious institution like the University of Chicago Medicine and a steady income to start our own business is daunting. I’m currently a one-person operation while my wife meets the constant needs of our youngest along with our 3 school age children and our home. We have the goal of her eventually contributing to our business as an herbal medicine practitioner, and she is working on completing that education. In the meantime, I handle all the clinical work, documentation, billing, and marketing. Fortunately, my wife believes in our dream as much as I do. I could not succeed without her.

We’d love to hear more about your business.
There are multiple elements to Bodhi and Sage. The skilled component provides access to physical therapy, acupuncture, herbal & nutritional counseling, meditation guidance, and therapeutic massage; but what we believe sets us apart from other centers of health, is our community. We are creating a community of practitioners and clients who desire a more complete, informed, and holistic process for healing and health. Bodhi & Sage provides the space and resources to learn about and select the modality of self-care that works best for our clients and practitioners rather than expecting them to rely on modern Western medicine that primarily promotes pills and invasive procedures that generally don’t give the relief people are looking for. Clients are empowered to take charge of their own well-being, and practitioners are given the flexibility to offer their skills in a welcoming, supportive, and enriching environment.

We also offer classes and programs such as an Herbal Walk, qi gong, yoga, and “Knitting for the Soul” which provide additional non-conventional therapy to help develop a more holistic way of finding balance and harmony. I interweave my skills as a physical therapist and acupuncturist to empower my clients to improve their overall well-being by providing a tailored form of medicine that relies on the nutritive and holistic values of the Eastern practice and the scientific and detailed approach of Western research. We find this is exactly the style of medicine many are searching for.

What were you like growing up?
I was born and raised in Chicago. I grew up on the South Side, more specifically in Chinatown and went to school in Hyde Park. Spent my undergrad years out in Boston but realized I was a Midwest boy at heart and came home to set roots. I think if you were to ask my family & friends what I was like growing up I think they would say I was a nice guy. I have always pretty laid back and enjoyed goofing around with my friends. My best friends are the guys I have known since 4th grade. I have heard a lot of colorful adjectives to describe me but I’d say the word dork was used often.

I have this ongoing bucket list that I started when I was a teenager and anything that peaked my interest I would add it onto my list of things to accomplish. I’ve been trying to accomplish 3-5 items per year & now I can check off “be interviewed by a magazine.”

Contact Info:

• Address: 1525 E 53rd St, Ste 808
  Chicago, IL 60615
• Website: www.bodhiandsage.com
• Phone: 312.403.1853
• Email: questions@bodhiandsage.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bodhiandsage/
• Twitter: @bodhiandsage
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/bodhi-and-sage-chicago

Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.