Former H-F Gymnastics Standout Derek Hartmann Relishes Being Doctor in Hometown

During his gymnastics career, Derek Hartmann occasionally would visit the local chiropractor in Flossmoor.

Those visits sparked an interest in the 1998 Homewood-Flossmoor graduate.

“I went to my first chiropractor when I was 14,” Hartmann said. “I went to Dr. David Parish in Flossmoor and would get adjusted before gymnastic practice from time-to-time. I would just hang out there and chat with him sometimes. I would walk out of his office feeling good and he really helped me in gymnastics. He was basically a mentor to me growing up.”

Hartmann, who captured two all-around state titles and led the Vikings to a state championship in 1997, walked on to the gymnastics team at the University of Illinois, but only competed during his freshman season.

“I realized my gymnastics career was about done, and I was ready to move on and focus on academics," he said. "I knew I wasn’t going to the Olympics and I was about 6-2, which was tall for a gymnast.”

After graduating from Illinois, where he studied sports medicine and kinesiology, Hartmann continued his studies at the National University of Health Services chiropractic college and received a doctorate in chiropractic medicine.

The Homewood native has been practicing since 2005 and opened up Hart Wellness Center in Homewood in March of 2009.

“I knew I wanted to open up my own practice when I was in high school and college, so it was pretty cool to do it,” Hartmann said. “I practiced for about three years and honed my clinical skills.

"I felt comfortable and decided to open up my own practice. There is no better place to do it then in your hometown. I know a lot of people and have connections.”