Want More?

Stephen B. Cooper, D.C., F.A.C.M.U.A.P.

Executive Director

Dr. Cooper’s mission at The Spine & Joint Centers is to focus his abilities, energies, talents and gifts in a specialized yet personable way resolving the health care needs of his patients, as well as restoring health and creating a lifestyle of wellness through education and compassion.  

• Dr. Stephen B. Cooper1984 - 1988: Grand Valley State University – Allendale, MI - Baccalaureate in Science - 
• 1988 - 1992: Palmer College of Chiropractic - Davenport, Iowa - Cum Laude, Chi Rho Theta Research Honors, 
• 1991 - 1992: Assistant Chiropractor - Internship - Quad City Thunder Basketball Team
• 1992 - 1992: Internship - Mosley Clinic of Chiropractic
• 1993: Georgia Chiropractic Association - Disability Exam and Rating
• 1996: Logan College of Chiropractic - Military and Hospital Protocol and Procedure
• 1996: Life College of Chiropractic - Thompson Technique and Protocols
• 1999: American Academy of Physical and Manual Medicine: Certified for Manipulation Under Anesthesia - Houston, TX
• 2021: Fellow of the American College of MUA Physicians

• 1996 - 1998: Department of Defense - Headed research team and was the first chiropractor to work for the military in the state of Georgia. The only Chiropractor in state licensed to work in a Georgia Hospital.
• 2000 - Present: Board Member - Direct Services - Heads Home Health Care, Meals on Wheels and Elderly Care for 4 counties.

• Alabama, Georgia with Physiologic Therapeutics Distinction

Sean Lauraitis, D.C.

Dr. Lauraitis’ father was a Chiropractor for over 35 years and was an incredible influence on his decision to follow in his father’s footsteps and become a chiropractor. When asked why he chose chiropractic, he responded that he witnessed how chiropractic affected the lives and health of his father’s patients without the use of drugs or surgery. He has watched patients who could barely walk in, stooped over and hurting and be able walk out upright with decreased pain. He had also been adjusted his whole life and was able to see its benefit while playing High School and College sports.He has served the Auburn/Opelika area for 11 years and has seen a wide range of patients from the elderly to infants. He has had the pleasure of treating Olympic athletes for track and field from Jamaica, Bahamas, and Trinidad Tobago that have competed in the 2008, 2012 and 2016 Olympics. Some of his greatest pleasure is to be able to see a whole family being treated, to know that each member is able to perform to their best ability.Dr. Lauraitis believes that Chiropractic is a functional and holistic approach to health and wellness that does not employ medicine, which may have side effects or invasive procedures such as surgery, but rather it releases the healing force within the human body, so functions of the body may be restored to normal. This is what attracted him to this profession and now he brings this passion for helping others to the Phenix City area to provide care to the wonderful people of this region.

Education

• 1993-1996 The University of Southern Mississippi- Hattiesburg, MS - Pre Medical program
• 1996-1999 Life University College – Marietta, GA– Doctor of Chiropractic

Work Experience

• December 2016 - Present - Tandem Doctor at The Phenix City Spine & Joint Center
• November 2003 to December 2014- Lauraitis Chiropractic - Auburn, AL
• March 2003-August 2003- Sturbridge Chiropractic - Montgomery, AL
  

Chiropractic Society of Alabama

Edward Hunt, DC

JANUARY 2017 – PRESENT

ADJUNCT INSTRUCTOR, HINDS COMMUNITY COLLEGE (JATC), JACKSON, MS

Teach face-to-face and hybrid courses such as Medical Terminology 1 & 2, Applied Business Math, and Entrepreneurship Problem Solving.

FEBRUARY 2008 – PRESENT

CHIROPRACTOR, HEALTHY YOU CHIROPRACTIC REHAB CLINIC (HYCRC), JACKSON, MS

Function as a chiropractic doctor conducting all new patient examinations, determine initial diagnosis with appropriate ICD-10 codes, and design care plans specific to individual needs. Built a practice focused on patient care, rehabilitation, and maintenance.

OCTOBER 1998 – FEBRUARY 2008

CHIROPRACTOR, SOUTH JACKSON CHIROPRACTIC CLINIC, JACKSON, MS

Functioned as a chiropractor, conducted all new patient exams, determined initial diagnosis with appropriate coding.  Designed appropriate care plans specific to individual needs.  Performed and read x-rays.  Also organized screenings which provided educational and marketing opportunities for Chiropractic.

FEBRUARY 1993 – JUNE 1998

CHIROPRACTOR, PIERRE CHIROPRACTIC CLINIC, JACKSON, MS

Functioned as a chiropractor, conducted all new patient exams, determined initial diagnosis with appropriate coding.  Designed appropriate care plans specific to patient needs.  Performed and read x-rays and organized screenings which provided educational and marketing opportunities for Chiropractic.  

EDUCATION

DOCTORATE OF CHIROPRACTIC, D.C. AND BACHELOR OF SCIENCE  

PALMER COLLEGE OF CHIROPRACTICS, DAVENPORT, IOWA

DELTA STATE UNIVERSITY, CLEVELAND, MS

MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY, STARKVILLE, MS

EAST SIDE HIGH SCHOOL, CLEVELAND, MS

Ian Porter, DC

2007 Life College of Chiropractic

• Demonstrated leadership capabilities clearly showcased across a history of driving continuous improvement across the training function in order to empower personnel with the skills and knowledge to excel within respective roles.

• Rich experience in a wide-range of training techniques and methodologies including Immersion Training, Cluster Learning, Computer Based Training, and ADDIE Methods.

• Diversified and Drop Table Technique based Chiropractor. Experience with extremity adjusting.  Certified in modalities.

Career Experience

Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG), Atlanta, GA 2008 – 2020

Standardized Patient Trainer, QA Specialist

Played an instrumental role in the successful execution of the Step2 Clinical Skills Exam, a high-stakes clinical certification test

required for medical graduates in order to obtain active licensure within the United States. Cultivated a dynamic 70+ member

workforce of Standardized Patients for the exam through hands-on control of the recruiting lifecycle and talent development

including hiring, training, continued mentorship, and routine performance evaluations. Conducted a wide-range of quality control

initiatives to ensure all personnel were empowered with the skills and knowledge to excel in respective roles. Reviewed and

evaluated both live and taped performances to identify any gaps in delivery or areas for improvement and submitted feedback

and recommendations for personnel. Directed all aspects of exam day activities including orchestrating a master schedule of

case and room assignments for 24+ specialized individuals while adhering to all timing stipulations and departmental

limitations. Collaborated effectively within a cross-functional setting with IT and AV departments to troubleshoot any exam day

issues. 

 Expertly applied a myriad of cutting-edge training techniques and methodologies including Immersion Training, Cluster

Learning, Computer Based Training, and ADDIE Methods.

• Improved exam integrity by spearheading an initiative to design, implement, and enforce a strict training regimen for

moulage (makeup simulation) to ensure that Standardized Patients fully align with the appearance of a wide-range of

assigned illnesses.

• Drove continued professional development across the workforce by conceptualizing and administering routine training

modules including Scheduling, Moulage Techniques, Pain Scale Portrayal, Improvisation, Answer Anxiety, and Finding the

Answer.

South Atlanta Spine and Rehab 2021 

Physical Medicine - Medical Director
Education 

• 1992 - 1996 Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
• 1982 - 1986 University of North Alabama B.S. Biology Florence, AL
• 1979 - 1982 Vero Beach Senior High School Vero Beach, FL  
• Postgraduate Training 
• 06/1997 - 07/1999 Family Practice Resident Millcreek Community Hospital  07/1996 - 06/1997 Internal Medicine Fast-Track Internship Millcreek Community Hospital  

Hospital Affiliation
10/2006 - 10/2010 Eliza Coffee Memorial Hospital Florence, AL 08/2004 - 05/2006 Sebastian River Medical Center   10/1999 - 05/2006 Treasure Coast Rehabilitation Center  08/1999 - 05/2006 Indian River Memorial Hospital     
Certification 

• 2015 Re-certified- American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians   
• 2/25/2015 Certification- Office-Based Treatment of Opioid Use Disorders American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry   7/2013 Certification -Lab Director by COLA   2007 Re-certified- American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians   
• 2006 - Present Licensed Osteopathic Physician The State of Alabama (AL-DO-929)   
• 01/2003 - 12/2010 Board Certified-American Board of Hospice and Palliative Medicine   2000 Board Certified-American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians (ACOFP)   
• 1999 - 2009 Licensed Osteopathic Physician The State of Florida (FL-OS-7845)  

Pain Management - Surgical Center Medical Director  

EDUCATION

• 08/1981-06/1985 Texas A&M College of Medicine

College Station, Texas  

• 06/1979-06/1981 Pre-Med Texas A&M University

College Station, Texas

Board Certification

• 1990 Diplomat  American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
• 1990 Fellow American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
• 1994 Diplomat American Board of Electrodiagnostic Medicine
• 1994 Fellow American Academy of Electrodiagnostic Medicine
• 1995 Diplomat American Board of Pain Medicine
• 1996 Fellow American Academy of Pain Medicine
• 2000 Diplomat American Board of Pain Management through the ABPM&R and under the auspices of the ABA (ACGME approved)
• 2000 Fellow American Academy of Pain Management through the ABPM&R and under the auspices of the ABA (ACGME approved)
• 2015 Fellow Age Management Medicine

Cenegenics Education and Research Foundation

• 2016  Diplomat Integrative/Functional Medicine

American Board of Anti-Aging/Regenerative Medicine

Residency Training

06/1985-06/1989 University of Texas Health Science Center

Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation

San Antonio, Texas