meet the team

Chiropractor

Jenni Sherwood D.C.

LOCATION: Chatham Downs Chapel Hill NC
For more than 25 years, Dr. Jenni Sherwood has been helping people feel better, move better, and get back to the lives they love. But ask her longtime patients what keeps them coming back, and they'll probably tell you it's about more than a great adjustment. Dr. Jenni genuinely cares about the people she treats.

Her interest in chiropractic began after a car accident during her freshman year of college. Experiencing firsthand how much chiropractic care helped her own recovery changed the direction of her life. She went on to earn degrees in Pre-Physical Therapy and Biology from California State University, Sacramento before graduating Cum Laude from Palmer College of Chiropractic West in 1999.

After practicing in California, Dr. Jenni and her family made the cross-country move to North Carolina in 2013. She opened Carolina Spine Specialists in Governors Village with a simple goal: create the kind of practice where excellent clinical care and real relationships with patients go hand in hand.

That one office grew into something much bigger. Dr. Jenni expanded Carolina Spine Specialists into Pittsboro and later to additional locations in Chapel Hill and Cary, building a team of talented doctors and highly trained staff who share her approach to caring for people.

And she's been there through all of it.

During COVID, pandemic-related staffing challenges once left Dr. Jenni and just one staff member keeping two offices going. So they went where the patients were—sometimes moving between offices in the same day. Closing the doors wasn't Dr. Jenni's first choice when patients still needed care, so she found a way to keep both offices running.

That determination is something her patients know well.

Dr. Jenni has cared for many of them for years, and those relationships mean a great deal to her. She knows her patients as people—not simply as the back pain, headache, or injury that brought them through the door. She celebrates their progress, remembers what's happening in their lives, and truly enjoys seeing the familiar faces who have become part of the Carolina Spine Specialists family over the years. Her patients are incredibly loyal to her, and that feeling goes both ways.

Clinically, Dr. Jenni believes great chiropractic care means looking beyond the spine alone. The spine, muscles, joints, nerves, and movement of the body all work together, and she has spent her career continually learning and looking for better ways to help her patients.

That's why she has brought advanced therapies such as spinal decompression, laser therapy, shockwave therapy, and therapeutic exercise into Carolina Spine Specialists. She believes adjustments are an important part of chiropractic care, but sometimes the body needs more—and she wants her patients to have those options available when they do.

As proud as Dr. Jenni is of the practice she's built, there's another role that's even more important to her: being Mom to her twins. She's deeply involved in their lives and loves traveling with them, making memories, and being there for all the adventures that come with watching them grow up.

That same warmth she brings to her family is easy to see in the way she cares for her patients. More than 25 years into her career, Dr. Jenni still genuinely loves what she does—and still gets excited about helping someone feel better.

Carolina Spine Specialists may have grown from one office into multiple locations with a team of doctors and staff, but the heart behind it hasn't changed much.

Take great care of people. Get to know them. Keep learning. And never stop looking for another way to help.

Chiropractor

Mindy Bradshaw D.C.

LOCATION: Pittsboro NC
If enthusiasm for helping people feel better were a treatment all by itself, Dr. Mindy Bradshaw would have it covered.

After years in her own chiropractic practice, Dr. Mindy brought her experience, energy, and unmistakable personality to Carolina Spine Specialists—and quickly made Pittsboro home. She loves this community, loves her patients, and brings a combination of clinical experience, curiosity, humor, and genuine excitement about helping people get back to doing what they love.

Dr. Mindy is a big believer in looking beyond the adjustment. She loves incorporating the advanced therapies available at Carolina Spine Specialists into her patients' care, particularly laser therapy and shockwave therapy. Whether she's working with a stubborn shoulder, an aching knee, a soft-tissue injury, or something that simply hasn't responded to other approaches, she's always thinking about what combination of treatments might help.

And sometimes her patients have four legs.

Dr. Mindy has a special interest in using Veterinary Orthopedic Manipulation (VOM) and laser therapy with animals and has treated dogs alongside her human patients. One particularly memorable patient was Aloka, the dog who became known around the world for accompanying Buddhist monks on their Walk for Peace. When Aloka needed a little extra care along the journey, Dr. Mindy had the opportunity to put her laser therapy experience to work for one very special traveling patient.

That's Dr. Mindy in a nutshell: curious, compassionate, enthusiastic, and always willing to think outside the box when it comes to helping her patients.

An appointment with Dr. Mindy is rarely boring. She brings warmth, laughter, energy, and a whole lot of heart into the treatment room. Behind that fun personality is an experienced doctor who takes her patients' health seriously and genuinely gets excited when she finds something that can help.

Dr. Mindy believes great care should be personal. She wants to know what's bothering you, what you're trying to get back to doing, and what might help get you there. Whether that's an adjustment, laser, shockwave, therapeutic exercise—or a combination of them—she's ready to figure it out with you.

And if your dog happens to need an adjustment or laser therapy too? Well, you've definitely come to the right doctor.

Chiropractor

Sean E. McCauley D.C.

LOCATION: Chatham Downs Chapel Hill NC
Dr. Sean McCauley is the kind of doctor who wants his patients to understand not only what he is doing, but why he is doing it.

Known for his detailed, thoughtful approach to care, Dr. Sean takes the time to listen, explain what he finds, and make sure his patients truly understand their treatment plan. He believes patients get the best results when they are active participants in their own care—and that starts with understanding their bodies, their treatment, and what they can do to help themselves outside the office

Many longtime Chatham County patients may already know Dr. Sean from his years with Back Solutions before the practice joined Carolina Spine Specialists. He then led our team at the Governors Village office and is now back at our flagship Chatham Downs location, where he continues caring for familiar faces as well as welcoming new patients.

Dr. Sean is particularly thorough when evaluating what may be contributing to a patient's pain or mobility issues. Rather than simply focusing on where it hurts, he looks at how the spine, joints, muscles, movement patterns, and daily activities work together. He then explains those findings in a way that makes sense—without overwhelming patients with medical jargon.

That attention to detail is one of the things his patients appreciate most. Whether he is demonstrating an exercise, explaining an adjustment, reviewing progress, or answering the tenth question of the day, Dr. Sean wants patients to leave the office understanding their care and feeling confident about what comes next.

But thorough doesn't mean stuffy. Dr. Sean brings warmth, humor, and an easygoing personality into the treatment room. He genuinely enjoys getting to know his patients, and you'll often hear plenty of conversation and laughter coming from his side of the office.

For Dr. Sean, chiropractic care is a partnership. His goal is to combine his clinical experience with education, movement, and individualized treatment so patients don't just feel better—they understand how to keep moving in the right direction.

Chiropractor

Elizabeth Kirby D.C.

Dr. Elizabeth Kirby brings something truly unique to Carolina Spine Specialists: more than 20 years of experience caring for patients before she ever became a chiropractor.

Before earning her Doctor of Chiropractic degree, Dr. Kirby spent two decades as a registered nurse, working across a wide range of healthcare specialties including orthopedic and vascular surgery, family practice, obstetrics and gynecology, and caring for individuals with special needs. That experience shaped the way she practices today—looking at the whole person, listening carefully, and understanding that good healthcare is rarely one-size-fits-all.

Dr. Kirby earned both her Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Health Sciences from Bellevue University before graduating from National University of Health Sciences with her Doctor of Chiropractic degree in 2022.

After relocating from Tampa, Florida, to Raleigh, Dr. Kirby joined Carolina Spine Specialists and now cares for patients in our Pittsboro office on Mondays and Wednesdays. She has been a wonderful addition to our team, bringing not only her chiropractic training but decades of healthcare experience and a perspective that fits naturally with the Carolina Spine Specialists approach to care.

Like the rest of our team, Dr. Kirby believes in treating more than just the place that hurts. The spine, muscles, joints, nerves, movement, and overall function of the body are interconnected. She combines chiropractic care with movement, rehabilitation, and supportive therapies to create individualized treatment plans designed around each patient's needs and goals.

Her extensive nursing background gives her a perspective that is uncommon in chiropractic care. She understands healthcare from multiple sides, takes the time to really listen, and wants her patients to understand and feel involved in their care.

Outside the office, Dr. Kirby and her husband are busy raising three teenagers—including their oldest, who is heading to NC State. And because apparently three teenagers aren't quite enough activity at home, the family is also looking forward to adding a new dog to the mix.

With decades of healthcare experience, a whole-body approach to chiropractic care, and a genuine commitment to her patients, Dr. Kirby is a fantastic addition to the Carolina Spine Specialists family—and we're thrilled to have her caring for our Pittsboro patients.

Lead Chiropractic Assistant

Kye Cooper

LOCATION: Chatham Downs Chapel Hill NC
If our doctors are the quarterbacks of your care, Kye Cooper is the person making sure the rest of the play comes together.

As our Lead Chiropractic Assistant, Kye is truly our doctors' right hand. With 7 years of Chiropractic Assistant Certification, she brings years of knowledge and hands-on experience to the care she provides every day. She has extensive experience with the advanced therapies we use at Carolina Spine Specialists, including shockwave therapy, spinal decompression, and laser therapy, and understands how those treatments work alongside chiropractic care to help patients get the best possible results.

An adjustment may be at the heart of a patient's visit, but Kye helps bring all the other pieces together. She works closely with our doctors to carry out each patient's treatment plan, making sure therapies are performed properly, patients understand what they're doing and why, and our doctors have the support they need to provide great care.

Kye also believes that great patient care means never taking a one-size-fits-all approach. She goes above and beyond to learn, adapt, and understand each patient's individual needs so she can help provide the care and support that is right for them. Whether that means adjusting her approach, learning something new, or simply taking the extra time to make sure a patient feels comfortable and understood, Kye is always looking for ways to make their experience better.

But what really makes Kye special is the way she connects with patients. She's knowledgeable and experienced without ever making things feel clinical or intimidating. Patients trust her, enjoy being around her, and know they're in capable hands when Kye is taking care of them.

Simply put, Kye is an incredibly important part of Carolina Spine Specialists. Our doctors rely on her, our team relies on her, and our patients absolutely love her—and we understand exactly why.

Digna Warfield

LOCATION: Chatham Downs Chapel Hill NC
Some people have a natural gift for making others feel cared for, and Digna Warfield is one of those people.

After a long career in healthcare, including years working in a general medical practice, Digna officially retired—but fortunately for us, retirement didn't mean she was finished taking care of people.

Digna brings years of healthcare experience to Carolina Spine Specialists, but it's her warmth that patients notice first. She is kind, patient, compassionate, and genuinely interested in the people around her. She has a way of making patients feel welcome and comfortable, whether she's helping with their care, answering a question, or simply taking a few minutes to talk.

As a bilingual member of our team who speaks both English and Spanish, Digna also helps us better serve our Spanish-speaking patients. Being able to communicate about your care in the language you're most comfortable speaking can make a tremendous difference, and Digna helps make sure those patients feel welcomed, heard, and understood.

Her years in healthcare have taught her plenty about caring for patients, but Digna seems to have understood the most important part all along: people want to know that someone genuinely cares about them.

Friendly, loving, endlessly kind, and always ready with a warm smile, Digna brings something to Carolina Spine Specialists that can't really be taught. We're incredibly fortunate that she chose to spend a little bit of her retirement with us—and our patients are even luckier.

Assistant Office Manager

Vanessa Vasquez

LOCATION: Chatham Downs Chapel Hill NC
If we could clone Vanessa Vasquez, we would—and our patients would probably agree.

Vanessa is funny, quick-witted, completely herself, and has a way of turning an ordinary appointment into something you might actually enjoy. She jokes with our patients, remembers what's going on in their lives, and has an incredible ability to make people feel comfortable from the moment she starts talking to them.

Vanessa earned her Associate’s Degree in Health Science in 2017. She is also a Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) and Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), bringing over 20 years of experience in the healthcare field.

Today, Vanessa serves as a Chiropractic Assistant at our office, where she enjoys helping patients throughout their care and making sure they feel welcomed and supported. Her extensive healthcare experience, compassion for patients, and dedication to our office have led her to her current role as Assistant Office Manager.

Vanessa is passionate about providing excellent patient care and helping create a positive experience for every patient who walks through our doors.

But behind that big personality is someone who really knows what she's doing. Vanessa is experienced, capable, and takes caring for our patients seriously. She understands our therapies, knows how to keep things moving, and pays attention to the details that make a difference in a patient's experience.

Most importantly, Vanessa genuinely cares about people—and patients can feel it. She knows when to make you laugh, when to listen, when you need a little encouragement, and when it's time to get down to business.

Patients don't just recognize Vanessa when they walk through our doors—they look for her. She's the kind of person who makes a doctor's office feel a little less like a doctor's office and a lot more like a place where people know you and are genuinely happy to see you.

Vanessa is a huge part of what makes Carolina Spine Specialists feel like Carolina Spine Specialists.

Kelly Branchaud

LOCATION: Pittsboro NC
If you've visited our Pittsboro office, chances are you've been greeted by Kelly Branchoud and her friendly smile.

Kelly brings valuable experience and a calm, welcoming presence to our front desk. From scheduling appointments and answering questions to helping patients navigate the everyday details of their care, she works hard to make each visit as easy and stress-free as possible.

Kimmi Beal

LOCATION: Pittsboro NC
Kimmi Beal is the newest addition to the Carolina Spine Specialists team—and she's quickly become the face, voice, and energy of our Pittsboro office.

With years of experience in healthcare and patient care, Kimmi understands that people want more than an appointment when they walk into a doctor's office. They want to feel welcomed, heard, and genuinely cared for.

And genuine is probably the best word to describe Kimmi.

She brings warmth, compassion, energy, and a natural ability to connect with people to our front desk every day. Whether she's greeting you when you walk through the door, helping you on the phone, figuring out a scheduling problem, or simply asking how you're doing, Kimmi wants you to know you're in a place where people care.

She's the newest member of our team, but it certainly hasn't taken long for Kimmi to feel like part of the Carolina Spine Specialists family.

Practice Manager

Candace Hunziker

If you've spent much time at Carolina Spine Specialists, chances are you've met Candace. And if you haven't yet, don't worry—you will. She's everywhere.

Candace's story with Carolina Spine Specialists began when she was managing New Branch Chiropractic in Pittsboro and Dr. Jenni Sherwood brought the practice into the Carolina Spine Specialists family.

Then COVID changed everything.

With the pandemic came staffing challenges that, for a time, left Carolina Spine Specialists with two offices—and essentially just Dr. Jenni and Candace to keep them running.

But apparently two offices weren't too much for two determined women.

Dr. Jenni and Candace became quite the dynamic duo, going wherever the patients needed them. Some days they started in one office, moved to the other, and ended up right back where they began. Dr. Jenni cared for the patients while Candace kept everything else moving, and together they did whatever needed to be done to keep both offices open and their patients cared for.

It was hectic, unpredictable, and certainly not how either of them planned to run two chiropractic offices—but they made it work. Those years also created a partnership that helped shape Carolina Spine Specialists into the practice it is today.

Those days also helped shape Candace into the Practice Manager she is today—someone who understands just about every moving part of Carolina Spine Specialists.

Operations, staff training, patient care, billing, insurance, scheduling, equipment, technology, marketing, and problem-solving all eventually seem to find their way to Candace. If she doesn't immediately know the answer, she's usually the person who knows how to find it.

Candace also knows the clinical side of our therapies inside and out. She trains our chiropractic assistants in spinal decompression, shockwave therapy, laser therapy, and the other supportive treatments used throughout Carolina Spine Specialists. She makes sure our team understands not only how to perform each therapy correctly, but why and when our doctors use it as part of a patient's care.

And you may even find Candace jumping in and performing those therapies herself from time to time. If you're really lucky, you might even get her for yours. After all, she's the one who trains the team.

Whether she's treating a patient, training a new employee, troubleshooting a piece of equipment, solving an insurance problem, creating a marketing campaign, or figuring out

something that needed to be handled five minutes ago, Candace has a seemingly endless supply of energy and an unwavering belief that there's almost always a way to figure things out.

You'll find her across all of our locations—sometimes more than one, and occasionally all of them, in the same day.

For Candace, though, the job has never been only about running offices. It's about people. She cares deeply about the patients who trust us with their care, the employees who make Carolina Spine Specialists what it is, and the communities our offices serve. She's fiercely protective of all three.

And apparently managing a multi-location healthcare practice doesn't keep her busy enough.

In her downtime, Candace serves as a Town Commissioner for the Town of Pittsboro, working on behalf of the community she calls home.

So whether you want to know what's happening at Carolina Spine Specialists, what's happening around Pittsboro, or simply need someone who can figure out the answer—find Candace.

She's probably already working on it.

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