Meet Your Waynesville Chiropractors
Family Circle Chiropractic began as an idea set forth by two ambitious classmates, Zeke and Joe, who met in their studies while enduring the icy winds of Buffalo, New York. Both were raised with the love and support of their family and friends. This tireless support and attention inspired them to create a clinic that would make each patient feel truly listened to, not just heard. Family is a strong word to all who work at Family Circle Chiropractic where it is more than a close relationship. It is the group of people you trust to always show you respect and help you feel secure. At Family Circle Chiropractic, you never have to deal with problems on your own.
-Your Chiropractic team;
D'Youville College department of academic achievement and leadership awards;
From left to right: Dr. Maureen Finney, Dean of Health Professionals, Zeke Watts, Joseph Colasuonno, Dr. Lorrie Clemo, President of D'Youville College.
Dr. Zeke Watts
Dr. Zeke grew up in Asheville, NC with his three older brothers. He was home-schooled by his parents who instilled in him a passion for learning and a desire to help others. He wanted to be a chiropractor ever since the age of ten, after chiropractic care helped him resolve previous neck issues. With this aim in mind, he attended Asheville High School and graduated with Honors in 2009. For his undergraduate education he attended UNC Asheville for its small class sizes, integrative health education and because it allowed him to stay close to his family.
In 2013 he graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelors of Science and special departmental distinction in Health and Wellness Promotion, as well as a minor in drama. His search for a chiropractic school led him to a D’Youville College in Buffalo, New York. D’Youville offered several things that no other chiropractic school could, including small class sizes with lots of hands on experience, unparalleled clinical opportunities including a major trauma hospital and a busy neurosurgery clinic, and an integrative medical education where Zeke could learn alongside Nurses, Nurse Practitioners, Pharmacists, Doctors of Physical Therapy, Dieticians, Occupational Therapists, Physician Assistants, etc. He graduated Magna Cum Laude with his Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) degree from D’Youville in early 2018 along with one of two departmental awards for Outstanding Academic Achievement and Professional Leadership (the other award was given to Doctor Joe). Dr. Zeke is also a member of no fewer than four academic and leadership honor societies.
After completing his chiropractic education, and passing all of his chiropractic board exams, Dr. Zeke was very happy to move home to western North Carolina where he currently lives surrounded by his family and friends. He enjoys being a chiropractor, cooking, reading, teaching, playing games and spending time with his loving wife Vivian and their beautiful children, Annelise and Korbin.
Dr. Joe Colasuonno
Born and raised in the Catskill Mountains of upstate New York with his loving family. Joe was fortunate to grow up in a small town community with a lot of warm hearts and friendly smiles. How small of a town you ask? Well, his high school graduating class was twenty eight students and he spent kindergarten through the twelfth grade with almost all of them. He was a mountain boy; only the mountains were just smaller than here in Waynesville. Making a big step after graduating, he decided to move to a growing private college in Buffalo, New York, called D’Youville College. He studied for seven years (including the Summers) to receive his dual degree from the Department of Integrative Holistic Health Studies; Bachelors of Science in Biology, and Doctorate of Chiropractic.
Joe wanted to be a chiropractor ever since he was about nine years old after watching his mother experience instant pain relief from her job as a busy dental hygienist. He was inspired to see chiropractic could make a person feel better and relieve their aches and pains with just your hands and a couple of home care tips and exercises. His mom was a "good patient" and performed her prescribed exercises at home. Sure enough, after about two months she only went back when she felt she needed the care, but lived a more comfortable life with the new knowledge she obtained from her chiropractor. Joe was inspired to find other paths to pain relief and a healthier lifestyle without depending on medications.
Joe always loved people as a whole, and has always tried to see the best in everyone. He recognizes that each person has their own unique story to tell and knows there is much to learn by simply listening and lending a helping hand. When he got to D'Youville, he wasted no time trying his best to help others while juggling his busy course load. Throughout his college career he became a student senator for his student government, an Orientation Assistant, a Resident Advisor for the college dormitories, and a building manager for the college event center. He made a lot of wonderful memories and met some of his best friends while taking class alongside those studying to be Nurses, Nurse Practitioners, Pharmacists, Physician Assistants, Doctors of Physical Therapy, Dieticians, Occupational Therapists, and many others. He had the honor of being the only student in D'Youville College's history to achieve both the National Achievement; St. Catherine of Alexandria Medal in 2014 and the D'Youville College Medal in 2015 for excellence in character, loyalty, scholarship and service. Dr. Joe also received one of two departmental awards for Outstanding Academic Achievement and Professional Leadership (the other award was given to Dr. Zeke.)
After completing his chiropractic education and passing all his national board exams, Dr. Joe moved down to Asheville, North Carolina with his loving wife, Ellen, to join Dr. Zeke. He tries his best to keep in contact his family back in New York including his parents, two brothers, one sister, two nephews and three nieces. He enjoys being a chiropractor, playing the piano, singing, and spending as much time as he can with Ellen. He and Ellen now live in Waynesville and are happy to be a part of such a beautiful place.
Dr. Chase Bixenman
Dr. Chase Bixenman is the newest addition to the Family Circle Chiropractic team. Chase was born and raised in Amarillo, TX where he attended West Texas A&M University graduating in 2014 with a B.S. in Biology. During his time at WTAMU, Chase also worked as a nurses assistant and phlebotomist in the local emergency room. It was here that his thoughts on common medicinal treatments were challenged. Alternatives to medical school were researched and this is where he found his love with conservative care options and the world of chiropractic.
In 2014, Chase moved across the country to Buffalo, NY where he attended D’Youville College for 4 years achieving his Doctorate of Chiropractic alongside Dr. Joe and Dr. Zeke. The knowledge gained during this time and the drive to help others allows Dr. Chase to live the Mark Twain quote “Find a job you enjoy doing, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” After chiropractic school, Chase moved back to Amarillo to serve his local community, opening Evolve Chiropractic in July of 2018. Towards the end of 2019, Dr. Chase merged with a local pain management physician to provide multidisciplinary services to the area. Since graduating chiropractic school, he has added Dry Needling, Myofascial Cupping and Fire Cupping, and Kinesiology Taping to his skill set, increasing the tools available to assist in the treatment of many musculoskeletal conditions.
Dr. Chase and his wife, Sarah, are excited to live in the Waynesville area and look forward to resuming some of their favorite activities like camping and hiking. In addition, Dr. Chase is looking forward to being able to skydive again, and participate in new outdoor activities.