Our Story

The beginning of Hands for Life Western Addition of San Francisco started long before its development. For those who have witnessed parts of the world less fortunate, it is an idea that takes root from the seed of compassion within us all. It is a realization of our privileges, our fortunes, but more importantly our abilities to make a change not just for us, but for humanity. For most of us, it takes an eye opening event to realize that there is a world out there, without access to food and water, without proper healthcare, and without the means of education.

While traveling through impoverished countries, Dr. Katherine McCarty DC saw first-hand the struggles that so many women, men, and children face for basic necessities. Yet while in Cambodia, she witnessed an organization that was there to make a positive change. It focused on creating a learning environment to foster career skills and development. While its presence was small still in the community, it showed her how possible it can be to do the same. She discovered her potential to make a larger impact, and to create opportunities for families to understand their individual abilities to live healthy, productive lives through chiropractic care, educational programs, and clean water initiatives.

There are places and situations like that everywhere we look, from the underserved neighborhoods on the outskirts of American cities to third-world countries. Hands for Life is an incredible organization founded in San Diego by Dr.’s Ron and Mary Oberstein to give chiropractic care to those in less fortunate countries, but also those in financial hardships within San Diego. The Western Addition chapter extends that same outreach to San Francisco, where Dr. McCarty provides chiropractic care to those in public service and those in financial hardships in the San Francisco area to create a healthier world, as well as contributing efforts to the organization’s global impact.

If we can collectively enhance the health and well-being of one person, one family, or one community, we are working towards the greater goal of a worldwide effect! Your time, contribution to projects, and awareness is part of the solution!

Our Mission

To create a natural avenue for the underserved, financial hard-shipped population throughout the world to regain their health through:

  1. Chiropractic care creating an efficiently running nervous system,
  2. Accessible clean water and healthy food,
  3. The opportunity to have a superior education so that each person can reach their potential and create a healthier world tomorrow.

Our Purpose

Hands For Life is a non profit 501(c)3 that prides itself on looking for the “greater good” within each individual on .  We understand there may be a divide that separates people based on culture, ethnicity, race, etc., and Hands For Life sees these difference’s as reasons to unite as one!  Just like a rainbow has different colors, those colors makes up its inherent beauty.  HFL sees the same inherent beauty within all people on our planet.   Our differences and individual  uniqueness’ make our world more exciting, more educational and more real.  Hands For Life is dedicated to creating a healthier world while honoring the differences amongst us.  We travel the globe to touch lives and educate  people about health.  Through chiropractic and a natural lifestyle, along with water, food and education, Hands For Life sees its role as a facilitator to unleash the potential residing within each person.  Sustainability, empowerment, better health and self sufficiency are what we leave behind after we touch so many.  Our goal is simple: to make sure every man, woman and child have a high functioning nerve system, enough food and water for great nutrition, and an education so they can read, write,  and have the basic skills so they can thrive and thus make a better contribution to the world.

Our Team

We’re a family of chiropractors serving to make the world a healthier, more connected place. Our team understands the disparity in healthcare across the globe. There are some communities with access to excellent chiropractic care. There are other groups of people who have no way of receiving the benefit of chiropractic care. Our team came together to try and shrink the gap between the “haves” and the “have not’s”.

Dr. Katherine McCarty D.C. began the Hands For Life Western Addition chapter in her San Francisco neighborhood to create a focal point for change, both in a person’s lifestyle but also on the grand scale of healthcare. She graduated cum laude from Life University with her chiropractic degree and a vision of connecting chiropractic care to people’s understanding of their potential to heal. Every day her passion grows for people to understand health on a new and different platform – one that individuals can control. Through Hands For Life Western Addition, chiropractic can infuse more families, more communities, and more cultures by allowing quality and true healthcare to become more accessible. Along with beginning a non profit chapter, she has a house call practice in San Francisco, The Heights Chiropractic, as well as continuing to pursue her passions of writing, open water swimming, and travel. Katherine McCarty, B.A, D.C.

President / Board Member

While being an industrial designer, Jamie has always been inspired by simplicity. Products that become accessible to its users is always at the core of her industry, giving Jamie the expertise of understanding the needs of people at many levels. She has been under chiropractic care for the past seven years, and has become an advocate for the profession. Not only does it speak to her holistic idea of health, but she has found a way to make chiropractic care accessible through Hand For Life non profit work. She contributes her incredible team centered work ethic to understand how Hands For Life can grow in its outreach, and works toward communicating chiropractic in a simple, modern way. Jamie Perin B.A.

Secretary / Treasurer / Board Member

Scott is a pediatrician that has dedicated his life to health and well-being for children in the San Diego region. His contributions to Hands For Life are centered around his own expertise in connecting with those in need. Scott McCarty D.O.

Board Member

Georgia has always looked to nature for health. She has been a true advocate for all forms of holistic healthcare, and as a musician, she combines her passion for health and for music by coordinating events for non profits and spreading awareness. Georgia Goad B.A.

Board Member

Benjamin is a chiropractor who has dedicated his life to chiropractic philosophy and bringing care to those in need. His understanding and passion for chiropractic will contribute to the outreach of Hands For Life. Benjamin Goudreau D.C.

Board Member