A longtime Bronx chiropractor was recently honored with a street co-naming.
Last weekend, a dedication and ceremony was held in front of the Izquierdo Chiropractic Center, 1108 Westchester Avenue, in honor of Dr. Serafin Izquierdo, who served as a chiropractor in the borough for 50 years.
Westchester Avenue, between Hoe Avenue and Faile Street, is now officially known as Dr. Serafin Izquierdo Way, as a tribute to the late, legendary chiropractor.
Serafin is widely seen as a pioneer for Hispanic chiropractors – being one of the first Latinos, not only in the Bronx, but throughout the entire country, to enter into the profession.
Izquierdo was born in January 1935 on Welfare Island, which is now known as Roosevelt Island, and attended James Monroe High School before enrolling in medical school in Madrid, Spain.
He began operating his chiropractic business, Izquierdo Chiropractic Center, in the mid-1960s. The business operated on Southern Boulevard for over 20 years.
He then moved the practice to 1108 Westchester Avenue, the same building where his parents lived and he was raised, in order to prevent the building from falling into disrepair. As a child, Serafin’s mom operated a knitting business and his father owned a butchershop.
Izquierdo would operate out of this location for another three decades.
A resident of Teaneck, NJ in his later years, Dr. Serafin Izquierdo passed away on December 4, 2014. He was 79 years old.
“One word pops into my head when I think about this street co-naming – and that word is recognition,” said Juan Carlos Izquierdo, Serafin’s son. “It’s an honor that my father has been recognized for all that he did for the community – and all he wanted to do was help others and take care of them.”
Juan Carlos, who took over practice on an interim bases following his father’s passing, added that some of his father’s patients had told him that they had been going to the same chiropractor practice for generations.
“He (my father) always went to so many award dinners and shows for others – and it’s a great feeling to know that he will be remembered and that his legacy will live on forever,” Juan Carlos said. “If he were still here with us today, although he was a very humble man, he would have been very happy.”
Along with Juan Carlos, Serafin is survived by his wife Emma and his daughter Caroline.
