Our Team

MICHAEL R. INGUI, DC, MAS, FIANM
Founder & Chief Executive Officer

Dr. Michael Ingui began his career in healthcare at 19 when he became an emergency medical technician and serving the residents of Bergen County, NJ and State College, PA. During his time as an EMT, he has learned and performed many life-saving interventions. He enjoys the opportunity to provide care to others in the community and continues to maintain his certification.

In 2007, he completed his undergraduate studies in kinesiology with a pedagogy focus at the Pennsylvania State University. After completing his degree, Michael began working as a national account consultant with Horizon BlueCross BlueShield helping larger companies reduce their healthcare expenditures and improve their benefit design. Wanting to further his education, and fulfilling a passion, Michael decided to pursue a career in chiropractic medicine. He enrolled at the University of Bridgeport and graduated in 2014 Summa Cum Laude with his doctorate and was the class salutatorian. Shortly after graduation he began a career in private practice in Ramsey NJ and returned to the University of Bridgeport in 2015 as an adjunct professor. His private practice group focuses on non-pharmacological and non-operative treatments for chronic pain and numerous neuromusculoskeletal conditions.In 2017 Michael advanced his knowledge in the field and completed a 2 year fellowship in neuromusculoskeltal medicine earning his Diplomate and became Board Certified by the International Academy of Neuromusculoskeltal Medicine.

After completing his fellowship Michael began full-time work with the University of Bridgeport as an Assistant Professor of Clinical Services. He was fortunate to work on a joint project between the University of Bridgeport and the New Jersey Pain Collaborative where he developed and implemented an on-site chiropractic program at two New Jersey community health centers (CHC’s). The goal of the program was to help the clinics better care for patients with musculoskeletal pain without the need for medications and other costly referrals such as advanced imaging and outside specialists. Michael served as the head chiropractic clinician for the project and became the first chiropractor in New Jersey to be credentialed at a federally qualified health center (FQHC) and participate in the state medicaid CHC reimbursement program. Michael has always said how fortunate he is to have worked with many other providers and members of the healthcare team to deliver high value-based care to an under-served population.

Michael continued to develop a passion for population health and finding solutions to address social disparities within the healthcare system. He began a two year master’s program in population health management at the world-renowned Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health and graduated with honors earning his Masters of Applied Science in May of 2019. He founded CareLink Health Services Group in 2019 to help healthcare organizations and primary care teams better manage people living with pain without opioids and other pharmaceuticals. He enjoys the opportunity to collaborate with other healthcare leaders to help end addiction and achieve better healthcare for all!

MICHAEL PICHON
Senior Vice President, Client Services and Finance

In 2008, Michael completed his undergraduate degrees in Finance and Economics from Sacred Heart University. After completing his degrees, Michael went to work in Financial Services providing financial guidance to teachers and police officers across New Jersey. Wanting to expand upon his career, Michael moved into investment banking with a boutique firm in lower Manhattan. Working on private placements and convertible bond sales he gained valuable expertise in the role of assistant vice president of business development. Prior to now working in Healthcare Management, Michael worked as a financial planner in a fiduciary role- helping clients achieve their goals for retirement. Michael has had a significant family experience with the effects of opioids and has a passion to help as many people as possible by creating alternative treatments to Opioids.

ALEX ECKERT, DC
Senior Vice President, Chief Administration Officer

Alex started his journey in healthcare as a personal trainer at the age of 18. This introduction taught him the importance of prevention and how he can play a part in not only helping someone improve their level of physical fitness, but also maintain a healthy lifestyle. One of his greatest joys is to see the positive impact a healthier lifestyle can have on a person’s life.

Alex graduated from the University at Buffalo in 2016 with a bachelor’s degree in exercise science. Following his undergraduate studies, he was eager to expand both his knowledge and skill set to help people with physical problems. He enrolled at the University of Bridgeport in 2016 to acquire his doctorate in chiropractic medicine and is on track to graduate in May of 2020 with Summa Cum Laude honors. He is eager to put these skills to use in a practice model that considers each individual’s comprehensive needs.

Alex has now joined in Dr. Ingui’s quest to improve patient outcomes by providing chiropractic care as an alternative to the problematic prescribing of opioid class drugs. With Care Link Health Services Group, he will be able to help people find relief from pain without fear of addiction and put them on a path toward a healthier life.

BRANDON SMOLAREK, DC
Senior Vice President, Clinical Operations

Brandon is a Michigan native who has a close experience with the opioid epidemic, with family members whose only option for their pain was surgery. This resulted in a magnitude of opioid prescriptions to manage their pain. Seeing his family members to struggle with their pain management, Brandon understood early the importance of conservative management.

Brandon started his healthcare experience as a collegiate athlete who worked with trainers and physicians in regards to preventative care in order to stay competitive within athletics. While in college, he studied biology and chemistry at Suffolk University in Boston, Massachusetts where he continued his journey into the healthcare field while also participating in undergraduate research. Upon graduation from Suffolk University in 2016, Brandon enrolled in the University of Bridgeport School of Chiropractic in May of 2020 to do his part in combating the ongoing opioid crisis.

Brandon got started with Dr. Ingui’s vision of improving the quality of patient care by providing chiropractic care as a complementary management option to combat chronic pain and reduce unnecessary opioid prescriptions. CareLink Health Services Group is the option to get patients free of pain without the threat of addiction and an opportunity to get them on the right path towards a healthier life.