When Dr. Leah Garlan launched her career as a chiropractor at just 23 years old, her ambitions were grounded in something simple: start small, build steadily, and stay focused on patient care.

She began in a modest home office, treating patients while quietly laying the foundation for what would become a multi-location healthcare operation spanning Bucks County. Today, Garlan is the owner of Pennridge Wellness Center in Perkasie and Highpoint Health Specialties in Chalfont — two distinct but complementary practices that reflect both her clinical expertise and entrepreneurial growth.

Behind that expansion is a long-standing relationship with her lender, C&N, which Garlan credits as a key partner in her ability to scale her business strategically.

Building a Practice — and a Vision

Garlan’s early path into healthcare was unconventional. Initially drawn to animal chiropractic care because of her love for horses, she soon expanded into treating human patients as well. Over time, her commitment to broadening her capabilities led her back to school, where she earned a master’s degree in acupuncture — an uncommon pairing with her Doctor of Chiropractic degree.

“That allows me to do things that nobody else can do,” Garlan said.

As her skillset expanded, so did her practice. What began as a small operation evolved into Pennridge Wellness Center, a comprehensive, family-oriented practice offering chiropractic care, acupuncture, functional medicine, and neuropathy pain relief technologies.

That growth created the need for space — and, eventually, ownership.

After buying the property that houses the Pennridge Wellness Center in 2010, Garlan refinanced it in 2015 with the help of C&N predecessor Monument Bank. The move enabled her to acquire an adjacent property and effectively take ownership of the entire corner where her practice operates — an investment that underscored her dual role as both healthcare provider and real estate investor.

A Second Location, A Specialized Approach

As Pennridge Wellness Center continued to grow, Garlan saw an opportunity to expand her footprint while also creating a more specialized patient experience.

That opportunity materialized in May 2024, when Garlan secured a commercial mortgage from C&N to purchase a 2,500-square-foot medical office condominium at 1600 Horizon Drive in Chalfont. The acquisition included not only the real estate — two suites combined into a single, open unit with dual entrances — but also the existing chiropractic business, previously owned by a retiring practitioner.

The transaction allowed Garlan to step into an established location while reshaping it to fit her long-term vision. She acquired the assets of Renew SoftWave Therapy from the retiring Dr. Gregory White. C&N provided 100 percent financing for the acquisition through its Medical & Dental specialty lending program, enabling Garlan to move quickly and preserve continuity for patients.

The Chalfont location reflects a deliberate shift in how Garlan approaches care delivery. While Pennridge Wellness Center remains a comprehensive, family-focused practice, Highpoint Health Specialties is designed as a more specialized, higher-end environment, offering targeted therapies in a setting tailored for a different pace and patient need.

C&N’s role did not end with the acquisition. In January 2026, the bank issued a $250,000 term loan to refinance equipment, along with a $100,000 working capital line of credit — moves that strengthened the operational foundation of the new practice while positioning it for continued growth.

A Relationship That Goes Beyond Transactions

For Garlan, the value of her relationship with C&N extends far beyond financing.

“I always say they won’t get me in trouble,” she said. “They won’t allow me to overextend myself, but they allow me to overextend to a level to grow.”

That balance — between discipline and opportunity — has been essential as she has navigated nearly two decades in business.

Garlan describes her experience with the bank as highly personal, emphasizing the responsiveness and accessibility of her lending team.

“It’s like white-glove service all the time,” she said, noting that her primary contacts are available by phone even on weekends when needed.

That level of responsiveness proved critical during her most recent acquisition, when she had just hours to make a decision and needed to close within 30 days.

“They made everything happen instantly,” she said.

Equally important, she said, is the bank’s ability to streamline the lending process — handling much of the administrative work behind the scenes so she can remain focused on running her practice.

“They try to handle most things without me, and then when they need me, it’s done in a very efficient way,” she said.

Understanding Both Sides of the Business

Garlan’s business sits at the intersection of healthcare and entrepreneurship, a dynamic that requires a lender capable of understanding both.

“I’m in healthcare, but it’s also a business,” she said. “You need a bank that understands that.”

That includes recognizing the nuances of patient care, revenue cycles, and regulatory considerations, while also supporting broader financial strategies such as real estate investment and portfolio growth.

C&N’s familiarity with medical and dental lending has enabled Garlan to pursue both sides of her business with confidence, structuring deals that align with her long-term goals.

“They understand that I’m not just a healthcare provider, but also a real estate investor,” she said.

Learn more about C&N and its variety of lending solutions.