Honorees recognized among Palmer College of Chiropractic alumni include Louis Sportelli, DC (’62), a tireless advocate for chiropractic
Palmer College of Chiropractic has announced the recipients of its 2nd Annual Palmer College Alumni Awards, honoring graduates whose achievements reflect the strength, heart and global impact of the Palmer College alumni community. From lifetime service to entrepreneurial leadership to emerging professionals, this year’s awardees embody Palmer’s enduring legacy of excellence and innovation.
“These awards celebrate the remarkable range of ways Palmer College alumni are changing lives,” said Chancellor and CEO Dennis Marchiori, DC, PhD (’90). “Whether in clinics, classrooms or communities, their influence reaches far beyond chiropractic. We’re proud to recognize them and share their success with our community.”
Distinguished Achievement Award
The Distinguished Achievement Award recognizes significant contributions to chiropractic with professional, societal and educational impact. It will be awarded to Louis Sportelli, DC (’62). For more than six decades, Sportelli has been a tireless advocate for chiropractic and a model of ethical leadership. From defending the profession at the national level to serving more than 30 years on his local hospital board, he has advanced health care integrity and patient trust while mentoring future generations of DCs.
Distinguished Service Award
The Distinguished Service Award honors alumni who have shown exceptional dedication and service to Palmer College over time. It will be awarded to Paul Hetrick, DC (’77). Hetrick has dedicated his career to elevating chiropractic through generosity, innovation and advocacy. As founder of HydroWorx and a former president of the Pennsylvania Chiropractic Association, he has transformed rehabilitation practices while giving back to Palmer through a $1 million endowment to support sports and rehabilitation residencies.
Entrepreneurship Award
The Entrepreneurship Award celebrates alumni who have achieved success as entrepreneurs in chiropractic or related fields, locally and globally. It will be awarded to Charles “Chuck” Gibson, DC (’55). A respected mentor and global leader in chiropractic business development, Gibson has shaped thousands of careers through his consultancy, Gibson Management Consultants. His six-decade career reflects a deep commitment to advancing the profession and guiding future entrepreneurs toward success.
Worldwide ripple effects
“Our alumni remind us that Palmer’s legacy is not only about what happens on our campuses, but also about the ripple effect felt in communities everywhere,” said Barbara Melbourne, JD, the College’s vice chancellor for institutional advancement. “This year’s honorees have demonstrated how a Palmer legacy grows through a lifetime of excellence.”
10-Under-10 Awards
The awards also showcase the promise and passion of Palmer’s newest alumni, all within their first decade of practice. Honorees of the Palmer 10-Under-10 Award are recognized for substantial contributions to Palmer College and the chiropractic field, for demonstrated leadership and for actively mentoring or volunteering. Here are this year’s 10-Under-10 Award recipients:
- Alexandra Fonseca, DC, CCSP (’18), of San Bruno, California, is redefining sports chiropractic in elite circles as a trusted provider for athletes, actors and the US Secret Service.
- Brian Plummer, DC (’18), of Akron, Ohio, is a national leader in integrated pain management at the Cleveland Clinic and serves as a medical school professor.
- Cameron Gholampour, DC, MS (’20), of Palm Harbor, Florida, provides medical oversight for USA Volleyball–Florida Region and represents chiropractic at the World Games.
- Casey Okamoto, DC (’15), of Apple Valley, Minnesota, is a national VA leader in chronic pain innovation and a contributor to ground-breaking clinical trials.
- Jae Oh, DC (’17), of Winter Garden, Florida, is a recognized physician-level provider building interdisciplinary networks across central Florida.
- Jessie Bexley, DC (’17), of Tampa, Florida, holds leading roles in neurosurgery and athletics at USF, bridging care, research and collaboration.
- Kyle Richmond, DC (’21), of Frankfort, Illinois, is a social media influencer with more than 125,000 followers and is trusted by professional athletes.
- Megan Epps, DC (’20), of Dover, Delaware, is an advocate for women’s health, co-owner of two practices and a community leader through “The 302 Podcast.”
- Rachel Huston, DC (’19), of Lincoln, Nebraska, is the founder of The Body Lab, a multidisciplinary practice redefining standard of care.
- Tyler Collins, DC (’18), of Monticello, Arkansas, is an advocacy leader on the Arkansas Chiropractic Physicians Association Board and has been honored for legislative efforts advancing chiropractic.
Palmer College celebrates these honorees for embodying values of vision, service and innovation, qualities that continue to shape the future of chiropractic worldwide. They will be honored on campus during Palmer’s Main Campus Homecoming celebrations this month.
About Palmer College of Chiropractic
Palmer College of Chiropractic is the world’s first and largest chiropractic college. We lead with world-class education, groundbreaking research, and hands-on training. We create the next generation of clinicians, prepared to advance patient care, relieve pain, and improve lives—without the use of drugs or surgery.
