Palmer College of Chiropractic West celebrates 148th Commencement

The Palmer College of Chiropractic West campus in San Jose, Calif., celebrated its 148th graduation at the Winter 2019 commencement ceremony on March 8 at the Santa Clara Convention Center theater.

Palmer West Associate Clinical Professor Stephen Randall Waters, DC, MBA, presented the commencement address, “Making Gratitude Your Attitude.”

Receiving the Presidential Scholar awards (for achieving Dean’s List honors in each of their 13 quarters at Palmer’s California branch campus) were Emily Fry (San Jose, Calif.) and Ryan Reed (Grande Prairie, Alberta, Can.) who graduated as valedictorian and salutatorian, with Summa Cum Laude honors (3.9-4.0) and Magna Cum Laude honors (3.70-3.89), respectively.

Corrine Alexander (Lodi, Calif.) and Danielle Diaz (Caruthers, Calif.) graduated with Cum Laude (3.50-3.69) academic honors.

Kyla Nakamura (Fife, Wash.) received the Clinical Excellence Award, which is presented to the member of the graduating class who best exemplified the skills and qualities expected of a Palmer chiropractor during their yearlong experience as a student-doctor in the Palmer Clinics.

Selected by the six mentor-clinicians at the campus-based Palmer Chiropractic Clinics, the Clinical Excellence Award recognizes the member of the graduating class who demonstrated excellence in the following areas: patient evaluation and diagnosis; chiropractic techniques and rehabilitative procedures; diagnostic imaging; case management; and professionalism.

Other special awards presented to Winter ’19 graduates included:

Monica Rizkalla (Germantown, Md.) received the Student Fellowship Award. Selected by the graduating class, this award recognizes the honoree for “service and leadership while upholding the values of his or her class, college and profession.”

Christopher Meanley (Encinitas, Calif.) received the Virgil. V. Strang Philosophy Award, which honors the memory of Dr. Virgil V. Strang, a 1951 Palmer graduate and the seventh president of Palmer College of Chiropractic. The award is presented for “distinctive accomplishment and contributions to the philosophical principles of chiropractic as a student at Palmer College’s West campus.”

Rizkalla and Danielle Walsh (Vancouver, B.C., Canada) received special recognition for their service as Campus Guides. This specially selected group of students assist the College by conducting campus tours for prospective students and assisting at special events.

Danielle Walsh and Timothy Woo (Sacramento, Calif.) received special recognition for their service as officers of the Palmer West student-chapter of the American Chiropractic Association (SACA). The ACA is the largest professional association in the United States representing doctors of chiropractic.

Jonathan Adams (Concord, Calif.) received special recognition for serving as an officer of the Palmer West student-chapter of the ACA Sports Council, which ranks as one of the oldest and most-active student sports organizations among all chiropractic colleges. The Palmer West Sports Council provides on-field care at some of the biggest sports events in northern California, including the Sea Otter Classic cycling festival; the Silicon Valley Turkey Trot; the Far West Valor Games; among others.

SOURCE: Palmer College