Thirty-Two Complete Doctor of Chiropractic program at Sherman College

Kara Louise Gingras of New Hampshire, recipient of the Milton W. Garfunkel Award, presented the farewell address to her classmates. The Garfunkel Award is the highest award given at graduation. Students receiving this honor must have a grade point average of 3.5 or above, and in addition, best exemplify those qualities Sherman College would like to inculcate in all of its graduates: love of the profession, an understanding of the philosophy, willingness to share, and service to the college and community.

Gingras also received the Academic Achievement Award. The Academic Achievement Award is given to the individual in each graduating class who maintains the highest grade point average throughout his or her studies at Sherman College.

The Clinical Excellence Award was presented to Gingras and also to Stephanie Marie Gates of New Jersey in recognition of their successful practices in the Health Center. This award is given to an intern in each class who has diligently worked to develop skills in the art, science and philosophy of chiropractic, maintained an A average in the clinical program and exhibited superior overall clinical performance and professionalism.

Joseph Frank Messina of Connecticut and Breanna Rose Riggs Smith of Pennsylvania received the B.J. Palmer Philosophy Distinction Award. This honor is given to outstanding students who exemplify the profound philosophical understanding necessary to translate the universal principles of life into the workable philosophy, science and art which is chiropractic.

The commencement address was given by Sherman College Executive Vice President Neil Cohen, D.C. Cohen is a 1986 graduate of Life Chiropractic who practiced for 28 years in Florida, where his goal was to empower and inspire parents to raise healthy, non-medicated families. In 2014, Dr. Cohen sold his practice to support Sherman College’s mission and vision as executive vice president. He is a sought-after platform speaker, sharing the chiropractic philosophy across the United States and around the world. His daughter, Sarah Rachel Cohen, graduated in the ceremony.

Douglas Gates, DC, delivered the charge to the graduates. A 1974 graduate of Palmer College of Chiropractic and a 1971 graduate of the State University of New York, Gates practices in Hillsdale, New Jersey. Gates held several crucial roles at Sherman College during the years following its founding, including faculty member, Technique department chair, dean of continuing education, dean of the college and academic dean. He was also a faculty member at Pennsylvania College of Straight Chiropractic. Gates has published two textbooks: Correlative Spinal Anatomy in 1977 and Spinal Palpation in 1981. His daughter, Stephanie Marie Gates, graduated in the ceremony.

The doctor of chiropractic program at Sherman College requires students to complete more than 4,900 hours (14 quarters) of classroom and laboratory study and also includes an internship in the college’s on-campus Chiropractic Health Center. To enter the DC program, students must have at least 90 semester hours of college-level courses, including courses in the sciences.