Visionary chiropractic education leader Ron Oberstein to retire this summer

After nearly nine years as president of Life Chiropractic College West (Life West), Ron Oberstein, DC, FICA, announced he will retire on June 30, and Peter Kevorkian will take over as president on July 1.

After the announcement, congratulatory messages came from all over for Ron Oberstein, an accomplished doctor of chiropractic who has held several significant leadership roles during his 40-year career.

“Dr. Ron Oberstein’s visionary leadership has profoundly impacted the field of chiropractic education,” said Nick Doyle, area president of Gallagher, the publisher of Chiropractic Economics magazine. “His dedication to service and innovation sets a benchmark for future leaders. We congratulate him on his well-deserved retirement.”

From practitioner to president

Oberstein graduated from Life Chiropractic College (now Life University), completing his doctor of chiropractic degree, in 1981. He established successful practices in Boston, Massachusetts, and San Diego, California, focusing on family wellness care.

In 1986, alongside his wife of 30 years, Mary Oberstein, DC, he cofounded a nonprofit organization that focuses on delivering chiropractic care to underserved populations, particularly kids and families in Tijuana, Mexico. The couple’s dedication to service inspired their three daughters, Lauren, Morgan and Sydney, to pursue careers in chiropractic as well.

Beyond clinical practice, Oberstein held several important leadership roles, including serving as Vice President of the International Chiropractors Association (ICA), a member of ICA’s board of directors and Chair of the Association of Chiropractic Colleges. He also served on the Life West Board of Regents from 1991 to 2016, including two years as Chairman.

Leading Life West

Appointed Life Chiropractic College West’s third president in 2017, Oberstein spearheaded numerous initiatives that elevated the institution’s stature. These projects included expansion of Life West to a second campus in Bellevue, Nebraska, and establishing an annual chiropractic conference there. He also advanced plans for Life West India, the first chiropractic college in India, and launched Global Service Trips, international programs that give Life West students the opportunity to provide care to people in underserved communities worldwide.

In addition to US and global expansion, Oberstein introduced Life West to the Clinically Inspired Curriculum, a hands-on, patient-centered approach to better prepare students for real-world practice. He also established the Nexus Brain Center, a facility focusing on noninvasive treatments for neurological conditions, as well as performance-enhancing work with athletes.

Oberstein’s tenure also saw enhancements in educational opportunities through programs such as the Early Clinic Entrance and Last-Year Preceptor Program, as well as technological upgrades across the campus.

High honors

In April, the ICA recognized Oberstein with its highest honor, naming him Chiropractor of the Year. The award, presented during the ICA’s 99th Annual Convention in Clearwater, Florida, acknowledges his more than four decades of dedication to the chiropractic profession through clinical excellence, educational leadership and global service.

A Lifetime ICA member and distinguished Fellow of the ICA (FICA), Oberstein has been a trusted voice for the profession and a champion for chiropractic vitalism. He has taught chiropractic technique, philosophy and principles at colleges around the world and has mentored many new DC graduates.

“The ICA congratulates Dr. Oberstein on this well-earned recognition and thanks him for his decades of service to the chiropractic profession,” an ICA press release noted.

What’s next?

As he steps down, Oberstein remains committed to advancing chiropractic care globally. He expressed a desire to spend more time with his family while continuing efforts to expand access to chiropractic services worldwide.

His guiding principle, he said, remains the concept of “Lasting Purpose” that Life West emphasizes—giving, doing, loving and serving from one’s own abundance.

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