Palmer College of Chiropractic

Chiropractic History

Palmer College of Chiropractic West History

Palmer College of Chiropractic West shares its name, philosophy and tradition with the profession's oldest and largest chiropractic institution, Palmer College of Chiropractic (PCC) in Davenport, Iowa. The roots of that relationship originated in September of 1980, when a fledgling chiropractic college, conceived two years earlier by a group of students in Hayward, Calif., became heir to the proud Palmer tradition as Palmer College of Chiropractic West.

That fledgling college, organized as Northern California College of Chiropractic (NCCC) in 1978, held its first classes in Hayward, next moved to a Palo Alto, Calif., middle school, and then to a permanent campus in Sunnyvale, Calif. However, after two years of operation, the institution had yet to gain accreditation from the Council on Chiropractic Education. The NCCC Board of Trustees, aware of major internal weaknesses, entered into discussions with the Palmer College of Chiropractic Board of Trustees. It was to be a fortuitous dialogue.

The two Boards found their purposes dovetailed well. NCCC wished its students to be able to continue their education without losing previously completed credits and to achieve accreditation. Palmer College of Chiropractic had been considering the founding of a sister college on the West coast, dedicated to the founder, D.D. Palmer. Their negotiations resulted in formal changes to by-laws, make-up of the Board and name of the College.

On October 17, 1980, the College officially became Palmer College of Chiropractic West. Dr. John L. Miller was named the inaugural President and Chief Executive Officer at Palmer College West. In July of 1981 Palmer College of Chiropractic West received Candidate for Accreditation Status from the Council on Chiropractic Education. Four years later, Palmer West earned full accreditation.

In May of 1991, the academic mission of the two Palmer Colleges was strengthened with the unification of the two institutions to form the Palmer Chiropractic University System. Mr. Michael Crawford was named Chancellor of the Palmer Chiropractic University System. In April 1992, Dr. Peter Martin, a past president of the California Chiropractic Association with more than 30 years experience in chiropractic practice, education and political associations, officially became the second president of Palmer West.

In July 1993, Palmer West consolidated its former two-campus system in Sunnyvale and Santa Clara, and relocated to a new 96,000-square-foot facility, situated on five acres in a major corporate research and development park in San Jose.

Important Dates in Palmer West History

• August 1978: Palmer West (formerly NCCC) incorporated.
• October 1979: College moves to campus at 1095 Dunford Way in Sunnyvale.
• September 1980: NCCC becomes Palmer College of Chiropractic West.
• October 17, 1980: Dr. John L. Miller named the inaugural President and Chief Executive Officer at Palmer College of Chiropractic West.
• July 1981: College receives Candidate for Accreditation status from the Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE).
• September - December 1981: First three classes (total of 93 students) graduate from Palmer West.
• June 1985: Palmer West becomes youngest chiropractic institution to receive full accreditation status with the CCE.
• April 1989: With enrollment increasing, the College expanded its facilities by occupying an additional campus in Santa Clara.
• May 1991: Palmer West and Palmer College in Davenport, Iowa, unite to form the Palmer Chiropractic University System.
• April 1992: Dr. Peter Martin becomes the second president of Palmer West.
• June 1992: Palmer West expands its clinical services by opening the Community Chiropractic Center in downtown San Jose, an outpatient facility providing care for economically or otherwise disadvantaged residents of the South Bay area.
• July 1993: Palmer West consolidates its former two-campus system in Sunnyvale and Santa Clara and relocates to San Jose, California.
• July 1993: Palmer West expands its curriculum by adding the Practice Development Quarter. During their final quarter of study at Palmer West, students gain experience through field internships in the office of a practicing doctor. In addition, the Practice Development Quarter also features weekly business-oriented seminars to help graduates facilitate a smooth transition from students to doctors.
• October 1994: Palmer West relocated its outpatient clinic to a new location in Santa Clara.
• July 1995: Palmer West introduces new Clinical Practice Curriculum.
• February 1, 2001—Dr. Guy Reikeman named president.
• February 2005—Dr. Peter Martin again assumes the presidency.
• November 2005—Palmer West celebrates its 25th anniversary.

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