The Palmer College of
Chiropractic community
was deeply saddened to
learn of the passing of
Michael D. Pedigo, D.C.,
on Sunday, Oct. 10, 2010. Dr. Pedigo graduated from Palmer’s
Davenport Campus in 1969, and began practicing in the San
Francisco Bay Area in 1970. He practiced in San Leandro, Calif.,
for the past 24 years. While he held many offices throughout his
career, at the time of his death he was on the Board of Directors of
the National Chiropractic Mutual Insurance Company (NCMIC),
was a council member of the World Federation of Chiropractic,
and a trustee of the National Chiropractic Anti-trust Committee.
Active in local, state, national and world chiropractic associations,
Dr. Pedigo held two unique distinctions in the chiropractic profession.
He was the only chiropractor to be elected president of the
International Chiropractors Association (1985-88) as well as elected
president of the American Chiropractic Association (1997-99).
In addition, he was the only chiropractor in the history of the profession
to be named Chiropractor of the Year (1991) by the ACA
as well as Chiropractor of the Year (1988) by the ICA.
“It was my honor to enter the halls of Palmer College of
Chiropractic to ‘Learn How’ with Mike,” said Palmer Board of
Trustees Chairman Trevor Ireland, D.C. “We studied and played
rugby together when the Palmer team was nationally ranked
No. 1 ... beating Harvard, Notre Dame and others. Dr. Michael
Pedigo graduated in 1969 and went ‘Forth to Serve,’ setting the
‘gold standard’ for Palmer graduates and the Chiropractic profession.
Dr. Mike had an endless, determined passion to help
others. He was honest to the core, a tower of strength and a
kind and gentle person. His mission was to serve God, his
family, country and the Chiropractic profession. Rest in eternal
peace my dear friend and Chiropractic brother. I and countless
others miss you, but your memory will live on forever.”
His numerous other awards and honors included the World
Federation of Chiropractic Honor Award for Outstanding
Service in 2005, Dynamic Chiropractic’s Man of the Year in
1988, being named a Fellow in the Palmer Academy of
Chiropractic in 1986, a Fellow in the Palmer West Academy
of Chiropractic in 1984 and a Fellow of the International
Chiropractic Association in 1979. Dr. Pedigo was a participant
in the 1992 Mercy Center Conference and co-author of the
textbook, “Guidelines for Chiropractic Quality Assurance and
Practice Parameters.”
Dr. Pedigo also was a plaintiff in the Wilk vs. AMA anti-trust
lawsuit filed in 1976. The AMA was found guilty of illegally
attempting to destroy a competitor in 1987 by Federal District
Court Judge Susan Getzendanner. The AMA appealed the case,
and in 1990, the Federal Court of Appeals upheld the Federal
District Court decision.
“I would like to convey my condolences to Dr. Pedigo’s family,
as well as the deep appreciation of everyone at Palmer College
for his dedicated work over so many years as a leader with
both common sense and vision for our profession,” said Palmer
Board of Trustees Officer Vickie A. Palmer. “His positive approach
to moving the chiropractic profession forward must be carried
on by those of us he left behind.”