Barry McAlpine, D.C.,
F.I.C.A., F.I.C.C., graduated
from Palmer College of
Chiropractic’s Davenport
campus in 1971. Since
then, he has been practicing
in Holland, Mich. Dr. McAlpine received three Purple Hearts, two
Silver Stars and a Bronze Star for his service in the Vietnam War.
He is a member of the Foundation for Chiropractic Education and
Research. Dr. McAlpine has held offices and chaired committees
in the Michigan Chiropractic Council, the Michigan Chiropractic
Society, the International Chiropractors Association and the
American Chiropractic Association. He was appointed by the
governor to the Michigan Health Occupation Council from 1989
to 1991. A distinguished Fellow of the International Chiropractors
Association, Dr. McAlpine was named Chiropractor of the Year in
1992 by the Michigan Chiropractic Society and named a Fellow
of the International College of Chiropractors. He was appointed
to the Palmer Board of Trustees in 2006.
Tell us what strengths you bring to the Board?
Although I have returned many times to Palmer College for
Homecoming, seminars, graduations and other events, I do not
consider myself an “insider.” I consider myself a fresh face on
the Palmer leadership team. I also am presently on the boards of
other organizations and bring that experience as well as 35 years
of chiropractic practice to the Board. I think of myself as a good
listener as well as someone who can think outside the box.
There are many issues that I plan to put on the table and
discuss. I want to help Dr. Mickey Burt inspire the alumni to
be more involved in what alumni do best, and that is support
the College with students and financial contributions.
What issues in the chiropractic profession concern you most?
We have experienced more change in our profession in the past
five years than we have in the previous 100 years. I predict the
changes in the next five years will be even greater. Our future
depends on how we respond to them.
For more than a century, there has been a Palmer School
of Chiropractic, which later became Palmer College of
Chiropractic. But like everything else, change is inevitable.
What is your vision of Palmer College in 25 years?
I hope we will have grateful alumni who support Palmer.
When we have a larger percentage of our alumni giving, we
will become eligible for funds from large foundations that
contribute to colleges that have shown good support from
their graduates.
My daughter attends a small, high-end liberal arts college in
the southern U.S. This college has 1,000 students and matches
Palmer in enthusiasm and pride. However, it continuously
leads the nation in alumni giving. That college regularly gets
60 percent of its alumni giving back to the school every year.
Let’s start now to increase our percentage of alumni who give
back to Palmer so that other colleges look to us as the standard.
What are your favorite memories of your college days at Palmer?
It was during those years I learned the philosophy, science and
art of chiropractic. Since that light went on in my soul, chiropractic
has become a way of life. I estimate that during my
career I have given more than 400,000 adjustments and, like
most other chiropractors, have experienced the thrill of giving
that so-called “miracle adjustment.”
Almost every day, someone will approach me, whether in the
office or in the community, and report how their chiropractic
experience greatly helped them and was either more beneficial
than their standard medical experience or greatly complimented
their medical care. Fellow alumni, you know what I mean.
Students, your hard work and efforts at Palmer College will
be rewarded.