Kathleen King, D.C.’s (’25) path to chiropractic began with a deeply personal experience—and a powerful desire to serve those who serve.
Growing up in a military family in Kansas City, Missouri, King witnessed the toll that military service can take on the body and mind. At 17, she was misdiagnosed with degenerative disc disease and prescribed opioids after minimal physical therapy. That experience opened her eyes to the challenges faced by military members and veterans, many of whom are overprescribed medications without access to long-term, sustainable care.
“I wanted to be part of the solution,” King said. “When I learned how Palmer College of Chiropractic works with the Department of Defense and the Veterans Administration to help curb the opioid epidemic, I knew it was the place for me.”
King’s time at Palmer has been marked by academic rigor, mentorship, and a strong sense of community. But it was her preceptorship at Victory Spinal Care in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, that truly solidified her calling.
“Victory is an upper cervical clinic that sees about 600 patients a week,” King said. “It’s not a high-volume practice. Every doctor knows their patients by name and story. They invest time in understanding not just what hurts, but why it hurts.”
Under the guidance of Jared Wayland, D.C., King immersed herself in a comprehensive model of care that blends upper cervical techniques—Toggle, Knee-Chest, and Blair—with Diversified, Logan Basic, and Webster methods. The clinic also offers adjunctive therapies such as ultrasound, decompression, cold laser, red light, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
“Victory’s approach reflects what modern chiropractic can and should be: personalized, holistic, and neurologically focused,” she said.
Over the course of three months, King sharpened her adjusting skills, improved her patient communication, and gained insight into the business and leadership side of running a clinic. She participated in spinal screenings, brought in her own patients, and even joined Toastmasters to refine her public speaking.
A Culture of Collaboration and Excellence
While her preceptorship was a defining moment, her growth began long before she stepped into Victory Spinal Care. At Palmer, she found a campus culture rooted in collaboration, not competition.
“Palmer students help one another like I’ve never seen in a school,” she said. “Tutoring, PASS, study groups, open labs—they’re all led by students who genuinely want to see each other succeed.”
That sense of unity is matched by academic rigor. From foundational courses to clinical rotations, King says Palmer’s curriculum is designed to challenge students to think critically and clinically.
Courses like Neuro-Musculoskeletal and Physical Diagnosis helped King develop diagnostic precision and confidence under pressure—especially during Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs). But it was her time in the Palmer Clinics that brought everything together.
“Treating real patients, creating care plans, and witnessing the impact of chiropractic care firsthand have been transformative experiences,” she said. “The clinic environment pushes you to be confident in your skills, communicate effectively with patients, and develop your own clinical style while staying grounded in chiropractic philosophy.”
Prepared to Lead and Serve
As she prepares to graduate, King reflects on how Palmer has shaped her—not just as a future Doctor of Chiropractic, but as a leader and advocate for wellness.
“What truly sets Palmer apart is its heart, its philosophy. Palmer teaches that chiropractic is more than just adjusting the spine; it’s about restoring the connection between the brain and body so that people can live their lives to the fullest,” said King. “That philosophy fuels everything we do here. It’s given me a passion for serving others, a deeper respect for the body’s innate ability to heal, and a purpose-driven approach to health care that I will carry with me for the rest of my career.”
“Palmer doesn’t just create chiropractors; it creates leaders, healers and lifelong advocates for wellness,” she said. “I’m leaving with the knowledge, skill set and conviction to make a difference.”
Her advice to incoming students? Start strong, stay curious, and lean into the support around you.
“Take first trimester slow. Focus on the coursework—it sets the foundation for everything,” she said. “Once you find your rhythm, get involved. Try every club, explore different techniques, and build not just a tool belt, but a full toolbox.”
For King, Palmer has been more than a college—it’s been a launchpad for purpose-driven practice.
