For Palmer student Alexis Ortiz Nuñez, the journey to chiropractic began more than 2,000 miles from Davenport, Iowa, in Carolina, Puerto Rico. Today, as he completes his clinical rotation as a chiropractic clerk at the VA Cincinnati Healthcare System, he reflects on the path that brought him to the Fountainhead of Chiropractic and the community that helped him thrive along the way.
Discovering His Calling
Alexis didn’t begin his academic journey in chiropractic. He first enrolled in nursing before realizing his passions leaned even more toward hands-on care and meaningful patient relationships. That realization sparked a switch to biology, and ultimately a move from Puerto Rico to Davenport to earn his Doctor of Chiropractic degree.
“I always knew I wanted to help others and actually connect with them,” Alexis says. “Chiropractic is a career where you get to spend real time with patients and make a direct impact on their quality of life.”
His commitment to helping people, especially those with complex health needs, made Palmer an easy choice. “I went with Palmer because it is the Fountainhead of the profession. I knew Palmer would give me the best clinical foundation to handle that level of care.”
A Challenging and Rewarding Academic Journey
Like many Palmer students, Alexis discovered quickly that the coursework is rigorous but worth it.
“It has been a lot of work but very rewarding,” he says. “At the VA, I’m utilizing almost everything I learned at Palmer. It’s been a process of re-learning and finally getting to apply those concepts to real people.”
Classes in nutrition, neuromusculoskeletal diagnosis, passive and active care, clinical skills and technique laid the foundation he needed for clinical confidence. He credits his experience in the Palmer clinics, and especially his work with his faculty clinician, Dr. Julie Johnson, for elevating his thinking and professionalism.
“She really pushed us to think critically and emphasized patient-centered care. That prepared me for the hospital environment. Plus, Dr. Johnson does a lot of work with veterans, and her mentorship reinforced that this is the population I want to care for.”
Finding Community and Belonging at Palmer
For Alexis, moving from Puerto Rico to Iowa meant embracing a new culture, climate and campus experience. What he found was a community ready to welcome him.
“Everyone is really nice to each other,” he says. “Upper tris are always helping lower tris because we know what they are going through.”
Connecting with other Puerto Rican students made a big impact, too. “Meeting fellow Puerto Ricans at school and being able to help them the same way the upper tris helped me was amazing.”
And yes, he says, the on-campus caffeine supply played its part: “The coffee and energy drinks from Dave’s Coffee Corner definitely kept me going during finals.”
Advice for Future Palmer Chiropractors
Alexis’ advice to incoming students reflects Palmer’s student-centered, growth-focused culture:
“Use the resources Palmer gives you. Not only do the professors want to see you succeed, but your upper tris want to see you grow as a colleague. Enjoy every class and stay curious.”
He reminds future chiropractors that their time at Palmer moves quickly: “In less than three years, you will be involved in patient care.”
Looking Ahead: A Future in Interdisciplinary Care
As he prepares to graduate, Alexis already knows where he hopes his career will take him next.
“I am most looking forward to staying within the VA in an interdisciplinary setting,” he says. “I want to be in an environment where I’m constantly learning and working alongside other providers to get the best results for patients.”
Alexis will become the first resident at VA Bay Pines in Florida, one of five new VA locations.
From Puerto Rico to Palmer to the VA, Alexis’ journey reflects the heart of what it means to be a Palmer chiropractor: driven by service, grounded in excellence and committed to lifelong learning.
