Being a student at the most prestigious chiropractic college in the world is hard work, but 7th trimester Palmer student Melissa Padilla knows that these three and one-third years spent mastering the science, art and philosophy of chiropractic is her path to transforming the lives of her future patients.
“Chiropractic changed the quality of my life and I want to be able to share that with others,” says Melissa.
“I moved to the Quad Cities from Seattle, Washington, with my husband, two kids and a dog to pursue this dream, and the programs available at Palmer made this as easy as possible. I attended some college previously, and Palmer’s undergraduate program allowed me to complete my Bachelor’s degree while pursuing my Doctor of Chiropractic degree,” she explains.
“Palmer’s program has been challenging, but I knew that going in,” she says. “I’m grateful for the Palmer Academic Support Program and drop-in tutoring, and for the staff at Student Services who gave me tips on my studying skills.”
Even with a family at home, Melissa makes the time to be active on campus and get the most out of her time at Palmer. She’s a Business Ambassador for the Palmer Center for Business Development and serves as the event planner for Mabel’s Chapter, a women’s group on campus.
“I’ve learned so much about starting my own business, and I’ve had the chance to attend great events that help me think about my career post-graduation,” she explains. “As for Mabel’s Chapter, I have enjoyed the network of women. Every trimester we do a movie night, and last trimester we did a Thanksgiving theme and our members brought so much food!”
“Palmer College has given me the tools to succeed in my future chiropractic career,” Melissa states. “I felt well-prepared for the Part 1 boards, and I feel confident about taking future board exams.”
For students entering Palmer, Melissa offers this advice: “Check out the Palmer Center for Business Development. It’s never to soon to think about your career following graduation. Take the time to explore all the extra activities and clubs that Palmer has to offer!”
