Nearly 25 years to the day that she participated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony to formally commemorate the relocation of Palmer College of Chiropractic’s West campus to San Jose, current members of the West campus community recently convened for a special ceremony to honor Vickie Anne Palmer, H.C.D. (Hon.), F.P.A.C., for her four decades of distinguished service to Palmer College and the chiropractic profession. The event was highlighted by the unveiling of a statue that pays tribute to Ms. Palmer as The Refiner of the chiropractic legacy established by her great-grandfather, D.D. Palmer (The Discover of chiropractic and The Founder of...

March is Women's History Month and we are taking a look back at the First Lady of Chiropractic. Mabel Heath Palmer, D.C., FPAC is much heralded in the chiropractic field. She was a leader and inspiration to female chiropractors, successfully combining her role as wife and mother with teaching at Palmer for more than four decades. Mabel was born in Milan, Illinois, and attended Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois, where she sang in the chorus. She met B.J. Palmer, D.C., while she was an apprentice organist. They married in 1904. She became a doctor of chiropractic in 1905. Mabel...

David Daniel Palmer, D.C. sat at the desk he assumed after the passing of his father, B.J. Palmer, D.C., in 1961. He leaned back in his chair, deep in thought, considering solutions. The mantle of Palmer College —and the profession— rested on his shoulders. Dr. Dave knew that the months and years ahead would require leadership, professionalism and integrity, values that would forever leave an indelible imprint on the profession started by his grandfather more than six decades earlier. The school he now led needed a vision for the future. And it was up to Dr. Dave to create it....

Her name was Mabel Working mother. World traveler. Witty and wonderful. Well-mannered and always gracious. But, these are the 1900s. Scroll your index finger down a guest list just before the local Lion’s Club luncheon that Mabel Heath Palmer, D.C. is attending, and you won’t find her name. You’ll find her listed as Mrs. B.J. Palmer, D.C. It’s time for her moment in the spotlight. There she is, at the podium. In front of her, a sea of people eager to hear from this woman who was among the first to graduate from the Palmer School of Chiropractic. She stands...

Vickie Anne Palmer has been awarded the Lee-Homewood Chiropractic Heritage Award by the Association for the History of Chiropractic during the Annual Conference on Chiropractic History. This award is given each year to an individual who has made a distinguished career contribution of lasting significance toward the advancement of chiropractic in the scientific and academic communities, and public acceptance of the profession. Known as The Refiner of chiropractic, Vickie Anne Palmer, H.C.D. (Hon.), has built on her family heritage by providing leadership to the chiropractic mission. She joined the Palmer College Board of Trustees in 1978 and was elected chairman...
