Honoring legends, and
legends-in- the-making
Palmer College’s Alumni Awards showcase the strength — and heart — of the College’s global chiropractic community. Celebrating outstanding graduates, these prestigious honors recognize visionary leaders, dedicated professionals, entrepreneurial trailblazers, and rising stars who embody Palmer’s legacy of excellence. This year’s recipients inspire through their transformative service,
groundbreaking research, and remarkable professional success. Palmer’s more than 32,000 alumni continually uplift each other, foster meaningful connections, and, through all their work, amplify one shared vision: a world of unlimited health and human potential.
Distinguished Lifetime Achievement Award
Louis Sportelli, D.C. (`62)
Louis Sportelli, D.C. (`62), has never been one to sit still. His six- decade career reflects extraordinary professional success and a tireless commitment to the values and vision instilled in him at Palmer College of Chiropractic. Born to Italian immigrant parents in eastern Pennsylvania, Dr.
Sportelli’s first experience with chiropractic came through a chance connection when a friend introduced him to the local chiropractor, igniting his interest in the field. In 1959, he found a ride to Davenport, and his journey truly began. “I had no miraculous experience, no family ties to the profession,” he recalls. “But once I started getting adjusted regularly in the clinic, it was like a rheostat turned on. My energy changed.” Palmer’s philosophical foundation profoundly shaped Dr. Sportelli.
“They taught us how to think differently. How to see the body as the hero. The concept of mind, body, and spirit became the compass for my life.” That compass guided Dr. Sportelli through a remarkable life. He built a thriving practice in a small town despite institutional resistance to chiropractic, including direct efforts by the American Medical Association to undermine the profession. “Even in those tough times, I kept asking, ‘How do we maintain trust and ethics in what we do?’” Dr. Sportelli’s impact extended far beyond his clinic. He was a vocal
defender of chiropractic at a national level, helping to pave the way for the profession’s growth in recent decades. Dr. Sportelli rose above the institutional disinformation to become a respected voice for ethics and integrity in healthcare and spent over 30 years on his local hospital board, helping bring a $200 million facility to his community. Today, he serves as founding president and board member for the National Chiropractic Mutual Insurance Company Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing the education of chiropractic research experts and to funding ongoing research projects. He also contributed to innovation in the field, including a patented
wedge filtration system to reduce patient radiation exposure and helped produce widely distributed educational materials for chiropractors. He remains grounded in service. “If someone asks me for advice —
former patient or not — I always take the call,” he says. “That human connection, that trust, is everything.” More than 50 years after graduating, he is full of admiration for his alma mater. “The College has done a phenomenal job maintaining its identity while preparing students for the future. It will always be a destination for chiropractic success, and it continues to prepare students to live meaningful lives, inside and outside of the clinic.” “I was surprised to learn I’m receiving this award,” he laughs. “It’s a Lifetime Achievement Award, but I’m not done yet.”
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FALL 2025
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