Palmer Alumni Awards
Palmer College’s Alumni Awards shine a light on graduates whose work is shaping chiropractic and strengthening communities around the world. Each honoree brings a distinct story of leadership, service, discovery, entrepreneurship or professional achievement, yet all share a deep commitment to the people and profession they serve. This year’s recipients represent the enduring impact of a
Palmer education. Through their practices, research, advocacy, innovation and service, they’re expanding what’s possible for chiropractic and creating meaningful change in the lives of others. Their accomplishments are a reflection of their individual journeys and of a global alumni community that continues to learn from, support and inspire one another.
Distinguished Achievement Award
Recognizing alumni who have made significant contributions to chiropractic with professional, societal, and educational impact
Sherry McAllister, D.C. (`96)
Every profession depends on people who can advance its work and explain its value to the world around it. For nearly three decades, Sherry McAllister, D.C. (`96), has dedicated herself to that responsibility — teaching, writing, speaking and advocating for a broader understanding of chiropractic and its potential to improve lives. As president of the Foundation for Chiropractic Progress, Dr.
McAllister has been at the forefront of conversations about the future of the profession, helping shape how patients, health care leaders and the public understand chiropractic’s role in spinal health, the nervous system, and whole-person care. Her work has taken many forms: classrooms filled with future
chiropractors, conference stages around the world, and most recently, the pages of the book Adjusted Reality. The purpose behind each effort remains the same: sharing knowledge and encouraging passionate people. “I love helping people recognize their own potential and guiding the trajectory of our profession,” Dr. McAllister says. “I’ve done nothing more in my life that’s more rewarding or more fulfilling.” Her role with the Foundation for Chiropractic Progress grew
from a conviction that education can create change. What began as a volunteer opportunity became a calling after she saw the misconceptions surrounding chiropractic in public conversations. Over time, she helped transform that question into a mission, moving the conversation beyond the limited perception of chiropractic as simply a treatment for spinal pain and toward a deeper understanding of the profession’s ability to change lives. Her passion is rooted in personal experience. Before becoming a chiropractor, Dr. McAllister was a young laboratory researcher recovering from a serious car accident. Persistent headaches made her work over a microscope increasingly difficult, and traditional treatment offered little relief. A colleague introduced her to chiropractic. After her first adjustment, she saw the profession differently. “That first adjustment changed my life,” she says. “It made me consider becoming a chiropractor and ultimately led me to Palmer and the path I’ve been on ever since.” Receiving Palmer’s Distinguished Achievement Award
represents recognition from the institution that helped shape her path. Yet for Dr. McAllister, the honor is less a conclusion than a renewed commitment. “It’s humbling,” she says. “And it gives me even more desire and passion to advance the profession.”
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FALL 2026
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