Who run the world? Palmer alumni!
Naa Ashietey, D.C. (`11) and Sarah Marfo, D.C. (`24) bring preventative care to Ghana and beyond.
For Naa Ashietey, D.C. (`11) and Sarah Marfo, D.C. (`24), careers in chiropractic have been shaped by their shared homeland, Palmer pride, and a commitment to expanding lifelong wellness in communities around the world. Dr. Ashietey grew up in Ghana, Africa,
knowing she wanted to become a doctor. At Palmer, she found a curriculum that aligned with her interest in natural medicine and encouraged exploration. “I could try so many different approaches,” she says. “I have one of the most integrated clinics today because of that.” She returned to Ghana in 2012 and opened
Nova Wellness Center the following year in a small two-bedroom apartment. Establishing credibility was one of Dr. Ashietey’s earliest challenges. “People were used to chiropractors being expatriates — usually
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white and male,” she says. “I was young, Ghanaian, and female, so people questioned who I was.” Her ability to speak three local languages helped bridge that gap. “I could explain what I was doing in a way people understood,” she says. “This is something other chiropractors didn’t have.” Fifteen years on, Dr. Ashietey has
developed Nova Wellness Center into a technologically advanced clinic in two of Ghana’s 16 regions, offering integrated care that includes chiropractic, rehabilitation, regenerative therapies, and structured wellness education. “Health care in Ghana has always been very focused on treating disease once it shows up,” she says. “But we don’t put enough attention into prevention. Wellness is not a luxury. It is a must.”
At home and abroad Both born in Ghana, Dr. Ashietey (above) opened Nova Wellness Center in her home country, while Dr. Marfo (right) founded Rapha Chiropractic Care in Florida.
SPRING 2026 Alumni spotlight
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