2026 Palmer Alumni Award Winners
Michael Cafaro, D.C. (`04)
Sherry McAllister, D.C., M.S. (Ed.), CCSP, FAAC, (`96)
Steven Capobianco, D.C., M.A., DACRB, CSCS, (`03)
Omar Clark, D.C. (`16)
Cape Coral, FL
Dr. Clark is truly an up-and-coming star in chiropractic. He’s highly engaged in the Palmer community, particularly on the Florida campus, where he was a well-loved speaker this past year. His practice, Experience Health & Wellness Center, was named a 2025 Top 3 People's Choice winner for Best Alternative Practice in Lee County.
Dana Cooper, D.C. (`18)
DeLand, FL
A two-time Best Chiropractor honoree in Cabarrus County and recipient of the NAACP Rising Star of the Year Award, Dr. Cooper, Medical Director of N. Harmony Chiropractic and Functional Medicine, has built a reputation for whole-person care, community outreach, and mentoring the next generation of healthcare providers.
FlorAnne Cruz, D.C. (`17)
Statesboro, GA
Named among Statesboro's Top 20 Under 40, Dr. Cruz is CEO and head chiropractor of Southern Chiropractic and Wellness Center's two Georgia locations, team chiropractor for Georgia Southern University's athletes, and founder of "Helping Our Heroes One Spine at a Time," a mission delivering free care to veterans.
Rebecca Deyo, D.C. (`17)
Grand Rapids, MI
One of 10 Palmer grads in her family, Dr. Deyo owns Westside Chiropractic, serves as a quality consultant and co-principal researcher at Henry Ford Hospital, co-founded Daylight Billing, and has earned Best of Grand Rapids honors two years in a row.
Samantha Jennings, D.C. (`16)
San Jose, CA
Dr. Jennings is president of her practice, Dr. Samantha Jennings, D.C. & Associates, where her focus is mentoring her fellow chiropractors, and career highlights include working with professional athletes from the NHL's San Jose Sharks, NASCAR, sprint car racing, and MMA.
Grant Larie, D.C. (`16)
Neenah, WI
Dr. Larie, clinic director at Chiropractic Health, is a Summa Cum Laude graduate and the only member of his class recognized in all three hallmark areas of Academic Excellence, Clinical Excellence, and Philosophy. Since graduating, he has played a key role in growing the organization into a thriving four-location practice serving Northeast Wisconsin while building interdisciplinary relationships, mentoring future chiropractors, and advancing chiropractic within the broader health care community.
Cody Rodewald, D.C. (`17)
Lakeville, MN
Dr. Rodewald, owner of ALIGN Integrated Health, has dedicated his career to helping individuals and families pursue healthier lives through chiropractic care. From newborns and working parents to Olympic athletes and 104-year-olds, he approaches each adjustment with the same commitment to service. Inspired by chiropractic’s past, he is equally committed to its future—advancing the profession and helping ensure chiropractic thrives for generations to come.
Alec Lars Schielke, D.C. (`16)
San Jose, CA
Dr. Schielke is a clinician, educator, and researcher committed to advancing evidence-based chiropractic care. As Chiropractic Residency Program Director at VA Palo Alto, he mentors future providers while leading research and championing care for older adults.
Andrew White, D.C. (`17)
Holland, MI
Dr. White is a champion for conservative, hands-on care. After beginning his career as a practicing chiropractor, he founded AlignWell LLC and has grown it into a national network of more than 400 clinics, bringing chiropractic care to more than 100,000 Americans.
Alex Young, D.C. (`19)
Wauwatosa, WI
Dr. Young has launched an impressive career as a businessman, entrepreneur, and care provider, building Connect Chiropractic from a single vision into a thriving three-location powerhouse with a staff of more than 50 in five years. He has earned Milwaukee's top choice for best chiropractor three times over and a Better Business Bureau Spark Award.
Four prestigious awards will be awarded to individuals who exemplify leadership and service, not just in the chiropractic profession but also within Palmer College itself.
2026 Alumni Award winners will officially be announced this fall!
The Palmer Alumni Awards Program features the following categories:
The Palmer community is invited to participate actively by submitting nominations for themselves or others. Let’s together celebrate excellence, foster connections, and build a resilient, impactful alumni community that continues to uplift Palmer College and the world.
