“It was electrifying.”
That’s how Harry Wong, D.C. (`81) — one of the earliest West campus graduates — remembers the atmosphere when he walked onto Palmer College’s San Jose campus for the first time. For more than 40 years, West faculty, staff and alumni like Dr. Wong have been an invaluable part of the Palmer family.
And they will be forever.
As enrollment continues to grow in both Davenport, Iowa, and Port Orange, Florida, and the cost of living (and thus the cost of a chiropractic education) continues to skyrocket in California, Palmer made a strategic decision to transition out of the San Jose campus building it has leased for decades. The decision ensures a strong future for Palmer College and its students.
“The expertise, mentoring and love for Palmer given by West alumni has brought incredible growth and elevated the profile of the College,” said Barbara Melbourne, J.D., vice chancellor for institutional advancement. “We know addresses may change and lease agreements end, but West alumni will continue to impact the direction and vision of Palmer College for generations to come.”
A Lifelong Pursuit
Palmer College acquired the former Northern California College of Chiropractic in 1980. When Dr. Wong arrived on campus in San Jose, things were anything but settled. The vibrancy was tangible as students and faculty worked together to shape what would become Palmer West.
“Anything was possible,” Dr. Wong remembers. “There were a lot of unknowns at the time, but I had a knowing faith that we were in the right place. Everyone there was committed to real education — that means figuring out what works best for patients and putting it into practice. It means asking questions and learning together. Palmer was the place where we learned how to learn. It prepared us all for the paths we would go on to walk and the success we would find.”
Dr. Wong’s path led him to open Full Motion Chiropractic, which has now served the Bay Area for more than 40 years. At 71, Dr. Wong says he’s more excited and energized about his work than ever before.
“Of everything that Palmer instilled in me, I’m most grateful that they emphasized continued education,” says Dr. Wong. “It was modeled by the faculty and shared by the students, that real passion for learning and deep curiosity. That is what has kept me moving forward and always doing my absolute best for my patients.”
Dr. Wong is an active educator. He is a regular public speaker and has hosted health-related TV and radio shows. He has also returned to Palmer on many occasions to give talks and connect with students. “I will always remain part of the College,” he says. “When I talk to students, I tell them, ‘Don’t be afraid.’ They can achieve anything, and as alumni, we’re here to support them along the way.”
Building a Career… and Shaping a Community
For Gina de Wet, D.C (’03), Palmer is synonymous with family. Her father, Gary de Wet, D.C. (’66), was a Palmer graduate and faculty member at Palmer West. He was still teaching when Dr. Gina came to campus in 2000.
“That’s not an experience many get, having their father as their teacher,” says Dr. Gina. “I loved it. Getting to see him in his element and his passion for chiropractic and for teaching really inspired me.”
Dr. Gary stood among the many giants of chiropractic who taught at West during this time. “Dr. Souza, Dr. Cooperstein… I could go on and on,” says Dr. Gina. “These people literally wrote the books we were studying. And they were all as supportive and approachable as they were brilliant. Nowhere but Palmer would you be able to learn in an atmosphere like that.”
Dr. Gina flourished in that atmosphere. She excelled as a student and was engaged on campus. In 2001, Dr. Gina directed the construction of the famous Palmer Spine featured in Silicon Valley Turkey Trot events and parades for more than a decade. The Spine introduced countless community members to Palmer, and it unified the campus in a common celebration.
“At Palmer, I saw the value and power of community,” says Dr. Gina. “That’s something that has guided my career.” In 2024, de Wet Chiropractic was named Best Chiropractor in Napa, California. The award honors Dr. Gina’s commitment to the region where she has practiced her whole career. “It’s been incredibly rewarding to become part of this community and serve the patients here. Palmer gave me such a strong foundation. They also taught us that it’s our responsibility to adapt and connect with the environment we’re working in.”
A Badge of Pride We All Wear
If Joel Adkins, D.C. (’01) is anything, he’s thorough. After earning an undergraduate degree in sports medicine and exercise science, he wasn’t sure what to do next, so he interviewed more than 100 medical professionals about their work.
“Without fail, I was drawn to the chiropractors and their passion for their work,” says Dr. Adkins. “They were comfortable, happy and excited to share their story. That wasn’t the case when I talked to people in other fields. I knew it’s where I wanted to be.”
That revelation brought Dr. Adkins — a lifelong Alaskan — to San Jose and Palmer West. In the close, collaborative atmosphere he found a home along with a network of friends that remains intact today. Dr. Adkins graduated from a cohort of 47 students, and he remains in contact with nearly all of them to this day.
“Palmer attracts a certain kind of person,” says Adkins. “The people I connected with and have stayed close with are all curious and caring. We’re bonded by chiropractic and our shared Palmer experience. It’s a badge of pride we all share. When I meet alumni from other years or campuses, I feel that same bond.”
Dr. Adkins was a stand-out on the West hockey team, even playing in the Chiro Games, a once-a-year sports-related competition for chiropractic colleges all over the nation. The connections created with those teammates and with fellow cohort members supported Dr. Adkins through his time as a student and remain a big part of his life.
“My network is always growing, and it’s part of what keeps me so excited about my profession,” says Dr. Adkins. “It’s also how I stay connected to the College I love. We see each other at conferences and seminars, and we’re always talking about how we can give back to the school and the profession that gave us so much. Palmer was the seed for me that grew into something great; we’ve got to keep watering it.”
One Word That Means Something to Everyone
Kyndra Cervantes is about to start her final quarter at Palmer West. On campus, Kyndra strives to make the most of the opportunities at Palmer. “I’ve heard the same from so many alumni,” she says. “It’s a challenging time when you’re a student, but you have to cherish these years and get everything you can from the experience.”
For Kyndra, that has included acting as president of the Palmer West Student Alumni Foundation, providing on-field care as a member of Sports Council, maintaining a part-time job as a chiropractic assistant, taking on Life West in volleyball and attending nearly every guest lecture and event on campus. Oh yeah, she’s also a full-time student!
For Kyndra, some of the most meaningful connections and experiences are those she’s shared with alumni. “Palmer makes it so easy to meet alumni and learn from them,” she says. “I’ve met alumni from every campus, and they have been so kind, offering advice and letting me know about opportunities. That worldwide network is an invaluable resource, and it’s only possible through Palmer College.”
“I recognize the value of the Palmer diploma I’m working toward,” Kyndra says. “Palmer is that one word that means something to everyone. Patients and fellow ‘docs,’ everyone knows what Palmer stands for. Its history, and its excellence. The College has given me so much already, and one day, I know I’ll be able to give something back.”
On every campus, Palmer students are growing and succeeding because — no matter where they come from or where they go — they got a strong, electrifying start at Palmer College. The shared Palmer experience is a current that runs through generations of alumni from coast to coast and across the globe.
It connects and propels us forward, wherever the journey leads.
