Palmer Students Want to See Success at All Levels Across the Profession
Michael Agyei is a first-generation Palmer student and a first-generation American. He grew up in Aurora, Colorado, and wasn’t exposed to chiropractic until he started his undergraduate education. Now, Michael is excited to graduate and go somewhere he can “make a difference.”
“Ultimately I want to have a community center focused on inclusivity, where I can also provide chiropractic care to the community,” he says. “I think chiropractic is a good way to reach many different groups of people.”
Growing up, he and many people he knew hadn’t heard of chiropractic.
“I’ve had a lot of friends and family members who could have been helped by chiropractic care instead of getting surgery. There are a lot of gaps of people not knowing about chiropractic.”
This can change, but it will take time, he says.
“If people haven’t heard of chiropractic, how can they know it’s available to them as a health-care option; how can they know it’s something they can study as a profession?”
Now in his third trimester at Palmer’s Main campus, Michael is the vice president of the Student American Black Chiropractic Association (SABCA).
“I’d like to see more faculty who are of color, of different sexuality and more gender diversity. It all starts with more people being exposed to chiropractic.”
Alecia Stewart, Palmer West SABCA president, says “having at least one person who looked like me was a very big factor on deciding to come to Palmer West.” For Alecia, that’s only the start. “I want the profession to have that diversity as well. And I think it would be amazing to be able to say that this person is a great doctor— not this is a great Black doctor, or this is a great female doctor. I want to see success at all levels.”
Remi Jeffries is the president of the Palmer Florida SABCA chapter.
“I’d like to see more doctors who look like the patients they want to bring in. And for their children to see that doctors can look like them,” she says.
SABCA Florida is growing, and the group is actively working to make Remi’s dream a reality.
“SABCA actively goes out to historically Black schools such as Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona (Florida) and Edward Waters College in Jacksonville. We want them to know we’re here and that they should really consider a career in chiropractic.”
Every generation of Palmer chiropractors has been a part of growing the profession. As we mark the 125th anniversary of chiropractic, we’re Palmer proud of our students for taking their own steps toward serving more people and spreading the word about the health benefits of chiropractic.
Alicia Stewart
SABCA President, Palmer West
I always knew health care was the career goal and that helping people with a hands-on approach was my passion. When I reflected on all the doctors I’ve encountered in my life that helped and provided the most guidance and care, chiropractic was at the top of the list and I haven’t turned back since.
Michael Agyei
SABCA President, Palmer Main
Once I was exposed to chiropractic during my freshman year of college, I realized the importance of preventative and conservative health care, both of which are underutilized in society. I witnessed the amazing benefits chiropractic patients had and realized this career would be the perfect way for me to make a difference in the world.
Remi Jeffries
SABCA President, Palmer Florida
My chiropractor got me back to playing golf after I was involved in a car crash my senior year of high school. I suffered a bad lower-back injury a month after signing my letter of intent. She was able to help me in ways my physical therapist and orthopedist had not. Not only did my back pain start to resolve, I felt better as a whole. After that I knew I wanted to be able to give that to someone else.
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