Speaker Bios

Philip Afghani, D.C., (’08), is an associate professor at the Palmer College of Chiropractic Florida campus. After associating for just over a year, Dr. Afghani opened Atlantic Chiropractic and Wellness Center in Port Orange, FL where he’s maintained a full-time practice for the past 15 years. He previously served as a faculty clinician in the Palmer Florida Clinic for six years, and in 2020 joined the academic faculty in the Clinical Sciences Department, teaching a variety of subjects. Dr. Afghani’s practice cares for a variety of patients, including several professional athletes from the NBA, NFL, NASCAR, Professional Wrestling, and Olympic athletes from seven different sports. His passions include nutrition, rehabilitation, and sports injuries, and he’s currently pursuing a master’s degree in sports science and rehabilitation.

Amy Ashmore, Ph.D., received her doctorate in kinesiology from the University of Texas at Austin. She is the author of “Timing Resistance Training” (Human Kinetics, 2020) and more than 40 professional education courses for physical therapists, athletic trainers, and Doctors of Chiropractic. Amy is a former Florida State University faculty member. She currently owns and operates physicaltherapy.education, a continuing education agency located in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Erica Boland, D.C., (’13), is practicing, owns her business, Coulee Health, and is trained in DONA (Doulas of North America). She combines more than a decade of experience as a chiropractor, student midwife, doula and mother to make understanding and treating the core and pelvic floor simple for providers and patients alike. Through her experience, she brings professionals together in collaboration to set a higher standard for prenatal and postpartum manual care and movement, locally and globally.

Heather Bowyer, D.C., CCSP®, (’06), received her certification as a Chiropractic Physician from the American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians© in 2010. Dr. Bowyer worked as a faculty clinician at Palmer’s Florida Campus for several years before advancing to her current position as dean of clinics.

Krista Burns, D.C., D.H.A., is the founder of the American Posture Institute, author of the textbook “The Posture Principles,” and TEDX Speaker. Dr. Burns has two doctorate degrees and is leading the charge against postural decline as a Doctor of Chiropractic and a Doctor of Health Administration. She has been featured on media including ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox News Radio, and Global Woman Magazine, and prestigious stages including the World Congress of Neurology and Neurological Disorders, and the World Congress of Falls and Postural Stability. Dr. Burns was recognized as a Top 100 Doctor by the Global Summits Institute and is the host of the International Posture Symposium.

Alessandra Colón, D.C., (‘12), is the first in her profession to pioneer a national television series. Bringing chiropractic to the forefront on TLC’s latest show “Crack Addicts,” she intends to break the perceptions surrounding the chiropractic profession and to showcase that it is not just about the “cracks” when it comes to our healing. After graduating from the University of Arizona with a Bachelor of Science degree, Dr. Colón’s devotion led her to earn her Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Palmer Florida. Alessandra is a stage 4 Hodgkin’s lymphoma survivor and went on to become the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Woman of the Year in 2015 and took home the title of Palm Beach Illustrated’s Top Chiropractor 2018, along with Best of Palm Beach in 2020 and 2021. After 10 years in practice, she is now a CEO in multiple industries ranging from chiropractic to real estate and even social media.

Steven Conway, D.C., J.D., DABCOH, Esq., graduated from Logan Chiropractic College in 1983 and then entered the legal profession in 1996 after graduating from Stetson University. He has since combined both legal and chiropractic backgrounds to successfully defend chiropractors with Medicare audits and state board complaints. Dr. Conway personally met and worked with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and all chief medical directors of the National Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) to update the review process for chiropractic documentation. His experience with chiropractic Medicare audit defense led to a universal interpretation and subsequent harmonization of review criteria for chiropractic documentation. Drs. Conway and Jacklitch trained the MAC reviewers in the process of creating a level playing field for chiropractic. They’re now training chiropractors across the United States on the new Medicare documentation interpretation. Doctors of Chiropractic are now universally accepting this training and implementing the process learned, providing them the tools to successfully navigate audits.

Steven Cuono, D.C., ACP, (‘00), has been an associate professor at Palmer Florida for the past 17 years, where he teaches in the Clinical Sciences Department. He holds a bachelor’s degree in marine biology from The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey and has been an adjunct instructor in the Alternative Medicine program at Everglades University since 2011. Dr. Cuono is certified in medical acupuncture and chiropractic extremity practices and holds an active Florida Chiropractic Physician’s license.

Joy Dunwoodie, D.C., CCSP®, (`89), graduated as valedictorian from Palmer College of Chiropractic in 1989. Dr. Dunwoodie opened and maintained a successful family chiropractic practice for 23 years in Stevensville, Michigan. During that time, she served as an expert witness for the State of Michigan’s Attorney General, providing her opinion on the standard of care for three chiropractic-related cases and earned her Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician designation. In 2013, Dr. Dunwoodie’s family relocated to the Atlanta area where Dr. Dunwoodie taught at Life University for seven years in both the didactic and clinical departments. Currently, Dr. Dunwoodie is a faculty clinician at Palmer College of Chiropractic’s Florida Clinic where she oversees patient care.

Amberly Ferguson, D.C., (’07), is an instructor at Palmer’s Main Campus. She graduated from the University of Northern Iowa in 2003 and from Palmer in 2007. Dr. Ferguson has practiced as an associate in the Twin Cities area and taught for Rasmussen College’s Department of Health Science. In January 2020, Amberly joined the Life Sciences Department at Palmer as an instructor teaching Endocrinology, Systems Pathology II, and Physiology III.

Dennis Fiorini, D.C., BCAO, graduated from Life College in June 1989. He studied extensively with Dr. Roy and Dr. Matthew Sweat at the Sweat Institute for Atlas Orthogonal Chiropractic. In 1992, he and his wife opened Fiorini Chiropractic Center in Tallahassee, Florida, where he has practiced for the last 31 years. He is the president of the R.W. Sweat Foundation for chiropractic research, and he is one of the lead instructors for the Atlas Orthogonal Procedure. Dr. Fiorini has also received extensive training in practice management with Dr. Peter Fernandez and has been an instructor for his programs. He has been a speaker for many chiropractic colleges as well as provides continuing legal education for The Florida Bar.

Mary Frost, D.C., M.B.A., (‘96), was in private practice with her husband Dr. Jason Frost for 11 years before joining the Palmer Main Campus faculty in 2008 where she served in the Palmer Clinics and in the classroom. In 2010, she was a member of the business curriculum task force to update the business curriculum in the Doctor of Chiropractic Program (DCP). In 2015, she earned an M.B.A. while teaching full–time in the DCP. More recently, she served as senior director of Accreditation and Licensure Compliance. In this role, Dr. Frost regularly studied and reported on federal and state laws affecting chiropractors, as well as serving as the College’s Accreditation Liaison Officer to the Higher Learning Commission. In 2018, she accepted the position of senior director for Continuing Education and presently oversees live and online post-graduate license renewal programs for all three campuses. She is also an advisor to the Palmer Center for Business Development and currently teaches Financial Management to 8th trimester students on Palmer’s Main Campus.

J Hartley, D.C., DACNB, (’92), has focused on scoliosis for the last 10 years. He graduated from Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa, in 1992. He is a board-certified chiropractic neurologist, fellow of the Palmer Academy of Chiropractic, and a fellow of the CLEAR Scoliosis Institute.

Jesse Hodges, Jr., D.C., M.S., (‘13), is an associate professor at Palmer Florida where he teaches Movement Science and Active Care classes. He graduated from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in 2008 with a degree in kinesiology and began his career as a personal trainer. He then continued his education and received a master’s degree in kinesiology with a concentration in biomechanics and human performance. He is currently pursuing another master’s degree in educational leadership from the University of Central Florida. Dr. Hodges also maintains a private practice in Florida, focusing on musculoskeletal injuries and overall human performance.

Karmen Hopkins, D.C., (‘10), is an assistant professor in the Technique Department on Palmer’s Main Campus. She currently teaches Extremity Adjusting Technique, Assisted Adjusting Technique, and Clinical Skills III. Dr. Hopkins specializes in extremities and enjoys taking care of athletes.

Ward Jones, Ph.D., earned his Bachelor of Science in Biology at Ball State University followed by his Master of Science in Biology at Ball State University. After completing his master’s degree, he accepted a position at Children’s Hospital Colorado working with the prenatal research group studying pregnancy outcomes related to infection and low birth weight. In 1997, he completed his Ph.D. in immunology at Montana State University in Bozeman, Montana. His thesis research focused on cell surface markers on gamma delta T cells. After completing his Ph.D., he accepted a position as a member of the Biology Department at Viterbo University in La Crosse, Wisconsin. In 2017, Ward accepted a position in the Life Sciences Department at Palmer College of Chiropractic teaching courses in cell biology, biochemistry and immunology. He is now serving as the associate dean of Life Sciences and Foundations.

Rocky Justice, D.C., has been an instructor of basic sciences for nearly a decade and is currently the associate dean of Life Sciences and Practice Foundations at Palmer College of Chiropractic in Florida. As a formally trained chiropractor, he loves helping shape the next generation of practitioners. Dr. Justice holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, which has provided a strong foundation for his work in health sciences. Education is Dr. Justice’s passion, and he is dedicated to inspiring future chiropractors along their journey.

Jeff Lavell, D.C., completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Minnesota at Duluth, where he majored in biology and received a minor in chemistry. He went on to pursue a Doctor of Chiropractic degree and a bachelor’s degree in human biology from Northwestern Health Sciences University. Dr. Lavell established Specific Family Chiropractic in 1998. In the spring of 2001, he opened his satellite office to help those with herniated discs, bulging discs, degenerative discs and sciatica in a non-surgical format that could not be helped by other conservative methods. His focus has been in human biomechanics and musculoskeletal rehabilitation, with an emphasis on the non-surgical treatment and rehabilitation of lumbar disc herniations, carpal tunnel syndrome and whiplash injuries. He has developed a unique approach to dealing with injuries combining chiropractic, massage, physical therapy, nutrition, and exercise to get people well, as fast as possible.

Siri Leech, D.C., DACBR, (’11), is the associate dean of Clinical Sciences at Palmer’s Main Campus. Dr. Leech earned her radiology diplomate in 2016. She pursues radiology interests through mentoring students, presenting at continuing education events, and consulting at Leech Radiology.

Joy Lewis, Ed.D., M.S., holds a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Education, completed in 2002 and 2004, from the University of Central Florida. She graduated from Nova Southeastern University in 2010 with her doctorate in educational leadership. Dr. Lewis’ career within higher education spans more than a decade with 15 published peer-reviewed journal articles, a textbook, and many life science education training materials. Her work designing and implementing Palmer College’s innovative use of anatomy labs and instruction has been used as the model by many other institutions of higher education. Dr. Lewis served as the associate dean of Life Sciences at Palmer Florida from May 2020 until August 2023, when she was named dean of Academic Affairs.

Marc Lucente, D.C., M.A., DIANM, is an associate professor at Palmer Florida. He earned his doctorate from the University of Bridgeport College of Chiropractic, a master’s in educational leadership from the University of Central Florida and a bachelor’s in business from Wake Forest University. He is a diplomate in neuromusculoskeletal medicine and currently teaches classes in differential diagnosis, passive care and ergonomics, and the treatment of myofascial trigger points. Dr. Lucente is editor-in-chief of the Journal of the International Academy of Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine and associate editor of Nutritional Foundations, student journal of the American Chiropractic Association’s Council on Nutrition. He has authored two textbooks and is a licensed chiropractic physician in the state of Florida.

Paige Lynch, D.C., (’20), is a distinguished chiropractic educator and practitioner who brings her passion for anatomy to the next generation of chiropractors. A graduate of Palmer College of Chiropractic’s Florida campus, Dr. Lynch now serves as a valued faculty member, where she teaches anatomy, guiding students with her hands-on approach and depth of knowledge.

Originally from Massachusetts, Dr. Lynch began her journey studying kinesiology at the University of Rhode Island. During her time there, she supplemented her studies, as a member of the rugby team, deepening her understanding of performance and biomechanics, which laid a foundation for her pursuit of chiropractic.

Dr. Lynch’s expertise extends into the realm of foot health, a topic she is actively deepening through an advanced certification. Her dedication to research has also led her to a publication in the Journal of Contemporary Chiropractic, where she has contributed to the broader chiropractic community’s knowledge base. Dr. Lynch’s commitment to the field, both as an educator and a clinician, reflects her belief in the importance of understanding anatomy’s role in overall health.

Julie Mayer-Hunt, D.C., FCCJP, DICCP, is a second-generation upper cervical care chiropractor practicing in Clearwater, Florida. She graduated from Life University in 1981 and started practicing with her father, Dr. David W. Mayer, the founder of Mayer Chiropractic. In 2013, Dr. Hunt was appointed to the Florida Board of Chiropractic Medicine and served through 2022. In 2016, Dr. Hunt was awarded her Fellow in CranioCervical Junction Procedures (FCCJP). In 2021, Dr. Hunt was elected to the Board of Directors of the International Chiropractor’s Association and served into 2024.

Dr. Hunt, as a founding member of the ICA Upper Cervical Care Council, launched and facilitates the Upper Cervical Board certification program: Diplomate of CranioCervical Junction Procedures (DCCJP) which is a 300-plus hour advanced degree program. She has been very active in the chiropractic community serving as president and a board member for the Society of Orthospinology, Upper Cervical Research Council, the Trauma Imaging Foundation, and is a member of the Special Councils Task Force of the Federation of Chiropractic Licensing Boards (FCLB). She is a past Florida state representative for ICA and a past board member of the Florida Chiropractic Society.

Sherry McAllister, D.C., M.S. (Ed), CCSP®, (‘96), serves as the president for the Foundation for Chiropractic Progress, the national not-for-profit organization showcasing the benefits of chiropractic care across multiple platforms. Dr. McAllister earned her Master of Science degree from the University of California East Bay, and isa graduate of Palmer College of Chiropractic West, where she served as an associate professor. She has recently completed certifications in Executive Leadership Development and the Science of Wellbeing. She is a frequent convention and seminar speaker and has served as a qualified medical examiner, expert chiropractic witness for the State of California, and has been in private practice in San Jose since 1996.

Scott Meisel, D.C., (’84), completed his undergraduate studies at Winona State University in 1980, received his Doctor of Chiropractic from Palmer College in 1984, and a Master of Science in Anatomy & Physiology from New York Chiropractic College in 2014. Dr. Meisel was in private chiropractic practice in Davenport, Iowa, for three years, and Winona, Minnesota, for 28 years. He retired in 2016. Since retirement from private practice, Dr. Meisel has taught at Palmer College of Chiropractic at the Florida Campus as a faculty member teaching anatomy, chiropractic history and philosophy, and various course labs. Dr. Meisel volunteers as a Gonstead Technique Club advisor during the week and further donates his time teaching the Gonstead system of chiropractic during Saturday workshops.

Scott Munsterman, D.C., FICC, CPCO, is founder and CEO of Best Practices Academy, a clinical improvement organization providing focused leadership, to bring practices into compliance with regulatory standards, equip them to improve clinical outcomes, and integrate into the transformed care delivery system. Dr. Munsterman believes chiropractic has a significant role to serve but faces challenges to achieve the chiropractic profession’s rightful role in care delivery. Dr. Munsterman is a graduate of Northwestern Health Sciences University, where he has served as vice-chair of the Board of Trustees and in the President’s Cabinet as chief of care delivery. He was awarded Chiropractor of the Year in South Dakota and Fellow of the International College of Chiropractors (FICC). Dr. Munsterman served two terms as mayor of the city of Brookings and three consecutive terms in the South Dakota House of Representatives, where he chaired the House Health and Human Services Committee and chaired the Legislative Planning Committee. He is the author of “A Vision for South Dakota,” “Care Delivery and Chiropractic: An Opportunity Waiting” and “Unfinished Business.”

Mark Murdock, D.C., R.N., (’96), has been a professor at Palmer College of Chiropractic for 13 years. He is a registered nurse and chiropractor who teaches first aid, CPR, venipuncture and blood-borne pathogens. His experience in the emergency room combined with more than seven years of clinical practice will help you understand HIV in a multifaceted way and provide practical information that you can use in your daily practice.

Lia Nightingale, Ph.D., earned her Ph.D. in food science and human nutrition from the University of Illinois at Urbana/Champaign in 2006. She is a professor in Life Sciences and Foundations at Palmer’s Main Campus teaching Chemistry, Biochemistry, Foundations of Nutrition, and Clinical Nutrition. She has been awarded Outstanding Faculty of the Year twice, the Thelma Fordyce-Mack Award nine times for innovation in teaching and research, and the NBCE Educational Research Award. She spends her time conducting research, mentoring, and volunteering at many community organizations.

Matthew Richardson, D.C., DACBR, (‘06), is currently director of Clinical Radiology at Palmer Florida. After graduating in 2006, he furthered his education to earn his DACBR diploma.

Eric Russell, D.C., M.B.A., DPhCS, FPHC (’96), currently serves as the philosophy stream coordinator for the Australian College of Chiropractic and as a consultant for chiropractic education and the chiropractic profession. Dr. Russell was the first Diplomate of Philosophical Chiropractic Standards (DPhCS) to be named president of a chiropractic college in the profession’s history when he served at the New Zealand College of Chiropractic. He was named a Fellow in Chiropractic Philosophy in 2023. Dr. Russell strives to inspire chiropractors to be the best they can be at the philosophy, science, and art of chiropractic.

William Sherrier, D.C., M.A., is the president of Palmer Florida. Dr. Sherrier served as the Palmer Florida dean of Academic Affairs for the past three years and is the second person to hold the Palmer Florida campus president since the campus opened in 2002. Dr. Sherrier earned a B.A. in biology from Stockton University in 1985 and went on to receive his Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Life University in 1989. Dr. Sherrier practiced in the Northeast and the Port Orange area for 25 years. He has held the titles of associate professor, director of Practice Foundations, interim dean of Academics, associate dean of Clinical Sciences, and dean of Academic Affairs. Dr. Sherrier earned a Master of Arts degree in Applied Learning and Instruction in 2015 from the University of Central Florida and was awarded a graduate merit fellowship.

Michael Tunning, D.C., M.S., ATC, (’06), is dean of Programs on Palmer’s Main Campus. Dr. Tunning previously held positions as rehabilitation resident, faculty, and associate dean of Clinical Sciences and dean of Academic Affairs. As a faculty member, Dr. Tunning taught Active Care and Neuromuscular Skeletal Diagnosis, while also assisting in Gross Anatomy labs, the Advanced Soft Tissue elective, and Technique coursework. Dr. Tunning served for three years as the faculty senate president and received the Faculty of the Year Award in 2014. Dr. Tunning completed a Master of Medical Education Leadership degree in 2015 with his master’s project focused on building an academy of educators, a structural approach to building excellence in teaching.

Ken Weber, D.C., Ph.D., (‘09), is a chiropractor and a neuroscientist. In 2016, Dr. Weber earned his Ph.D. in neuroscience with a specialization in movement and rehabilitation science from Northwestern University in Chicago, Illinois. He’s dedicated to exceptional patient-centered, evidence-based care for musculoskeletal pain. Dr. Weber’s research seeks to develop markers of pain and sensorimotor function using machine-learning and advanced brain, spinal cord and musculoskeletal magnetic resonance imaging. He aims to use these techniques to better understand the neuropathology of pain and neurological conditions and discover more effective treatments and preventative strategies. He’s currently a senior research scientist at Stanford University School of Medicine and a staff chiropractor at the Palo Alto Veterans Affairs Health Care System.

Dan Weinert, D.C., Ph.D., (‘96), is the provost for Palmer College of Chiropractic. Previously, he was interim vice president for Academic Affairs, dean of Academic Affairs and department chair for the Diagnosis and Radiology Department. As a faculty member, he is currently in the Division of Life Sciences, and has previously taught Physiotherapy, Biomechanics, Anatomy and Physiology as well as Biochemistry. Dr. Weinert received six Thelma Fordyce-Mack Faculty Incentive Awards for Teaching Excellence from 1999 through 2005. He was the recipient of the student body’s Faculty of the Year Award for the second trimester each year from 2002 through 2010. His master’s degree is in exercise science from the University of Massachusetts, and he received his Ph.D. in higher education, leadership and policy from the University of Iowa. He is a graduate of Palmer’s Rehabilitation and Sports Injury Residency Program, where he earned a diplomate from the American Chiropractic Rehabilitation Board and passed the National Strength and Conditioning Association’s Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist examination.