Alumni explain why they donate to Palmer’s scholarship fund.
Scholarships change lives. It’s that simple.
And giving to support scholarships is a straightforward way for Palmer graduates to make a massive impact for Palmer students and the future of chiropractic.
Scholarships would not be possible without the generosity of donors who gift their treasure to their alma mater. Looking for a healthy dose of inspiration? Meet three Palmer Proud individuals who are shaping the future of chiropractic for the better.
“Share Your Blessings”
Talk with Greg Johnson, D.C. (’81), for just a few minutes, and his passion for chiropractic will become clear. Dr. Johnson knew he wanted to be a chiropractor since he was in eighth grade, and now, after 43 years of practice, his enthusiasm has not waned a bit.
“This career is so personal, you have to love it to be successful,” says Dr. Johnson. “I’m so grateful for my experience at Palmer. It shaped my personal passion into an expertise and a career.”
Chiropractic is for everyone. That’s why Palmer has made a commitment to creating and funding scholarships that make the best chiropractic education anywhere in the world available to more students than ever before. To match that commitment, each year, more and more passionate alumni are stepping forward to fund these vital scholarships.
Dr. Johnson is just as passionate about sharing with others, be it through his YouTube videos, the seminars he leads or by contributing support to Palmer College scholarships. “I wanted to go to the best chiropractic college in the world — that was Palmer then, and it’s Palmer now,” says Dr. Johnson. “It was a blessing for my family and me that I found my way there, and it has given us a good life. I want to share that blessing with as many people as possible, especially future chiropractors.”
A Vote of Confidence
Frances Halberg, D.C. (’94), left her home in Mexico City to study at Palmer College. It was a huge transition, she remembers, but one made markedly easier thanks to a scholarship. “That award was helpful in a practical sense,” Dr. Halberg says. “The move was expensive, and every bit helped. It also felt like a vote of confidence; like I was in the right place, and I was going to be supported.”
Now living and practicing in Manhattan, Dr. Halberg is proud to contribute to Palmer scholarships and support the next generation of chiropractors. “When you support students, you are giving a vote of confidence for the chiropractic profession as a whole, and you are helping to make it an accessible and supportive field of practice.”
She pauses.
“We have a responsibility to help move our profession forward and help it grow,” Dr. Halberg adds. “Part of that is supporting students, especially as the cost of study becomes higher. We all got help in one way or another. We need to pay it forward.”
Getting the Most From the Palmer Experience
Scholarships let students focus on being students. Unfortunately, tuition can be a barrier that prevents students from pursuing their dreams in chiropractic. That reality inspired Jacob Tazzi, D.C. (’12), and his wife, Kate, to give to Palmer’s scholarship fund.
“A chiropractic education is an investment,” says Dr. Tazzi. “We’ve seen some amazing potential students second-guessing making that leap and pursuing chiropractic. These are people who would become amazing doctors and push our profession forward. We want to do everything we can to make a chiropractic education practical for them.”
Dr. Tazzi was a scholarship recipient himself. The award allowed him to make time for extracurricular activities and to take advantage of all the knowledge available on campus. He says that even small awards can make a huge difference, giving confidence to students and paying interest down the line.
Ultimately, for Dr. Tazzi, supporting scholarships is about paying back into the spirit of support and community that defines Palmer College. “We wouldn’t be here without the guidance of the coaches, mentors and faculty members who shaped who I am as a person and a professional,” he says.
One of those mentors was Ervin Malcheff, D.C. (’69), who helped Dr. Tazzi open his own practice. “He was a truly selfless individual,” remembers Dr. Tazzi. “He did so much for us as a friend and colleague. When I asked Dr. Malcheff how we could repay him, he said, ‘Give back to Palmer.’ So, that’s exactly what we are doing.”
