Allison David, a 10th-trimester student at Palmer Main Campus, earned her undergraduate degree in athletic training from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, a background that spurred her natural interest in in-depth patient assessment and management.
“The chiropractic profession offers diverse and unique opportunities, aligning perfectly with my aspiration to specialize in various aspects of sports medicine,” says Allison. “I realized that becoming a chiropractor was the most effective way to realize my vision of addressing multiple facets of sports medicine.”
“I chose Palmer College to remain close to my hometown while receiving exceptional academic and technical training,” says Allison. “Palmer’s Main Campus offers numerous opportunities for those interested in sports chiropractic, including student-driven clubs, coursework, and athletic training positions with the Palmer USA Club Rugby teams. Additionally, the Palmer Clinics Rehabilitation and Sports Injury Department, staffed by outstanding clinicians, provides invaluable practical experience.”
Allison has served as an athletic trainer for Palmer Rugby for three full seasons.
“My involvement with Palmer Rugby teams has led to some of my most cherished memories and friendships,” Allison states. “Game days are a whirlwind of activity, from managing acute injuries to ensuring athletes are game-ready. Each situation has been a building block in my clinical confidence.”
Allison’s school involvement doesn’t stop at the rugby field. As an intern in the Palmer Clinics Rehabilitation and Sports Injury Department, she has honed her ability to integrate chiropractic and rehabilitative care.
“As soon as I got my white coat, I began providing chiropractic and rehabilitative care within the Palmer Rehabilitation Department, under the guidance of faculty clinicians. The ability to see the athlete’s mechanism of injury at practice, do your primary assessment and acute treatment recommendations on the field and then be able to see them within the Palmer Rehabilitation Department the following day to create a tailored management plan for their injury helped my confidence soar and my passion for helping athletes grow. This experience has been instrumental in preparing me for my future practice, where I aim to bridge the gap between injury management and athletic performance,” Allison notes.
Outside the clinic and game field, Allison leads as a student representative for Rehab2Performance (R2P), a role that complements her academic and professional pursuits. “R2P has significantly contributed to my growth beyond the academic curriculum at Palmer, providing a network of professionals who are as passionate about sports medicine as I am,” she states proudly.
Reflecting on her career shift, Allison recalls her time as an athletic training student, where she discovered her natural inclination towards clinical environments. “Chiropractic offers a comprehensive approach to patient care that aligns perfectly with my aspirations in sports medicine,” she says, highlighting her commitment to becoming a primary care provider specializing in neuromusculoskeletal health. She looks forward to crafting personalized treatment plans to help patients achieve their health goals.
Looking toward the future, Allison shares her excitement about her impending role at Hammond-Henry Hospital in Geneseo, Illinois. “This job is a perfect match for my skills and aspirations, allowing me to work within a diverse team of allied health care professionals to enhance patient care through chiropractic services,” she explains. “This initiative will not only enhance the visibility of the chiropractic profession but also improve patient access to a broad spectrum of effective treatments. We look forward to fostering interdisciplinary collaboration to achieve optimal health outcomes and enrich the health care landscape at Hammond-Henry Hospital.”
It’s clear she sees her role at Hammond-Henry as not just a job but a step towards transforming the landscape of sports chiropractic and healthcare.
