Makenna Maxymillian is eager to help patients experience the benefits of chiropractic care. As a 2nd trimester Palmer Florida student, she’ll soon be living out her dream, and Palmer’s 3+1 program is helping her achieve this even quicker.
“I heard about the 3+1 program when I was applying to colleges in high school. It’s an accelerated program that allows me to leave my undergraduate school after earning 90 credits, and finish my bachelor’s degree and Doctor of Chiropractic degree in just over six years,” she explains.
In addition to the 3+1 program, Makenna chose Palmer for its broad range of specialties and adjustment techniques, as well as its student life. “Campus life includes a lot of beautiful walks between classes around the pond in the middle of campus. Chiropractic school can be stressful, so it was important to me to be able to take care of my mental health!” Makenna explains. “Our student council also puts together some fun outdoor activities for students like spike ball and corn hole tournaments.”
Since starting at Palmer, Makenna has been impressed by the support she’s received from her professors and peers.
“The professors are here to help you succeed and the many academic resources make that very evident.”
Palmer’s approach to education, which ties classroom learning directly to clinical practice, is something Makenna finds invaluable. “At Palmer, I’ve noticed that we relate what we learn in every class to clinical practice. They give us examples of what we might see in future practice, which allows us to have a well-rounded idea of what life as a chiropractor will truly be like,” she shares.
Her classes have sparked a new interest for Makenna: supporting children’s health through chiropractic. “I loved learning about the development process of the human spine in my Embryology class, so I’m beginning to research a pediatric specialty within chiropractic,” she says.
Makenna’s inspiration to pursue chiropractic came from her personal experience with pain. “I went to a chiropractor for years to help with chronic headaches, and it gave me so much relief!” she says. Her curiosity about the profession grew, and she soon applied for a job as a chiropractic assistant. “I worked in an office for three years and fell in love with helping people feel the same relief I did!” This hands-on experience solidified her decision to become a chiropractor and help others how she had been helped.
Looking ahead, Makenna offers advice for incoming students: “Get a good group of friends to study with. I found this to be the most helpful way of going through this rigorous program while also maintaining a social life!” Her proactive approach to building relationships and staying focused on her goals will continue to serve her as she works toward becoming a successful chiropractor.
