I have given several chiropractic commencement addresses, but when I was asked to speak to the final graduating class of Palmer College of Chiropractic West, I realized this one would be the most historic. This opportunity has led me to reflect on my time as a student and what Palmer has meant for me and my career.
This graduating class will carry the Palmer flag forward — like each class before them — confident that they have earned a coveted degree from the most storied chiropractic education program in the world. Soon, it will be their time to use that degree to serve the public, serve the profession, and strengthen the legacy of our College.
I was a student on the West campus, and I am keenly aware of its spirit and legacy. When I started classes in 1993, I found a small, close-knit community of engaged students. We were guided by dedicated faculty, including some giants in the field. It was a vibrant atmosphere where an innovative and scientific approach to chiropractic was always leading our work.
I’m proud to say that in the intervening 30 years, that vibrant spirit never wavered, and, more importantly, it became part of the driving spirit of Palmer College. The passion and professional commitment that has made West a special place abounds on the campuses of Palmer Main and Palmer Florida. From my perspective, it is what defines a Palmer graduate anywhere in the world.
As I begin to draft my commencement address, I recognize that, yes, this will be a historic day for Palmer College, but it will also be a historic day for the 32 students graduating. I aim to focus on them and try to impart some of what I have learned in the years since my own graduation and emphasize what I have gained by remaining connected to my alma mater.
My career has been made possible by the foundational education I received as a Palmer student, my ongoing collaborations with colleagues at the Palmer Center for Chiropractic Research, and the close professional cooperation I have with Palmer faculty and administrators. It is exciting to think of the next generation of Palmer D.C.s finding their own ways to collaborate to advance the profession.
Today, our graduating students have more practice opportunities and more potential patients than any class before them. Some can choose to follow pathways for careers in research, academics, or policy. Overall, I feel there has never been a better time to enter the chiropractic field, and this strength and growth in our profession is due in large part to Palmer College and our alumni.
Graduation day on the West campus will stand as a reminder for us all. For every Palmer graduate, our legacy is tied to alumni past, present, and future. Each Palmer graduate is strengthened by the achievements of others, and together, we are better suited to care for the patients we serve. While our final gathering at West will be bittersweet, the graduates remind us that the end of one journey is always the beginning of the next.
About Dr. Lisi
Anthony Lisi, D.C. (`96) received his Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Palmer College of Chiropractic West in San Jose, CA. In 2007, Dr. Lisi was named Chiropractic Program Director for the Veterans Health Administration. He is also an assistant professor in the Department of Biomedical Informatics and Data Science at the Yale School of Medicine. Dr. Lisi received the American Chiropractic Association’s 2015 Academician of the Year, 2017 Chiropractor of the Year, 2023 Humanitarian of the Year awards, and the Palmer College 2024 Distinguished Achievement Alumni Award.
Watch Dr. Lisi’s full commencement address exclusively on the Palmer Plexus at https://palmerplexus.palmer.edu.
