Bill Meeker, D.C., M.P.H. (West, ’82), looks back at his time as president of Palmer West.
After 39 years in the profession, Palmer West President Bill Meeker, D.C., M.P.H. (West, ’82), retired in June 2021.
His tenure at Palmer College has been full of growth and accomplishments. After receiving his doctor of chiropractic degree from Palmer West, Dr. Meeker invested his time wholeheartedly in Palmer College. Over the course of his career, he spent 12 years as Palmer’s vice president for research and the director of the Palmer Center for Chiropractic Research on Palmer’s main campus. He was appointed president of Palmer West in 2007.
Over the years in this role, Dr. Meeker has one word to describe his favorite part of being campus president: students.
“Seeing them start out in their first quarter and then seeing them graduate in the 13th quarter — and then actually seeing them years later as they’ve developed successful practices and they’re doing well — is very fulfilling.”
As a Palmer West graduate, Dr. Meeker remembers what it felt like to be a student, and as he often reminisces, his best memory as a Palmer student was his classmates.
“I think it was the camaraderie of my fellow students in so many ways. Getting to know them, socializing with them, studying with them, sweating through the challenges of getting through the program, which was really transformative, would be my best memory as a Palmer student.”
Being in the chiropractic profession for nearly 40 years, Dr. Meeker has seen it evolve in so many ways. He is mindful about the many opportunities that have now become more available to chiropractors, compared to when he began his career.
“The scientific credibility, public acceptance and expansion of the use of chiropractic has been phenomenal. From when I started back in the late 1970s compared to now, the places that chiropractors can have a career and make a difference are much more diverse than they were. There are so many opportunities now for graduates to get into practice — not just in private practice but in large-scale organizations and mainstream health delivery systems, corporate settings and the military. None of those things existed before.”
With so many opportunities becoming more accessible for current students and recent graduates, Dr. Meeker shares what he feels is the biggest opportunity within chiropractic.
“The biggest opportunity for chiropractic is to work collaboratively and inter-professionally with other health-care providers in the patient’s best interest. If you put the patient at the center of your decision-making process and work with other health-care providers to give the best possible health care, those job opportunities are going to continue to grow. Individual private practice will never go away, but other opportunities are ramping up quickly. Chiropractic’s philosophy, approach to prevention, and creation of health are really at the forefront of what people are thinking about in health care these days. If we can get people to think about creating health rather than fixing disease, then we’re very well-positioned as a profession.”
As Dr. Meeker wraps up his career, he has some advice for current students and recent graduates.
“Learn how to manage your time, learn how to prioritize your actions and make a practice of visualizing your future, because putting your intentions out there is the best way to make them come true. Focus on your path and on what you want. Make sure you understand what makes yourself tick. And really it’s then up to individual initiative and motivation.”
Gregory Snow, D.C.
Named Senior Campus Administrator, Palmer West
Gregory Snow, D.C. (West, ’90), has been named senior campus administrator and dean of academic affairs for Palmer West. Dr. Snow has served as the dean of academic affairs since October 2018. Prior to that, he served for 15 years as dean of clinics, was a clinical professor for seven years and maintained a private practice from 1990 to 2003. Dr. Snow has authored four articles in peer-reviewed PubMed journals.
“We’re confident that Greg will do a great job in this role,” said Dennis Marchiori, D.C., Ph.D., Palmer College of Chiropractic chancellor and CEO. “Greg has a long tenure with the College and a proven track record of leadership. He’s well-positioned to help Palmer West grow and innovate.”
“I’m honored and excited to expand my leadership role at Palmer and work to advance the College’s mission at Palmer West,” said Dr. Snow.
Tammi Clark, D.C.
Named Dean of Clinics, Palmer West
Tammi Clark, D.C. (West, ’94), has been named dean of clinics at Palmer West. During her 22 years at Palmer West, she’s taught a number of courses, including the management of complex capstone clinical-evaluation courses. In conjunction with her teaching roles, she has also actively participated in many administrative committees and has been extensively involved with the development and administration of student and curricular assessment.
“I’m excited to be more involved with the clinical aspect of the curriculum at Palmer West. I feel it’s vital to student and intern success to have a fully integrated academic and clinical education, and I hope my experience can further enhance that mission. I look forward to watching our interns put their knowledge and skills into practice to provide excellent care in our clinic and then go on to join the ranks of exceptional Palmer chiropractors.”
William Sherrier, D.C., M.A.
Named Dean of Academics, Palmer Florida
William Sherrier, D.C., M.A., has been named dean of academic affairs at Palmer Florida. Dr. Sherrier is known as one of the “pioneer faculty” members of Palmer Florida, having been on staff since the year the campus opened. During his tenure at Palmer Florida, he’s held roles in the Palmer Chiropractic Clinics, taught for 10 years and was the director of practice foundations and then associate dean.
After five years of serving in the associate dean role, Dr. Sherrier is excited to be able to work in a larger capacity. “I’m a chiropractor, but I’m most passionate about chiropractic education. This position is exciting for me. I think it’s a culmination of what I’ve done — practice experience and teaching experience, as well as gradual leadership experience within the College.”
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