Nearly 25 years to the day that she participated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony to formally commemorate the relocation of Palmer College of Chiropractic’s West campus to San Jose, current members of the West campus community recently convened for a special ceremony to honor Vickie Anne Palmer, H.C.D. (Hon.), F.P.A.C., for her four decades of distinguished service to Palmer College and the chiropractic profession.
The event was highlighted by the unveiling of a statue that pays tribute to Ms. Palmer as The Refiner of the chiropractic legacy established by her great-grandfather, D.D. Palmer (The Discover of chiropractic and The Founder of Palmer College of Chiropractic) more than a century ago.
Hosted by West Campus President Bill Meeker, D.C., M.P.H., F.PA.C., the event was attended by various guests and dignitaries, including members of the Palmer College Board of Trustees. Palmer College Chancellor and CEO Dennis Marchiori, D.C., Ph.D., shared highlights of Ms. Palmer’s career, and current Palmer Board Chairman Trevor Ireland, D.C., F.P.A.C., joined Ms. Palmer to participate in the formal unveiling of the statue, located in the front lobby of the West campus.
The grand-daughter of Drs. B.J. (The Developer) and Mabel Heath Palmer (The First Lady of Chiropractic), and the daughter of Drs. David (The Educator) and Agnes Palmer, Vickie Palmer has built on her family’s heritage and devoted her lifetime to Palmer College (and the chiropractic profession) by continuing to lead and refine the chiropractic mission they began more than a century ago.
Appointed to the Palmer College Board of Trustees in 1978, Ms. Palmer was elected chairman in 1987, and served in that role until 2008. She led the Palmer Board in facilitating the growth, development and stabilization of Palmer’s West campus, and also was instrumental in developing the concept of Palmer’s multi-campus system, which now includes three campuses.
Ms. Palmer was present for the first day of classes at the inaugural West branch campus in Sunnyvale, established in 1980. She also participated in the historic ceremony at the former West campus in Santa Clara that created the Palmer Chiropractic University System in 1991.
A celebratory reception followed the statue unveiling, during which West students enjoyed meeting Ms. Palmer. Several enjoyed the opportunity to have her sign their copy of the book, “The Palmers,” which features the memoirs of her father, Dr. Dave Palmer, who served as Palmer College’s third president, and is the namesake of the Palmer College of Chiropractic Library System.
“I thank all of you for joining me today for this honor,” said Ms. Palmer. “I’m very happy to be here. I was here for the very first day of classes at Palmer West, and I’ve seen this campus grow. I’m so proud of all of you, for what you do for Palmer College, and Palmer West. We are the trusted leader in chiropractic. You students, faculty and staff are all part of the Palmer heritage and the Palmer family.”
“Being ‘The Refiner’ means enhancing and making fine distinctions to bring something closer to perfection,” said Dennis Marchiori, D.C., Ph.D., Palmer College chancellor and CEO, who participated in the special ceremony.
“During her tenure as Chairman of the Palmer Board, there were many significant accomplishments, including the growth, development and stabilization of Palmer’s West campus; the establishment of Palmer’s Florida campus in 2002; and the continued increase of Palmer chiropractors, especially women, who today make up about 40 percent (and growing) of the students enrolled on Palmer’s three campuses.
“Through her commitment to chiropractic and Palmer College, her work in the broadcast industry and her community involvement, Vickie Anne Palmer, ‘The Refiner,’ is truly a credit to her family legacy and an outstanding leader of Palmer College, the chiropractic profession and her community.”
