Palmer College of Chiropractic conferred degrees to 201 students at the college's spring commencement ceremonies June 12th. Thirty-nine students received Bachelor of Science degrees, eight received Chiropractic Technologist degrees, 152 graduated with D.C. degrees, and two received M.S. degrees in Anatomy.
Class valedictorian was Steven F. Lipschutz and class salutatorians were Michele L. Bernatchez, Donn F. Karlik, and Laura L. Pauls. Jeffrey R. Burres and David J. Hestera both received PCC's "Clinical Excellence Award." The winner of the "John Connolly Award," presented to the graduating senior who has excelled in extracurricular activities while maintaining an outstanding academic rating, was given to Camilla Fox Ferguson. Leonard Keith Griffin, D.C. and his son Robert E. Griffin, D.C. were named Fellows in the Palmer Academy of Chiropractic for their many years of dedication to the profession.
Dr. James R. Milliron from Yakima, Washington, who is a 1975 PCC graduate, gave the commencement address.
Recent laws in New Jersey and California represent a disturbing trend that will negatively impact a practice’s ability to collect monies from patients, as well as expose them to significant penalties if the practice does not follow the mandatory guidelines to a T. Please be aware that a similar law may be coming to your state. The time to act is before the law is passed.
With estimates showing over 30 million Americans affected by peripheral neuropathy – and a significant portion underdiagnosed – it’s increasingly likely that chiropractors are already treating these patients. What’s missing is structured recognition, comprehensive management and targeted tools to slow progression, improve function and support systemic health.
Each year, ICD-10-CM is updated on Oct. 1. For 2026, there are 74,179 total codes, with 487 additions, 28 deletions and 38 revisions. Code changes are based on date of service, not the claim submission date. Services performed on/after Oct. 1 must use the new codes. While no changes affect the common spinal or extraspinal codes most frequently used by DCs, several updates may still affect your claims – particularly for comorbidities, referred pain, or trauma cases.
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