Palmer College of Chiropractic's west campus in San Jose, Calif., will cease operations in June 2025 when its lease expires, following a unanimous vote by the Palmer Board of Trustees. Palmer West's closure comes "after thoughtful consideration, and as a proactive business decision," according to an announcement from Palmer College.
"A culmination of challenges, including the escalation of the building lease, the high cost of living, the employment market, and the College's cost to deliver the program in California compelled the decision to phase out the West campus," said Trevor V. Ireland, DC, chairperson of the Palmer board. "This difficult decision was made after thorough due diligence."
In its press release, Palmer College noted that current Palmer West students "[will have] the opportunity to finish their degrees at Palmer West through March 2025. Eligible students also will have the option to attend Palmer College's Main campus in Davenport, Iowa or its Port Orange, Florida campus."
"By adjusting our on-campus offerings at our two flourishing locations, Palmer is better equipped to meet its mission of educating students in the science, art and philosophy of chiropractic today and well into the future, maintaining our role as the trusted leader in chiropractic education," said Palmer College Chancellor and CEO, Dennis Marchiori, DC, PhD.
Palmer West is the direct descendant of Northern California Chiropractic College (NCCC), founded in Sunnyvale, Calif., in 1978 by students. Two years later, the school's name was changed to Palmer College of Chiropractic West, with John Miller, DC, appointed as Palmer West's first president. The inaugural class graduated one year later (1981).
After a campus expansion to Santa Clara in 1989, Palmer West moved to its current, larger San Jose location in 1993.
By early 1991, Palmer College of Chiropractic and Palmer College of Chiropractic West were operating in a single system with a single board of trustees. A year later, Palmer West appointed its second president, Peter Martin, DC. Other presidents to lead Palmer West include Guy Riekeman, DC (2001-2005); Dr. Peter Martin reprising his role, first as interim president and then president until 2007, at which time he transfered to Palmer's then-new Florida campus; and William Meeker, DC, MPH, Palmer West's longest-serving president (2007-2021).
When sports chiropractors first appeared at the Olympic Games in the 1980s, it was alongside individual athletes who had experienced the benefits of chiropractic care in their training and recovery processes at home. Fast forward to Paris 2024, where chiropractic care was available in the polyclinic for all athletes, and the attitude has now evolved to recognize that “every athlete deserves access to sports chiropractic."
It is estimated that 61% of patients with CTS avoid taking surgical options due to postoperative complications and costly surgical procedures. Chiropractic care offers a comprehensive and effective treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome, addressing the condition from multiple angles. Recent studies also have unveiled a game-changing adjunct to chiropractic treatments for CTS: nerve flossing.
Some doctors thrive in a personality-based clinic and have a loyal following no matter what services or equipment they offer, but for most chiropractic offices who are trying to grow and expand, new equipment purchases help us stay relevant and continue to service our client base in the best, most up-to-date manner possible. So, regarding equipment purchasing: should you lease, get a bank loan, or pay cash?
