In 1981 I received my Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Palmer College of Chiropractic, in Davenport, Iowa. Prior to that, my pre-professional education was at Cochise College, Sierra Vista, AZ and Spokane Falls Community College, Spokane, WA. I served three years in the military stationed at Ft. Huachuca (therefore my connection to Ft. Huachuca and Sierra Vista).

I practiced for two years in Colville, Washington with Dr. Terry Lawson, prior to settling in Sierra Vista in 1983.  My wife Lorna comes from a Chiropractic family. Her grandfather, father and two of her brothers are also chiropractors. We have two children, Lucas and Amanda.

I am frequently asked, "Why are you a Chiropractor?" My interest in anatomy and physiology began at an early age. I was fascinated by the study of the human body. I began reading the works of the great healers and physicians throughout history. I considered becoming a physical therapist, a surgeon, or a pathologist. It was not until I earnestly began asking questions about how they practiced, what they had to offer, and their philosophies, that I finally made the decision to become a chiropractor. When I did, several key things came back to the surface.

When I was about ten years old, my Aunt Zelda was going blind. She spent a week in testing at the University of Washington Medical Center only to be told (in her early 30’s) that she would be totally blind within two years. All the specialists said she suffered from a progressive disorder and that nothing could be done. She was instructed to put handrails in her home in preparation. In search of a different approach she and my Uncle Darrel chose a chiropractor in northern Idaho, about 120 miles away from where they were living. They would make this trip twice a week for a chiropractic adjustment.

My relatives are like most, they let you know when you are "screwing up". I remember, as a child, hearing my parents, aunts, uncles, grandparents, and friends telling them that they were "wasting their time and money" and that they should just accept the course of action that had been laid out for them by the doctors at the medical center. To this day, because of chiropractic care, my Aunt Zelda still has vision.  The lesson I learned is that often the good opinions of other people are wrong, particularly when those good opinions are about someone else’s life and not their own. When I was attending college in Washington, I saw many miracles of healing in both children and adults in the chiropractic office of Dr. Vince Fitzpatrick. He encouraged me to speak with his patients regarding their choice for chiropractic care and the remarkable difference it had made in their lives.

Before I left for Chiropractic College my mother had a problem with her lower back. She was unable to even get out of bed without assistance. She elected to see a local chiropractor, Dr. Terry Lawson, who was able to provide her great relief from her pain. After several chiropractic adjustments, my mother told me that Dr. Lawson was also adjusting her neck, and that she no longer suffered from the migraine headaches that she had for years. Did I think there was a connection? Naturally, I went and asked.

The reason I am a chiropractor (the rest of the story) is my belief in health, potential, and the innate ability of our bodies to express themselves to the fullest. This is the way we are designed to be, to live our lives to full potential from above down, inside out.