At age 19, Sherry McAllister, DC, M.S. (Ed), CCSP, FACC was a biology student at the University of Calgary preparing for a career in pediatric oncology. But a serious car accident altered her plans. Months of debilitating headaches and lower back pain left her searching for answers.
“I felt like I was living in doctors’ offices,” Dr. McAllister said. “The medication wasn’t solving the problem. I was frustrated and running out of hope.”
A classmate suggested chiropractic care. Skeptical but desperate, Dr. McAllister made an appointment. The visit changed her life.
“It was the first time someone explained what was wrong and showed me how to fix it,” Dr. McAllister said. “Within days, my symptoms disappeared. That was when I knew I had found my calling.”
After her recovery, she enrolled at Palmer College of Chiropractic. While earning her degree, Dr. McAllister served as president of the Student Council and Academic Society.
“I realized chiropractic care has the potential to change lives,” she said. “I wanted to help move the profession forward and bring people together to achieve that vision.”
For 30 years, Dr. McAllister owned McAllister Chiropractic in San Jose, California, where she helped patients achieve healthier lives. She now serves as president of the Foundation for Chiropractic Progress (F4CP), a nonprofit organization that educates the public about chiropractic care through positive press. Dr. McAllister hosts F4CP’s podcast “Adjusted Reality,” where professional athletes, celebrities, healthcare professionals and influencers talk about their health and lifestyle experiences.
“My mission is to build on the truth,” she said. “Chiropractic care is essential to optimize life and longevity, and I want to make sure that message reaches as many people as possible.”
Additionally, Dr. McAllister chairs the International Strategic Accelerator for Women (iSAW), which is dedicated to driving unprecedented progress in achieving economic equality for women across all levels of the workplace.
Dr. McAllister’s work has earned her numerous accolades, including the 2024 Stevie Silver Award for Thought Leadership and a Fellow designation from the American College of Chiropractic. This year she will receive the Dr. Beatrice B. Hagen Award during Logan University’s Symposium 2025 May 1-3.
“Dr. Hagen was a pioneer,” Dr. McAllister said. “Receiving an award in her name is humbling. It’s a reminder to live boldly, lead with integrity and strive to do what is right.”
Following the presentation of the Dr. Beatrice B. Hagen Award May 2 during Logan’s Symposium 2025, Dr. McAllister will deliver a presentation titled, “Chiropractic Pillars of Whole Being Care: A Healthier Path for Your Patients’ Lives – Focusing on the Latest Research.” You can register for Symposium 2025 by scanning the QR code at right.
In the meantime, Dr. McAllister remains optimistic about the future of chiropractic. She believes the profession is poised for a breakthrough in public awareness and accessibility.
“The future is extraordinarily bright,” she said. “Chiropractic care is about unlocking the body’s potential. We’re not just treating symptoms—we’re creating a foundation for lifelong health.”
Past winners of the Dr. Beatrice B. Hagen Award include: Kristina Petrocco-Napuli, DC, MS, DHPE (’23), FICC, FACC (2024); Claire Johnson, DC, MSEd, PhD, DACBSP, FICC (2023); Christine Goertz, DC, PhD (2021); Jean Moss, DC, MBA (2018); Michelle Maiers, DC, MPH, PhD (2017); Sharon Valone, DC, FICCP (2016); and Donna Mannello, DC (’87) (2015).