Leaders Made

Logan University is a community of extraordinary leaders. Learn how these individuals are making an impact in their own communities, careers and beyond.

Logan Professor MARY UNGER-BOYD, DC (’97), DICS, CACCP was named the 2021 International Chiropractor of the Year by the International Craniopathic Society and the Sacro Occipital Research Society International (SORSI). The award is given once a year for an individual’s service and contributions to SORSI and the international chiropractic profession.

Dr. Unger-Boyd was presented with the award by 2020 recipient Dr. Jerry Hochman of Life University during the SORSI Homecoming, which was held September 29–October 2 in Denver. During the event, Dr. Unger-Boyd lectured on Sacro Occipital TechnicTM (SOT®) Methods for Pregnancy and Pediatrics for SORSI.

“I am so honored to receive this award and to be recognized for my contributions to this community,” said Dr. Unger-Boyd. “When I think of past recipients, I am reminded of the legacy of the founder of Sacro Occipital Technic, Dr. Major DeJarnette, and how they have carried on his teachings. I am very proud to be a part of this special group.”

Dr. Unger-Boyd has been a part of SORSI for the last 30 years. She earned the Certified Craniopathic from SORSI in 2005, a Diplomat with the International Craniopathic Society in 2010 and a Certification by the Academy Council of Chiropractic Pediatrics (CACCP) in 2011. Over the years, she has served on the SORSI Board of Directors as well as the Academic Advisory Board of the Academy of Chiropractic Family Practice, taught SOT® electives and lectured on SOT® Methods and Pediatrics for SORSI. In 2011, Dr. Unger-Boyd was awarded “Researcher of the Year” for SORSI.

In addition to owning a private practice in the St. Louis area, Dr. Unger-Boyd has taught courses on SOT® , Logan Basic, pediatrics, myofascial techniques and clinical methods at Logan for 24 years.

“Logan has a bright future; it has grown to create more opportunities for students to reach their goals and special interests, such as acupuncture or nutrition. This gives students the exposure to aspects of the healing arts in which they may have not considered,” said Dr. UngerBoyd. “The chiropractic program is outstanding, and I am so happy to be a part of teaching technique and skills for the students to excel as they develop into the Doctor of Chiropractic they dreamed of becoming.”

Congratulations on this prestigious honor, Dr. Unger-Boyd!

“Logan has a bright future; it has grown to create more opportunities for students to reach their goals and special interests. ... I am so happy to be a part of teaching technique and skills for the students to excel.” – Dr. Mary Unger-Boyd

MICHAEL ROBERTS,

DC (’93) has taken his role as a leader in the industry to a new level by advancing chiropractic not only in his home state of Florida but also throughout the country.

After his term as president of the Florida Chiropractic Association, Dr. Roberts was honored with an appointment to the Florida Board of Chiropractic Medicine by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis in July 2021.

“It’s very competitive because the governor goes through lists of people and their accomplishments,” Dr. Roberts said. “When I saw that the governor’s office was calling, I almost fell down.”

Recently named Chiropractor of the Year by the Florida Chiropractic Association, Dr. Roberts’ accolades and affiliations have brought him much success over the years, including his recent appointment by the governor.

“Due to my work with local candidates and campaign events and my current efforts at the state level, my private practice has become a little bit smaller,” Dr. Roberts said. “But in the grand scheme of things, I’m doing a lot for chiropractic.”

While a student at Logan, Dr. Roberts used knowledge from his service in the United States Coast Guard. As a corpsman based in New Orleans, he was a medical provider for the search and rescue team, often going out into the ocean to help injured people.

“The knowledge I gained from the Coast Guard helped me immensely going into Logan,” Dr. Roberts said. “I was able to carry some of my experiences into my chiropractic training, and I am one of few people who can say they’ve done that.”

As a second generation chiropractor whose father also attended Logan when it was still called the Missouri Chiropractic College, Dr. Roberts always knew he was destined to pursue a career in chiropractic, but he didn’t know his role as a DC would evolve into furthering the field for chiropractors across his state and nation.

“After graduating from Logan, my dad told me that if I wanted to practice chiropractic with him, I had to be involved,” Dr. Roberts said. “That pushed me early on to join my first chiropractic society, and I continued to get more involved from there. All of those experiences have led me to this new appointment in Florida.”

As a board member, Dr. Roberts will continue to advocate for chiropractors across the state of Florida and for the greater advancement of chiropractic nationwide.

From playing Division I football to developing athletes’ abilities as an exercise physiologist,

DYLAN SMITH

has seen firsthand many facets of athletics. However, as he pursues his Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) degree, his career in sports medicine will take a new direction.

“Having a chiropractor helped me tremendously when I played at the collegiate level,” Dylan said. “I have an affinity for sports, so it’s important to me to take the next step and develop the industry for DCs.”

Now a trimester 4 student at Logan, Dylan is involved both academically and professionally in furthering the field of chiropractic and was recently appointed Dr. Michael Roberts director of education for the ACA Sports Council Executive Board and elected to the American Chiropractic Association (ACA) Rehab Council as a student representative. “As an athlete, I relied on chiropractic care to manage pain and injuries and be comfortable playing,” Dylan said. “Chiropractic rehabilitation allowed me to get back on the field and achieve what I needed to.” The ACA Rehab Council focuses on connecting DCs and students with research and training in the specialty of rehabilitation. With a greater mission to advocate for the growth of rehab in chiropractic, Dylan is bridging the gap between his student peers and DCs nationwide. “Getting involved with a governing body of the chiropractic world has given me the opportunity to build relationships with other professionals that I can lean on to make the industry better,” Dylan said. Now his love for rehabilitation and sports has brought him to Logan in pursuit of his DC so that he can return the favor for other athletes. In fact, making the decision to become a chiropractor was easy for Dylan. His uncle, Mark Estes, DC (’90), introduced him to both chiropractic and Logan, where he’s found his footing thanks to the help of professors and the Rehab Council. “Working with athletes makes me happy, and I can only imagine what I’ll be able to do for them in 10 years,” Dylan said. “I know what chiropractic has done for me, so know I want to pay that back and keep the ball rolling to further the advancements in sports chiropractic.”

Dylan Smith