2021 Alumnus of the Year

2021 UWS Alumnus of the Year

Daniel Murphy, DC

Daniel Murphy, DC, DABCO D aniel Murphy, DC, DABCO, is the 2021 University of Western States (UWS) 2021 Alumnus of the Year. This distinction recognizes and honors the accomplishments of outstanding UWS graduates as they advance the science and art of integrated health care. Dr. Murphy’s professional and scholarly work has demonstrated exemplary leadership for the chiropractic profession and embodies the core values of UWS – student focus, best practices, curiosity, inclusiveness, professionalism and whole-person health.

“It is truly an honor to be named the 2021 UWS Alumnus of the Year,” said Dr. Murphy. “My education at Western States opened my eyes to a world of never-ending possibilities for both academic and clinical excellence, allowing me to create a career and life that has helped me to make a difference.”

Dr. Murphy graduated magna cum laude from UWS in 1978, and pursued post-graduate education culminating in board certification in orthopedics. He has been a part-time professor for 40 years and has led more than 2,000 postgraduate continuing education seminars. From 2003 – 2009 he served as the vice president of the International Chiropractors Association (ICA) and was honored as ICA Chiropractor of the Year in 2009.

Dr. Murphy’s passion for chiropractic care began when he accompanied his mother, who was battling stage four lung cancer at the age of 44, to her medical appointments. “Her prognosis was very grim, and she was told that she would not see her 45th birthday,” said Dr. Murphy. “We went all over to a variety of alternative healers – Estes Park in Colorado; Belen, New Mexico; Winthrop, Washington; Tijuana, Mexico; Texas; New York City; and more. Finally, a doctor told us about the link between cancer, the immune system, and mechanical integrity. This connection sparked my interest specifically in chiropractic neuroimmunology, and I found it just fascinating.” With the aid of mechanical manipulation and FELLOW NOMINEES: Marina Prodanovic, DC Owen Lynch, DC Farrell James, DC Matthew Tompkins, DC Lindsey Berkson, DC Ramon Antonio Borrero McCormick, DC Tamara Lovelace, DC David Brown, DC Sue A. Weber BSc, DC, MSc Travis Greenhalgh, DC Montserrat Andreys, DC

intervention, his mother lived well beyond 45 [age 70] and was able to be around for the births of all her grandchildren.

“Of the many things I love about the chiropractic philosophy of care, the emphasis of evolutionary biology and anthropology factors, and innate and universal intelligence fascinate me,” said Dr. Murphy. “And beyond mechanical integrity, we also take other factors into account that UWS specifically believes in and teaches; What about one’s diet? What about exercise? Does someone have good sleep hygiene and what about certain supplements? Are there chemicals in their environment or pollution that are compromising their health? We see miracles happen in our office every week, and a lot of it can be contributed to our integrative approach.”

During his time at UWS, Dr. Murphy credits his mentors, UWS professors Dr. Richard Stonebrink, Dr. Appa Anderson, and Dr. Terry Yochum, and for empowering him to keep getting better every year and to be a ferocious learner. To this day, he still reads at least one book a week. One of the most important tenants he gleaned was to never give up, no matter your age or years of practice, and to always try to better oneself so you can better serve patients and in turn, humanity.

Dr. Murphy began his 44th year as a chiropractic physician in January 2022. He believes that he has not even begun to peak. “Every year we get better, smarter and more intuitive,” said Dr. Murphy. “The excitement about being a chiropractor is realizing you can never actually figure ‘it’ out. There’s always more to learn and I truly love learning as much as I can. I don’t foresee retirement in my plans at all. The winner is not the first person to retire, it’s the last, and I want to be that person.”

“Dr. Dan Murphy has been a leader in chiropractic practice and clinical education for more than four decades,” said UWS President and CEO Dr. Joseph Brimhall. “He stays abreast of the rapidly-evolving developments in the sciences of chiropractic and nutrition, and teaches how to apply these advancements to help patients achieve their optimal potential.”

Dr. Murphy will be honored at the UWS Open House Reception on Saturday, April 23, 2022 on the UWS campus in Portland, Oregon.

Dr. Terry Yochum, Dr. Appa Anderson, Dr. Richard Stonebrink