Alumni Weekend

Tom LaFountain, D.C. (’82), DABCO

Keynote Speaker

Dr. Tom LaFountain (D.C. ’82) worked with the United States Olympic Sports Medicine staff for seven years primarily affiliated with U.S. speedskating. He has subsequently worked on the Professional Golfers Association (PGA) Sports Medicine staff and has covered over 350 PGA events. Currently he is director of chiropractic services for the PGA Tour and president of Professional Sports Care (PSC), an organization that provides educational classes to train chiropractors to work on professional and amateur golfers. PSC currently oversees 25 chiropractors that provide chiropractic services on all PGA and Champions Tour events.

Colleen G. Auchenbach, D.C.

Speaker sponsored by KMC University

Dr. Colleen G. Auchenbach, a 1998 graduate of Cleveland University-Kansas City, practiced chiropractic for more than 20 years before specializing in medical compliance. She holds certifications in insurance consulting and peer review (Logan University, 2015), as a medical compliance specialist-physician (since 2016), a Certified Professional Medical Auditor (2022) and a Certified Professional Compliance Officer (2024).

Dr. Auchenbach joined KMC University in 2020 and now serves as director of education, committed to providing accurate, up-to-date and reliable compliance guidance.

Howard Benedikt, D.C.

Speaker sponsored by REALM Labs and Moss Nutrition

Dr. Howard Benedikt holds an undergraduate degree from Queens College in Flushing, N.Y., an M.S. in nutrition from the CW Post Campus of Long Island University, and a Doctor of Chiropractic from National University of Health Sciences. He is a Diplomate of the Chiropractic Board of Clinical Nutrition and a Certified Chiropractic Sports Practitioner.

Dr. Benedikt serves on the advisory boards of Functional Medicine University and the Hedberg Institute, is a clinical advisor for Moss Nutrition in Hadley, Mass., and is an executive member of the Chiropractic Board of Clinical Nutrition. He has maintained private practice in New York City since 1976.

Kenneth Brown, D.C.

Dr. Kenneth Brown, a native of Durham, N.C., has owned and operated Back to Health Chiropractic Medical Center in Durham for more than 20 years, offering a comprehensive range of services. As the world’s only third-generation African American chiropractic physician, he brings unique generational insight to patient care.

Dr. Brown was the first African American appointed to the North Carolina Board of Chiropractic Examiners and the first African American Certified Medical Examiner (FMCSA) in the state. He serves as the inaugural historian for the American Black Chiropractic Association and is founder and president of the Association of Black Chiropractic Physicians of North Carolina Inc. He is a proud graduate of Morehouse College and the National College of Chiropractic.

Jamie Forster D.C. (‘85)

Speaker sponsored by Nutri‑West N.Y.

Commitment to natural healthcare runs deep in the Forster household, all alumni of what is now Northeast College of Health Sciences. Dr. Jamie Forster, son of pioneer Dr. Arnold Forster (D.C. ’60), carries on a strong family legacy in chiropractic. This tradition now extends to the third generation with his son Cal (D.C. ’23, M.S. ’23).

A chiropractor with 40 years of experience, Dr. Jamie Forster specializes in pediatrics, lab analysis and nutrition at Forster Chiropractic LLP, which provides integrative care across five New York City locations. He is also president and owner of Nutri-West NY, a supplement distribution company, and spent 13 years as the touring chiropractor for punk rock band The Ramones. His work has earned him the Doctor of the Year award and honorary membership in SPARKS, a pre- and postnatal support group.

Christine Foss, D.C. (’94), MD, MS.Ed, ATC, DACBSP, ICSC

Speaker sponsored by Foot Levelers

Dr. Christine Foss brings deep expertise in sports medicine, holding a master’s degree from Old Dominion University, a Doctor of Chiropractic from Northeast College of Health Sciences (formerly New York Chiropractic College) and a Doctor of Medicine from the University of Health Sciences. Her experience includes work in the Sports Medicine Department at the University of Notre Dame and volunteer roles at Olympic Training Camps.

She has served at major international events including the World Games in Poland and Birmingham and the Bobsleigh World Championships. Dr. Foss is part of the medical staff for TEAMUSATF and has extensive experience with both men's and women's gymnastics. She also collaborates with top surgeons in the care and rehabilitation of athletic injuries.

David I. Graber D.C. (’85), DACBSP

Dr. David Graber, an alumnus of Northeast College of Health Sciences, has been a nationally recognized presenter in chiropractic for more than 20 years. He has developed more than 25 courses on chiropractic technique, evidence-based practice and clinical topics.

He serves on the board of directors for the Association of New Jersey Chiropractors and was named New Jersey Chiropractor of the Year in 2012. Dr. Graber maintains a private practice in Parsippany, New Jersey, and blogs about chiropractic and clinical topics at drgraber.wordpress.com.

Mitchell Green D.C. (’81), DACRB, FACC

Speaker sponsored by NCMIC

Dr. Mitch Green, a board-certified chiropractor and proud alumnus of Northeast College of Health Sciences (formerly NYCC), brings more than 40 years of clinical and academic experience. He has maintained a private practice in New York City since 1981.

A respected educator and rehabilitation specialist, Dr. Green is known for his expertise in evidence-informed chiropractic care, movement-based therapies and performing arts medicine. He has made significant contributions to postgraduate chiropractic education and professional development.

He founded and directed the Dance Injury and Rehabilitation Clinic at Manhattan Youth Ballet within the Manhattan Movement and Arts Center. Until 2020, he led a specialized injury prevention and rehabilitation program for pre-professional dancers.

For the past three years, Dr. Green has also served as a medical volunteer for the New York City Marathon with the New York Road Runners medical team.

Evan Gwilliam, D.C., MBA, QCC, CPC, CCPC, CPMA, CPCO, AAPC Fellow

Speaker sponsored by NCMIC

Dr. Evan Gwilliam, senior vice president of Practisync, is a recognized authority in healthcare compliance, coding and documentation. A valedictorian graduate of Palmer College of Chiropractic, he holds certifications as a professional coder, medical auditor and compliance officer, combining clinical expertise with a background in accounting and an MBA.

Dr. Gwilliam is a frequent speaker at industry events, provides expert witness testimony, conducts medical record audits and consults with healthcare providers. His contributions to publications and reference materials have established him as a leading voice in chiropractic compliance.

Kelley M. Humphries-Mascoll, D.C., EMT-P, CSCS, ICCSP

Speaker sponsored by NCMIC

Dr. Kelley Humphries-Mascoll brings a unique perspective to traditionally one‑dimensional topics, drawing on a diverse background in education, athletics and healthcare. Her interactive, lightly humorous presentation style is informed by a wide range of experiences—from assistant basketball coach and adapted physical educator to team doctor for world championship Olympic and Paralympic teams and executive director of a U.S. Paralympic sport.

She earned a B.S. in biology pre‑medical from Texas Woman's University in 2007, where she also played four years of college basketball. She later completed an M.S. in kinesiology with an emphasis in adapted physical education and sport from the same university, followed by an M.S. in human performance and exercise from the University of Houston Clearlake and a D.C. degree from Texas Chiropractic College, both in 2014.

Brandie Keates, D.C., FICPA

Speaker sponsored by Women Chiropractors (WDC)

Dr. Brandie Keates, founder of Bloom and Experience Chiropractic, brings more than 20 years of experience empowering pregnant and postpartum women through evidence‑based chiropractic care. Known for integrating sports medicine with pregnancy care, she works closely with medical doctors to provide comprehensive, research‑backed support.

An award‑winning leader, speaker and educator, Dr. Keates is helping transform prenatal and postpartum health. She earned her Doctor of Chiropractic from Cleveland Chiropractic College in 2002. She currently serves as the Pennsylvania representative for the American Chiropractic Association State House of Delegates (2023–25) and as a board member of the Pennsylvania Chiropractic Association (2020–present).

Peter G. Nickless D.C. (’00), PhD, FACC

Speaker sponsored by NYSCA

Dr. Peter Nickless (D.C. ’00) earned his Doctor of Chiropractic from Northeast College of Health Sciences (formerly New York Chiropractic College) in 2000. He also holds an M.S. in human nutrition from the University of Bridgeport (2009), an MBA (2012) and an M.S. in operations and project management (2014) from Southern New Hampshire University and a PhD in biomedical informatics from Rutgers University (2020).

Dr. Nickless practiced in the New York metropolitan area and Maine from 2000 to 2012, specializing in sports performance and general wellness. He currently serves as dean of online education at the College. His first book, Sports Nutrition for Master’s Athletes, was published by Wiley in 2024, and he is currently writing a second focused on youth athletes.

Rick Rosa D.C. (’96), M.S. (’25), FICC, FACC, DAAPM, CCSP

Dr. Rick Rosa is a two‑time graduate of Northeast College of Health Sciences, earning his Doctor of Chiropractic in 1996 and a master’s in nutrition in 2025. He serves as chair of the College’s board of trustees and is an adjunct professor at George Mason University. Since 2012, Dr. Rosa has taught postgraduate courses on recovery around the world. He is the author of The Six Pillars of Sports Recovery, a science‑based, holistic framework that includes awareness, rest, play, nutrition, physical treatment and psychology.

With more than 20 years of clinical experience, Dr. Rosa has helped amateur, professional and Olympic athletes optimize recovery and performance. He owns Accessible Beltway Clinics, a network of multidisciplinary treatment centers in the Washington, D.C. area, and Quantum Movement, a one‑on‑one performance gym focused on injury‑free training and enhanced athletic ability.

Mark Sanna D.C. (’87), ACRB Level II, FICC

Many people go through life without ever discovering their true calling. Dr. Mark Sanna is one of the few who has. He is president and CEO of Breakthrough Coaching, a chiropractic practice management consulting firm. For more than 25 years, Dr. Sanna has helped chiropractors achieve professional success while maintaining balance in their personal lives.

He is a Fellow of the International College of Chiropractors, a board member of the Foundation for Chiropractic Progress, chair of the Chiropractic Summit Finance Committee and a member of the Leadership Committee of the Chiropractic Future Strategic Plan. Dr. Sanna is also the author of the best‑selling book Cracking the Code—Marketing Chiropractic: How Chiropractors Align Spines and Minds.

Michelle Turk D.C. (’91), M.S. (’20)

Speaker sponsored by Women Chiropractors (WDC)

Dr. Michelle Turk is a proud alumna of Northeast College of Health Sciences, earning her Doctor of Chiropractic in 1991 and her Master of Science in human anatomy and physiology instruction. As owner of Positive Impact Coaching and Consulting Services, she has helped hundreds of chiropractors grow their practices, increase profitability, reduce stress and work toward better life‑practice balance.

Dr. Turk has taught postgraduate courses for Northeast College for many years on topics including ethics, patient education and communication. She also teaches anatomy, physiology and bioethics to undergraduates at Farmingdale State College and serves on the board of directors of Women Chiropractors.

Robyn Wakefield‑Murphy, Ph.D

Dr. Robyn Wakefield‑Murphy is an assistant professor of anatomy at Northeast College of Health Sciences, specializing in biological anthropology with a research focus on population health in past communities. She earned her Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh and holds a Master of Science with honors in human osteology and funerary archaeology from the University of Sheffield in the UK.

Dr. Wakefield‑Murphy has more than a decade of experience presenting at research conferences and is an active member of both the American Association of Physical Anthropologists and the Paleopathology Association.

Michael P. Zumpano D.C. (’06), Ph.D.

Dr. Michael Zumpano is an internationally recognized comparative anatomist who has taught gross anatomy at Northeast College of Health Sciences since 1999. He currently directs the Anatomical Gift Program and Anatomy Center. His research in craniofacial growth and comparative anatomy has led to several publications, including one cited in Gray’s Anatomy that identifies a myodural bridge between the rectus capitis posterior minor and the posterior atlanto‑occipital membrane.

A graduate of Northeast College (formerly New York Chiropractic College), Dr. Zumpano has maintained a private chiropractic practice since 2006 and serves on the New York State Board of Chiropractic under the Board of Regents.