Scott D. Wofford

Dear members of the Presidential Search Committee:

It is my privilege to recommend Scott Wofford, D.C. for consideration as President of Parker University. I have had the opportunity to know Dr. Wofford personally for many years and was able to observe his leadership while he was the President of the Texas Chiropractic Association.

I believe Scott possesses the professional credibility and experience in the chiropractic profession that would deserve consideration for the presidency of Parker University. He has since been appointed to the Texas Board of Chiropractic Examiners and has shown leadership for the profession in both political and regulatory circles.

His qualifications for this role are indicative from his experience in higher education, public service, as well as in professional organizations and state appointed executive roles. Equally important, Scott was also my parent’s personal chiropractor. I know he treated them with dignity and respect. I trusted he would give them the care they deserved.

When he was president of the Texas Chiropractic Association I had opportunities to discuss health care issues with Scott during my tenure as Governor of Texas. He truly understands how to communicate professional and regulatory issues while understanding the complexity of health care issues that affect the citizens of Texas. His ability to represent your institution before governmental and regulatory agencies and audiences will be a great asset for Parker University.

He has received many of the Chiropractic professions highest honors, which I believe will translate to great success for Parker University. His professional and regulatory service will give him a great perspective facing the challenges of health care and education. For these reasons, I highly recommend, without reservation, Scott Wofford D.C. for consideration as president of Parker University.

Sincerely,

James Richard “Rick” Perry

47th Governor of Texas (2000–2015) · 14th United States Secretary of Energy (2017–2019)

Dear Parker University Presidential Search Committee:

It is my privilege to recommend Dr. Scott Wofford, D.C., for consideration as the next President of Parker University.

I first met Dr. Wofford in 2016 while campaigning for the Texas Senate. Although we did not always agree on healthcare policy, I quickly developed a great deal of respect for him. Scott was never afraid to engage in thoughtful discussions, defend his positions, or work toward meaningful solutions. That willingness to have difficult conversations while maintaining mutual respect is a quality I have always valued.

I later had the opportunity to nominate Dr. Wofford to serve on the Texas Board of Chiropractic Examiners, where he continues to serve in a leadership capacity. During his time on the Board, he has demonstrated sound judgment, professionalism, and a strong commitment to the chiropractic profession and the patients it serves.

Dr. Wofford brings a unique combination of healthcare, regulatory, educational, political, and entrepreneurial experience to the table. As President of the Texas Chiropractic Association, he has successfully represented his profession and advocated for the advancement of healthcare in Texas. His work expanding educational opportunities, including his involvement with Texas EMS School, further demonstrates his ability to identify opportunities, build organizations, and deliver results.

Most importantly, I have seen firsthand that Scott leads with integrity, conviction, and a genuine commitment to serving others. He understands both the challenges facing healthcare professionals and the importance of preparing the next generation of healthcare providers to meet those challenges.

I believe Dr. Wofford would bring strong leadership, vision, and a results-oriented approach to Parker University. I am confident that his experience and character would make him an outstanding leader for the university and an advocate for its students, faculty, and the broader healthcare community.

For these reasons, I am pleased to recommend Dr. Scott Wofford, D.C., for consideration as the next President of Parker University.

For Texas,

Dawn Buckingham, M.D.

Commissioner, Texas General Land Office

Dear Members of the Parker University Board of Trustees and Presidential Search Committee:

It has been my pleasure and honor to know Dr. Scott Wofford personally, politically, and professionally for over 40 years. Our relationship began as freshmen at Abilene Christian University where we shared interests, both academically and athletically, and it was clear to me even then that Scott had an abiding passion for education, particularly the healing arts.

In the following years it has been no surprise to me to see his success as a physician and as a businessman. Scott has a servant’s heart and always puts the interests of his patients and those around him first, leading by example with integrity and fairness. He is a faithful husband, father, and friend, and his values are reflected in every aspect of his life.

Perhaps one of Scott’s most unique and endearing traits is his unwavering desire to make things better, to think outside of the box, and to imagine creative ways to face new challenges or solve old problems. That, coupled with his willingness to share with others, I believe makes him particularly well suited to serve as the next president of Parker University.

During my 12 years in the Texas House of Representatives I focused much of my efforts to the improvement of higher education and to promote and plan for the next generation of Texans. It was during this time I reconnected with Scott while he was serving his profession as an officer of the Texas Chiropractic Association and as a gubernatorial appointee to the Texas Board of Chiropractic Examiners.

Dr. Wofford and I share the core belief that educational attainment is essential for personal development and the best surety of financial success, but more importantly that an educated citizenry is the bedrock of a free society and the bulwark of our Republic. As a practitioner, an educator, and an entrepreneur Dr. Wofford’s talents and experience make him perfectly suited to lead Parker University through these challenging times.

I recall vividly when Scott came to my Capitol office gravely concerned with an appellate court decision which threatened the very existence of chiropractic medicine in Texas. As a practicing civil trial attorney with nearly 40 years of experience, I was impressed with Scott’s understanding of the legal decision, his technical mastery of the subject matter, and his appreciation of the dire effect the court’s decision would have on his profession and his university had it been allowed to stand.

I was proud to represent the TCA and the Board in our successful appeal to the Texas Supreme Court, but to give credit where it’s due, it was during my conversations with Dr. Wofford that he highlighted the role of licensed chiropractors treating injured workers in the Texas Worker’s Compensation system. I believe this was a significant factor in the opinion, written by Chief Justice Nathan Hecht, to affirm the right of chiropractors to diagnose and treat neurological deficits and disorders and specifically to utilize the VONT test as being within the authorized scope of practice in Texas.

Legislatively, Dr. Wofford is a well-known and respected advocate for chiropractic medicine and the thousands of patients who benefit from its practice. As Parker’s president, Dr. Wofford will help shape policies for the betterment of Texans while also protecting the profession and the value of a practitioner’s hard-earned license and education.

In summation, I fully endorse and without reservation encourage you to select Dr. Scott Wofford to serve as your next president of Parker University and I am happy to visit with any or all of you should you have further questions or need any additional information supporting Dr. Wofford’s candidacy.

Sincerely yours,

Travis Clardy

Clardy Law Offices PLLC · Former Texas State Representative

Members of the Presidential Selection Committee:

I am pleased to offer my strongest recommendation for Scott D. Wofford, D.C., FICC, to serve as President of Parker University.

I have had the opportunity to know and observe Scott’s career, and I believe he has the experience, character, leadership ability, and vision that Parker needs as it moves into its next chapter. More importantly, Scott understands Parker because he is a Parker graduate who has spent his professional life putting this institution’s values and mission into practice.

Scott brings more than 35 years of experience in healthcare, education, business, and professional leadership. Throughout his career, he has built organizations, led people, managed growth, and taken on difficult challenges. He understands what it takes to create a successful organization—not just financially, but by building a culture where people are valued and expectations are high. Everyone is working toward a common goal.

One of Scott’s greatest strengths is his experience in healthcare education. He founded the Mid America School of Nurse Practitioners and later founded Axon Education/Texas EMS School. He took Texas EMS School from an idea and built it into a fully accredited institution serving more than 1,200 students. That kind of accomplishment speaks for itself. Scott understands firsthand the responsibilities that come with accreditation, faculty and staff leadership, student success, regulatory compliance, and maintaining high standards in education.

Scott also understands government and public policy. He currently serves as Vice President and Executive Officer of the Texas Board of Chiropractic Examiners, having previously served as Board Secretary. In that role, he has been involved in regulatory oversight, rulemaking, disciplinary matters, and strategic governance. He also served as President of the Texas Chiropractic Association, becoming the first Parker graduate to hold that position.

Those experiences matter. A university president must be able to work with legislators, regulators, professional organizations, business leaders, educators, students, and community leaders. Scott knows how to do that. He understands that effective leadership requires listening, building relationships, finding common ground, and standing by your principles.

Scott’s connection to Parker is also something that sets him apart. He earned his Doctor of Chiropractic from Parker in 1989 and has remained deeply connected to the university throughout his career. Parker has recognized his accomplishments by naming him Alumni of the Year, presenting him with the President’s Award of Recognition, and naming him Doctor of the Year. He was also the first Parker alumnus to receive both the Texas Chiropractic Association’s Keeler Plaque and Young Chiropractor of the Year awards.

Those honors are significant, but I believe what matters even more is what they represent. Scott has not simply benefited from his Parker education—he has spent his career advancing the profession and helping others receive the same opportunities he received.

Scott is also an innovator. He is a co-inventor on two United States patents involving neuromuscular rehabilitation and the scientific evaluation of manipulative medicine. His career demonstrates that he is willing to look at a problem differently, challenge conventional thinking, and pursue better solutions while maintaining a strong commitment to evidence, patient care, and professional excellence.

But when I look at Scott’s record, the thing that stands out most to me is his leadership of people.

Organizations do not succeed because of buildings, budgets, or titles. They succeed because good leaders know how to bring people together, set a clear direction, develop the people around them, and create an environment where people can do their best work. Scott has demonstrated that ability throughout his career—as a healthcare executive, educator, entrepreneur, professional association leader, and member of a regulatory board.

I believe Parker needs a president who understands where the university has come from but is not afraid to think about where it needs to go. Parker needs someone who understands healthcare, education, business, accreditation, government, and professional organizations. Most importantly, Parker needs someone who believes in its mission and will represent the university with integrity and confidence.

Scott Wofford is that person. I give Scott D. Wofford my strongest possible recommendation to serve as President of Parker University. I am confident that he will provide Parker with the leadership, vision, and commitment necessary to build on its strong foundation and move the institution forward.

Sincerely,

Stan Lambert

State Representative, District 71

Dear Members of the Presidential Search Committee:

As past presidents of the Texas Chiropractic Association (TCA), we have had the privilege of serving the chiropractic profession from a unique perspective. We take pride in seeing Dr. Scott Wofford, one of the great leaders of the TCA, being considered for President of Parker University. Without question, Dr. Wofford has left an indelible mark on chiropractic through decades of exceptional professional leadership. His contributions to our profession are difficult to match and nearly impossible to exceed.

We could spend pages cataloging his leadership roles, awards, and professional achievements. Undoubtedly, we would still overlook some of his most meaningful contributions. That is because much of his most important work has occurred behind the scenes. No fanfare. No spotlight.

Those of us fortunate enough to know him well have heard stories of pivotal moments in which his leadership and strategic thinking helped shape the future of chiropractic. His patients, his colleagues, and the chiropractic profession have benefited greatly from his unwavering commitment to principles that often placed the profession ahead of personal recognition.

What further distinguishes Dr. Wofford is his approach to learning and education. He possesses an uncommon intellectual curiosity that drives him to pursue a level of mastery that few in our profession have even considered. He is a lifelong student who approaches education with genuine enthusiasm and expects the same level of intellectual engagement from those around him.

He has remained steadfast in his focus on the power of the chiropractic adjustment, applying his research experience to further establish spinal manipulation as a core component in the treatment of neuromusculoskeletal conditions. Equally important, he provides real-world learning opportunities for chiropractic students and interns, offering training and guidance firmly grounded in the foundational principles of chiropractic.

He is the kind of leader who refuses to accept the status quo, continually challenging himself to think outside the box to build something better. That mindset has translated into meaningful innovation. His forward-thinking vision helped create a pathway for chiropractors to become EMTs and nurse practitioners, expanding educational and professional opportunities for numerous colleagues. He took his vision for education and turned it into a reality.

Dr. Wofford has spent his career looking for ways to strengthen and advance the chiropractic profession. Parker University now has an opportunity to select someone who understands where this profession has been and, most importantly, has a vision for where it can go next. I can think of few individuals better suited to take on that responsibility. We appreciate the opportunity to provide a unified recommendation for Dr. Scott Wofford, DC, for consideration as President of Parker University.

Past Presidents, Texas Chiropractic Association

• Ryan Bailey, DC
• Jeff Brown, DC
• Chad Carpenter, DC
• Chris Dalrymple, DC
• Jorge Garcia, DC
• Tyce Hergert, DC
• Mike Martin, DC
• Larry Montgomery, DC
• Alayna Pagnani-Gendron, DC
• Ken Perkins, DC
• Devin Pettiet, DC
• Kevin Raef, DC
• Max Vige, DC
• Dale White Jr, DC
• Don White, DC
• Todd Whitehead, DC

To the Presidential Search Committee:

It is my privilege to offer my strongest recommendation for Dr. Scott Wofford as the next President of Parker University.

I do not make this recommendation lightly. During my forty-two years in chiropractic practice, I have had the privilege of serving our profession in numerous leadership capacities, including my current service as President of the Texas Board of Chiropractic Examiners (TBCE) and as a Chief Examiner for the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE) for the past thirty years. I serve as a designated doctor and have served on the faculty and as a subject matter expert for the TDI/DWC for many years. Earlier in my career, I served the Texas Chiropractic Association (TCA) on its Board and as Coordinator of the Department of Scientific Affairs. These experiences have allowed me to work alongside many leaders and to recognize the qualities required to guide an institution with integrity, sound judgment, and vision. It is from that perspective that I offer my unequivocal support for Dr. Wofford’s candidacy.

I have known Scott professionally for many years and have observed his leadership firsthand. His preparation for this role has come through decades of experience in higher education, professional organizations, public service, and national examination development.

Scott’s educational leadership is well established. He founded the Mid-America School of Nursing, which he owned and led from 2006 through 2013. In 2015, he founded Axon Education’s Texas EMS School. Under his leadership, the institution has graduated more than 3,000 healthcare professionals and currently serves approximately 1,500 enrolled students. His success reflects a thorough understanding of educational administration, curriculum development, accreditation, fiscal stewardship, and preparing graduates for professional practice.

For more than thirty-five years, Scott has served our profession through leadership in both the ACA and the TCA. His contributions have been recognized with the highest honors awarded by both the TCA and Parker University.

Scott’s perspective is particularly well suited to Parker University. Through longstanding relationships with both past and present University leadership, together with his participation in conferences of the Federation of Chiropractic Licensing Boards (FCLB), he has gained valuable insight into the future of healthcare education. He understands the challenges facing colleges and universities as they strive to maintain academic excellence while improving affordability, embracing innovation, and preparing graduates to enter an increasingly demanding healthcare workforce.

My most meaningful observations come from serving alongside Scott on the TBCE. As Chairman of the Board’s Education Standards Committee, he oversees the review of continuing education courses for granting credit for license renewal. This work requires careful evaluation of quality, statutory compliance, and adherence to the chiropractic scope of practice. Scott approaches these responsibilities thoughtfully, works closely with agency staff, and consistently exercises sound judgment.

I have also worked with Scott during meetings with members of the Governor’s staff at the Texas State Capitol, where he represented the Board with professionalism, credibility, and diplomacy.

Scott’s commitment to educational standards extends nationally through the NBCE, serving as a Part IV examiner directly evaluating candidates’ performance and most recently on the Test Development Committee at headquarters. There he engaged in discussions concerning the future of chiropractic education and competency assessment. These responsibilities reflect the confidence placed in him by industry leaders.

Taken together, these experiences demonstrate his unique combination of educational leadership, professional service, regulatory experience, and strategic vision. Most importantly, Scott understands Parker University—its history, its mission, and the challenges and opportunities before it.

Parker University will require a president who can honor its heritage while preparing it for the future. As educational models continue to evolve and institutions face increasing demands for innovation, accountability, affordability, and workforce readiness, Parker will need a leader who anticipates change rather than merely responds to it. In my judgment, Dr. Scott Wofford is that leader.

If the future of chiropractic education depended upon my recommendation of a single individual to lead Parker University, I would recommend Dr. Scott Wofford without hesitation.

I offer my strongest possible endorsement of Dr. Wofford without reservation.

Respectfully,

Mark R. Bronson, D.C., D.I.A.N.M.

President, Texas Board of Chiropractic Examiners · Chief Examiner, National Board of Chiropractic Examiners

Dear Dr. Smith,

I hope this communication finds you, the Board of Trustees and the entire Parker University community doing well. Due to my longstanding involvement in the chiropractic education community and especially as my time as President of Texas Chiropractic College, I am aware of the many successes of your fine university.

It is with great honor and no reservation, that I provide this letter of recommendation for Dr. Scott Wofford as the next president of Parker University. I believe he would bring a unique set of skills and attributes that would benefit your organization. His leadership and success as a businessman, educator and practicing doctor in the state of Texas would be ideal for the role of a university president.

I have had the opportunity to speak with Dr. Wofford about his ideas and goals for Parker University as well as his vision for chiropractic education in Texas and beyond. I am convinced he would bring a fresh approach and strong values that would lead to great advancements at your institution.

Should you desire a more in-depth conversation regarding my recommendation, please feel free to contact me.

Kindest regards,

Stephen A. Foster, DC, FICC

Past President, Texas Chiropractic College

Dear Members of the Presidential Search Committee:

I recommend Scott Wofford, DC, for the presidency of Parker University with the highest confidence and without reservation.

I have known Scott for approximately thirty years. During those same three decades, my own career has spanned chiropractic, nursing, clinical practice, healthcare education, and research. I hold doctoral degrees in chiropractic, nursing, and research, and I currently serve as CEO and Clinical Director of Carpathia Collaborative.

I mention my background for one reason: I understand the environments in which I have watched Scott Wofford lead.

For thirty years, I have seen Scott serve the chiropractic profession in ways that extend far beyond the positions listed on a curriculum vitae. I have watched him lead the Texas Chiropractic Association, serve within the Texas Board of Chiropractic Examiners, operate a successful clinical practice, contribute to the development of nursing and paramedic programs, navigate the Sunset review process, and repeatedly step forward during consequential moments for chiropractic in Texas.

But some of what most qualifies Scott for the presidency of Parker University will never be adequately captured on a résumé.

I know because I was there.

I have personally walked alongside Scott through board hearings, legislative battles, regulatory challenges, and moments when the legitimate scope and future of chiropractic practice were at stake. I have watched him negotiate directly with regulatory, legislative, and professional leaders to protect chiropractors' ability to practice and care for their patients without inappropriate restriction. I have seen firsthand how he navigates what occurs behind the public hearings and official proceedings—the law, politics, relationships, personalities, timing, and negotiation that ultimately shape the future of a profession.

Those experiences have taught me more about Scott's capacity to lead than any title he has held.

Scott understands that leadership in these environments requires more than knowing the correct position. A leader must understand the law and the political structure surrounding it. He must know who needs to be at the table, when to listen, when to educate, when to negotiate, when to build consensus, and when something fundamental cannot be surrendered.

I have watched Scott make those decisions when the consequences were real.

That is experience you cannot acquire through a degree, a leadership seminar, or a briefing after assuming office. It is developed through years of being present when difficult decisions must be made and accepting responsibility for what follows.

That distinction matters enormously for Parker University.

Parker does not simply need someone capable of administering a university. Its next president must understand the responsibility the institution carries to its students, faculty, staff, alumni, patients, healthcare partners, and the professions it serves. The president must advance academic excellence, support institutional growth, exercise sound financial and operational judgment, and represent Parker credibly within the larger healthcare, regulatory, and professional communities.

Scott brings an unusually complete perspective to that responsibility.

He possesses the clinical credibility of someone who has spent his career caring for patients and the business judgment of someone who understands what it takes to build and sustain a practice. He understands that a healthcare university's responsibility does not end at graduation. Students must leave prepared to exercise clinical judgment, care for patients, understand the responsibilities and boundaries of their licenses, navigate a changing healthcare system, and build sustainable professional lives.

His experience developing nursing and paramedic programs further broadens that perspective. Scott understands healthcare education beyond a single discipline. He values interdisciplinary healthcare while maintaining a clear understanding of each profession's identity and responsibilities.

And Scott understands chiropractic.

For the president of Parker University, I believe that matters profoundly.

Scott understands chiropractic's identity, legitimate scope of practice, professional responsibilities, boundaries, and value to patients. He knows how to support and advance the profession without attempting to make chiropractic something it is not. At the same time, he understands that respecting appropriate professional boundaries does not mean remaining passive when the legitimate scope or practice rights of chiropractors are threatened.

I have personally watched him maintain that balance.

He knows the difference between unnecessary expansion and necessary advocacy. He understands when compromise moves a profession forward and when compromise would diminish it. That requires judgment, and Scott has demonstrated that judgment repeatedly throughout the years I have known him.

His understanding of state and federal healthcare policy, regulation, and the political process should therefore not be viewed as an ancillary qualification. For the president of an institution such as Parker, regulatory and political literacy is an executive necessity.

The president of Parker University occupies a position whose influence extends beyond the campus. University decisions can affect students, graduates, practicing clinicians, patients, professional organizations, and the standing of chiropractic within the broader healthcare system. Parker needs a president who can recognize threats and opportunities early, understand their consequences, bring the right people together, and represent the institution effectively when the stakes are high.

Scott already knows how to operate in that environment.

Parker would not be selecting a president who first needs to learn chiropractic, then clinical practice, then healthcare regulation, then the political environment, and finally how to lead when those worlds collide. Scott has already spent a career doing those things.

That experience also gives Scott something I believe is essential in a university president: an understanding of stewardship.

A president inherits an institution built through the work and sacrifice of those who came before and assumes responsibility for making it stronger for those who will follow. That requires supporting students, empowering faculty and staff, engaging alumni, maintaining institutional and financial discipline, building meaningful relationships outside the university, and possessing the judgment to know what should evolve and what must be preserved.

Scott understands that distinction.

After thirty years, I am not recommending Scott because I believe he could eventually grow into this position. I am recommending him because I have watched his leadership tested under circumstances that cannot be simulated in an academic exercise or fully represented on a curriculum vitae.

I have stood beside him when the room was difficult, when interests competed, and when the profession had something meaningful to lose. I have seen how he responds when leadership carries consequences.

You cannot teach that kind of experience. You have to live it. Scott Wofford has lived it.

I know his judgment because I have seen it tested. I know his commitment to chiropractic because I have stood beside him while he defended it. I know his ability to navigate complexity because I have personally watched him do so in boardrooms, regulatory proceedings, and legislative environments where the outcomes mattered to practicing doctors and the patients they serve.

For these reasons, I give Scott Wofford, DC, my strongest and unequivocal recommendation for President of Parker University.

I would trust Scott to lead Parker. I would trust his judgment about what should change, what should grow, and what must be protected. And after thirty years of knowing him, working beside him, and witnessing his leadership firsthand, I would trust him with the future of an institution that matters deeply to our profession.

I encourage the Presidential Search Committee to give Dr. Wofford its highest consideration.

Respectfully,

J. Brandon Brock, PhD, DNP, DC, APRN, FNP-C, DACNB

CEO and Clinical Director, Carpathia Collaborative

To the Parker University Board of Trustees:

It is my privilege to offer my highest recommendation for Dr. Scott Wofford as the next President of Parker University.

Scott and I have known each other for many years, and much of that time has been spent side by side serving the chiropractic profession through the Texas Chiropractic Association. We have lobbied together in Austin, strategized through difficult challenges, raised money, fought battles for our profession, and worked together to build a stronger future for chiropractic in Texas. Through all of it, I have come to know Scott not only as a colleague, but as a friend, mentor, and one of the most devoted chiropractic leaders I have ever encountered.

There are plenty of people who serve in leadership positions. Scott is different. He is someone who truly gives himself to the cause of protecting and improving this profession.

His recognition as a past President of the Texas Chiropractic Association, Keeler Plaque Award recipient, Parker Alumni of the Year, and Parker Seminars Doctor of the Year speaks to the impact he has made. But those honors are not what impress me most about Scott. What impresses me is the work behind them. He has invested his time, resources, relationships, creativity, and energy into advancing this profession, often without any expectation of recognition in return. He has been a silent hero of chiropractic in Texas for many years.

Scott also brings a combination of experience that I believe would be extraordinarily difficult to find in another candidate. He understands chiropractic at its core, but he also thinks like an entrepreneur, strategist, and educator. His work developing and leading higher education programs, including a nurse practitioner program and advanced paramedic education, demonstrates that he understands academics, student experience, program development, growth, and the financial realities facing today's students.

That perspective could be incredibly valuable to Parker at this moment.

I understand the appeal of selecting a traditional academic leader as Parker continues to grow and strengthen its academic mission. However, I believe Scott offers something more difficult to find: someone who understands higher education while also understanding the profession Parker was created to serve. He can sit at the table discussing academics, accreditation, finance, strategy, and organizational growth, and never lose sight of the chiropractor, the student, or Parker's roots.

Scott is, in many ways, a Swiss Army knife. He understands business and financial responsibility. He understands marketing and growth. He understands higher education. He understands professional advocacy. Most importantly, he understands people. He is calm, thoughtful, approachable, and an excellent communicator. He has an incredible ability to connect with people, develop leaders around him, and bring together chiropractors with very different philosophies and backgrounds. He is what I would call a "big tent" chiropractor, someone who recognizes that our differences do not have to divide us.

Personally, Scott has helped strengthen my own faith, confidence, and belief in chiropractic and in our professional association. He embodies the Parker principle that "Loving service is my first technique." He genuinely wants people and organizations around him to succeed, and he has a remarkable ability to leave people more encouraged and confident than he found them.

At a time when chiropractic is experiencing significant generational change in leadership, I believe Parker has an opportunity to make a powerful statement about its future. Selecting Dr. Wofford would demonstrate that Parker can continue advancing academically while remaining deeply connected to the profession, its alumni, and the principles upon which the university was built.

I believe Scott would energize faculty, alumni, students, and the chiropractic community. He would bring new ideas, positive energy, fiscal responsibility, strategic thinking, and, above all, an unwavering commitment to Parker and chiropractic.

Having served Parker University in various capacities for approximately 17 years, I would personally be incredibly excited to see Dr. Scott Wofford become its next President. I know the sacrifices he has made for this profession. I know his heart for service. I know his ability to lead. And I believe he has the experience, vision, relationships, and character to lead Parker University exceptionally well through its next chapter.

I recommend Dr. Scott Wofford without reservation and with my highest level of confidence.

Sincerely,

Andrew Oteo, DC, MBA, CCSP

President, Texas Chiropractic Association · President, Stonebridge Health

Dear Members of the Search Committee:

It is with deep respect and genuine enthusiasm that I recommend Dr. Scott D. Wofford, D.C., FICC, for the position of President of Parker University. I write not only as a 2019 Parker graduate but as a clinician who had the privilege of working directly under Dr. Wofford’s leadership beginning in the summer of 2021 at The Joint Chiropractic in Midland, Texas.

From our very first interview, Dr. Wofford made his philosophy unmistakably clear: he wanted to get sick people well. That simple, powerful statement has stayed with me every day of my practice. Under his guidance I learned far more than technique. He taught me how to analyze patients correctly, how to treat them with precision and purpose, and—most importantly—how to keep the patient in front of me as the absolute priority no matter how busy the clinic became. This principle of present-time consciousness, taught at Parker University, is one he carried forward exceptionally well, and it remains one of the most valuable principles I carry into every adjustment.

Dr. Wofford is a teacher of rare generosity. He took the time to instruct me in the recognition and examination of myelopathic cord syndrome. Within a month of that training I identified two such cases in the Midland clinic. Because of the knowledge he had shared, those patients were promptly referred for appropriate medical evaluation and care. Every time I worked beside him he found something new to teach, and those lessons continue to shape the way I practice today. He never limited himself to a single technique; he simply did what was best for the individual patient in front of him. That patient-centered approach is the standard I strive to uphold in my own clinic.

His leadership produced measurable results. The Midland clinic he recruited me to join was underperforming when he assumed ownership. Under his direction it achieved a complete financial and clinical turnaround and earned the Top Performing Joint Chiropractic Award nationwide. That same leadership later expanded to seven Texas locations, several of which ranked among the network’s highest performers. Concurrently he has built and sustained West Texas Back Clinic for more than thirty-five years, founded and led an accredited EMS school serving over 1,200 students, and previously operated a multi-site urgent-care network employing more than one hundred people. These are not abstract credentials; they are the lived evidence of a leader who scales organizations while developing people across clinical, administrative, and educational roles.

Dr. Wofford’s integrity is absolute. When he hired me—a legally blind chiropractor—he did so without hesitation. In fact, he was enthusiastic, recognizing my blindness as an advantage in the tactile precision required for excellent chiropractic care. That confidence and belief in people is the same quality that has earned him the trust of Governor Greg Abbott as Vice President of the Texas Board of Chiropractic Examiners, the respect of his peers as the first Parker graduate to serve as President of the Texas Chiropractic Association, and the recognition of Parker itself through the Alumni of the Year, President’s Award, and Doctor of the Year honors. He is the first Parker alumnus to receive both the TCA Keeler Plaque and Young Chiropractor of the Year awards—distinctions that speak to a lifetime of service to the profession and to the institution that trained him.

When I consider Dr. Wofford leading Parker University, I am filled with confidence and, frankly, goosebumps. There is no candidate better prepared to advance Parker’s mission of producing phenomenal chiropractors who combine masterful adjusting with the full range of modalities needed to get sick people well. He has founded and accredited healthcare education programs, navigated complex regulatory environments, and built multi-enterprise portfolios while never losing sight of the individual patient or student. He understands both the clinical trenches and the legislative and accreditation arenas in which a modern health-sciences university must operate.

I recommend Dr. Scott Wofford without reservation and with the highest possible regard. Parker University would be fortunate to place its future in his capable, principled, and deeply experienced hands.

Sincerely,

Dr. Preston V. Brown, D.C.

Parker University, Class of 2019

To the Parker University Board of Trustees:

As a future President of the Texas Chiropractic Association and a proud alumnus of Parker University, Class of April 2014, I have the privilege of viewing the chiropractic profession from a unique perspective. It is from that perspective that I offer my strongest recommendation of Dr. Scott Wofford for consideration as President of Parker University.

Dr. Wofford has left a substantial mark on the chiropractic profession in the State of Texas through decades of exceptional professional leadership. His contributions to our profession through advocacy, education, regulation, and advancement are extensive and diversified through his service to the Texas Chiropractic Association, the Texas Board of Chiropractic Examiners, Parker University, and the profession as a whole.

His record of leadership speaks for itself. Dr. Wofford is a past President and longtime leader of the Texas Chiropractic Association and has served the State of Texas as a member of the Texas Board of Chiropractic Examiners. His professional accomplishments have been recognized with some of the highest honors available within our profession, including TCA's Young Chiropractor of the Year, Parker University's D.C. of the Year, and the Keeler Plaque, the highest honor bestowed upon a Texas chiropractor for a lifetime of service to the association and profession.

However, while his documented accomplishments and victories are extensive, I know for fact some of Dr. Wofford's most meaningful contributions are the ones that will never appear on a résumé.

What further distinguishes Dr. Wofford is his approach to learning and education. He possesses institutional knowledge of higher education and its governance.

Parker University occupies an important position within chiropractic. Its President must understand far more than higher education administration. That individual must understand the profession itself: its history, its clinical identity, its scientific opportunities, its regulatory challenges, its political realities, and, perhaps most importantly, where chiropractic needs to go next.

As Parker University looks toward its next chapter, I believe the institution has an opportunity to select a President who understands where chiropractic has been, where it stands today, and where it is capable of going tomorrow.

For these reasons, I enthusiastically and without reservation recommend Dr. Scott Wofford for President of Parker University.

Sincerely,

Korey Rose, D.C.

Parker University, Class of April 2014 · Vice President, Texas Chiropractic Association · President, Rose Family Chiropractic Wellness Center

To the Parker Board of Trustees:

I am pleased to offer my strongest recommendation for Dr. Scott Wofford as the next President of Parker University.

I have had the privilege of working with Dr. Wofford as a trusted business partner since 2011, and throughout that relationship, I have come to know him not only as an accomplished professional, but as a person of exceptional character, integrity, sound judgment, and leadership. He has also been my closest personal advocate, my most trusted mentor and that “big brother” that most dream of having. He has stood by my side when others haven’t and given me the tough advice that others may not have wanted to. And for that, I’ll be forever grateful for his honesty and straightforwardness. Our longstanding partnership and friendship have given me a unique opportunity to observe Scott in a multitude of professional circumstances, and I have consistently been impressed by his ability to build relationships, navigate challenges, and lead with both confidence and humility, and also be that big-hearted teddy bear of a grandad that he has recently become.

What has always impressed me the most about Scott is his commitment to people, individually and collectively. He has always given the time to everyone he meets to truly learn and understand them. He continuously impresses me with his ability to meet anyone on their level and be present in every conversation or interaction. It is safe to say that Scott Wofford has never met a stranger.

He also understands that successful organizations are built on trust, collaboration, accountability, and a shared sense of purpose. Whether working with business partners, colleagues, students, faculty, or other stakeholders, Scott brings a thoughtful and respectful approach to every interaction. His word is dependable, and he has consistently demonstrated the ability to earn and maintain the trust and confidence of those around him.

As his long-time business partner in many successful ventures, I have also witnessed Scott demonstrate the kind of strategic thinking and decisiveness that I believe are essential in a university president. He is capable of looking beyond immediate challenges to understand the larger opportunities and long-term implications of important decisions. At the same time, he listens carefully, seeks input, and values perspectives different from his own. That combination of vision and humility is particularly important for someone entrusted with leading an academic institution as prestigious as Parker University.

The presidency of a chiropractic college requires more than administrative ability. It requires an individual who can serve as an ambassador for the institution, inspire faculty and students, cultivate relationships with alumni and the broader professional community, and help position the college for continued growth and relevance. I believe Scott has more hands-on experience in business, politics, higher education, state regulation and team-building atmosphere than anyone I’ve ever been around.

Dr. Scott has a knack for Chiropractic and has lived Chiropractic his entire adult life. He bleeds Chiropractic. I believe Scott would bring a strong sense of purpose, professionalism, integrity, and leadership to the presidency of Parker University. Just as importantly, I believe he fully understands the responsibility that comes with leading an institution dedicated to educating the next generation of chiropractors and advancing our amazing profession.

As a 2011 graduate of Parker University, I wholeheartedly recommend Dr. Scott Wofford as the next President of Parker University. My years as a business partner have given me tremendous respect for his abilities and character, and I am confident that he will make a meaningful and lasting contribution to the college, its students, its faculty, and the chiropractic profession in the state of Texas and the entire world.

Sincerely,

Dr. Ryan Bailey, DC

President, West Texas Back Clinic · Past President, Texas Chiropractic Association · Parker University Alumni Board Member

Dear Members of the Board of Trustees and Presidential Search Committee:

It is my privilege to recommend Scott D. Wofford, D.C., FICC, for consideration as President of Parker University. I have had the opportunity to know Dr. Wofford personally and professionally and, importantly, to observe his leadership through his service to the Texas Board of Chiropractic Examiners. I believe Scott possesses an uncommon combination of professional credibility, institutional knowledge, educational leadership, entrepreneurial judgment, regulatory experience, and devotion to the chiropractic profession that merits serious consideration for the presidency of Parker University.

What distinguishes Scott is the breadth of the environments in which he has successfully led. He has spent more than three decades as a practicing chiropractor and founder of West Texas Back Clinic while simultaneously assuming increasingly significant leadership responsibilities within his profession. He has served as President of the Texas Chiropractic Association and today serves as Vice President of the Texas Board of Chiropractic Examiners and Chair of its Education Committee.

Those positions are more than honorary titles. Regulatory service requires an individual to balance the interests of practitioners, educational institutions, patients, and the public while operating within statutes, administrative rules, due-process requirements, and the realities of a rapidly changing healthcare environment. I have been particularly impressed by Scott’s willingness to engage difficult questions, his knowledge of the profession, and his commitment to ensuring that decisions advance both professional excellence and protection of the public.

Scott has also represented the chiropractic profession in the public-policy arena, including testimony before committees of the Texas House of Representatives. That experience has required him to communicate complex professional and regulatory issues clearly to policymakers and to advocate effectively while understanding the broader responsibilities of healthcare professionals to the citizens of Texas. That ability to represent an institution persuasively before governmental, regulatory, and professional audiences would be an important asset to Parker University.

His peers have repeatedly recognized his contributions. The Texas Chiropractic Association honored him with its Young Chiropractor of the Year award early in his career and later presented him with the Keeler Plaque, its highest recognition for lifetime service to the profession. Parker University has likewise honored Scott over the years, including recognition as Alumnus of the Year and later as Doctor of Chiropractic of the Year. These honors are meaningful because they span decades and reflect not simply a period of professional success, but a sustained record of leadership and service.

Of particular importance to his candidacy for a university presidency is Scott’s extensive experience in education. He is the founder, owner, and manager of Axon Education and Texas EMS School, an educational enterprise that has trained and graduated more than 3,000 students. Building an educational organization from its inception and guiding it to that level of impact requires far more than subject-matter expertise. It demands strategic planning, financial stewardship, regulatory awareness, curriculum development, operational management, recruitment, student support, faculty leadership, and a relentless focus on educational outcomes.

That experience, in my judgment, is one of the strongest elements of Scott’s preparation for the presidency of Parker University. He understands education not merely as a graduate, practitioner, or board member, but as an entrepreneur and institutional leader who has personally experienced the challenges of creating, operating, growing, and sustaining a healthcare-education organization.

Scott also brings the mindset of an innovator. His professional career has included research and participation in patented healthcare-related methodologies, including work associated with rehabilitation following cerebrovascular disease. He has demonstrated throughout his career a willingness to explore better ways of delivering healthcare and educating healthcare professionals. Higher education needs leaders who respect tradition without becoming captive to it—leaders capable of preserving what makes an institution distinctive while embracing innovation, technology, and emerging opportunities.

Perhaps most importantly for Parker University, Scott understands Parker from the inside. He is an alumnus who has remained actively engaged with the institution and the profession it serves. His educational journey itself reflects persistence and intellectual curiosity: he attended Abilene Christian University before completing his undergraduate degree through the University of New York and ultimately pursuing his chiropractic education at Parker. His professional life since graduation has reflected many of the values Parker seeks to instill in its students: clinical excellence, lifelong learning, entrepreneurship, service, leadership, and advocacy for the profession.

The next President of Parker University will inherit responsibilities considerably broader than those associated with leading a chiropractic college alone. Parker is today a multifaceted healthcare university. Its president must be able to communicate with clinicians and academics, understand accreditation and regulation, work productively with a governing board, engage alumni and donors, represent the institution before policymakers and professional organizations, support faculty and staff, connect with students, and at the same time think entrepreneurially about growth and the future of healthcare education.

Scott’s career has prepared him unusually well for that challenge. He has been a clinician, business owner, educator, entrepreneur, association president, regulator, advocate, and institutional leader. Few candidates can demonstrate meaningful experience across so many of the constituencies a university president must understand.

There is another quality I consider equally important. Leadership at this level ultimately depends upon credibility. People must believe that their leader understands them, will listen to them, will make difficult decisions when necessary, and will place the interests of the institution above personal interests. From my experience with Scott, he possesses that credibility. He can speak comfortably with a practicing doctor, regulator, elected official, educator, student, businessperson, or community leader without losing sight of who he is or the principles he represents.

For these reasons, I enthusiastically recommend Dr. Scott Wofford for consideration as President of Parker University. His history with Parker gives him an appreciation for the institution’s heritage; his professional and regulatory service gives him perspective on the challenges facing chiropractic and healthcare; and his success in building and leading an educational enterprise gives him firsthand understanding of what is required to transform a vision into a functioning, growing institution.

I believe Scott deserves the opportunity to present that vision directly to the Board of Trustees and Presidential Search Committee, and I recommend him for your consideration without reservation.

Sincerely,

W. Boyd Bush, Jr., Ed.D.

Executive Director, Texas Board of Chiropractic Examiners

Dear Members of the Board of Trustees and Presidential Search Committee:

I offer my strongest recommendation of Dr. Scott Wofford for President of Parker University.

I have known Scott for most of my life. He was my chiropractor when I was young. Years later, he was the person who brought me into the Texas Chiropractic Association and, ultimately, into the work I have now done for the chiropractic profession for more than a decade.

Today, a substantial part of my law practice involves chiropractic law and policy. I represent the profession before the Texas Legislature, state agencies, and other governmental bodies, and I have become one of the attorneys in Texas most closely associated with chiropractic law. That part of my career exists because of Scott. He saw that I could contribute. He opened the door. And I have been doing the work ever since.

I have spent more than a decade working with chiropractors, association leaders, regulators, legislators, and others who shape the profession in Texas. I have met very few people who bring together what Scott does: the clinician, the businessman, the researcher, the educator, and the leader.

Scott’s ability as a clinician hardly needs my endorsement. His reputation in West Texas was established long ago, among his patients and among his peers. What is more relevant to Parker’s decision is everything he has built on top of that clinical foundation. He has created and operated successful healthcare businesses. He has founded educational institutions. He knows how to grow an organization, manage people, navigate complex regulatory environments, and build consensus among people with competing interests. Those are different skills. Scott has all of them.

Scott has also taken the scientific foundations of chiropractic seriously throughout his career. His research using nerve-conduction monitoring to measure the effects of spinal manipulation is a good example, and it has had consequences well beyond academia. We have used that research at the Texas Legislature. On one occasion, after being confronted with Scott’s findings, a physician-legislator closely aligned with the Texas Medical Association acknowledged what the evidence made difficult to deny: chiropractic manipulation affects the nervous system. There is a neurological component to chiropractic. That ended the argument.

I recognize that it is not my place to tell the Board what it should be looking for in its next president. You know Parker far better than I do. But I do know Austin, and from where I sit, Parker’s next president needs to be effective there.

Your next president cannot simply run the University. The chiropractic profession does not have the luxury of treating legislative and regulatory affairs as peripheral to its mission. The scope of chiropractic practice is continually shaped in state capitols and regulatory agencies, and what happens in Texas influences the profession across the country. Parker, as one of the leading institutions in chiropractic, has an important role to play in those battles. Its president needs to understand that world and know how to operate in it. Scott does.

He has spent decades in the political and regulatory life of Texas chiropractic. He has led the Texas Chiropractic Association and served at the highest levels of the Texas Board of Chiropractic Examiners. He knows the people. He knows the issues. He knows the history. And he knows how to explain chiropractic to people who are not chiropractors.

Scott has been involved in virtually every major legislative victory for Texas chiropractic over the last twenty years. He was deeply involved in our efforts during the 2017 Sunset process, including our work at the Legislature to clarify and protect the right of Texas chiropractors to diagnose. That was a consequential fight for the profession. Scott was there.

From my perspective in Austin, that experience would matter. The political and regulatory environment surrounding chiropractic never stands still. There are always threats to identify, opportunities to seize, relationships to build, and arguments that need to be made. Some arise during a legislative session. Others develop quietly between sessions, in agencies or elsewhere in state government. The key is recognizing them early and knowing when and how to act. Parker needs a president who can do that. Scott can, from day one. I would welcome the opportunity to work alongside him in advancing Parker’s interests at the Capitol.

Scott’s résumé can tell you what he’s done. What it can’t tell you is what he has done for other people. I am one example.

Years ago, Scott saw that I had something to contribute to chiropractic and gave me the chance to do it. That changed my career. And, in a small way, it changed the profession too. Chiropractic gained an advocate it otherwise would not have had. Scott has done that throughout his career. He sees potential. He opens doors. He creates institutions where talented people can do something with the opportunity.

I know this man. I know his record. He has my trust, and he has my confidence. Parker would be fortunate to have him at the helm. I recommend him without reservation.

Sincerely,

Joshua Massingill, Esq.

Attorney

Dear Members of the Presidential Search Committee:

It is my sincere honor and privilege to offer this letter of recommendation in support of Scott Wofford, D.C., for the position of President of Parker University. As a dedicated Doctor of Chiropractic, an accomplished practitioner and respected advocate for the chiropractic profession Dr Wofford represents the absolute best of Parker’s legacy.

As a graduate of Parker College of Chiropractic, Dr. Wofford’s connection to Parker is both personal and professional. He has exhibited a long-standing commitment to the advancement of Parker University and the chiropractic profession. Dr. Wofford has demonstrated his commitment to professional education through the founding and operation of schools allowing chiropractors to achieve advanced paramedic certification and advanced nurse practitioner licensure. He has also shown his commitment to research by participating in numerous projects including a study utilizing dermato-sensory evoked potential to demonstrate the benefit of chiropratic adjustment. Additionally, he helped develop a method for rehabilitating muscle weakness following stroke resulting in the issue of a methodology patent for the procedure. These accomplishments clearly demonstrate Dr. Wofford’s unqualified commitment to education and clinical research, which will serve Parker University well with Dr. Wofford as President.

Through his leadership as President of the Texas Chiropractic Association and his appointment to the Texas Board of Chiropractic Examiners Dr. Wofford has demonstrated integrity, diplomacy, and the ability to unite people around a shared purpose. These personal qualities and service experiences will prove invaluable to Parker University, particularly in areas regarding regulatory insights, institutional accountability, professional standards, and thoughtful stewardship.

Equally important, Dr. Wofford understands, and fully supports, Parker University’s unique role in healthcare education. Parker’s vision of leading in patient-centric approach, collaborative care, conservative healthcare education, clinical practice, research, and service requires a president who can honor the university’s chiropractic foundation while continuing to expand its influence across healthcare and related fields. Dr Wofford has the professional breath, alumni perspective, and servant-leadership mindset to strengthen that mission.

I know Dr. Wofford as a person who leads with humility, listens carefully, and acts decisively when the moment requires it. He has always celebrated and invested in the success of others including patients, students, colleagues, and fellow chiropractors. These qualities have led to close working relationships with both physicians and chiropractors in the Abilene area. Dr Wofford's record of service demonstrates not only achievement, but a genuine commitment to improving the profession and the communities it serves.

For these reasons, I recommend Scott Wofford, D.C., for the presidency of Parker University with great enthusiasm and complete confidence. I believe he will bring wisdom, credibility, strategic perspective, and a deep love for Parker University to the role of President. He will lead with purpose, strengthen the university's standing, and inspire students, faculty, staff, alumni, and partners to advance Parker's mission well into the future.

Please feel free to contact me if I can provide any additional information in support of Dr. Wofford's candidacy.

Respectfully submitted,

Paul C. Harris, M.D.

Neurology

To Whom It May Concern,

It is my pleasure to write this letter of recommendation for Scott Wofford in support of his candidacy for President of Parker University.

I have had the opportunity to work closely with Scott across multiple de novo business ventures over the past 15 years, and I can say without hesitation that he is one of the most capable, principled, and visionary leaders I have known.

Scott has successfully started, built, and maintained an EMS school, demonstrating not only strong business acumen but also a deep commitment to education and professional development. Beyond that, I have personally partnered with him on five startup businesses, all of which became successful ventures. Two of those businesses were ultimately sold for substantial profits, which speaks to his ability to create sustainable value through leadership, strategic thinking, and execution.

What separates Scott from many successful entrepreneurs is his unwavering integrity. He often says, “I’ll do it if it’s ethical, legal, and moral”. Throughout every endeavor I have shared with him, he has consistently lived by that principle. His moral compass is exceptionally strong, and he approaches both business and personal relationships with honesty, fairness, and accountability.

Scott is also a man whose word can be trusted completely. If he commits to doing something, it gets done. In today’s environment, that level of dependability and integrity is increasingly rare and extraordinarily valuable in leadership.

On a personal level, I have called upon Scott many times for guidance in both business and personal matters. He has always been willing to help, offering thoughtful insight, creative ideas, and practical solutions. One of his greatest strengths is his ability to think “outside the box” and identify innovative ways to overcome obstacles and challenges that might otherwise seem insurmountable.

I believe Scott possesses the leadership qualities, ethical foundation, entrepreneurial mindset, and vision necessary to excel as President of Parker University. He has a unique ability to inspire confidence, build successful organizations, and lead with both intelligence and character.

I recommend him wholeheartedly and without reservation.

Sincerely,

David W. Longley, DO

Abilene Family Medical Associates, LLP

To Whom It May Concern:

I have known and worked with Scott Wofford, DC, for several years and hold him in extremely high regard. I strongly feel that given his knowledge, skills, experience, and reputation, he would be an excellent fit as President of Parker University. Dr. Wofford is someone who I hope to work closely with in my role as President of Texas Back Institute. I feel that his vision for Parker would be groundbreaking and facilitate increased coordination of care between spine surgeons, nonoperative spine physicians, and chiropractic doctors, which would benefit our patients and improve care coordination and professional cooperation between these specialties.

I give my highest recommendation to Dr. Wofford. Please feel free to contact me with any questions.

Sincerely,

Stephen Tolhurst, MD

President, Texas Back Institute

To the Parker University Presidential Search Committee:

I write to offer my strongest possible endorsement of Dr. Scott Wofford for President of Parker University. Scott has my full confidence, and I believe his experience, judgment, character, and lifelong commitment to chiropractic make him exceptionally well suited to lead Parker at this moment.

I first met Scott in 2018, not long after I was named Executive Director of the Texas Board of Chiropractic Examiners. He was one of our licensees, although I quickly learned he was a former president of the Texas Chiropractic Association and a respected leader within the profession.

Scott introduced himself to me as a future board member. I remember thinking that, if he was right, he would eventually become one of my nine bosses.

He did.

What I could not have known was how much I would come to admire Scott, welcome his counsel, and value his friendship.

Over the years, I saw Scott as a licensee, an advocate for his profession, and eventually a gubernatorial appointee entrusted with helping regulate that profession. Those roles require different skills and sometimes competing perspectives. Scott understood the distinction.

He could advocate passionately while respecting the responsibility of the regulator. As a board member, he understood that his obligation extended beyond the profession to the public, the law, and the integrity of the institution he was appointed to serve. He brought experience to the table without allowing it to close his mind to other viewpoints.

That combination is rare.

Scott also brings something Parker University could particularly benefit from today: a sophisticated understanding of the world beyond the walls of a university or chiropractic practice.

His experience stretches from Austin to Washington and encompasses professional advocacy, government, regulation, public policy, and organizational leadership. He understands how decisions made by legislators, regulators, professional associations, and national organizations ultimately affect the doctor treating a patient and the student preparing to enter the profession.

That perspective is increasingly important as higher education and health care face changing regulation, professional standards, political scrutiny, and uncertainty at the national level. Parker's next president should understand not only what happens inside the university, but the environment in which Parker must operate, compete, advocate, and lead.

Scott does.

But I would not endorse him for president simply because he understands politics and regulation.

Scott has spent more than three decades caring for patients. He has built a successful practice, conducted and published research, served his profession at the state and national levels, and received some of chiropractic's highest honors. Most importantly, after all those accomplishments, he still sees himself as a chiropractor first.

I think that matters enormously for Parker University.

Scott speaks about treating patients not merely as a profession, but as a calling. He has said that one of the greatest honors of his life is being able to return to his practice each morning and be a doctor again. That tells you something fundamental about the man.

Parker needs a president who can represent the institution in Austin and Washington, navigate regulation and public policy, work with donors and alumni, and advocate effectively for the chiropractic profession. But Parker also needs someone who remembers why the institution exists in the first place: to educate men and women who will ultimately serve patients.

Scott Wofford understands both worlds.

I have worked in and around Texas government for many years and encountered plenty of people with impressive résumés. Résumés tell you where someone has been. They do not necessarily tell you who that person is when decisions become difficult or an institution needs steady leadership.

I have had the opportunity to know Scott well enough to make that assertion.

I trust him—his judgment, his motives, his commitment to chiropractic, and his willingness to put the long-term interests of Parker University, its students, faculty, alumni, patients, and the profession ahead of himself.

Eight years ago, Scott Wofford walked into my life and introduced himself as a future member of my board.

Today, I hope he has the opportunity to introduce himself to the Parker University community as its next president.

I recommend Dr. Scott Wofford without reservation and with my strongest possible endorsement.

Patrick Fortner

Former Executive Director, Texas Board of Chiropractic Examiners