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Lifelong chiropractic educator and Southern California University of Health Sciences (SCU) Los Angeles College of Chiropractic (LACC) Class of 1983 alumnus and longtime professor, Dr. Keith Andrew Wells passed away on Jan. 26, 2023 in Syracuse, New York. He was 67 years old.
Dr. Wells was passionate about medical diagnoses, details and facts, and teaching ethics and Christian apologetics. He led many Bible studies and was a faculty advisor to the Christian Chiropractic Association. Dr. Wells has thousands of former students and colleagues who admired and respected him, and who will miss him, greatly.
Dr. Wells began his career with Memorial Hospital of Glendale, in Glendale, CA from 1981-89. He operated a part-time private practice in 1986. Dr. Wells served in many roles as clinical faculty with LACC from 1983 – 2006. He served as Chair of the Diagnosis Department from 1988-96; Director of the Whittier Chiropractic Health Center from 1997-98; and served as Professor until 2006.
In 2007, Dr. Wells moved his career to New York Chiropractic College in Seneca Falls, NY, where he served as Associate Professor, Chiropractic Clinical Sciences, and Member of Diagnosis and Philosophy Departments.
Dr. Wells earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Botany from SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry in Syracuse NY, in 1977; his Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Los Angeles College of Chiropractic, in Whittier, CA in 1983; attended master’s-level theology courses at Fuller Seminary, in Pasadena, CA, in 1992; earned a Master of Arts degree in Organizational Leadership from Biola University in La Mirada, CA in 2000; and earned a Master of Arts in Science and Religion degree from Biola University in 2009.
Dr. Wells is remembered fondly by the SCU Community.
SCU President John Scaringe, DC, EdD
“Dr. Wells was respected by students, faculty, staff, and colleagues at both SCU/LACC and New York Chiropractic College,” said SCU President John Scaringe, DC, EdD. “I have a special place in my heart for Keith. We grew up together professionally as department chairs at the same time. We leaned on each other for advice, as sounding boards, and creative/critical decision makers. My condolences to his family, friends, and to all he inspired.”
SCU Health Vice President, Melissa Nagare, DC, L.Ac, CCSP®
“Dr. Wells was one of my professors when I was a student in the DC program at SCU/LACC,” said Melissa Nagare, DC, L.Ac, CCSP®, vice president, SCU Health. “He was extremely passionate about the chiropractic profession, examination skills, especially cardiac examination, differential diagnosis, as well as ethics. Dr. Wells was the advisor to the Educational Advancement Committee which I served on. I appreciated his sage advice and mentorship. I’m saddened by his passing and know that his memory will live on through the thousands of students and professionals whose lives he touched.”
University Faculty, Joe Tetzlaff, DC, MSPA, PA-C
“In the last term of my first year of Chiropractic School I was in the Intro to Physical Exam Skills course led by Dr. Keith Wells,” said Joe Tetzlaff, DC, MSPA, PA-C, University faculty member. “It was about at this time that I looked up and realized that I was learning, as well as being expected to know how to examine patients and diagnose any medical condition they might have, not unlike any other medical student would be expected. It was then that I said to myself, ‘self, how great would it be for me to be able to treat patients with Chiropractic and Medicine?’. I noticed Dr. Wells, a Chiropractor, speaking and teaching the in language of ‘medicine’. In my second year he taught the Medical Differential Diagnosis course. His expert knowledge and fluency with medicine demonstrated to me that it was maybe possible for a young, budding chiropractor to pursue and be successful in a medical program. He changed the trajectory of my life. I would not be where I am now, if not for Keith Wells, D.C. Thank You, Keith. You will never be forgotten.”
Laura Weiss, Administrative Assistant, Academics
“I had the pleasure of working with Dr. Wells for many years at LACC/SCU. He had a contagious smile that you wanted to smile back no matter what was going on in your own life. He was loved and respected by his students and colleagues. He loved to share his thoughts about God and the chiropractor profession. He will be greatly missed.”
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A memorial service for Dr. Wells will be held on Saturday, March 4, 2023 at 3 p.m., at New Comer Funeral Home, 705 N Main Street, in Syracuse, NY 13212. The service will be streamed live.
To leave a message of condolence for the Wells family, or to share a special memory of Keith, visit the online obituary.