Sidney E. Williams, D.C. – Upon graduating from Palmer College of Chiropractic in 1956, Drs. Sid and Nell Williams moved to Austell, Georgia where they set up their first chiropractic office. Within a few years, the pair had opened up and were running more than 18 clinics in the Atlanta metro area. On Tuesday nights, Dr. Sid would invite individuals from the community to attend what he called “Dynamic Essentials” (DE) meetings. These meetings would cover the philosophy and use of chiropractic care in day-to-day life and would be a staple of the chiropractic profession for the rest of Dr. Sid’s life.

Williams, by then a member of the International Chiropractors Association (ICA), and wanting to do more for the profession, began a 501(c)(3) organization called the Life Foundation International. Around the same time, he began publishing a chiropractic magazine named Today’s Chiropractic which became an international publication and the platform Williams used to voice his beliefs and philosophy about Chiropractic.

He is most well-known for establishing the largest single-campus chiropractic school, Life University.

Nell Williams, D.C. – Dr. Nell was a graduate of Lees-McRae College in Banner Elk, North Carolina (1947) and subsequently Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa (1956). In 1956, Drs. Sid and Nell Williams moved to Austell, Georgia where they set up their first chiropractic office. In 1974, she and Dr. Sid founded Life Chiropractic College, which later became Life University, which they grew into the largest chiropractic college in the world.

Dr. Nell was a staple in the metro Atlanta community and a staunch advocate for the chiropractic profession.

She was a member of numerous city and chiropractic organizations and was honored with multiple awards for her service, such as:

  • “Woman of Achievement Award:” Presented to Dr. Nell by the Fulton/DeKalb Chapter of the Business & Professional Women inn 1978-79 in recognition of her outstanding community efforts.
  • “Distinguished Fellow of the International Chiropractors Association Award:” Presented to Dr. Nell in 1980 for her outstanding service to this international organization.
  •  “Woman Chiropractor of the Year Award:” Presented to Dr. Nell by her alma mater, Palmer College of Chiropractic, in 1981 in recognition of her extraordinary contributions to her profession.
  • “Woman of the Decade Award:” Presented to Dr. Nell by the International Chiropractors Association for her lifelong dedication to the organization and the chiropractic profession.
  • ‘WALL OF TOLERANCE AWARD:” Presented to Dr. Nell by the National Campaign for Tolerance signed by Rosa Parks.

Dr. Nell also served as Senior Vice President and Dean of Student Affairs for Life University until she retired in 2002. Dr. Nell was married to Dr. Sid E. Williams for more than 60 years. Their two children, Dr. Kimbrough Williams and Dr. John Sidney Williams, are both graduates of Life University.

Want to learn more about Chiropractic? Check out the Doctor of Chiropractic program at LIFE.edu/academic-pages/chiropractic-program.

 

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