Michael A. Giammarino, D.C., D.A.C.B.R.: student, teacher, leader

Born in Brooklyn in 1909, Michael A. Giammarino was one of the first chiropractic radiologists. After receiving his D.C. from Palmer in 1932, he worked in private practice in Brooklyn for six years. However, chiropractic was not licensed in New York so he moved to Coatesville, Pennsylvania, where he ran a successful private practice until his retirement in 1985. During that time, he became interested in radiology and attended many seminars and lectures on the subject, including one in 1946, taught by Waldo G. Poehner, D.C., the first postgraduate course in chiropractic roentgenology ever given. Poehner surprised him at the next convention of the National Chiropractic Association by nominating him for the position of vice-president of the Council on Roentgenology. Giammarino then became involved in the creation of the certification program in roentgenology, which evolved into today's Diplomate of the American Chiropractic Board of Radiology. Giammarino is a past-president of the Board as well as the Pennsylvania Licensed Chiropractors' Association. In addition to these activities, he taught many courses in radiology and undertook an extensive radiographic study of scoliosis in identical twins. He still lives in Coatesville and is very active in the community.