2 September 2022 (Falls Church, VA) It is with great sadness that the International Chiropractors Association (ICA) announces the passing of Dr. Stephanie Youngblood of Las Vegas, Nevada. Dr. Stephanie Youngblood was a trailblazer. As a 1984 graduate at Life Chiropractic College (now Life University), Dr. Youngblood walked the talk of principled chiropractic.

ICA President, Dr. Selina Sigafoose Jackson stated, “Dr. Stephanie was on the ICA Board when I joined leadership.  Her gentle compassion and concern with fierce passion for chiropractic left a lasting impression on me. I know she touched so many lives both in her practice but also on the politics of Chiropractic.  She was a great warrior for many years for ICA and the patients we served. She will be deeply missed.”

Dr. Youngblood was a founding member and Past President of the Nevada Chiropractic Council (NCC). Dr. Youngblood was named NCC Chiropractic Physician of the Year in 2018. A recognized leader of the profession, Dr. Youngblood was appointed to the Chiropractic Physician’s Board of Nevada by Governor Kenny Guinn in 2000 and served for 8 years, the last four years as President.

In her more than 35 years in practice, and as an ICA member, Dr. Youngblood set an example of leadership and true dedication to the profession through regular, consistent advocacy on behalf of the ICA and the chiropractic profession. Dr. Youngblood was elected as the Nevada Representative to the Assembly where she served from 1990 to 2006. She then served on the ICA Board of Directors from 2006-2014. Dr. Youngblood understood the importance of being politically engaged at the state and federal level to educate and advocate on behalf of the profession.

Dr. Donald Hirsh, former ICA Board Member and Chair expressed his intense grief at his close friend, Dr. Stephanie Youngblood’s passing. He noted that she was among the first women to serve on the ICA Board and that she was fearless when advocating for the profession. He concluded, “Stephanie was a unique individual with great compassion, leadership skills and willing to put the long hours into walking the halls of Congress, and attending political functions in order to advocate for the ICA and chiropractic. She never said no when asked to serve or donate.”

ICA Vice President, Dr. Joe Betz provided, “Dr. Youngblood has been an inspiration to me for over 20 years when we were both members of the Representative Assembly of the ICA. She was a true leader of the profession and motivational figure to so many young chiropractors. She will be sorely missed.”

Dr. Jason O. Jaeger commented, “I was introduced to Stephanie Youngblood, DC in the 1980’s by my Mom. They were friends and met through the Las Vegas Rotary Business Club. I was studying pre-law at UNLV in Las Vegas. She was my chiropractor after I had a severe injury. It didn’t take long for her to tell me my real path and mission needed to be chiropractic. It wasn’t long before I changed my major and life path. Since then,  every opportunity, association, regulatory board and path to serve chiropractic I’ve had,  was a path forged, and a door opened by Dr. Youngblood. She is my mentor, a big sister, and my friend. I cannot believe she’s gone. I miss her. I miss her  infectious laughter, love and light. Stephanie, heaven is now a better place, with you in their midst. “

Dr. Youngblood spent over 35 years as an active advocate of educating and spreading public awareness of the benefits of Chiropractic. Her practice focused on health promotion chiropractic care across the lifespan.

Immediate Past President of the ICA, Dr. Stephen Welsh commented, “Twenty years ago, Dr. Stephanie Youngblood welcomed me to the ICA Board.  As a tireless chiropractic warrior, an active ICA legislative advocate, a colleague, and my good friend, she will be deeply missed but never forgotten. Her spirit will continue to guide us, always.”

Beth Clay, ICA Executive Director commented, “Dr. Stephanie Youngblood will be greatly missed by all that knew her. We can honor her best by following in her footsteps of advocacy, service, and compassion; by finding the joy, love and laughter in the dawn of each new day!”

Details from the family on a celebration of life are pending.

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