Dr. Jared Erdmier
Chiropractor – Palmer College of Chiropractic
Dr. Jared is originally from Freeport, IL. He went to Aquin High School followed by the University of Illinois followed by Palmer College of Chiropractic. He is certified in nutrition and spinal correction. He has been on the wellness team for Team USA Wrestling, Judo & Weightlifting as well as Belvidere High School Football.
Dr. Alex Mera
Chiropractor – Palmer College of Chiropractic
Dr. Alexander T Mera is a natural health doctor and corrective care chiropractor. He attended Michigan State University and Palmer College of Chiropractic. Dr. Alex specializes in structural correction of the spine and the essentials of true health (mind, nervous system, nutrition, detox, and exercise).
Dr. Kyle Olson
Chiropractor – National University of Health Sciences
Dr. Kyle Olson has been helping patients live healthy and subluxation-free since joining Chiropractic First of Rockford in 2013. He received his bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience from Carthage College in 2007, and later that year he married his college sweetheart Sarah. After spending several years working at a pharmaceutical testing facility, and observing the often devastating side effects of medical drugs, he enrolled at National University of Health Sciences and graduated in 2013 with his Doctorate of Chiropractic.
Dr. Jake LaVere
Chiropractor – National University of Health Sciences
Dr. Jake graduated from the National University of Health Sciences Florida in 2014, where he founded the Sports Council program. His focus and passion lead him towards injury prevention and rehab in sports and movement. He provided triage and emergency care as doctor or medical director for over 200 sporting events ranging from 5k’s, USA Wrestling, Rowing World Championship, World Grand Prix Judo, World Cup and Olympic trial events. He has worked with multiple professional sports teams creating and implementing injury prevention protocols and developing tests for the MLB Combine and incorporating sports science into the USA baseball PDP program.
Dr. Johnny Kirk
Chiropractor – National University of Health Sciences
Dr. Johnny is passionate about leading his patients to their full potential when it comes to health and happiness. He received his Bachelors Degree from Carthage College where he studied biology and chemistry. He saw the power of chiropractic during a medical mission trip in Nicaragua and learned how it could impact so many people’s lives. One of his goals is to go back to Nicaragua someday, so he could give back just like the chiropractor who inspired him.
Dr. Adam Young
Chiropractor – Palmer College of Chiropractic
Dr. Adam is from Shannon, Illinois and graduated from Eastland High School. He then went to the University of Nebraska – Lincoln where he started working at a chiropractic office and playing rugby.
Dr. Wren Felton
Chiropractor – Palmer College of Chiropractic
Dr. Wren grew up in Rockford, IL and graduated from Winnebago High School along with RVC. She continued her education at the University of Northern Iowa, attaining her undergraduate degree in Biology while playing collegiate rugby. After graduating from UNI, Dr. Wren suffered a back injury that threatened to end her time in sports. Instead of opting for surgery, she chose to see a chiropractor and returned to all activity better than ever. Following that experience, she wanted to be able to change people’s lives the way chiropractic changed her’s and pursued her future career by attending Palmer where she continued playing rugby for the Palmer team. Dr. Wren is passionate about giving back and growing the Rockford area community. On top of caring for patients and helping them strive to reach their peak health, in her free time she is a captain of the Rockford rugby team and a local artist.
Dr. Mario Rosales
Chiropractor – Palmer College of Chiropractic
Dr. Mario was born in Maquoketa, Iowa but grew up in the Rockford area. He is a second generation chiropractor. While attending Northern Illinois University as an athletic training student, he saw during his clinical rotations the inability to fully give the proper care to his athletes and decided to switch to a biology major so he could attend Palmer College, with his mom being his inspiration of course.
Our Support Team
Lori Erdmier
Office Manager
Lori has been serving as our office manager since we opened. She studied Business Management at Bradley University and applies that knowledge to everyday activities at Chiropractic First of Rockford. She is passionate about our health center being the best it can possibly be so that she can give our patients the experience they deserve, which allows them to lead the life God intended them to lead. Lori has been married to Gary for 40 years and has 3 children and 3 grandchildren.
Deb Holder
5 Essentials CA
Deb began care at CFOR in October 2011. One year later she joined the staff as a 5 Essentials CA. After making huge improvements in her own health by applying the 5 Essentials (clean thinking, spinal alignment, clean eating, exercise & removing toxins) her desire is to educate people so they too can reach a greater level of health, where the body is given the chance to heal & thrive the way God intended. She previously gave care to many in her 35 years as a dental hygienist and is blessed to continue to enrich lives through chiropractic care. She has been married to Alan for 39 years. She has 3 children and 7 grandchildren.
Cait Spradlin
X-ray Technician and Chiropractic Assistant
Cait has been a patient since 2012 and she started working at the office since October 2016. She is passionate about generational health and enjoys gardening. She is a mother of two and married to the love of her life, Ryan.
Bethsaida Lopez
Bilingual CA
Bethsaida is one of our bilingual CA’s. She started as a patient in 2017 and soon after started working at CFOR. She is currently a college student finishing her Associated degree. She is one of ten siblings and enjoys spending time with all her family, especially her nieces and nephews! She has learned so much about Chiropractic care and the positive impact it has on life. Her favorite thing about coming into the office is hearing the patient’s testimonials!
Monica Rodriguez
Bilingual CA
Monica started at CFOR in June of 2013. She is knowledgeable in all 5 essentials, is one of our bilingual CAs, and loves to interact with patients in the wobble area to help with their journey to better health. She is married to her husband Jose and has two beautiful children.
Aimee Ruthe
Assistant Manager
Aimee started at Chiropractic First as a patient in 2017. After completing her undergraduate degree, Aimee and her husband Collin moved to Zimbabwe to do missions work for a year. When they moved back, Aimee found her place at CFOR in 2020. Aimee’s passion is to serve and help others reach their fullest potential in health, soul, and mind. She loves to encourage and empower others to live out the 5 essentials so they can greater impact Rockford and the surrounding areas.
Aimee and Collin have been married for 7 years. They have one daughter. Aimee enjoys painting, taking photos, running, and exploring the outdoors.
Leah Micek
Insurance Specialist
Leah started at Chiropractic First of Rockford in November of 2019. She has been in the health insurance industry for the past 25 years. Married to Mitch, they have 4 daughters and 4 grandkids She is excited to learn and promote Chiropractic care as well as learning about a healthier lifestyle to be the best person she can be in order to impact our community.
Anni Crabbe
Chiropractic Assistant
Anni started as a patient at CFOR and became a part of the team as a CA in early 2022. She is passionate about inspiring patients to apply the 5 essentials to their life every day. She enjoys many outdoor activities such as skiing and roller skating as well as all things creative. Anni is happily married to her husband Garrett and loves to spend time with her family.
Makenzie Krebeck
Nutrition Specialist and Assistant Manager
Makenzie’s been part of the CFOR team since April 2021. She has been working in Max Living since 2017. She attended Harlem High School and has been living in the Rockford area for the majority of her life. She received a double bachelors degree from Kaplan University in Nutrition Science and Health Science. She is certified in Max Metabolix with Maxliving. At Chiropractic First of Rockford, she is one of the two Assistant Managers, the head Exam CA and the Nutrition Specialist. She has a passion for sharing the true meaning of health with her community by empowering others to make major lifestyle changes that will remove interference and allow the body to heal and function by itself. Besides her passion for health, she also enjoys kayaking, biking, skiing, camping and traveling.
Itzel Villagomez
Spanish CA
Itzel joined the team of Chiropractic First in November of 2023. After learning the 5 essentials she is excited to apply them to her everyday life and introduce them to friends and family along the way. During her spare time she enjoys reading and writing. She also enjoys spending time with her family and her boyfriend, Jonathan.
Raquel Salazar
Spanish CA
Raquel joined CFOR in November of 2023. She is dedicated to living and encouraging the 5 essentials. She is one of our Bilingual CA’s, Raquel is excited to integrate her knowledge to help everyone achieve their fullest potential and goals. She is currently enrolled in school and loves spending time with her family, friends and her partner, Ali.
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