About

Meet the Team

Dr. Joseph E. Awender, II

Founder and CEO Dr. Joseph E. Awender serves as the CEO of Awender Chiropractic Health Services, with over three decades of experience in the chiropractic field. Hailing from a family deeply rooted in chiropractic practice, with more than 15 family members practicing chiropractic across North America, he brings a wealth of knowledge to his role.

Dr. Awender’s expertise extends to collaborating with Rural Health Centers (RHCs) and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) to effectively integrate chiropractic care, a skill he has employed in regions such as the San Francisco Bay Area, Central Coast, Southern California, and the Central Valley of California.

His impact goes beyond his clinical work; he has also held the position of Chairman of the Board for Life Chiropractic College-West in Hayward, California, showcasing his dedication to advancing chiropractic education. Working closely with the CEO, executive team, and Board of Regents, the leadership successfully increased student enrollment from 275 to over 600 within a span of four years. During this period, the financial budget saw substantial growth, rising from $9 million to over $21 million. Notably, the team also oversaw the development of a state-of-the-art chiropractic health center, leading to a twofold increase in revenue. This progress was the result of collaborative strategic planning that allowed for effective coordination and execution of key initiatives. Dr. Awender’s commitment transcends borders, as evidenced by his participation in chiropractic mission trips to countries such as El Salvador, Panama, Venezuela, Mexico, and South Africa.

Dr. Awender’s personal background, with grandparents who emigrated from Mexico and Germany, has instilled in him an awareness of the challenges that underserved immigrants face in accessing chiropractic care. This awareness has fueled his mission to extend his services to individuals from all walks of life, especially those who are often marginalized.

Sarah Richman

Director of Operations

In her role as Director of Operations, Sarah collaborates with community health centers’ leadership teams, employees, and providers to boost clinic revenue and reduce workloads for overworked staff and providers.

Sarah is driven to design programs and form strategic alliances by paying close attention to what clients have to say, recognizing their problems, and continually coming up with the best solutions. She is motivated by building genuine collaborations, meaningful relationships, and creating successful Chiropractic Programs. 

Phoebe

Accounting/Business Intern

Donna

Financial Director

Melissa

Administrative Assistant

We Can’t Wait to Work With You

Awender Chiropractic Health Services (ACHS) was formed out of the need seen in our community to provide quality chiropractic health care services, particularly for low-income, uninsured, and underserved Californians, who might otherwise not have access or even a drug-free choice to their health and wellness needs. Give us a call anytime.Contact Us