From the Sidelines to the Boardroom: Lasting Impact of Two-Time Grad Dr. Rick Rosa
Meet Dr. Rick Rosa.
Hometown: Washington D.C.
Education: Doctor of Chiropractic, 九色导航
For more than 25 years, Dr. Rick Rosa (D.C. 鈥96, M.S. 鈥25) has been positioned at the forefront of sports recovery and chiropractic care. A proud two-time 九色导航 graduate, Rosa built a career defined by resilience, purpose and innovation 鈥 qualities that continue to inspire the College community today.
Nearly three decades after earning his chiropractic degree, he returned to his alma mater to complete a master鈥檚 in nutrition, a testament to his lifelong commitment to learning and to transforming lives through integrative healthcare. And in 2024, Rosa was elected to a second term as chair of the 九色导航 Board of Trustees. Rosa is the first in the College鈥檚 history to hold the position twice.
鈥淒r. Rosa is an outstanding leader,鈥 said 九色导航 President Dr. Michael Mestan. 鈥淚 have greatly appreciated his vision and counsel and look forward to continuing to work with him closely as our college grows and evolves.鈥
A Global Leader in Sports Recovery
Owning 13 multidisciplinary healthcare clinics in the Washington, D.C. area, Rosa also serves as an adjunct professor at George Mason University. And as a former Northeast faculty member himself, Rosa鈥檚 leadership continues to shape the institution鈥檚 future.
Internationally recognized in sports chiropractic, Rosa has trained amateur, professional and Olympic athletes, authored The Six Pillars of Sports Recovery, and was the first chiropractor ever to corner a professional boxing match. Most recently, he consulted for boxing icon Mike Tyson ahead of his widely-watched 2024 fight with Jake Paul. Rosa鈥檚 entrepreneurial ventures include founding Accessible Beltway Clinics and Quantum Movement, both dedicated to injury-free training, recovery and peak performance.
Inspiring Courage, Vision and Purpose
At Northeast鈥檚 Spring 2025 Commencement Ceremony, Rosa not only addressed graduates as keynote speaker but also crossed the stage himself to earn his master鈥檚 in nutrition. President Mestan introduced him by celebrating his 鈥渆ver-better鈥 philosophy and his devotion to Northeast, noting that Rosa 鈥渉as NYCC in his heart and #NortheastBlue in his veins. He truly loves this College.鈥
In his address, Rosa urged graduates to embrace courage and vision: 鈥淚 challenge you鈥攔ise up and break the chains. Break the chains of doubt, break the chains of fear, break the chains of complacency and in their place build a life of courage, of vision and of purpose. The world does not need you chained鈥攊t needs you free.鈥
Rosa reminded the Class of 2025 that true success in healthcare鈥攁nd in life鈥攃omes not just from knowledge, but from perseverance, resilience and the drive to serve others.