Dr. James D. (Dr. Dan) Watkins, who owns Volunteer Chiropractic in Farragut, was recently honored as the 2026 Doctor of Chiropractic of the Year in Tennessee by the Tennessee Chiropractic Association (TCA).
Dr. Dan Watkins works with a client at Volunteer Chiropractic in Farragut
Selected by his peers, the award is presented to a TCA member chiropractor who has been in practice 10 or more years for
“significant commitment of time and/or talent to the TCA and their profession.” It was presented during the annual Southern Chiropractic Conference in Franklin on August 22.
Watkins, a native of Memphis, and his wife, Keelie, opened the practice in Farragut 21 years ago. The offices are at 10826 Kingston Pike, Suite B. He is certified in chiropractic orthopedics, acupuncture, strength and conditioning, and golf injury prevention. They also offer professional massages.
Keelie Watkins
“All I can say is that I am truly humbled by this recognition from my peers. I don’t get this award except for the efforts of my wife, Keelie, my mother and those others who poured into me. All glory goes to God for his steadfastness to keep guiding a bull-headed person such as myself.”
Here is a LINK to the awards video about Watkins that was part of the awards presented at the dinner. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6yGlnL6ZiUE
Encouraged by his uncle to follow in his footsteps, Dr. Dan decided to become a chiropractor. He first, however, earned a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from the University of Tennessee in 1993 and then received his Doctor of Chiropractic degree in 2001 from Graduate of Life University in Atlanta.
Watkins serves on the TCA Board of Directors and is its District II Director for the East Tennessee Valley.
The Watkins’ daughters began working and helping in his practice years ago. Both are graduates of Farragut High School – Lucy in 2020 and Sadie James in 2024. Lucy graduated from UT in 2024 and now lives and works in Charleston, S.C. Sadie James is a sophomore at UT.
You click on this LINK https://www.volrehab.com to learn more about Volunteer Chiropractic.
Tom King has been an editor of newspapers in Texas and California and has also worked in Tennessee and Georgia.
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