In 2026, the USA Chapter of the International College of Applied Kinesiology (ICAK-USA) recognized one of its most respected educators, clinicians, and visionaries by presenting the Dr. George J. Goodheart, Jr. Award to Dr. Kerry M. McCord.
This award is among the organization’s highest honors, celebrating individuals whose careers have profoundly influenced the advancement of Applied Kinesiology through clinical excellence, education, research, leadership, and service.
For those who know Dr. McCord, the recognition came as no surprise. His career has been defined by an unwavering commitment to helping practitioners better understand the mystery and miracle of human function, improve patient care, and preserve the legacy of Applied Kinesiology for generations to come.
A Career Dedicated to Health and Healing
Dr. McCord has been a practicing chiropractic physician in St. Petersburg, Florida, since 1973. He has earned a reputation as an exceptional clinician whose approach to patient care combines practical experience and a passion for constant improvement.
As a graduate of Logan College of Chiropractic and a Diplomate of the International Board of Applied Kinesiology (DIBAK), Dr. McCord has sought to advance his understanding of the principles and practice of applied kinesiology and that of the healing profession as a whole.
While many doctors build distinguished clinical practices, Dr. McCord has devoted much of his professional life to teaching others. Colleagues frequently describe him as a gifted educator with an uncommon ability to explain complex neurological and physiological concepts in a way that is practical, logical, clinically useful, and easily incorporated into daily practice.
Shaping the Next Generation of Applied Kinesiology
Supporting and enhancing out-of-the-box clinical education has been one of Dr. McCord’s greatest contributions to the profession.
As a new member of the ICAK-USA Executive Board and in service on its Education Committee, he was instrumental in establishing the organization’s first-ever Hybrid AK 100-Hour Course, making high-quality postgraduate education more accessible to practitioners across the country.
Beyond formal coursework, he has lectured nationally and internationally, mentoring healthcare professionals while emphasizing understanding the “why” behind clinical findings and how they relate, rather than just memorizing a variety of techniques and procedures, no matter how useful and intriguing they may be; a philosophy that encourages critical thinking and lifelong learning.
Building an Organized Clinical Framework
Perhaps one of Dr. McCord’s most influential achievements has been in his collaboration with the late Dr. Walter H. Schmitt.
In 2002, he began teaching with Dr. Schmitt and, over the next 2 years, gradually recognized the genius inherent in a hierarchy for effectively and efficiently addressing every patient who walks into a clinician’s office.
A comprehensive educational framework was developed from Dr. Schmitt’s observations that organizes Applied Kinesiology principles into a structured neurological and physiological model that subsequently became known as Quintessential Applications (QA).
QA integrates decades of clinical observations combined with established scientific concepts, helping practitioners approach patient care in a clinically reproducible and systematic manner.
Dr. McCord served as the principal author of the QA Clinical Reference manual and helped Dr. Schmitt in the writing of his ICAK-USA award-winning paper: A Neurological Rationale for a Comprehensive Clinical Protocol Utilizing Applied Kinesiology Techniques and Procedures.
These works have become important educational resources for many seeking a deeper understanding of Applied Kinesiology as a window on neurological function.
Preserving the History of Applied Kinesiology
In addition to his work as a clinician and educator, Dr. McCord has served as one of the profession’s esteemed historians.
Early in his career, Dr. McCord authored a retrospective paper documenting the origins and development of Applied Kinesiology through the pioneering work of Dr. George J. Goodheart, Jr. Through articles, lectures, and educational materials, he has helped preserve the history and philosophy of a discipline that has influenced tens of thousands of healthcare practitioners worldwide.
His appreciation for history has never been about nostalgia. Rather, it reflects his belief that understanding where a profession came from is essential to guiding it to where it will go next.
Continuing the Legacy of Dr. George Goodheart
The award Dr. McCord received in 2026 carries special significance because it bears the name of Dr. George J. Goodheart, Jr., the founding father of Applied Kinesiology.
In 1964, Dr. Goodheart began making groundbreaking observations linking muscle function with structural, neurological, chemical, and emotional aspects of human health. Those observations ultimately led to the creation of what we now know as Applied Kinesiology and the 1976 founding of the ICAK, whose mission is to promote ongoing education, clinical research, and the ever-advancing enhancement of patient care.
Throughout his career, Dr. McCord has embodied many of the qualities that defined Dr. Goodheart’s approach: intellectual curiosity, careful observation, dedication to teaching, and a willingness to enhance his clinical approach.
A Well-Deserved Recognition
Receiving the 2026 Dr. George J. Goodheart, Jr. Award recognizes far more than a lifetime spent treating patients; it honors a lifetime devoted to elevating an entire profession.
Whether educating practitioners, encouraging physiologically based clinical reasoning, preserving the history of Applied Kinesiology, helping to codify a comprehensive educational system such as Quintessential Applications, or mentoring colleagues around the world, Dr. Kerry McCord has left a lasting mark on generations of healthcare professionals to come.
His influence extends far beyond the walls of his own practice. It can be seen in the practitioners he has taught, the educational programs he helped build, and the countless patients whose care has been improved through the knowledge he has shared.
The future of any profession depends upon individuals willing not only to practice their craft but also to teach it, question it, refine it, and pass it on. Dr. McCord has done exactly that.
His receipt of the Dr. George J. Goodheart, Jr. Award stands as a fitting tribute to a lifetime of service, leadership, scholarship, and dedication. One that will continue to influence the application and practice of Applied Kinesiology for years to come.
