Oakley Smith Award

Dr. Alyssa La Mendola, a native New Mexican born and raised in Rio Rancho, NM, graduated from Southwest University of Naprapathic Medicine on November 9, 2025. Dr. Alyssa La Mendola earned the Oakley Smith Award. This is the highest award conferred upon a graduate. Dr. Alyssa La Mendola earned the award for her professionalism and for exhibiting the highest professional qualities while completing her internship. After graduating, she plans to begin a career as a “dedicated Naprapath with a focus on treating musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction through manual therapy, corrective exercise, and patient education. Her long-term goal is to open a whole-body wellness practice “that integrates naprapathic care with rehabilitation, movement, nutrition support, and lifestyle-based care”.

According to Alyssa, the most important thing she learned during her internship at SUNM was “how to truly treat the person, not just the condition”. She learned how to think critically and communicate effectively with patients. Dr. Alyssa La Mendola stated, “My internship shaped me not only as a clinician, but also as a professional. I pray that God continues to use me as a vessel of healing for others and I’m so grateful for the opportunity of doing so”.

Congratulations to Dr. Alyssa La Mendola!