After 37 years of dedicated service to the Gorham community, Dr. Joseph Kerwin and his wife, Deb, locked the doors of Kerwin Chiropractic and Nutrition one last time on the evening of Feb. 27, 2026.
While finishing their final round of office work, the couple was surprised by a knock at the door around 6:30 p.m. When they opened it, they were greeted by the smiling faces of their daughters Leigha and Kristi, their son-in-law, Brandon, and their two-year-old granddaughter, Haley, who had driven from Massachusetts to surprise them for this monumental occasion. Kelsie, their youngest daughter, who lives in Spain, also helped orchestrate this moment and was there in spirit. The visit served as a fitting reminder of exactly why the Kerwins decided it was time to retire.
Their decision had not been abrupt. Over the last few years they’d shortened their work week and begun closing their practice for a few weeks each year to relax and recharge. Dr. Kerwin notes that everything fell into place seamlessly, offering clear affirmation that they were heading in the right direction.
Their only remaining concern—ensuring their patients would continue to receive exceptional care—was resolved when Riley Ferrigan, a neighbor of the Kerwins during her childhood, interned at their practice last year while completing her Doctor of Chiropractic degree. The serendipitous internship paved the way for Ms. Ferrigan, now “Dr. Riley,” to take over the established practice, now called Next Chapter Chiropractic.
Dr. Kerwin’s connection to Maine began when he attended Colby College. Though his major was environmental science, that shifted when he secured a position as a student athletic trainer under the direction of the legendary Carl E. Nelson. After graduating from Colby, Dr. Kerwin obtained his Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Western StatesChiropractic College in Portland, Oregon. His brother’s untimely death brought the Kerwins back to the East Coast, where they would eventually settle in Gorham.
On Feb. 6, 1989, Kerwin Chiropractic officially opened their doors at 352 Main Street in Gorham. The Kerwins spent their first nine years at that location, during which time they also welcomed their three daughters. One day, following a routine adjustment, a patient who worked as a local realtor told the couple she had found the perfect location for them. As fate would have it, the family soon relocated to 164 Main Street. It was there that they continued to build their thriving practice, raise their family, and help residents of Gorham and beyond maintain their health and nutrition goals. The new home also featured a 900-square-foot studio where Deb, a professional dancer, taught ballet lessons through the Gorham Recreation Department for more than 10 years.
While nutrition is a cornerstone of overall wellness, it was Deb’s personal health crisis in the early 2000s that inspired Dr. Kerwin to get retrained in Nutrition Response Testing—a method of muscle testing to analyze organ function and dysfunction that proved to be beneficial to Deb in her recovery. Kerwin Chiropractic went on to host monthly community nutrition classes for many years, successfully turning a personal health challenge into another component of their healthcare practice.
Dr. Kerwin’s impact also extended far beyond his local practice. Deeply active within professional organizations, he served as president of the Maine Chiropractic Association in 2000 and also served on its board of directors, worked on the testing committee for the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners, and spent multiple years on the state licensing board.
Reflecting on their journey, the Kerwins describe their life as profoundly blessed. “The ability to have spent nearly 40 years in a career where helping others has been the cornerstone has been nothing short of magical,” Dr. Kerwin said. With the recent birth of their second grandchild, Jack, the couple is ready to embrace the greatest gift retirement has to offer: time. They look forward to spending more hours with family, relaxing, and diving into hobbies—reading and walking for Deb and hiking and cycling for Dr. K…and much more. They will trade Maine winters for Florida’s warmth and spend summers on the lake at their home in New Hampshire.
Gorham extends its warmest wishes to the Kerwins as they begin their own next chapter.