A new face has joined the team at HealthFirst Chiropractic in Britton and Sisseton, bringing with him a wealth of experience that stretches from South America to South Dakota.
Dr. David Morris has stepped in to help Dr. Aaron Micko’s busy practice after Micko re-aggravated a longtime shoulder injury that recently required surgery and calls for recovery time. Though the match may seem unlikely—Morris is a Florida native and long-time Georgia practitioner—it turns out South Dakota had been on his radar for years.
“I’ve been coming out to South Dakota to turkey hunt since about 2000,” Morris said. He has always loved the state and the people. When the opportunity in Britton came up, he was open to it—even though he had to look it up on a map.
Morris grew up in Tampa and was inspired by his stepfather and step grandfather, both chiropractors. He earned his chiropractic degree from Life University in Marietta, Georgia, in 1989. While studying for licensing exams, he spent time working in Colombia, South America, where an uncle had invited him to visit. That trip turned into a decade of international practice.
“I ended up practicing in Colombia until 2000,” said Morris. “It was an incredible experience. The people there were really into natural healthcare, and despite the language barrier, I was able to help a lot of folks. That really cemented my belief in the body’s ability to heal itself naturally.”
After returning to the United States, Morris ran his own practice in Georgia, but the idea of relocating began to take root. He earned a chiropractic license in South Dakota in 2023, just in case the right opportunity came along.
That opening came when Micko, looking ahead to his shoulder surgery and needing help to continue the high level of care at HealthFirst, hired a recruiting firm to help find the right fit. Morris’s name surfaced—and the timing was perfect. He was already planning another hunting trip to South Dakota.
Morris drove to Britton and met with Micko for what turned into a highly unconventional interview.
“We didn’t just talk chiropractic,” Micko said. “We went turkey hunting with my son, celebrated my daughter’s sixth birthday—it was a great way to really get to know someone. We were on the same page.”
Micko said he was impressed by Morris’s hands-on experience and the techniques he brings to the table. “He uses a lot of the same treatments I do and adds some great soft tissue work,” Micko said. “He’s going to bring some cool stuff to the mix.”
While Micko recovers from surgery, he plans to continue helping with managerial duties and hopes to return to patient care once he’s fully cleared. He’s optimistic about the future of the clinic under Morris’s care.
For his part, Morris is excited to meet patients and get settled in the community.
“Dr. Micko is going to be a tough act to follow,” he said. “I’m not trying to replace him, but I’ll do my best and give every patient the best care I can.”
Outside the office, Morris looks forward to exploring the area’s outdoor offerings and hopes to enjoy plenty of hunting and fishing while getting to know the people of Britton.
