The winning doctors of chiropractic represent each of six U.S. geographical regions. An 11-member panel of judges chose Dr. Schantz and the other doctors for their contributions to the quality of life and health of citizens in their communities. The award is jointly sponsored by Prevention magazine, a leading monthly health periodical and the Alliance for Chiropractic Progress, which is committed to increasing public awareness of chiropractic health. The Alliance is composed of the American Chiropractic Association, the International Chiropractors Association and the Association of Chiropractic Colleges.

According to representatives of Prevention and the Alliance for Chiropractic Progress, nominations poured in from around the country. The names were then narrowed to a field of 36 semi-finalists, from which the six winners were chosen. Dr. Schantz was selected as the winner from the South Atlantic region.

Dr. Schantz' selection was attributed to his outstanding service to the community. Though deeply involved with his practice, he is an active volunteer with the Fulton County public schools, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, the Georgia Special Olympics, the Food Bank and other service groups in the city and North Fulton. Dr. Schantz is also a member of the Atlanta-based Flying Doctors of America. In 1996, he traveled to Peru as part of a multi-disciplinary health team to treat the native population in the high Andes. The team provided medical, chiropractic, dental, and surgical medicine to 1,400 people who previously did not have access to this type of medical care. Many traveled for hours from surrounding areas to see the doctors. Upon his return to Atlanta, Dr. Schantz observed these same needs on the streets of Atlanta and volunteered his services to the Mercy Mobile Health Care, a group of concerned individuals who provide healthcare services to the poor. Today, Dr. Schantz and two other chiropractors volunteer their services to treat indigent patients at clinics around the city.

When asked about why he volunteers, Dr. Schantz responded, "I was fortunate to be blessed with certain gifts and talents and I've always felt that it has been part of my purpose in life to use them to help others. It's what I feel compelled to do. It gives me a great sense of personal satisfaction. I really feel like I'm doing my part and that is truly spiritually rewarding."

Dr. Schantz is an alumnus of the National College of Chiropractic in Lombard, Illinois and serves on the Board of Directors of the Georgia Chiropractic Association. Dr. Schantz resides in Alpharetta with his wife Dixie and his two children, Evan and Lexis.