Dr. Palmer received his veterinary degree from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in 1976 and is certified in equine practice by the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners. He worked in clinical practice as a staff surgeon and hospital director of the New Jersey Equine Clinic for 38 years prior to chairing the New York Task Force on Racehorse Health and Safety to investigate equine fatalities that occurred during the Aqueduct 2011-12 Winter Meet.

Dr. Palmer currently serves as the Equine Medical Director for the New York State Gaming Commission and is an Adjunct Professor in the department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. His research focus is the identification of horses at increased risk for fatal musculoskeletal injury and development of intervention strategies to prevent fatal musculoskeletal injuries.

Dr. Palmer also serves a member of the Racing Medication & Testing Consortium (RMTC) Scientific Advisory Committee and the Association of Racing Commissioners International (ARCI) Drug Testing & Practices, Equine Safety and Regulatory Veterinarian Committees. He also serves as an advisor to the Cornell University Harry M. Zweig Memorial Fund for Equine Research Committee.