College News
Cleveland Chiropractic College – Kansas City
Communication on the campus is now as easy as a few clicks of a mouse and pecks
on a keyboard. Every current CCC student recently received a personal email
account, courtesy of the college. Administrators, faculty, staff and students
can now communicate directly with one another or with a selected group.
The new system allows users to communicate important dates, deadlines and events;
announce schedule changes and other updates; and provide current information
faster than ever before, saving that most valuable resource—time. In the
future, the college believes the new student email service will be an effective
tool for communication among students, faculty, administration, alumni and other
college constituencies.
Cleveland Chiropractic College – Los Angeles
As the Los Angeles Avengers Arena Football team trudges off the field after a
tough practice, one of the first people they seek out is Dr. Bryen Bell, a 2000
CCCLA graduate. The physical nature of professional football makes him one of
the most popular staff members on the team.
“Before the playoffs last season I adjusted nearly 50 players and most of
the staff, too,” said Bell. Brian Nguyen, head athletic trainer, understands
the value of chiropractic and was influential in getting a chiropractor on the
Avengers’ medical staff. Bell was persistent in getting on board with the
team, and after an inside tip he made a call to Nguyen.
Shortly thereafter, Bell was named the official team chiropractor for the 2002
and 2003 seasons. Besides working with the Avengers, Bell is the chiropractor
for the Los Angeles Inferno, a Pro Stadium Football team, and the personal chiropractor
for three-time Muay Thai Kickboxing World Champion B.M. Sasiprapa.
In the future, Bell plans to continue his affiliation with athletics. Like the
athletes, Bell knows that he has to be on top of his game to earn the respect
he seeks. “I want to be known as someone who is really on the ball and as
one of the top chiropractors in the area.”
Life University, College of Chiropractic
In the first week of October, Life University officials announced a 38 percent
drop in enrollment compared to last fall, from 3,171 students to 1,955.
Since stepping in as the interim president in July, Dr. Michael J. Schmidt has
been taking steps to handle the loss of income from the decreased tuition, and
is focused on centering the university’s operations on the students’
needs and upgraded curriculum.
Faculty members submitted recommendations on the chiropractic curriculum to division
chairs and clinic directors, who have forwarded them to a competency workgroup
for review and recommendations. Division chairs completed proposals on faculty-teaching
loads based on projected enrollment, faculty surveys and need assessments.
For the students’ benefit, a revised curriculum committee is re-sequencing
courses to better prepare students taking national board exams. The administration
has also negotiated for a reduced price on a campus national board review class.
In the classroom side, two new classes are being offered: differential diagnosis
and physical therapy classes. Faculty members traveled to Parker College of Chiropractic
and Palmer College of Chiropractic to review their physical therapy and clinical
education programs on Sept. 3. Changes include better proficiency testing to help
students diagnose patient conditions and better recommend a course of care.
The administration had to reduce the university’s workforce by 49 people
in late August, which reduces the budget by approximately $1 million.
“The bottom line is that Life’s students stand to lose the most from
the current crisis,” Dr. Schmidt said. “That is why the administration
is working diligently to upgrade the school’s academic program and organizational
structure to give students the best learning environment possible.”
Life Chiropractic College West
LCCW is known for having numerous student clubs that concentrate on chiropractic
philosophy and technique, community service, sports and outside activity. The
Community Outreach Club is a true “win-win” for the college’s community,
students and the chiropractic profession.
The Community Outreach Club is made up of students who want to teach and share
their passion about health, health care and chiropractic to visiting schools,
youth organizations and colleges. Each presentation is customized to the visiting
group.
“We’ve been known to host a first-grade class on a Tuesday and then
a college anatomy class on the following Thursday,” says the club’s
advisor and Life West Public Relations Manager Jonathan Lance. Of course, the
presentations are created for the age groups and interests of the visiting group.
The younger kids learn about good health habits and basic anatomy through games
and models. The high school and college visitors (usually anatomy and physiology
classes) come in to observe Life West’s anatomy and pathology labs.
Logan College of Chiropractic
Norman W. Kettner, D.C., chairperson of the Logan Radiology Department, was among
panelists speaking at “The Future of Neuroimaging,” an international
conference sponsored by Massachusetts General Hospital, the Harvard/MIT Division
of Health Sciences and Technology and the Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical
Imaging.
The conference took place Sept. 19-21 in Athens, Greece. Attendees from numerous
countries heard presentations by speakers from academic and clinical neurology
facilities in the United States, Israel, China, England, Denmark and Canada. Dr.
Kettner was the only chiropractor among the speakers.
Kettner served on a panel addressing topics related to development, aging and
neuroplasticity of the brain. Spinal manipulation, acupuncture and exercise were
among neuro-rehabilitative techniques that Kettner discussed, providing a literature
review of research addressing whether these techniques may induce plasticity and
adaptive change within the brain.
As many know, being a chiropractor means more than getting sick people well; also
you are a small business owner. In light of the changing economy, the complexities
of managed care and the growth of multi-disciplinary partnerships, many doctors
are returning to school to obtain a Master’s Degree in Business Administration.
LCC President Dr. George Goodman is pleased to announce a cooperative agreement
with Webster University that will enable Logan College alumni and students (Trimester
6-10 with approval of their advisor) to acquire a MBA degree at an accelerated
rate.
A traditional MBA program consists of 36 credits; however, Webster University
offers a “sequential” MBA degree for candidates who hold a professional
degree. Therefore, LCC alumni and students can complete the degree taking just
27 credits. Pre-requisite coursework work in accounting, economics and general
business is required.
National University of Health Sciences
The NUHS alumni board of directors recently developed an alumni mentor program
that is designed to serve as a resource for students in their final year of study.
Each director has been assigned as a mentor for one or more eighth-trimester students.
These mentors will serve as guides and advisors as the students finish their last
three trimesters and begin plans for their future practices.
NUHS students, faculty members and their families participated in the “Hope
Starts Here” walk in May to raise funds to support Wellness House in Hinsdale,
Ill. Wellness House encourages, educates and emotionally supports people with
cancer and their families and friends. All programs at Wellness House augment
traditional medical treatments while concentrating on the psychological and emotional
needs of the participants and their families. All services are complimentary.
New York Chiropractic College
Executive Vice President and Provost G. Lansing Blackshaw, Ph.D., opened NYCC’s
Presidential Investiture ceremony for Dr. Frank Nicchi with welcoming remarks
and then introduced Father Richard Murphy, who delivered the invocation. After
Dr. Blackshaw recognized and thanked the many guests in attendance, he turned
the podium over to Dr. Peter Ferguson, chair of the NYCC Board of Trustees and
president of the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners. Dr. Ferguson remarked
that Dr. Nicchi has the character, vision and academic background to effectively
lead the college.
Following Dr. Ferguson’s greeting, Dr. Kenneth W. Padgett, current NYCC chancellor
and past NYCC president of NYCC, said he was pleased to turn the college over
to someone who cares about it as much as he does. There were several leaders from
chiropractic industry, local and state leaders who talked about Dr. Nicchi and
NYCC.
After Dr. Peter Ferguson administered the investiture oath, which Dr. Nicchi recited,
Dr. Nicchi was sworn in as the fifth president of New York Chiropractic College
and thereafter addressed his audience. Beginning by expressing his feelings of
honor and privilege, Dr. Nicchi thanked the past and current members of the board
of trustees “for the belief and confidence they have expressed in me.”
“We will continue to train students with all the skills necessary to practice
in such integrated settings but will also support and encourage those students
who choose to work in a traditional chiropractic solo practice setting,”
said Nicchi. We must adjust to changing times and still hold to unchanging principles.
We must effectively use our resources and our expansive college facility.”
New Zealand College of Chiropractic
The NZCC celebrated the school’s Inaugural Lyceum—“Supporting The
Vision”—in September. The college is committed to providing subluxation-focused
chiropractic education in Australasia with the vision, values and dedication to
the growth and development of the chiropractic profession worldwide.
Northwestern
Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura recently signed into law a significant new level
or protection for Minnesotans who are injured in automobile accidents. After historic
and unopposed votes by both chambers in the Minnesota Legislature, legislation
that assures that no managed care will be imposed on injured consumers became
law.
Over one year ago, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota had put into place a managed
care network that laid the groundwork for managed care penetrating the care of
injured drivers. Highly unpopular with patients, the failures of managed care
to control costs or improve quality stood out especially for victims of auto accident
injuries, especially in light of the longer recovery victims of soft tissue injuries
often face.
A groundswell of opposition by patients and providers moved this effort ahead,
and a moratorium was placed on it last year by the Legislature. This year the
moratorium became a ban. Testimony by the insurance industry that systemic problems
exist that drive up costs for all consumers was not convincing for Minnesota legislators,
who rebuffed efforts to expand managed care efforts, even as managed care as a
system is coming under more and more criticism for its failure to control escalating
health care premiums.
Students using eNorthwestern, the school’s new online student Intranet, will
be able to view their biographical information, class schedule, term grades, academic
record, current class assignment grades and course catalog. In addition, students
will be able to project their grade point average, track academic progress, change
a password, and view financial aid information.
Faculty will be able to view class rosters and, starting summer 2002, post quiz
and assignment grades in a secure electronic format.
Students will only be able to view their own academic information. Similarly,
faculty only has access to information specific to the courses that they teach.
The system is web-based, fairly intuitive and self-directed.
Palmer College of Chiropractic
PCC recently celebrated the grand opening of the Palmer/YMCA Childcare Center,
a childcare center for students and employees, along with a renovated student
union (which also became a reality over the summer months). These were a priority
of students in a recent on campus survey.
The former Montessori School was converted into a 64-child daycare center early
in the summer and actually opened for business in mid-July. It is available for
infants and pre-school-aged children of students and employees, as well as children
from the local community.
Speaking to visitors and area media, Palmer President Guy Riekeman, said he was
proud to offer this high-quality care for children and said he believed it would
be a nice benefit for employees and current students, as well as a recruitment
draw for prospective students.
The Palmer Mansion is now getting a bit of a facelift. Funded by the unrestricted
donations to the Palmer Foundation for Chiropractic History and the Mansion Restoration
Fund, the trim around the mansion is being scraped, repaired, replaced and repainted.
Palmer College of Chiropractic Florida
The grand opening ceremony was held Oct. 4 at the Allen Green Civic Center, the
temporary campus facility. On the next day, in conjunction with the Port Orange
Family Days, a festival was held at the site of the future campus on City Center
Parkway. Palmer Board Chairman Vickie Palmer was grand marshal of the Family Days
Parade.
Classes for the inaugural class at PCCF began Oct. 7.
Palmer College of Chiropractic West
The Oklahaven Children’s Center, which is celebrating 40th year of providing
complimentary chiropractic care to physically-challenged children, recently honored
PCCW students and a PCCW alumnus with special awards for their efforts to raise
funds for Oklahaven’s annual “Have A Heart” campaign.
PCCW received the “Golden Heart Award” for chiropractic colleges, which
is presented to the school that raises the most money for Oklahaven’s annual
“Have a Heart” program. For the second year in a row, members of the
PCCW community contributed nearly $1,000 in donations.
Dr. Mark Lopes, a PCCW alumnus, received Oklahaven’s “Golden Heart Award”
for the greatest fundraising success among practicing doctors. Oklahaven also
acknowledged the efforts of both the PCCW students as well as faculty member Dr.
Ronald Guild, who has coordinated the program.
Parker College of Chiropractic
Osteometer MediTech has provided a bone densitometer to the PCC’s centers
on a one-year consignment at no charge. According to the National Osteoporosis
Foundation, the only way to determine if you are at risk of developing, or in
fact have, osteoporosis is getting a bone mass measurement.
The unit in the PCC’s can get this measurement quickly, while the patient
remains fully clothed. All techniques are non-invasive and provide the patient,
student and doctor with an answer in minutes.
Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology
RMIT’s program committee, at their August 2002 meeting, approved the addition
of the chiropractic stream to the existing Bachelor of Applied Science (Complementary
Medicine) degree program. The new program will commence in 2003 and will be an
addition to the existing Osteopathic stream of the same “stem” program.
Both program streams have been designed to articulate with a Masters program in
the relevant discipline.
This new development allows for an expected increase in student places of 50 percent.
The move to the bachelor/master model reflects the desire of RMIT to increase
graduate opportunities as well as allowing flexibility for choice of further study.
Although the majority of graduates of the new program will wish to enroll in the
future Master of Chiropractic program, this new design will allow for such options
as undertaking an honors’ year of study to pursue a research career.
Sherman College of Straight Chiropractic
Supporters who have donated $100,000 or more to Sherman College were recognized
during Lyceum when they were inducted as charter members of the college’s
new Heritage Society. Members were presented with a special blazer with the college
logo. A special luncheon with the president will be held each year at Lyceum to
honor these individuals.
Sherman College President Jerry L. Hardee, Ed.D., and Senior Vice President for
Institutional Advancement Leroy G. Moore, D.C., worked together to develop the
program. “It was such a great pleasure to recognize individuals who have
made substantial donations to the college during its history,” said Moore.
“The impact of these donations cannot be overstated. These individuals have
played a big part in helping the college through some challenging times.”
To further recognize and honor the members of the Heritage Society, the college
has placed a plaque bearing the members’ names in a prominent location in
the Mack and Kitty Scallon Building on campus.
Life University
Accreditation Update
By Riley McDermid
Life University’s appeal to retain accreditation for its chiropractic program
was denied by the Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE) on Oct. 20, ending a
process that began over a year ago with the school’s June 2001 probation
from CCE. But school officials have vowed to regain the accreditation quickly,
while continuing to work for the student community that Life has served continuously
since 1974.
The first step in regaining accreditation has already been taken with the act
of reapplying that happened immediately after the appeal decision. Life Interim
President Dr. Michael Schmidt said the school should be able to regain its accreditation
by year-end 2003 and Life is now waiting to hear from the CCE on an expected timeline.
An answer is anticipated by the end of November.
Schmidt sounded a cautiously optimistic note when asked about Life’s future.
“We can’t change what has happened to this point or control the events
happening around us,” Schmidt said. “Our job is to react appropriately,
ever mindful of the school’s future, and maintain the student focus. Doing
so can only benefit Life in the long run.”
The decision by CCE to revoke Life’s accreditation in June of this year and
subsequently deny Life’s appeal stands in contrast to the latest review from
the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), which has reduced the
number of concerns it has about the University from more than 50 to approximately
10 over the past several months. SACS visited the school in September.
But CCE works from a different set of criteria and Life officials admit that the
school and the accrediting body have had a less than positive relationship over
the years.
“One reason CCE revoked Life’s accreditation in June was because it
felt the University provided misleading information over the past few years regarding
changes that should have been happening at the school,” said Dr. Charles
Ribley, chairman of Life’s Board of Trustees.
The appeals panel also could not consider any changes made since the June decision
as a factor in reversing the initial revocation of accreditation. Dozens of academic
and organizational changes have been made since Schmidt was appointed in July,
including new additions to the curriculum, a revised 2002-2003 university budget
and creation of a CCE self-study committee.
The CCE is currently the only chiropractic educational accrediting agency recognized
by the Department of Education. The CCE originally put Life on probation because
of concerns such as a lack of diagnostic instruction and high student to faculty
ratios.
During the crisis, Life University has successfully retained approximately 2,000
students, which includes 600 or so non-chiropractic students at its Marietta,
Ga., campus. The university’s undergraduate and graduate programs are still
fully accredited.
Concerns on many students’ minds have included becoming licensed in the states
they intend to practice in and credit for courses taken while the school is unaccredited.
Approximately 35 states nationwide require chiropractic students to have graduated
from an accredited chiropractic college before they can become licensed in those
states, said Donna Liewer, executive director of the Federation of Chiropractic
Licensing Boards.
“Each board needs to study its specific accreditation language in statute
or rule carefully in conjunction with their legal counsel to make a final decision
on applicants for licensure,” Liewer said, stressing that individual states
have the final say on who is or is not qualified to take the state’s chiropractic
board exam.
Potential good news for students is that as many as 15 states may still recognize
Life’s chiropractic program because of the University’s general collegiate
scholastic accreditation by SACS. SACS did renew its accreditation of Life for
one year after imposing probation last December. Schmidt said it is likely that
SACS will decide in December to continue that probation another year, based mainly
on the loss of CCE accreditation.
Concerns that the lapse in accreditation will affect currently practicing Life
graduates are unfounded according to a statement issued by the Georgia Board of
Chiropractic Examiners.
“The loss of accreditation status for Life University only affects the ability
of LUCC graduates to meet the licensing requirements in Georgia, and in no way
affects Life University graduates now licensed in the state,” the statement
read.
Reactions from the chiropractic community to the decision were a combination of
concern and support, encouraging continued backing for Life and its mission.
“The upheaval caused by this decision will certainly exacerbate the withering
of the chiropractic educational system, with the number of chiropractic students
in the United States dropping already,” said D.D. Humber, president of the
International Chiropractors Association. “The position of the chiropractic
profession in the increasingly competitive and complex health care world can so
easily be undermined and destabilized that it is my hope that all decision-makers,
both on the part of Life and on the part of CCE, will recognize the urgent need
to move quickly to restore Life’s accreditation status.”
Marietta chiropractor Tim Langley said the University’s impact—financially
and spiritually—cannot be underestimated.
“The students here affected the lives of thousands of people,” said
Dr. Langley. “The philosophy of that school was more than just scholastic.
It was about changing people’s lives.”
In addition, Langley said, the metro Atlanta area will suffer both financially
and artistically.
“There are so many things that Life University as a corporate citizen has
done that are amazing,” said Langley, citing Life’s civic involvement
in local arts and entertainment activities such as the Georgia Ballet and Life’s
annual “Lights of Life” holiday display.
Life alumnus and practicing chiropractor Scott Warner said that most members of
the chiropractic community are primarily concerned about the students affected
by the decision.
“We applaud and support the students that are sticking with the university
and its philosophy. We feel for them a great deal because this is such a hard
time for them,” said Warner, who is also president of the Georgia Chiropractic
Council. “As an alumnus, I think it’s a great school and we support
every effort to get it back on track. We’re praying for the students who
have been affected by this.”
Marcus Schuster, a former Life University student who graduated last quarter,
says he thinks that the whole accreditation issue is difficult no matter how you
look at it.
“I’m disappointed that this process finished the way it did,” said
Schuster. “It’s a big blow to the university and it’s weighing
heavily on all the students of Life University, past and present. Everyone obviously
hopes it will turn out all right in the end.”
© Copyright 2002 Today's Chiropractic