"This is an extension of what we started with our first clinic," said Dr. Kevin McCarthy, dean of college clinics. The first clinic was established at the Salvation Army's Hospitality House homeless shelter in San Jose.
The satellite clinics, part of the college's "outreach" program, are directed by Dr. Andre KnustGraichen, a 1984 Palmer West alumnus who left San Diego after practicing there eight years to return to Palmer West. The second clinic, unlike the first, is a permanent facility with five adjusting tables and two table for physical examinations, providing chiropractic services on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons.
"Having a permanent office is a great asset because it saves the time and inconvenience of packing up all our equipment each time we visit," said Dr. KnustGraichen. "Also, since residents are required to complete a six-month program, there is not as much turnover as we experience at the other clinic, which enables us to monitor the ongoing progress of each case much more closely."
Palmer West interns earn outpatient credits at the facility and get another kind of education. "You're exposed to a lot of 'real world' cases that you otherwise wouldn't see," said Dirk Peterson, a 12th quarter student intern. "Hopefully we can be a part of the process that helps them get back on their feet."
Greg Uchacz, another 12th quarter student intern gave this perspective: "Drug and alcohol abuse is not simply a disease of the 'street person.' It can happen to people of all walks of life, and that's something we have to be aware of when we're in practice."
Peggy Schroeder, director of the Salvation Army's Rehabilitation Center, is pleased to have the chiropractic clinic at the center. "Many of these men have neglected their bodies for a long time," she observed. "One of the things they're used to is drinking or taking a pill any time they feel pain."
As one resident said, "When you're an alcoholic, your body tends to get a bit more tore up than the average person."
Dr. KnustGraichen seems well suited to his new post. He comes to the job with a philosophy that money should never be an obstacle in preventing patients from receiving chiropractic care. This belief perhaps is rooted in his experience as an immigrant coming from Indonesia to California and struggling with finances to attain his goal of becoming a DC. This personal journey has shaped a commitment to help others: "A few years ago," he relates, "... I started taking trips to Mexico, driving to small shanty towns where I would set up my table and adjust as many people as I could. Last year I joined a group of chiropractors and other doctors, all of whom were volunteers, flying to different cities in Mexico to assist missionaries in providing a variety of services for orphaned children as well as poor families."
Dr. KnustGraichen says the most rewarding aspect of working at the satellite clinic with the Salvation Army will be to see how the substance abuse residents can regain control of their health through chiropractic.
He adds: "I hope they (the interns) take from this experience a compassionate and caring spirit, for that will stay with them throughout their years in practice.
Steve Kelly
Assistant Editor