Northwestern Launches Best Practices Pilot Project
This summer, 12 clinicians from the Bloomington Natural Care Center and the Natural Care Center at Woodwinds will take part in a best practices pilot program through the Wolfe-Harris Center for Clinical Studies at Northwestern Health Sciences University.
According to Michele Maiers, DC, MPH, assistant professor at Northwestern, the purpose of the project is to implement best practices for low back pain in the context of a quality assurance system. "The intent is to optimize the quality of diagnosis and therapeutic management of low back pain patients using evidence-based health care principles. Evidence-based health care is the integration of best research evidence with clinical expertise and patient preferences."
The project will take three months to complete; results will be analyzed to determine the feasibility in implementing the electronic tracking system. It also will help NHSU practitioners determine the best course of care for patients with low back pain. The results also may affect the university's curriculum in the future.
"It's really exciting to be on the cutting edge," says Dr. Maiers. "Best practices is a big trend in health care, but we are one of the first complementary and alternative medicine clinics to implement a complete and thorough best practices project." Dr. Maiers added that the Minnesota legislature has encouraged practitioners who treat low back pain to follow best practices when treating the condition.
NYCC to Honor Dr. Ken Padgett
On Sept. 29, 2006, New York Chiropractic College (NYCC) will dedicate the "Dr. Kenneth W. Padgett Administrative Building" in honor of its current chancellor and former president, Dr. Kenneth Padgett. Dr. Padgett's efforts and leadership brought the college to its present location in Seneca Falls after there was news that a prison would be situated on the same land as the Brookville, Long Island campus. He has served as president of the American Chiropractic Association (he currently chairs the legislative commission); the Association of Chiropractic Colleges, and the New York State Chiropractic Association. He was initially inspired to pursue his career after a chiropractor was successful in treating his brother's croup.'
The NYCC is giving members of the profession a chance to join in the dedication via participation in a commemorative greeting package. Contributors can compose a personal message to Dr. Padgett, which will appear in the Padgett Dedication Journal in NYCC's alumni magazine, Transitions. The greeting also will appear in a full-page advertisement in a local newspaper, as well as in a PowerPoint presentation that will be displayed at the celebration dinner. Any questions can be answered by contacting Pete VanTyle at (315) 568-3146 or
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TCC Cuts the Ribbon, Dedicates Its Newest Educational Facility
On April 7, 2006, in Pasadena, Texas, Texas Chiropractic College dedicated its long-awaited educational facility during a ceremony held inside the new building. The event opened as Richard G. Brassard, DC, President of TCC, welcomed the approximately 250 attendees:
"The building that we're in occupies just over 35,000 square feet. In addition to this wonderful 750-seat auditorium, it contains a chemistry lab, a 45-faculty-office suite and a 4,000 square foot Assessment Center. I'd like to make brief mention of the Assessment Center. Other chiropractic colleges have excellent assessment centers. However, this facility was designed through a cooperative effort with our friends at the University of Texas Medical Branch - Galveston and is the most technologically advanced in chiropractic education today."
The Assessment Center features an integrated audiovisual system that records student/patient encounters so these interactions may be reviewed by both faculty and students. These recorded patient encounters are stored on a secure server. This system also allows evaluators to add written comments and complete checklists that further enhance feedback for students, improving their performance.
NYCC Adds Masters in Applied Clinical Nutrition
In other NYCC news, the college recently announced the development of a master's degree program in applied clinical nutrition that will enable matriculating health care professionals to blend clinical nutrition applications with existing preventive and treatment options. The program, founded by world-renowned nutritionist Dr. Shari Lieberman, is structured to provide comprehensive professional education to prepare graduates to practice in a wide range of clinical, consulting and industry settings. The program is geared specifically toward the professional, emphasizing an integrative approach to health care and applicable to a wide range of clinical, consulting and industry settings.
According to NYCC, the 36-credit hour (540-hour) program differs significantly from many nutrition curricula because of its focus on applied clinical nutrition and its application in prevention and disease management. Graduates from the program will design intervention programs encompassing diet, exercise, and supplements (e.g., vitamins, minerals, botanicals, essential fatty acids, amino acids). When completed, such programs will be well-suited for private practitioners, for integrative practice with other professionals, and for consultant roles with research and industry.
Parker College Adopts New Mission Statements, Announces New Leadership
Dr. Fabrizio Mancini, president of Parker College of Chiropractic, recently announced the creation of a new mission statement for the college. The mission statement, which reads, Parker creates leaders who promote wellness through high standards of education, research, and service, was adopted by the board of trustees on May 23, 2006. The college, which celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2007, also adopted a mission statement specifically for the doctor of chiropractic program: To educate individuals in chiropractic wellness to be leaders in education, research, and service.
"Parker passionately believes we must weave the wellness message with chiropractic. Wellness is and will be actively taught and advocated throughout our college, clinics, research and seminars," said Dr. Mancini.
In administrative moves designed to help" strengthen the congruency between the new mission and the college's organization," Dr. Ken Thomas has been named vice president of academics, while Dr. John Plotts assumes the position of vice president for enrollment and advancement. Dr. Thomas will be responsible for directing all areas of academics, the learning resource center, research, and the clinics. Dr. Plotts will oversee admissions, financial aid, student affairs, the alumni association, development, Parker Seminars and continuing education. In addition, Dr. Ron Rupert was named dean of research and Dr. Larry Stolar will serve as acting dean of the Chiropractic Wellness Clinics."
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