The California Chiropractic Foundation (CCF) hosted a two-day seminar, "Work Comp Reform: The Complete Story" (October 30-31, Los Angeles) designed to teach DCs how to excel in the new workers' compensation system.
The seminar featured two keynote speakers, California Assemblyman Willie L. Brown Jr. (D), and Assembly Minority Leader James Brulte (R). Mr. Brown has been directly involved with the system changes, and Mr. Brulte was instrumental in creating the reform package on workers' compensation.
The program brought together speakers from the insurance industry, Industrial Medical Council, legal profession, and employer community, including:
- Larry Middleton (State Compensation Insurance Fund) lectured on the role of DCs in the new workers' compensation managed-care system, and how these changes will affect HMO treatment fees.
- Allan Zaremberg, senior vice president of the California Chamber of Commerce, spoke about how the new fraud requirements affect employers.
- Ira Monosson, MD, (Industrial Medical Council) discussed the new reporting requirements and treatment guidelines that will affect doctors in the new system.
The seminar has been submitted to the Calif. State Board of Chiropractic Examiners for 12 hours of relicensing credit.
DC Speaks on Whiplash and TMJ at International Symposium
Dennis P. Steigerwald, DC, of San Diego, addressed the Ninth International Symposium of the American Academy of Head, Neck, Facial Pain & TMJ Orthopaedics in July. Dr. Steigerwald's topic was "Management of Whiplash Induced Temporomandibular Joint Disorder." This was the first time a chiropractor was asked to address this prestigious group of TMD specialists. Specific points of Dr. Steigerwald's lecture included:
- need for timely algorithmic management of TMJ injuries.
- specificity in physiotherapy applications of TMJ inflammation.
- benefit of early identification of whiplash induced TMD.
- chiropractic interaction with the dental and surgical models for TMD treatment.
Dr. Steigerwald commented that as a result of his participation in the symposium, the American Academy of Head, Neck, Facial Pain & TMJ Orthopaedics has proposed a collateral fellowship for chiropractors within their organization.
A summa cum laude graduate of CCCLA, Dr. Steigerwald was valedictorian and was ranked first in his class.
PCCW Holds Annual Homecoming, Dedicates New Facility
Palmer College of Chiropractic West (PCCW), held its ninth annual homecoming October 21-24 at the college's new campus at 90 E. Tasman Drive in San Jose. The homecoming featured workshops, lectures, and social events, culminating in a ribbon cutting ceremony to dedicate the new campus.
Homecoming workshops covered such topics as chiropractic philosophy, communicating effectively with patients, and office management. Dr. Russell Erhardt, known for his use of x-ray technologies in the chiropractic field, spoke on lumbar and lumbosacral studies. A diplomate and lecturer of the American Chiropractic Board of Roentgenologists, Dr. Erhardt has completed postgraduate studies in general and regional orthopedics and is a board qualified chiropractic orthopedist. Gregory Plaugher, DC, assistant professor at PCCW, discussed a specific biomechanical approach to clinical chiropractic. Howard Ross, a management consultant for over 20 years, examined the changing issues in areas of insurance and practice management.
Homecoming social activities included a golf tournament, country western dancing, and five and ten year reunions of PCCW graduates.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony to dedicate the campus was held October 23rd. It was followed by a banquet, auction, and dancing later that evening.
LACC to Hold 7th Annual Interdisciplinary Symposium
Los Angeles College of Chiropractic (LACC) recently announced its 7th Annual Interdisciplinary Symposium, "New Insights into the Clinical Application of Biomechanics in Spinal Manipulation" to be held March 5-6, 1994 on the LACC campus. Multidisciplinary faculty will discuss research in such areas as spinal movement; forces exerted during spinal manipulation; head kinetics, and clinical outcomes of patients with neck injury; and biomechanics of the lumbar spine toward reduction of the risk of injury.
Speakers will include Drs. John Triano, Thomas Bergmann, Raymond Brodeur, Maruti Ram Gudavalli, Walter Herzog, Stuart McGill, and Robert Peshman.
In addition to the general sessions, there will be break-out sessions interspersed throughout the symposium to afford increased small group participation.
License renewal credit is applied for in most states and Canada. For further information about this Visiting Scholar Program contact the LACC Postgraduate Division, P.O. Box 1166, Whittier, CA 90609-1166. Or call (310) 947-8755.
LCCW Receives $143,488 Grant to Study Adolescent Scoliosis
The Foundation for Chiropractic Education and Research (FCER) has awarded Life Chiropractic College West (LCCW) a research grant of $143,488 to evaluate the effectiveness of chiropractic treatment on adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis (for more on FCER research grants see the front page story in the October 22, 1993 issue of Dynamic Chiropractic, "Where the Research Dollars Are Going.") The principal investigator will be Dr. Charles "Skip" Lantz, LCCW research director.
The grant award, announced by FCER Executive Director Anthony L. Rosner, PhD, will be paid over three years, and began in October. Life West's proposal was one of two funded out of 15 submitted this year to the FCER, which is a major source for chiropractic research grants.
"This is a very significant project for two reasons," commented Dr. Lantz. "First, it is the only large-scale clinical trial ever to look at chiropractic and scoliosis. Second, it is the only large-scale chiropractic clinical trial in the U.S. to be specifically directed to the pediatric population."
The study group will consist of adolescents between ages 9-15 who have curves of mild to moderate severity. Between 50 and 100 children selected through a school screening program will be studied for a minimum period of one year. Progress of participants will be determined by x-ray analysis using a measurement known as the Cobb angle.
Treatment will address four major areas: full spine manual adjustment, with particular attention to the areas of the apex, pelvis and cervical spine; heel lifts, when indicated; exercises; and posture and lifestyle counseling.
Life West Uses New Technology to Preserve Anatomy Specimens
LCCW is one of a handful of educational institutions in the U.S. and the only chiropractic college that has opened the doors to plastination technology for its students. Plastination allows for the permanent preservation of human anatomy specimens through a process in which a polymer replaces every molecule of water in the cells, while allowing specimens to remain pliable and lifelike, according to Doug Thorp, Life West's former laboratories manager.
"The specimens are nontoxic, washable, and they last forever," said Mr. Thorp, who has been instrumental in establishing the LCCW plastination lab. So far Mr. Thorp, along with current lab manager Jeff Custer and Peggie Phillips, associate dean of basic sciences, have completed the preservation process of two human hearts, a cervical spine and skull, a pelvis and lumbar spine, a forearm and hand, and a set of lungs among other specimens. Since the specimens last indefinitely, there is less of a shortage and students can see and touch the subjects featured in instructors' lectures and textbook photographs.
Plastination is a patented process based on the work of Gunther von Hagens, an anatomy professor from the University of Heidelberg, Germany. Dr. Von Hagen stumbled onto the plastination process of biological specimens 14 years ago while attempting to adhere biological tissue to a slide.
LCCW Elects New Student Council Officers
Life West students have elected their new student council officers for the 1993-94 school year.
President -- Mitch Derrick (6th quarter) from Lacey, Washington, has a bachelor's degree in biology from Central Washington University in Ellensburg, Washington, and is also an Army ROTC lieutenant.
Vice President -- Liz Smith (8th quarter) of Modesto, entered Life West following a 20-year career in mortgage banking.
Secretary -- Rick Bonar (4th quarter) of San Francisco worked in hospital administration and intended to pursue a nursing degree until he decided on a chiropractic career.
Treasurer -- Randy March (8th quarter), a Sacramento native, was a commercial fish plant operator before deciding to attend Life West. He has a bachelor's degree in zoology from University of California-Davis.
LCCW Limits Enrollment for Fall 1993
Life West will limit enrollment for its Fall 1993 quarter due to an increase in overall enrollment. There has been a 54 percent increase from Fall 1992.
According to Admissions Director Suzanne Smith, enrollment at chiropractic colleges nationwide is on the rise as the chiropractic field becomes an increasingly popular career choice. Said Ms. Smith, "For the first time in the school's history we have had to limit enrollment to 100 freshman and have established a waiting list for students wanting to enroll." Ms. Smith commented that there are now many second and third generation chiropractors, and many people who are now choosing chiropractic as their first career choice, instead of switching to it from another career.
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