Affiliated with the Consortium since its inception in 1985, Dr. Nyiendo says she will focus her energy on furthering the development of relationships between CCR-member colleges, and other academic and health care institutions with established track records in research and funding, both in the private and public sectors. "Through such collaboration, we are seeing greater understanding and respect for each other among the health care disciplines. It will also foster a greater emphasis among physicians of all disciplines to approach the choice of treatment alternatives based on what has been shown to be in the patient's best interest," said Dr. Nyiendo.
A fellow of the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr. Nyiendo received her doctorate in microbiology from Oregon State University. She is the principal author of numerous grants including "Utilization study of 2,000 patients attending a chiropractic teaching clinic"; "A retrospective study of cost, clinical, and other characteristics of compensable low-back injury claims in Oregon"; and "Low-back pain: practice activities and patient outcomes, a feasibility study."
Dr. Nyiendo has presented her research at meetings of the InternationaL Conference on Spinal Manipulation, American Public Health Association (APHA), and the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research (AHCPR).
Faculty Authors
David Peterson, DC, associate professor of chiropractic science at WSCC has written the text Chiropractic Technique: Principles and Procedures, with co-authors Thomas Bergmann, DC and Dana Lawrence, DC. The book presents a literature base of joint anatomy, joint biomechanics, principles of joint assessment, and adjustive technique as they apply to the spine and peripheral articulations. The textbook describes procedures fundamental to the application of chiropractic adjustive techniques and provides a rationale for their selection and use.
Dr. Peterson, who teaches chiropractic methods and adjustive technique, is past chairman of the school's chiropractic sciences division, and a former member of the ACA Technique Counsel's Advisory Panel on Adjustive Technique. He is the co-author of a chapter in the book Chiropractic Standards of Practice and Quality Care, and has recently co-authored a series of articles on the reliability and validity of selected chiropractic diagnostic procedures.
Naturopathic physician and WSCC faculty member Steve Austin has co-authored with wife Cathy, A Thinking Woman's Guide to Breast Cancer. The book examines both conventional and alternative therapies for breast cancer. Cathy was diagnosed four years ago with breast cancer.
The book is slated for publication in 1994 by Prima Publications, a division of St. Martin's Press.
Japanese Students Visit WSCC for Continuing Education
Nineteen chiropractors and chiropractic students affiliated with Nihon America Chiropractic College in Osaka, Japan visited the WSCC campus for a three-day educational program called "Chiropractic Diagnostic Protocols." Hisashi Akamatsu, DC, president of Nihon America Chiropractic College, was instrumental in arranging the August visitation with Lester Lamm, DC, dean of postgraduate education at WSCC.
The program focused on orthopedic and neurologic tests, x-ray analysis, and history-taking. Lectures were translated by WSCC graduate Dr. Eiko Nakato, with Chiyoko Haas lending additional support.
The Japanese students took time from their classroom studies to tour the Portland-area shops and restaurants, and to visit Mt. Hood, the 12,000-foot, snow-capped peak that's an hour's drive from the college.
"It's very gratifying to see the relationship flourish between Western States and the Japanese college," said William H. Dallas, DC, president of WSCC. "I'm also pleased to see our faculty recognized as international educators in chiropractic. They deserve tremendous credit for the work they've devoted to making this program a success."
WSCC Clinician and Graduate Published in Sports Journal
WSCC Staff Clinician James Gerber, DC, MS, and 1992 WSCC graduate Victor Pierson authored "Long thoracic nerve injury in a high jumper: a case report," published in the quarterly journal Chiropractic Sports Medicine. The article was based on a patient's case at the college's clinic. Dr. Gerber noted that the case was of particular interest because high jumpers have not previously been reported to be susceptible to this injury. "Although it is known to occur during athletic activity, no report of this injury occurring to high jumpers is apparent in the literature to date," Dr. Gerber wrote.
The authors suggest that high jumpers using the backward vaulting style are prone to long thoracic nerve injury, and possibly brachial plexus injury. They recommend jumpers refrain from landing obliquely on the shoulder and head to avoid sudden tractioning of these sensitive areas. Their treatment plan consists of chiropractic care for concomitant soft tissue injuries and joint dysfunction, along with advice for prevention of further trauma to the peripheral nerves involved.
Western States Hosts 135th Commencement
WSCC held its 135th commencement program August 28, on the college's campus. The guest speaker was Scott Walker, DC, a 1965 graduate of Palmer Chiropractic College who encouraged the new doctors to prize their education at WSCC as the best preparation available for today's health care challenges.
WSCC President Dr. William H. Dallas bestowed the honorary degree of doctor of laws (LLD) on Raymond W. Klier, DC, ND, a 1947 graduate of WSCC. The degree is conferred upon individuals who have distinguished themselves in general service to the state, the institution, the profession, or society. Dr. Klier has served as a member of the faculty, the Board of Trustees, and the Board of the WSCC Alumni Association. He was awarded "Alumnus of the Year" by the college, and "Chiropractor of the Year" by the state association. Instrumental in building the college's endowment fund, he also established the Ray Klier Diagnostic Laboratory in the student health center on campus.
Valedictorian Erwin Linzer, who graduated magna cum laude, urged graduates to serve as leading examples to their patients. David Folweiler, MS, and Eiko Nakato, BA, both graduated cum laude. Clay Bartness, DC, chair of the WSCC Board of Trustees awarded degrees to graduates Wilburn Benton Jr., BS; Jennifer Broad, BA; Don De Spain, BA; Gregory Freebairn; Jeffery Fry; Janice Haig; Cory Hawkins; Deborah Hildebrandt, BA; Karson Johnson; Art Louie, BA; Christian Mathisen Jr., BA; Mary Mich, BS; Loren Miller, BGS; Michael Nelson; Scott Olson; Michael Peters; Samuel Sanders; Geraldine Sheehan, BA; Debra Thompson; Mark Webber; and Eric Wunsch.
Associated Student Body President Tom James presented the "Outstanding Senior Student" award to David Folweiler, past editor of the student newspaper, The Axis. The award, initiated this past year, recognizes a graduate from each class who has contributed significantly to the growth and betterment of the college. The Class Challenge was given by naturopathic physician Dr. Dave McAllen.
WSCC Faculty Members are Published in Chiropractic Technique
Mitchell Haas, MA, DC, associate professor of research at WSCC, is the principle author of the paper, "The reliability of muscle testing response to provocative vertebral challenge," in the August 1993 issue of Chiropractic Technique.
Co-written by WSCC faculty members and DCs David Peterson, Dennis Hoyer, and Greg Ross, the article questions the usefulness of muscle testing as a diagnostic test for manipulable subluxation in asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic patients. A positive indication for adjustment was defined as a muscle response or reaction: a transitory weakening of the piriformis muscle following a rotatory spinal challenge. If the muscle remained strong, the outcome was considered negative.
According to Dr. Haas, "It is important that the reliability of diagnostic procedures be evaluated in the clinical context for which they are intended to be applied. Although muscle strength testing itself is potentially highly reliable, this study casts doubt on the consistency of muscle testing response to a provocative vertebral challenge in the study population."
The authors suggest that further study is required to determine if this test is reliable in more symptomatic patient populations, in different regions of the spine, and with different muscle testing procedures.
WSCC Librarian Elected to Editorial Board of Journal
Pamela Bjork, MLS, has been selected to serve on the editorial board of the MC Journal: the Journal of Academic Media Librarianship. Ms. Bjork is the audiovisual librarian for the Instructional Media Center at WSCC. The peer-reviewed journal, which debuted in April, is an electronic publication whose scope encompasses all aspects of academic media librarianship. Manuscript subjects for future issues may include automated booking systems, collection development, cataloguing issues for various AV formats, and teaching effectiveness of AV materials. Suggestions for columns, according to Ms. Bjork, include topics such as copyright, microcomputing, software reviews, conference reports, a new AV equipment.
Ms. Bjork received her master's degree in library science from the University of Washington. Prior to her position at Western States, she worked at Oregon Health Sciences University organizing the library for the department of dermatology. She has also served as a reference librarian for Clark College and Ft. Vancouver Regional Library.
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