In June 2000, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), through the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, presented the National University of Health Sciences (National College of Chiropractic is a school of NUHS) with an Investigator-Initiated Award in the amount of $173,000 to fund research work led by Gregory Cramer,DC,PhD, dean of research.
Although NIH, the primary funding agency for biomedical research in the United States, has given ROI grants to chiropractors at nonchiropractic institutions, Dr. Cramer said this award represents the first time an ROI grant has been presented to a researcher at a chiropractic institution. "It is an honor to receive this grant. NIH has a very high standard of science, and with the honor comes the responsibility to work hard to conduct the research in a very rigorous way," he explained.
This research project will expand preliminary work examining the physiological and anatomical effects adjustments have on the z-joints of the lumbar region. Investigations performed by other researchers have indicated that these do not gap in healthy individuals. Because the results of research projects at National have differed from those studies, Dr. Cramer hopes the larger NIH study will be able to answer this question more definitively.
Dr. Cramer credits Jaeson Fournier,DC, research resident Todd Knudsen,DC, director of diagnostic imaging, and many student research assistants with helping to lay the foundation for the NIH-funded study. He is also grateful to the Foundation for Chiropractic Education and Research (FCER) for providing the funding for the preliminary work that produced "solid results."
"Third-party payers and governmental agencies base decisions on the results of current research," noted Dr. Cramer. "It is absolutely essential that research in both clinical and basic sciences related to chiropractic develop as rapidly as possible."
Northwestern Health Sciences University Students Volunteer Services for AIDS Ride 2000
BLOOMINGTON, Minnesota - Nine students, two alumni and a faculty technician from Northwestern Health Sciences University gave a week of their time to the AIDS Ride 2000 in July, providing chiropractic assistance to more than 1,700 bicyclists. Dan Conway,DC, Minneapolis clinic director, led the Northwestern group to Chicago, Illinois.
This was Dr. Conway's fourth year in the weeklong, 500-mile bike ride. The job of the chiropractic crew was to provide treatment for patients along the ride and at night. "Many patients suffered from lower back pain and sore knees. We helped 150 to 200 people a day get through this ride," he said. "We were one of the most appreciated teams on the ride, along with the massage and Starbucks coffee teams."
The participating students from Northwestern included Arleen Scholten, Amanda Timmel, Becky Adamek, Ryan Granroth, Heather Patallas, Phil Rand, Aaron Rogalski, Tony Sramek and Ryan Wigness. DCs Carrie Getzmier and Chad Peckles also joined the team, and Mary Pat Finley,LAc, provided acupuncture treatments.
AIDS Ride 2000 raised more than $4 million for AIDS research and hospice services.
Minnesota Institute of Acupuncture and Herbal Studies Graduates 12
BLOOMINGTON, Minnesota - The Minnesota Institute of Acupuncture and Herbal Studies (MIAHS) graduated 12 students at their eighth commencement convocation held in July at Northwestern Health Sciences University. Founded in 1990, the institute has established itself in the Twin Cities area as a premier provider of education and clinical services in Oriental medicine and acupuncture.
MIAHS offers the only accredited master degree programs in acupuncture and Oriental medicine in Minnesota. It recently joined Northwestern Health Sciences University, which was formed in 1999 by the expansion of Northwestern College of Chiropractic.
Chiropractors and United Way of Minneapolis Team for Better Posture
August saw the initiation of the United Way's "Good Posture, Great Health" program for fourth and fifth-graders in the Minneapolis area. The presentation, a part of the organization's HealthSpeak program, stressed the importance of good posture and provided safety advice concerning activities such as wearing a backpack or sitting at a computer.
HealthSpeak began in 1991, and now over 200 health care professionals volunteer each year. In 1999, the Minnesota Chiropractic Association joined the program. This year, chiropractors Mary Andrashko and Sheila Fahey piloted the presentation in Minneapolis. The chiropractic curriculum officially began with the start of the school year.
Senator West Visits TCC campus
Texas Senator Royce West, chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on Higher Education, recently met with Dr. Shelby Elliott, president of TCC. The senator's mission was to gain a better understanding of chiropractic education and the role of chiropractic in health care.
Accompanied by Austin lobbyist Deborah Ingersoll and aide Andrew Richard, Senator West took an extensive tour of the campus, speaking with many of the staff, faculty and students. A reception was later given at a popular local restaurant by Dr. and Mrs. Elliott in honor of Senator West, and was attended by numerous local dignitaries, graduates and friends of the college.
TCC To Host Chiro-Games 2000
Seneca Falls, New York is the setting for the 9th annual Chiro Games, September 21-24. (Editor's note: As we go to press, the Games haven't started. We will publish a follow-up story.)
The original Chiro Games, hosted by Logan Chiropractic College in Saint Louis in 1992, featured five events. The number of events has now grown to 14 to include: men's and women's soccer; softball; 5K team race; marathon; mountain biking; volleyball; swimming; ice hockey; tennis; flag football; golf; and men's and women's basketball.
Last year's Chiro Games were hosted by Parker College in Dallas and drew over 1,000 chiropractic college students representing 13 chiropractic colleges.
Inquires may be directed to Tony Petroccia, NYCC recreational services director, at (315) 568-3256.
New Dean of Academic Affairs at Texas Chiropractic College
Correction: In the last issue, we neglected to place the photo of Dr. Jason Flanagan above his photo caption. We apologize for the error.
Shelby Elliott, DC, president of Texas Chiropractic College, has announced the appointment of Jason Flanagan,DC, as acting dean of academic affairs. A December 1990 graduate of TCC, Dr. Flanagan spent five years as an associate in private practice before returning to his alma mater in 1995. Before this appointment, Dr. Flanagan was an assistant professor in the division of clinical sciences.
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