For the past year, college administrators and a team of lobbyists have been in constant negotiation with various state representatives to advance this process. Weekly visits with representatives at the state capitol and officials on the committee on higher education are ongoing, as we move past the initial stages of this vision soon to become a reality.
Some may be thinking, "What are the benefits?" or, "It will never happen. We may lose our autonomy." Let me tell you. It will happen. Should we lose autonomy, TCC and the profession can have the opportunity to broaden the resources available to reach more qualified individuals who have a passion for healing. I'm sure other independent branches of the healing arts have suffered the same discrimination, prejudice, wrath, and abuse by political medicine as has chiropractic.
State university affiliation for TCC would be one giant leap for chiropractic education. As it stands, many university systems are wanting to offer a full array of health science options to undergraduate, pre-med students. In Texas alone, such progressions have been accomplished at the state and local levels with the University of Houston School of Optometry; Texas Southern University School of Pharmacy; all branches of the University of Texas Health Science Center; and the Texas A&M University Baylor College of Dentistry.
My overall pursuit has been one of much controversy from some of the other chiropractic colleges in the country. Loss of autonomy and independence seems to be their main concern. However, my commitment to progress and acceptance of the profession is my primary goal. With the anticipation of becoming affiliated with a major university system, TCC will definitely position itself as a recognized leader. Academic standards would be maximized to the fullest extent, attracting the brightest and the best students. Affiliation would also increase the commitment to research and encourage joint research projects with other health professions. The efficacy of chiropractic care would be validated through such research.
TCC is in a position to negotiate with more than one system. As we reach the new millennium, chiropractic will continue to provide a challenge to the medical community. It is time for the chiropractic profession to shed its paranoia and stand up for what it deserves. We belong in the most prestigious part of the education system in society. Do you think for one minute that if we are strong enough to get within the system that anyone else could be strong enough to take it away? Furthermore, every other advancement this profession has made has only paved the way for further acceptance and understanding, such as our licensure and hospital privileges.
Chiropractic is on the cutting edge of providing quality, health care management to patients seeking holistic methods to achieve optimum health. While championing new heights, Texas Chiropractic College will continue to strive for the advancement of chiropractic education's inclusion into the state university system.
I say to you, my colleagues and friends, reality will soon outlive my vision.
Shelby Elliott, DC
President, Texas Chiropractic College