The American Chiropractic Association has named Kevin P. Corcoran, CAE, as its new executive vice president. Effective September 2005, Corcoran succeeds Garrett Cuneo, HCD (hc), FICC (hc), who is retiring from the position after serving for 10 years.
Commented Dr. Donald Krippendorf, ACA president: "After a thorough selection process, I am pleased to announce the appointment of Kevin Corcoran as the association's next EVP. On behalf of the entire board, I want to express how excited we are to soon have Kevin at the helm. We look forward to him leading this association to new levels of success."
Previously, Corcoran spent 11 years with the National Association of Health Underwriters (NAHU), first as membership director, and later as executive vice president.
"The American Chiropractic Association is the premier organization for the chiropractic profession and I am honored that ACA's Board of Governors has selected me to help lead the association into its second century," he said. "This is a great organization; I look forward to working with the Board, staff and members to take the greatest advantage of the opportunities before us."
Former Aussie DC Wins World Series of Poker
On July 16, 2005, Joseph Hachem, DC, won the world's largest prize purse for a competitive card game competition: $7.5 million. The 39-year-old Melbourne, Australia resident played high-stakes poker for more than 13 hours at the final table to win the 2005 World Series of Poker in Las Vegas.
Dr. Hachem was born in Lebanon and moved to Australia in 1972. Four years ago, he was diagnosed with a blood disorder in his hands that forced him to discontinue working as a chiropractor. He began working as a financial broker, while also spending more time on his "hobby" - competitive poker.
At the final table, which started with nine players (more than 5,600 players entered the tournament), Hachem beat American Steven Dannenmann, an accountant, on the final hand of no-limit "hold-em," in which players get two cards each (face down) and can utilize any of five community cards (face up) to build a five-card hand.
The married father of four plans to use some of the $7.5 million prize money to cover educational expenses for his children, take his wife on a travel holiday and care for other members of his extended family.
Northwestern Spearheads Backpack Donations for Homeless
Students, faculty and staff members at Northwestern Health Sciences University in Bloomington, Minn., collected backpacks recently to distribute to area homeless. The bags were donated to the House of Charity in Minneapolis, a 52-year-old nonprofit organization that provides shelter, clothing and food to the disadvantaged in southeast Minnesota.
"The idea to donate backpacks to the local homeless developed during a conversation I had with my sister, a registered nurse and a volunteer with the House of Charity," explained Susan Ricketts, a marketing project coordinator for Northwestern's communications office. "My sister noticed that many of the homeless do not have sturdy bags or backpacks to carry their personal belongings in. Many search from week to week for paper or plastic bags to carry their things, but a strong duffle bag or backpack would give them so much more dignity."
Northwestern's community service committee sponsored the three-week drive, held in May. Jeff Graham, recruitment coordinator, and Christine Kelly, admissions counselor, co-chaired the drive, and were pleased by the results: 70 backpacks were collected and given to those in need.
"This is a brand new initiative. ... We were very pleasantly surprised," said Graham. "It is important to help those who are less fortunate, and this is the perfect opportunity to do so. said Graham. A backpack or bag, especially one that is strong and waterproof, truly is a heartfelt gift. In organizing a drive like this, we create awareness that such a simple item, such as a bag, could make a huge difference in someone's life."
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