Dr. E. Maylon Drake has dedicated his life to serving others with his vast knowledge in education and guidance not only to students, teachers, and other administrators, but also to the educational and chiropractic professions.
In 1980, Dr. Drake was selected to serve as president of the Los Angeles College of Chiropractic (LACC). His goals were numerous and the results were an example of his extraordinary leadership abilities. One of the most pressing situations was the lack of space and proper facilities for the students at the existing Glendale campus. Dr. Drake conceptualized, organized and implemented the purchase and relocation to LACC's new campus located in Whittier, California. These new facilities offered ample lab and classroom space, the latest technology in education tools and the potential to become one of the finest educational facilities in the nation.
Dr. Drake also insisted on developing these advanced facilities into an "ideal learning institution" that would teach and help develop knowledge and understanding of chiropractic to students so that they would reach their full potential. After two years of diligent research and planning, LACC's Campus Development Plan was implemented.
Dr. Drake stated, "This ambitious program will assure the profession and future graduates that a learning environment has been created for optimum success in the teaching of chiropractic health care."
The first phase of his plan and expansion was fulfilled in 1989. The library was relocated and upgraded to provide a comprehensive Learning Resource Center, incorporating an increased number of volumes, references, learning aids and services, including computer-assisted search which gave students advanced resources enabling them to work to their full potential.
To provide the public quality health care with a personal touch, Dr. Drake and the Clinic Internship Division adopted a new philosophy: to increase the number of interns per health center.
Originally, LACC was located in Glendale with one clinic on the campus. In 1986 the clinic was moved to another location in Glendale where it was remodeled and continues a three-decade tradition of service to the community and clinical training of interns.
These smaller clinics create an intimate environment in which the interns have optimal opportunity to learn and the patients can receive the highest quality care. Among these clinics are the Goodfellow Chiropractic Clinic, the Glendale Chiropractic Health Center, the La Habra Chiropractic Health Center, and the Anaheim Chiropractic Health Center.
Free Health Care For The Needy
Dr. Drake has also organized three public service clinics that provide free health care for the needy. "We want to serve as many ways as we can," Dr. Drake said, "so we have the public health centers open for those needing quality chiropractic health care." The three clinics are The Salvation Army in Los Angeles and Pasadena, and the Goodwill Industries in Los Angeles.
Under the caring hand of this champion administrator LACC has matured. Several major donations have been made to LACC; enrollment has drastically increased; and there has been phenomenal development in the research department.
With 25 active research projects underway, LACC is considered to be among the leading chiropractic colleges in research in the United States. LACC works with leading research personnel from major universities; i.e.
University of California Los Angeles
University of California Irvine
University of Michigan
University of Kentucky
University of Vermont
Dr. Drake received nationwide recognition for his leadership and contributions to the chiropractic profession when he was awarded "Educator of the Year," by the Los Angeles County of Chiropractic Society (LACCS) in 1982. In addition, he was the only college president on the ACA Legislative Commission. One can add to that the fact that Dr. Drake has been both president and vice president of the Chiropractic Council on Education (CCE).
Dr. Drake has been unsparing in his contribution of knowledge, understanding, strength, and leadership to the chiropractic profession. We are proud to have him as such an essential asset to this entire profession.
With the mark of a true professional, Dr. Drake is outcomes-oriented. LACC's academic facilities and programs compare with the best in the United States. In the National, as well as the State Board examinations, LACC students are also the highest scoring candidates in the California State Board Examinations.
According to Dr. Drake, "The true measure of all our work is the success of our students."
Indeed, if this is Dr. Drake's rule of how one can measure success, when one considers Dr. Drake's accomplishments within the world of chiropractic -- then let the record speak for itself.
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