Palmer College of Chiropractic

When Sharina Gudavalli, D.C., Davenport ’02, lost her life in an accident four years ago, she was embarking on a promising career in chiropractic practice and research. Sharina had a passion to provide chiropractic care and also wanted to do research like her father, M. Ram Gudavalli, Ph.D., a faculty member in the Palmer Center for Chiropractic Research. After her graduation from Palmer, she pursued post-graduate study and completed certification in Cox Technic (also known as flexion-distraction). It was while practicing with Ralph Kruse, D.C., a Cox Technic doctor and instructor, in Chicago, that her career was cut tragically short.

Wanting to do something in Dr. Sharina Gudavalli’s memory, the Cox Technic certified doctors and friends of the family decided to collect funds to purchase a flexion distraction instrument, the Cox7 Table, in her name and place it in an easily accessible place for patients to receive the chiropractic care she so loved to share. Mr. Don Wisner, president of Haven Innovation, the manufacturer of the Cox7 Table, contributed more than a third of the value of the instrument.

Working with administrators in the Palmer Chiropractic Clinics on the Davenport Campus, as well as Development Office staff, officials from Cox Technic Resource Center and Haven Innovation coordinated the placement of the table in the Davenport Clinic located in the Palmer Academic Health Center, with an official presentation ceremony during the 2011 Davenport Campus Homecoming.

“When we lost Sharina, we lost a great research mind,” said James Cox, D.C., the developer of the Cox Technic. “All of the Cox certified physicians donated money for this table, along with Don Wisner of Haven Innovation. We hope it’s a living testament to the genius of Dr. Ram Gudavalli and the love of his family.”

Added Vice Chancellor for Clinic Affairs Kurt Wood, D.C.: “Out of a tragic circumstance comes a legacy in your daughter’s name, Dr. Gudavalli. We are honored to have this kind of equipment in our clinics, and we thank everyone who has been involved in bringing it here.”