Some came to escape harsh winter weather or to take the latest
continuing education courses. Still others came as potential
students thinking about a chiropractic career. For more than
130 field doctors and 90-plus students, Palmer’s Florida Campus
was the place to be during Homecoming 2010, Feb. 19-20.
“With a reunion of our first graduating class and a record
number of D.C.s in attendance, I think Homecoming and the
Florida Campus have finally come of age,” said Florida Campus
President Peter Martin, D.C., Davenport ’68.
Spizz Night kicked off Homecoming weekend with students
being treated to all the pizza they could eat prior to participating
in a presentation titled “Marketing Chiropractic to Medical
Practices.” It was organized by the Palmer Student Alumni
Foundation and presented by Aligned Methods’ Christina
Acampora, D.C., and Nicole Ingrando, D.C., a 2009 graduate
of the Florida Campus.
Continuing Education
The first day of the Homecoming Continuing Education (CE)
track for chiropractors featured sessions on ethical issues, state
laws and regulations, risk management and the prevention of
medical errors. The student track gave future chiropractors a
chance to learn about how today’s economy may affect their
future, results-driven communication, and building and achieving
chiropractic success. Tom Minkalis of the Center for
Business Development organized and led the student track,
which included a presentation by Dale Carnegie’s Nicole Martin.
Florida Campus President Dr.
Peter Martin meets with U.S.
Olympic swimmer Brooke
Bennett following her presentation
on being healthy and
staying healthy. Ms. Bennett
won a gold medal in the 800
meter freestyle race at the
1996 Summer Olympics, and
earned one gold medal each
for the 400 and 800 meter
freestyle races at the 2000
Summer Olympic games. |
The day’s CE program also included a general session titled
“Health and Fitness is Everyone’s Business” which was presented
by Olympic Gold Medal Winner Brooke Bennett. Now a personal
fitness and nutrition trainer, and a journalist for the Brighthouse
Sports Network, Ms. Bennett spoke to a standing-room only
audience, inspiring the group with her story about becoming an
Olympic swimmer.
The second day of CE sessions covered topics such as the Blair
Technique, the Gonstead System and documenting Medicare
compliance. Interest in sports chiropractic on the Florida Campus
is at an all-time high as evidenced by the number of people
attending sessions on sports chiropractic treatment methods,
and how to establish and maintain a sports chiropractic practice.
The courses were followed by the Standard Process-sponsored
session, “Ten Super Foods That Can Change Your Life.”
Speakers during the two days of CE included West Campus
Dean of Clinics Greg Snow, D.C., West ’90; Davenport Campus
graduates Tom Forest, D.C., ’74; Richard Thornton, D.C.,
’64; John Davila, D.C., ’94; Alan Sokoloff, D.C., ’85; and
Susan Brown, D.C., ’87; as well as Jeremy Rodgers, D.C.;
Dave Hogsed, D.O.M.; Steve Savoie, D.C., Davenport ’78;
and Anna Allen, R.N.
Homecoming participants learn about risk management from
Dr. Steve Savoie of NCMIC. |
First five-year reunion
Following a full day of CE sessions, the pioneer class of the
Florida Campus held their five-year reunion in Daytona Beach
while the rest of those at Homecoming enjoyed a hoe-down in
the west lawn tent, sponsored by the Student Council.
Prospective Student Event
A prospective student’s family got the chance to experience life on
the Florida Campus and enjoy Homecoming at the same time. |
This year’s Prospective Student Event (PSE) began with the
session “Becoming a Successful Chiropractor.” It was presented
by Florida Campus alumni Brett Compton, D.C., ’06; Brian
Froehly, D.C., ’07; and Melissa Ferranti-Afghani, D.C., ’07.
Prospective students also took part in interactive sessions that
showed them what the classroom experience is all about. Faculty
members William Sherrier, D.C.; Teri Payton, D.C., Davenport ’86;
Donald Dishman, D.C.; and John Lockenour, D.C., Davenport ’77;
all participated in the sessions and a faculty Q&A panel at Friday’s
lunch.. Instructor Jeryl Ellett, R.T., then gave a demonstration of
digital radiography. It was followed by a tour of the new research
lab by Florida Campus Director of Research Liang Zhang, M.D.,
Ph.D. The program ended with the first-ever Palmer Carnival.
“This is my favorite event of the year!” said Florida Campus
Enrollment Director Kim Amendola about the PSE. “It gets our
prospective students excited about becoming a part of the
Palmer chiropractic family. We even had an application waiting
for us when we arrived in the office on Monday morning.”
In the days following the event, a number of prospective
students gave very positive feedback. One attendee wrote in
an e-mail, “I wanted to express my gratitude for all that you
and the Palmer staff did last weekend. I know you really put
a lot into it. I had a great time and met some great people.”
President’s Reception
Highlights of the reception included a “State of the Campus”
presentation by Dr. Martin and the recognition of student
scholarship recipients. Afterward, the group joined the crowd
gathered at the west lawn tent to enjoy a casual and relaxed
Finale Celebration.