Michael McPharlin, now a 2010 Florida Campus graduate, uses
an activator on a patient at Savation Army facility in Daytona
Beach, Fla. |
Lena, who is in her third week of a six-month commitment to
the Salvation Army substance abuse treatment program was at
first leery of chiropractors.
“I worked for a neurosurgeon and didn’t have the best impression
of chiropractors,” she says. “My addiction landed me in
here. When I heard from other patients that they were being
treated by chiropractors from Palmer College, I decided to give
it a try.”
Since that day, Lena estimates that she has seen her intern, about
seven times for an injured back she says was caused by the
tension and stress in her life. Her impression of chiropractors
is now very different.
“I really look forward to the visit,” she says. “Dr. Bobo and the
interns are very pleasant and sincere. They’re more personable
than other doctors. They’re concerned about me as a person and
the circumstances in my life. It really contributes to recovery.”
Teams, led by Faculty Clinician L. Sally Bobo, D.C., have been
treating patients at the Salvation Army program since January of
2010 as part of the Palmer Clinics’ Outreach Program. Dr. Bobo
and interns from Palmer’s Clinics spend about 10 hours per
week on three different days at the Daytona Beach facility.
“The relationship with Palmer is very helpful,” says Clinical
Supervisor Gerard Pepin. “They provide a very beneficial
service. The staff is friendly and flexible, people here really enjoy
and appreciate it. The interns and our residents are a good mix.
The Palmer students are good role models for our residents.”
Says Michael McPharlin, a 12th Quarter student, “We provide
safe, structured, human contact, which is something that’s
been missing in the lives of many of the people we see. We
are inspired by each other. The mind and spirit are treated
by Salvation Army and the body by Palmer.”
Sharing that same sentiment, 13th Quarter student Anna
Foster says the Clinic provides a chance for patients fighting
substance abuse to be taken seriously, to dispel the myth that
they’re not worthy.
Twelfth Quarter student Amanda Baum says that the message
of the Clinic is that it is “open, non-judgmental and that
everybody deserves care.”
David Eads, Salvation Army’s Program Director had nothing
but praises for the partnership. “When we ask our patients
what the best part of their day was, they say when the
doctor took the time with me and treated me like a person.’
That kind of compassion leads to real healing.”