Vickie Palmer passes the gavel and the role of Chairman of the
Board to Dr. Trevor Ireland. |
After an illustrious 20-year legacy as chairman of the Palmer
College of Chiropractic Board of Trustees, Ms. Vickie Palmer
announced to Board members on Jan. 15, 2008, that she
would officially conclude her tenure as chairman at the
Feb. 1-2, 2008, Board meeting in San Jose, Calif. Ms. Palmer
continues serving on the Board as a Board officer and member
of the executive committee.
“I began considering this nearly seven years ago and consulted
with many advisors, including my two sisters, during that
time,” explained Ms. Palmer. “For many reasons, I’m confident
that this is the right time to make a smooth transition.
We’ve successfully completed our capital campaign and
opened the Academic Health Center. I’m also very comfortable
with the strength of the Board and the College administration.
More importantly, the time is right for a practicing
chiropractor to lead this College as it has become a true participant
in the mainstream healthcare delivery system.”
As part of her announcement, Ms. Palmer submitted
the nomination of Vice Chairman Trevor Ireland, D.C.,
Davenport ’70, as her successor. At the Board meeting,
Dr. Ireland received unanimous support and approval from
all members and officially assumed chairman responsibilities on
Feb. 2.
“He is an incredible individual and I’m certain he will do an
excellent job,” added Ms. Palmer. “Dr. Ireland possesses all of
the characteristics necessary to lead us on this journey.”
“I’ve trained my entire life to assume this position,” Dr. Ireland
said of his new role. “It has been a privilege to have served with
Vickie for all these years. As we enter this new era of chiropractic,
I shall do my utmost to benefit Palmer College, pursue its
mission, and protect and perpetuate its philosophy, science and
art, and continue to honor the historic connection between
Vickie Palmer and the College.”
Dr. Ireland, a magna cum laude graduate and a Board member
since 1988, is founder of the Ireland Clinic of Chiropractic in
Anchorage, Alaska, one of the largest chiropractic healthcare
facilities in that state. During his distinguished 38-year career, he
has been honored as a fellow of the International Chiropractors
Association, the Palmer Academy of Chiropractic, the Palmer
West Campus Academy of Chiropractic, and the International
College of Chiropractors. Dr. Ireland was the youngest doctor
ever to receive all four chiropractic fellowship honors. In
addition, he co-founded the Alaska Chiropractic Society and
is a past president of that organization.
With Dr. Ireland assuming the Board chairman position,
Mr. Kent Forney was elected vice chairman. Mr. Forney, a
prominent attorney in Des Moines, Iowa, has served on the
Board since 1982, most recently as the Board secretary.
Ms. Palmer was named to the Palmer Board in 1978 and served
as vice chairman from 1985 until her election to chairman in
1987. During that tenure, she has been instrumental in many
significant accomplishments for the College. Those include
opening of the Palmer Academic Health Center on the Davenport
Campus; the growth, development and stabilization of
Palmer’s West Campus; the establishment of the Florida Campus in 2002;
the creation of the Palmer Center for Business Development
and the Palmer Center for Chiropractic Research, and the unification
of the three Palmer campuses as one College.
During its February meeting, the Board welcomed Ervin Malcheff, D.C.,
Davenport ’69, as a new Board member. Dr. Malcheff currently maintains
a practice in Hillsdale, Mich., with his wife, Carol Malcheff, D.C., Davenport
’70. He was named a Fellow in the Palmer Academy of Chiropractic
in October 2004.
The Board also presented the special honor of Trustee Emeritus to
Marilyn Smith, D.C., Davenport ’69, for her contributions to Palmer
College. Dr. Smith was named to the Board of Trustees for Palmer
College in 1987. She served as chairman of the Board of Trustees for
Palmer West until the creation of the Palmer Chiropractic University
System in 1991, when she served as Vice Chairman for the University
System Board of Trustees until December 2003.
Dr. Ervin Malcheff