General sessions enlighten and inspire
Secretary-general of the World Federation of Chiropractic (WFC)
Mr. David Chapman-Smith spoke about the need for a public
identity for chiropractic during his general session presentation
titled “Current Development for Future Success of the Profession.”
This identity, he said, should be one that “embraces the profession’s
role as spinal care experts in the healthcare system, without losing
the philosophy of chiropractic and its leadership in adjusting skills
and manual health care. No one is saying you should only treat the
spine,” he added, “but in a world not familiar with chiropractic,
the profession’s market identity should be clear and consistent.”
“Some people think the term evidence-based wellness is an oxymoron,”
said renowned wellness expert, educator, speaker and
author James Chestnut, M.Sc., D.C., CCWP, at the beginning of his
general session presentation titled “Evidence-based Wellness and
Prevention: The Foundation of Healthcare by 2020.” “That’s why I
started the (International Chiropractors Association) wellness certification
program. Wellness isn’t synonymous with asymptomatic chiropractic
care. When I speak about wellness, I use the term lifestyle.
Twenty-first century health care is about lifestyle.”
He concluded his presentation by saying that “the chiropractic
principles are the truths that will save the world. We know what’s
required. Chiropractic must lead the wellness and prevention
movement. If the legacy of our profession is the paradigm shift
from the allopathic to the chiropractic paradigm, that would be
phenomenal!”
During the closing session of Homecoming 2011, titled “A View
Toward 2020: Palmer College Over the Next 10 Years,” Palmer
College Chancellor Dennis Marchiori, D.C., Ph.D., discussed the
future of the College for the next 10 years, making it clear that during
this time of growth, Palmer has focus. “Our focus is on being
the trusted leader,” said Dr. Marchiori. “It’s our aspirational direction.
I know we’re not there on all aspects, but when it comes to
training chiropractors, we’re number one.”
Dr. Marchiori emphasized Palmer’s focus on being the trusted
leader in chiropractic education in his closing session presentation. |
Dr. Marchiori said that 50 percent of Americans take at least one
prescription drug, with one in six people having been prescribed
three or more drugs. But while the population seems to have no
problem taking pills, there are still people who say they don’t
“believe” in chiropractic. “Chiropractic is not a religion,” he said.
“We need to show them the facts. Our healthcare system is in crisis.
It’s time to examine and decide how we impact society. We need to
define what we do as a viable (healthcare) option. We are the third
largest organized health profession … yet only eight percent of the
population sees chiropractors.”
Dr. Marchiori called for alumni to mentor Palmer students and
recent graduates. He encouraged them to join the new Palmer
CareerNetwork, an online networking database exclusively for
Palmer students and alumni. He also told them to spread the word
and bring their chiropractic friends with them next year to Palmer
Homecoming to learn and celebrate with our Palmer community.
First-ever Career Fair connects alumni with students
Students networked with alumni during the first Career Fair at
this year’s Homecoming. |
One of the new events at this year’s Davenport Campus Homecoming
was a Career Fair in the Palmer Center for Business Development.
Ten alumni met with about 40 students during the fair, talking
to them about opportunities at their clinics and giving them
advice about their chiropractic careers.
Both students and doctors found the Career Fair beneficial. Chris
LoRang, 6th trimester, said he came to the Career Fair “to gain the
experience of handing out my resumé and talking to doctors about
opportunities they may have. Two of the doctors on the list are in
my target areas for future practice, too.”
Dennis Fitterer, D.C., of Fitterer Chiropractic in Palmyra, Penn.,
was one of the alumni participants. “I’m at the stage where I’m
looking for a preceptor or possibly a future associate,” he said.
“This is a great opportunity to meet face-to-face with Palmer
students and talk about what we each have to offer.”
Dr. Kern event raises funds for Campus Guides
About 180 people gathered for a special dinner during Homecoming
to celebrate former Davenport Campus President Donald Kern,
D.C.’s 50 years of service to Palmer College, and to raise funds for
the Campus Guides Endowed Scholarship Fund. Approximately
$25,500 was raised for the scholarship fund. Surprise guest Herky
the Hawkeye (University of Iowa mascot) presented Dr. Kern with
a special gift of an Iowa jersey with his name on it, and posed for
photos with Hawkeye fans, including number one fan Dr. Kern.
A special thank you to the event sponsors: Ultimate Chocolate
Experience Sponsor – ARAMARK; Premium Chocolate Sponsor –
Palmer College of Chiropractic Board of Trustees; Semi-sweet
Chocolate Sponsor – NCMIC; Decadent Chocolate Dessert Sponsor
– Palmer Campus Guides (alumni and current students); Mystery
Guest Sponsor – WelchAllyn; Chocolate Chip Sponsor – Inline
Tables; and a special gift from OUM Chiropractor Program.
Prospective Student Event a big draw for students
Nearly 90 prospective students and their guests had a great time
learning about Palmer and chiropractic on Aug. 12 during the
Prospective Student Event held in conjunction with Homecoming.
Within a week following the event, 15 of those students already
had applied to the Doctor of Chiropractic program.
Director of Chiropractic Rehabilitation and Sports Injury
Dave Juehring, D.C., DACRB, demonstrates how chiropractors
work with patients on balance issues during the Interactive
Classroom Experience. |
“My family and I had a great time enjoying the interactive sessions
that were being taught by the prominent doctors who teach the
various courses,” posted prospective student Chad Alan Vermuelen
of South Dakota on Palmer’s Future Chiropractors group page
on Facebook. “My seven-year-old daughter and I loved getting
‘hands-on’ with the human brain, searching for its various parts.
We’ve had a great time here on campus and are enjoying the
Palmer family interactions.”
The annual Prospective Student Event gave participants a glimpse
of Palmer’s research facilities, radiology and rehabilitation departments
and anatomy lab during the two-hour Interactive Classroom
Experience. During lunch they also had an opportunity to visit
with current students and other prospective students.
Recognition, awards and induction of new Fellows
highlight Alumni Luncheon
The Alumni Luncheon at this year’s Homecoming was jampacked
with information, special awards and the induction of
nine new Fellows in the Palmer Academy of Chiropractic.
Vice Chancellor for Student Success Kevin Cunningham, D.C.,
Ph.D., spoke about the newly launched Palmer CareerNetwork
as a new way for alumni to stay connected with the College in a
meaningful way. (See article on page 5 for more information.)
Executive Director for Alumni Mickey Burt, D.C., then presented
“a very special honor to an extraordinary woman,” when he
recognized Vice Chancellor for Research and Health Policy
Christine Goertz, D.C., Ph.D., as an honorary alumna of Palmer
College of Chiropractic. “Everything about Dr. Goertz is impressive,”
Dr. Burt said. “We’d like to add to her impressive list of
accomplishments today and recognize her outstanding contributions
to Palmer by making Dr. Christine Goertz an honorary
alumna of Palmer College.”
Next on the luncheon agenda was the granting of an honorary
Doctor of Chiropractic Humanities degree to Kent Forney, J.D.
“Mr. Forney has served nearly 30 years on the Palmer Board of
Trustees and is currently its vice chairman,” said Chancellor Dr.
Dennis Marchiori. “He is a Palmer Presidents Club member and
a longstanding Palmer supporter, strong chiropractic advocate
and friend.”
Newly inducted Fellows receive a standing ovation at the Alumni
Luncheon (from left): Dr. Kurt Burbach; Dr. Chris Chance
(accepting posthumous Fellowship for his father Dr. M. Dean
Chance); Justin Chance (accepting posthumous Fellowship for his
late great-grandfather Dr. Hugh Chet Chance); Dr. Todd Curzie;
Dr. Jeff Gehlsen; Dr. Christine Goertz; Dr. Robert Percuoco; Dr.
Frank Sovinsky. Dr. H. Tom Barnes is standing below the stage. |
The last order of business at the luncheon was the induction of
nine new Fellows in the Palmer Academy of Chiropractic. The
following were inducted: H. Tom Barnes, D.C., Audubon, Iowa;
Kurt Burbach, D.C., Dyersville, Iowa; M. Dean Chance, D.C.
(posthumous award); Hugh Chet Chance, D.C. (posthumous
award); Todd Curzie, D.C., L.C.P. (Hon.), Anchorage, Alaska;
Jeff Gehlsen, D.C., Freeport, Ill.; Christine Goertz, D.C., Ph.D.,
Davenport, Iowa; Robert Percuoco, D.C., Long Grove, Iowa;
and Frank Sovinsky, D.C., Tahoe City, Calif.
Sigma Phi Chi sorority celebrates 100 years
The Sigma Phi Chi sorority, the oldest chiropractic organization
in the world, celebrated its 100-year anniversary this year
during Homecoming. A special recognition video was presented
during the Homecoming opening session, and the ladies of
Sigma Phi Chi were given a standing ovation. Here they are
shown at the Dr. Esther Mork Hat & Tea Luncheon, one of
several sorority events during the weekend.