Following a nearly three-year process of
planning, research and review, the Boardappointed
Palmer Chiropractic Identity
Committee is in the late stages of finalizing
a set of documents that will represent
Palmer College’s position on chiropractic
for future generations.
As reported in the past several issues of
Palmer Insights, the purpose of this identity
project has been to develop and solidify a
relevant identity within the contemporary
chiropractic education marketplace and
provide an example that could help unify
the Palmer community.
“Throughout the process, we have been
steadfast in our intent to remain true to the
philosophy, science and art of chiropractic,”
says Vickie Palmer, chair of the Palmer
Chiropractic Identity Committee. “At the
same time, we must create a rational and
scientific-based, marketable statement that
identifies the profession for the general public
and fellow healthcare providers.”
The research phase of the project began
with an assessment of past chiropractic
identity projects conducted by the World
Federation of Chiropractic, the American
Chiropractic Association and other groups.
Following that assessment, the committee
went to faculty, staff, alumni, recent graduates,
clinic patients and the general public
for input related to:
- The central focus of chiropractic
- Phrases related to the practice
of chiropractic
- Phrases related to the characteristics
of chiropractors
Also included as part of the research effort
was a thorough review of the College’s guiding
documents: the mission, vision, philosophy
statement and tenets.
“We found that the documents that have
guided us in the past are not as explicit as
they need to be, especially in light of the
shifting programs of some chiropractic institutions,”
says Palmer Chancellor Dennis
Marchiori, D.C., Ph.D. “The input from
faculty, alumni and others quickly pointed
out opportunities for us to improve and
evolve those guiding documents to more
effectively express our chiropractic identity.”
“Each generation of the Palmer family has
contributed to the advancement of the
profession,” says Ms. Palmer. “It’s an honor
to continue that tradition through this
identity project.”
For example, the committee has developed
a new document that, for the first time,
lists the College’s Values. Another new
document, the Practice Paradigm, defines
the scope of practice of a Palmer chiropractor
and incorporates the content of
the Palmer Tenets.
“The Practice Paradigm blends the Palmer
Tenets with other key survey findings and
provides greater clarity about what we do as
chiropractors and what our position is within
the healthcare arena,” adds Dr. Marchiori.
The refinement, development and implementation
of these foundational documents
are also intended to reinforce
Palmer’s brand as The Trusted Leader in
Chiropractic Education.
As Palmer Insights went to press, the
committee was concluding a final document
testing with groups of alumni,
patients, faculty, staff and student leaders.
After reviewing the feedback from those
test sessions, the Identity Committee will
present a final recommendation to the
Board of Trustees at its June 2012 meeting
for approval.
Once approved, the College will begin
integrating these identity documents into
student and patient recruitment efforts,
and initiate a plan for sharing them with
employees, alumni and students.
Look for more information about this
important project in the next issue of
Palmer Insights, upcoming issues of
Palmer Highlights or visit www.palmer.edu.