MINNEAPOLIS, MINN. - Friends, colleagues, alumni and students gathered at the Centennial Lakes Park Centrum Building on July 31, 2001 to honor Northwestern Health Sciences University (NHSU) President Dr. John Allenburg, and to wish him well in his retirement.
A 1951 graduate of Logan College of Chiropractic, Dr. Allenburg joined Northwestern's staff in 1964, serving as the school's clinic director for eight years, and then as dean of clinics. He was the chief academic officer (1976-1985) before being appointed president in February 1992. During Dr. Allenburg's nearly decade-long presidency, the college became a university, adding master degree programs in oriental medicine/acupuncture, and integrative health and wellness, and a school of message therapy. Capping his career at Northwestern, was the recent opening of the Woodwinds Natural Care Center, located within Minnesota's newest hospital. The center provides interdisciplinary care and internship opportunities.
After a year-long search for a successor to Dr. Allenburg, the board of directors selected Alfred Traina, DC,FACO,FICC. Dr. Traina began his duties in mid-August.
"Dr. Traina brings to Northwestern a deep passion for natural health care, a proven track record as an administrator and teacher in chiropractic education, and a high level of integrity," said David Mjoen,DC, chairman of the NHSU Board and the presidential search committee. "He brings to Northwestern a deep passion for natural health care, a proven track record as an administrator and teacher in chiropractic education, and a high level of integrity."
Dr. Traina, a 1963 graduate of the National College of Chiropractic (now National University of Health Sciences) had a private practice in Michigan for 20 years. He was chairman of the clinical sciences department and the clinical sciences residency program at Northwestern from 1983 to 1989. In 1989, he went to work for the Los Angeles College of Chiropractic, and became its associate dean in 1997.
"So many changes have occurred since I left (Northwestern) in 1989. The first thing you notice is the immense change in the physical facility of Northwestern, It is hard to count all of the improvements and additions to the building since 1989."
Dr. Traina is a Fellow of the American Board of Chiropractic Orthopedists and of the International College of Chiropractors. He has been a member of the Council on Chiropractic Education's Clinical Competency Task Force Committee, and the research panel that developed the 1992 RAND report - The Appropriateness of Spinal Manipulation for Low-Back Pain: Indication and Ratings by an All-Chiropractic Expert Panel.
"The last 40 years of experiences have prepared me for this next step," said Dr. Traina. "Chiropractic is more than a profession for me. It is my life."
