NOVO HAMBURGO, Brazil - On April 8, 2000, to the sound of thundering applause and fireworks, the first class of Brazilian chiropractors graduated. This commemorated a historic and ambitious program between Palmer College and Feevale University of Novo Hamburgo, Brazil. The historic weight of this event was not lost on the 24 students who stepped forward to join the ever-growing international family of doctors of chiropractic. The majority of their course work has all been provided by Palmer faculty in a groundbreaking endeavor whereby Palmer faculty was flown at regular intervals to the Brazilian campus. There has been a constant exchange between the two schools during the entire program, and every attempt has been made to set the stage in Brazil for the highest chiropractic standards possible.
Attending this historic ceremony were prominent Palmer administrators and faculty: Guy Riekeman,DC, president of Palmer College; Michael Crawford, chancellor of Palmer University; Garry Krakos,DC, Palmer director of international programs; Everett Langhans,DC, Palmer's director of chiropractic programs at Feevale; and David Hannah,DC, a Palmer faculty member chosen by the graduating class as their favorite instructor and graduation guest speaker.
During the graduation weekend, a new five story health sciences building was dedicated on the Feevale campus which now houses the new and expanded chiropractic clinic.
This graduation heralds greater things to come. Already, a chiropractic college entrance exam has been created at Feevale. Of the 160 students who took this exam, 50 were selected to begin the next five-year program, which began February 21, 2000. Because of the interest in this program, the Anhembi/Morumbi University in Sao Paulo has created a chiropractic program. This relationship has been facilitated by Eduardo Bracher, a Brazilian chiropractor and Palmer-West graduate, in conjunction with three U.S. colleges: LACC, NWCC, and National College. Thirty-two students began their chiropractic training in Sao Paulo on February 28, 2000.
