Administrators at Palmer College of Chiropractic (PCC) recently signed a memorandum of understanding with the University of Aspeur-Feevale in Novo Hamburgo, Brazil. The two academic institutions have agreed to explore setting up a chiropractic curriculum at Aspeur-Feevale.
Since chiropractic is not as well-established internationally as it is in the United States, other countries often look to the U.S. for models of chiropractic education. As the founding chiropractic college in the country, PCC has long been an advocate for international chiropractic expansion.
"Chiropractic has a presence across the globe, but interest is especially strong in southeast Asia, eastern Europe and South America," noted Dr. Virgil Strang, Palmer's president. "Of those most likely to expand chiropractic and develop a native chiropractic education, the most substantive action may be in Brazil."
It is a common occurrence outside the United States for a chiropractic curriculum to become affiliated within a university or college. This has already happened in Australia, England, New Zealand, and Japan. On the subject of affiliation, Dr. Strang remarked: "Affiliating with an existing university is possible without affecting the quality of chiropractic education. We simply would have to wrestle with inclusion rather than exclusion. And we at Palmer College are prepared to do this."
The two day meeting was attended by representatives of both PCC and Aspeur-Feevale. Three Palmer graduates involved with the Brazilian Chiropractic Association (BCA) helped facilitate the meetings between the two groups and also attended the meeting at Palmer. "This opportunity happened because of the continued positive professional relationship between Palmer College and the BCA," added Dr. Garry Krakos, PCC's liaison for international affairs.
