California Forum

Life West People in the News

Photo 1: Dr. Dan Pogrelis

A Moment of Silence for Dr. Dan Pogrelis

Life West mourns the passing of Dan Pogrelis, DC, who died April 27 at the age of 41.

Dr. Pogrelis was a highly regarded faculty member and administrator at Life West from 1982 (just after the college evolved from Pacific States Chiropractic College to become Life West) to 1989, when he voluntarily resigned due to health reasons. He was an integral figure in the most formative years of the college, teaching courses in x-ray positioning, technique, and philosophy. He also served in many administrative roles over the years including director of public relations, director of institutional advancement, and director of clinics. Dr. Pogrelis is survived by three teenaged children who live in Georgia.

Life Chiropractic College West hosted a reception in San Francisco on March 27 for participants of the spring Gonstead Seminars, and also to honor the editors and authors of the recently published Textbook on Clinical Chiropractic. Posing with Life West President Dr. Gerard Clum (seated center) were the textbook's associate editor Dr. Mark Lopes and editor Dr. Gregory Plaugher; other writers and editors present included (standing l to r) Drs. Mitchell Sill, David Ginsberg, Karen O'Brien, Alex Cox, Trent Bachman, Jason Araghi, David Cichy, Douglas Cox, Claudia Anrig Howe, James Stoenner, Ronald Picardi, Darald Bolin, Steven Tanaka, and James Konlande.

Dr. Charles "Skip" Lantz, director of research at Life West, has been nominated to appear in the next edition of Marquis Publishing's Who's Who in Science and Engineering.

In recent activities, Dr. Lantz was selected to deliver two presentations at the World Chiropractic Congress, May 27-29 in London. Dr. Lantz is also scheduled to present a paper at the European Chiropractic Union conference in Brussels in 1994.

Dean of Students Dr. Robin Jones announced that Suzanne Smith was promoted to admissions director at Life West. Ms. Smith, who holds a bachelor's degree in social science from the University College in Dublin, Ireland, was director of marketing for Brookfield Clinics in Detroit prior to joining Life West in February as an admissions officer. In her new capacity, she directs a staff of three admissions professionals.

LCCW sophomore Michael Beddoe of San Francisco has been awarded a $1,000 1993 California Chiropractic Foundation (CCF) scholarship.

"Your contributions to the chiropractic profession, coupled with academic excellence and fine personal character, made you an obvious choice for this award," the CCF scholarship committee wrote to Beddoe.

Mr. Beddoe formally received his scholarship at the CCF president's banquet June 19 in Monterey.

Patricia Gayman, DC, associate dean of chiropractic sciences at Life West, was elected the first chairwoman of the board of the World Congress of Women Chiropractors (WCWC) at the organization's incorporation meeting in Dallas, Texas in March.

The WCWC organized seven years ago to provide a network and support for women chiropractors. The organization has over 1,000 members and meets bimonthly in conjunction with Parker seminars, but is now separately incorporated. Dr. Gayman, a charter organizer of WCWC and an active promoter of it, hopes to strengthen the membership campaign and encourage chapters of WCWC at more of the chiropractic colleges.

Sophomore Elizabeth O'Donnell and junior intern Beth Carpenter both received $500 Life West Outstanding Student Scholarships. Ms. O'Donnell holds a bachelor's degree in dance and is a massage therapist; Ms. Carpenter is a registered nurse and is active in various student clubs and activities.

The June 13th spring commencement saw 63 doctor of chiropractic degrees conferred. Candidates who completed their degree requirements in the Winter 1993 and Spring 1993 quarters were awarded their diplomas by Dr. Gerard W. Clum, president of Life West. The commencement speaker was Ivan M. "Buddy" Hayes, DC, father of three sons who have graduated from Life West. A 1960 graduate of Palmer College, Dr. Hayes has 33 years of chiropractic experience, including two years working in the offices of the ICA with its first president, Dr. B.J. Palmer. Dr. Hayes' son, Michael received his degree at the ceremony.

Winter honors went to valedictorian Dana Ballerini and salutatorian Sut-San Chan; spring quarter honorees were valedictorian Terri Hamilton and salutatorian Darlene Sinclair. The Clinic Excellence Citation was presented to Sut-San Chan of the winter quarter class and to spring quarter graduate Susan Salem Belfer.

Cleveland Chiropractic College, L.A.

Marian Hicks, director of the Learning Resource Center at CCCLA, has been named chair for CLIBON, an international organization consisting of members from chiropractic libraries of accredited academic institutions. Ms. Hicks, who was elected to the position at the annual meeting of the Chiropractic Library Consortium in Chicago on May 19, will served from June 1993 to June 1994.

The Chiropractic Library Consortium is a vehicle to stimulate cooperation among chiropractic college libraries. It facilitates the sharing and enhancing of information resources to the chiropractic community by encouraging the colleges to institute cost-effective practices and procedures made possible through inter-library cooperation.

Thirty-one Japanese students, one instructor and Dr. Koshu Okada, president of Kokusai Chiropractic College (KCC), arrived May 22 to begin anatomy and dissection courses at Cleveland Chiropractic College of Los Angeles (CCCLA). The students spent the first five days brushing up on their conversational English at Osaka Sangyo University (OSU) in Studio City, California.

The student began their studies in dissection May 30th. They received certificates of completion during a ceremony held June 7 at OSU. Dr. Okada made a donation to CCCLA during the ceremony and Chancellor Carl S. Cleveland Jr., presented a plaque to Dr. Okada in honor of KCC's commitment to raise the quality of chiropractic education in Japan. KCC is the first chiropractic college in Japan to have a three-year chiropractic curriculum.

"Cleveland College's involvement with the administration and students of Kokusai College in Osaka has been a long-standing and rewarding relationship, one that contributes to our goal of increasing chiropractic on a worldwide basis," said Dr. Carl S. Cleveland III, president of the Cleveland Chiropractic College multi-campus system.

Palmer College of Chiropractic West

PCCW held a memorial service July 23rd for Associate Professor Henry Kontz, DC, who passed away June 20. The memorial included dedicating a technique room and the placing of a plaque honoring Dr. Kontz's memory. Donations in his name will be used to purchase adjusting tables and equipment for the room.

Dr. Kontz was a 1977 graduate of Palmer College of Chiropractic. While there, he was involved in the preparation of a radiographic positioning manual. He built a practice in North Carolina, then moved to the West Coast and began his association with Palmer West. He held a variety of positions for over a decade at PCCW with responsibilities including coordinating the Community Outreach program, and teaching duties in the departments of clinic and practice. He was also an active public speaker and author -- contributing newspaper articles, and appearing on local television and radio to explain the principles of chiropractic.

"Dr. Kontz will be missed by all of us here in the Palmer West community," said PCCW President Dr. Peter Martin. "He was a unique individual who truly left his mark on chiropractic and chiropractic education."

Forty-two students received doctor of chiropractic degrees in the 49th commencement ceremonies for Palmer College of Chiropractic West (PCCW) June 11th. Dr. Peter Martin, PCCW president, presented medallions to class valedictorian Karen Edwards and salutatorian Jay Decker in recognition of their scholastic and clinical proficiency. Lewis Grove graduated with magna cum laude honors, and cum laude honors went to Eric Frazier, and Marina Leofsky.

"Clinical Excellence" award certificates were presented to Charlotte Karstoft Christensen, Karen Edwards, Lewis Grove, Claudia Kindler, Joseph Schoenhoeft, and Rick Sproule.

Two guest speakers gave commencement addresses: Arthur H. White, MD, the medical director for the San Francisco Spine Institute and SpineCare Medical Group, and Arne Christensen, DC, the director for the Nordic Institute of Chiropractic & Biomechanical Research at Odense University in Denmark. Dr. White spoke on "An Optimistic Look at Health Care in the 21st Century"; Dr. Christensen delivered the address, "International Advancements in Chiropractic Education and Clinical Practice."

The Palmer West student body has elected a new slate of officers The new student council members assumed their duties with the start of the spring quarter in March, and will serve a one-year term.

President: Thomas (T.J.) Osborne, last year's secretary

Vice President: Mick Mahan, former class representative

Second Vice president: Audra Herbstman (re-elected)

Treasurer: Marc Golub (re-elected)

Athletic Director: Joel Kinch

Secretary: Donna McArthur

The new group of officers has already taken action in mobilizing a student letter writing campaign to Congress concerning chiropractic's future in the health care reform issue. They are also holding a membership drive for the American Public Health Association (APHA) to assure chiropractic's voice in formulating policies from this influential group. Some of the student government's goals include establishing additional student scholarships, and assisting in the students' transition to the new Palmer campus.