To leave is to die a little;
To die to what we love.
We leave behind a bit of ourselves
Wherever we have been.
-- Edmond Haraucourt, 1891
On October 6, 1984, Donald M. Cassata, Ph.D, gave an inaugural address as the new president of NWCC. On July 29, 1991, the board of trustees of Northwestern College of Chiropractic (NWCC) announced they had received the resignation of Dr. Cassata as president of NWCC.
Two days later the profession learned of the resignation of the president of Palmer College of Chiropractic West, John L. Miller, D.C. Dr. Miller's resignation becomes effective January 31, 1992.
Dr. Cassata
Dr. Cassata presided over a seven million dollar budget, a faculty and staff of 150, and a student body of 530. He achieved four satisfactory accreditation renewals from the Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE) and from the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. He was successful in obtaining a $5.2 million dollar Minnesota bond issue for facilities development.
One of Dr. Cassata's most important accomplishment at NWCC was the development and implemented of the National Center for Clinical Studies. The center offers a wide variety of patient care services and documentation of clinical outcomes of chiropractic care. The $2 million Center for Clinical Studies has received a $1 million pledge from William Harris, D.C., of Practice Consultants (see June 21 issue of "DC"). The center will generate research in neuromusculoskeletal disorders, focusing on geriatrics, pediatrics, and occupational health.
In "Portrait of Our College," an article chronicling the history and accomplishments of NWCC, we get a glimpse of Dr. Cassata's vision of chiropractic: "Our professional credibility and prestige can only be achieved and maintained through providing quality patient services and results, through the publication of scientific and valid research, through expanded knowledge in chiropractic clinical science, through high quality educational institutions like Northwestern, through chiropractors who possess high standards of ethics and integrity and through other health professionals and the public understanding the benefits of chiropractic care.
"These challenges have become more concrete objectives in our eyes as Northwestern College of Chiropractic seeks to expand our research activities and resources. This is our 'new dimension' and direction for the future. As a college, we are committed to these tenets..."
Dr. Cassata currently holds several other important positions: vice president of the Association of Chiropractic Colleges, since 1988; chairman of the Task Force on Research of the CCE, since 1988; and chairman of the Senior Citizens Committee of the ACA, since 1988.
David J. Czeck, D.C., chairman of the board of NWCC, states, "Dr. Cassata leaves to his successor a financially stable institution with a highly competent faculty, a dedicated administration, and a motivated student body." Dr. Czeck and the board of trustees have formed a "Transition Management Committee" and will begin the search for a successor.
Dr. Miller
John L. Miller, D.C., a graduate of Palmer, Davenport in 1954, was appointed as the first president of Palmer College West when that institution changed its name from Northern California College of Chiropractic in 1980.
Associated with Palmer both as a teacher and administrator since 1962, Dr. Miller has taught a wide variety of courses and has held numerous administrative posts. He was the academic dean and vice president for academic affairs during the decade of the 70s. During that time, Palmer College grew from an institution of just over 1,000 students to over 2,200. It was during this period that the faculty grew from 35 to well over 100 and Palmer won CCE accreditation.
In 1980, Dr. Miller moved to California to accept the appointment as president of the newly founded Palmer West. Initially a financially distressed institution of just over 200 students, Palmer West went on to receive CCE candidate status in less than a year and full accreditation just three years later. The college has nearly tripled in size and has steadily moved toward financial stability during the eighties. Palmer West now has an alumni of over 1,500.
Under Dr. Miller's guidance at Palmer West, an administrative staff and faculty have been brought together particularly noted for their contributions to the growing body of chiropractic research.
While president of Palmer West, Dr. Miller held several other positions. He served two terms as president of the Association of Chiropractic Colleges and as a member of the board of directors of the ICA. A long time member of the Criteria Review Panel of the CCE, he was elected vice president in 1988 and is currently in his second year as CCE president.
When asked about the future of chiropractic education, Dr. Miller responded: "The colleges have successfully met the challenges of the past and are now stronger than at any time. The rapidly changing health delivery system of the future, however, will be an even more important test.
"To nurture an ever growing productive chiropractic research community is and will continue to be the number one survival issue of the profession. The colleges absolutely must take the lead in this arena, but not neglect the art of teaching in order to serve important research needs. It is the talented, dedicated, and concerned teacher that is the essential ingredient in the nurturing of dedicated and concerned practitioners."
Michael Crawford, chancellor of Palmer Chiropractic University, indicated he would act as the chief executive administrator until a new president is appointed.
Steve Kelly
Assistant Editor
