After a lengthy and competitive application process, The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), a branch of the National Institutes of Health, recently awarded a three-year, $2.3 million grant to Palmer College of Chiropractic's Palmer Center for Chiropractic Research (PCCR) in Davenport, Iowa.
The grant will establish the Center for the Study of Mechanisms and Effects of Chiropractic Adjustments, and create a collaborative research program between Palmer and the University of Iowa, National University of Health Sciences, Kansas State University and the State University of New York at Stony Brook. The new program will feature several interrelated research projects, including:
- Effects of Vertebral Loading on Facet Joint Capsule and Effect of Vertebral Loading on Sympathetic Nerve Regulation with principal investigator Joel Pickar, DC, PhD, of PCCR;
- Examining Manipulation with a Spine Fixation Model with principal investigator Charles Henderson, DC, PhD, of PCCR; and
- Predicting Patients' Response to Spinal Manipulation with principal investigator and PCCR Vice President of Research William Meeker, DC, MPH.
"We're very excited about these new awards," noted Dr. Meeker. "These grants are crucially important because they enhance the ability of [PCCR] to move to the next level of research productivity. ...The multidisciplinary nature of the projects will lead to a synergy that will cause even more definitive studies that will improve health care and benefit many more patients."
NBCE Exam Fees to Increase This Spring The National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE) announced plans to increase examination fees, effective spring 2004. According to the NBCE board of directors, the increase is necessitated by the decline in student enrollment in chiropractic colleges over the last few years. Beginning next year, Parts I-IV of the exam will cost $50; the acupuncture and physiotherapy sections will cost $25 each.
According to the board, fee increases were necessitated by the decline in new student enrollments at chiropractic colleges in the past several years, which impacts NBCE exam revenues.
"This increase was very carefully considered before being approved by the board," said NBCE President Dr. Peter D. Ferguson. "We will continually seek measures to ensure that the costs of our exams are reasonable, without sacrificing quality and excellence."
New Officers Elected to Student ACA The Student American Chiropractic Association (SACA) has announced its new national officers for the 2003-04 term. Palmer College of Chiropractic West's Andrew Cohen was elected SACA National Chairperson, joining National Vice Chair Marc Persson (New York Chiropractic College); National Legislative Chair David Haas (Northwestern College of Chiropractic); and National Vice Legislative Chair Brianne Hanson (Northwestern College of Chiropractic). SACA's Immediate Past National Chair is Janelle Whitehead of Parker Chiropractic College.
"There has never been a better time for students to get involved," said Cohen. "SACA gives us an avenue to voice our opinion and advance the profession. We are the future!"
Dr. Jay Ernst Appointed to Oklahoma Board of Chiropractic Examiners On Oct. 1, 2003, Oklahoma Gov. Brad Henry appointed Dr. Jay Ernst of Shawnee to the Oklahoma Board of Chiropractic Examiners. Dr. Ernst joins three other chiropractors on the board, as well as a representative from the state attorney general's office and one community member.
"I have no agenda, no vendetta," said Dr. Ernst, in an article in News Star online. "I just want to bring the profession along into the new age of health care."
