The past 14 months have been a whirlwind for Mark Losack, DC, a lieutenant colonel in the United States Marine Corps. In October 2002, Dr. Losack was called to serve in Operation Iraqi Freedom, where he overcame numerous obstacles to bring much-needed chiropractic care to his fellow American soldiers fighting in the Middle East. Early last year, his accomplishments made headlines throughout the profession when he was photographed in front of one of Saddam Hussein's palaces, delivering adjustments to U.S. servicemen and women. (Editor's note: See "Chiropractic on the front line in Baghdad," May 19, 2003 DC; www.chiroweb.com/archives/21/11/12.html.)
Currently, Dr. Losack is stationed at Camp Pendleton, outside San Diego, Calif. Since his tour of duty in the Middle East, he has represented the profession at several events and been asked to comment on his experiences in Iraq. In September, for instance, commencement, Dr. Losack told the graduating class to never take the "wonderful art" of chiropractic for granted. "As you serve your community, you will have an impact that you may not realize until years later," he said. He related that the positive feedback received from military personnel in Iraq made him feel "blessed" to be a DC, and ended his address by encouraging the new graduates to "meet their challenges with honor, courage and commitment to excellence for yourself, your community and our profession."
Eighty graduating students received their doctor of chiropractic degrees at the commencement. Another 22 students received their master's degrees in acupuncture and Oriental medicine.
Georgetown Creates Innovative CAM-Oriented Degree Program Georgetown University School of Medicine has made history by offering the first complementary and alternative medicine (CAM)-oriented, science-based master's program at an allopathic academic medical center in the country. The program provides graduates a master's degree in physiology, with a strong concentration in CAM.
The first group of nine students began working toward their CAM degrees in the fall; more students are expected to enroll in the coming months. The program is designed for students interested in a research career (often with further training at the doctoral level) in a CAM-related area; a career in the CAM industry; or administrative or regulatory affairs careers related to CAM in the public sector. The program is also relevant to current or potential CAM practitioners seeking basic science education relevant to their practices.
"Our goal is the seamless integration of CAM material and basic science," observed Dr. Aviad Haramati, the school's director of education for physiology and biophysics. Dr. Haramati also serves on the executive committee of the Integrated Healthcare Policy Consortium (IHPC), a national working group designed to identify and advocate public policies that will improve access to high-quality integrated health care services.
