DAVENPORT, Iowa - Having received and accepted, effective Feb. 6, the resignation of Guy F. Riekeman, DC, chancellor of the Palmer Chiropractic University System, the Palmer Board of Trustees took immediate action to realign the university's administrative team and refocus on critical topics.
Board Chair Vickie Anne Palmer announced the team of administrators identified to lead each college on an interim basis, effective immediately:
- Don Kern, DC, has been appointed interim president of Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport. Dr. Kern has held several leadership positions with Palmer, including serving as president of PCC Davenport from 1987 until 1994. It was during his presidency that the Palmer Tenets were developed. The Tenets formally expressed the philosophical foundation that guides all Palmer activities.
- Peter Martin, DC, will be the interim president for Palmer College of Chiropractic West. Dr. Bob Lee will lead the college until Dr. Martin takes over.
- Gloria Niles, DC, remains the academic dean at Palmer College of Chiropractic Florida in Port Orange.
- Doug Hoyle, PhD, will assume all responsibilities for institutional research, planning and accreditation. Tom Tiemeier will assume responsibility for the areas formerly held by Bill Jarr, who is no longer employed by Palmer University.
"The Palmer Chiropractic University System will continue to operate under the leadership of the Board of Trustees," said Ms. Palmer, "as it explores - with the assistance of faculty, staff, students, alumni and the community - greater integration of our campuses and programs in the delivery of education based on the Palmer Chiropractic Tenets and Principles, including a primary focus on chiropractic adjustment and a recognition of the significance of the nervous system to health and the effect of the subluxation complex upon the nervous system. We believe there is no better institution to lead the chiropractic profession than the Palmer Chiropractic University System, and we are committed to securing the future of Palmer for another 109 years."
As of press time, Dr. Riekeman was not available for comment.
The board's decision to accept the resignation is supported by the Palmer Alumni Association. According to Kirk Lee, DC, association president, "Our job is to support the college. Naming the president is the decision of the board. Our focus is the 'Four Planks': membership in the alumni association, student recruitment, student scholarships and financial support for the college."
Palmer Board members were quick to note Dr. Riekeman's numerous gifts and talents, and their confidence that he will continue to make a significant contribution to the chiropractic profession.
Palmer Chiropractic University System's activities and programs will continue as planned. Board members were clear in stating that Palmer is continuing its legacy of preserving the integrity and honor of traditional chiropractic philosophy and that this is a charge and responsibility they take quite seriously.
Looking forward, the board of trustees announced that Palmer College of Chiropractic's capital campaign is now more than halfway to its goal of raising $35 million. The funds will be used for the creation of an advanced learning resource center in Davenport for students, teachers and researchers. As stated by Ms. Palmer: "The Palmer Chiropractic University System will continue to develop the best doctors of chiropractic in the world, based on the Palmer tradition as we always have, year after year, decade after decade, century after century."
