On July 23, 2004, Richard G. Brassard, DC, was inaugurated as the new president of Texas Chiropractic College (TCC) during the college's annual Homecoming Convention, in front of a crowd of delegates, distinguished guests, and family members.
Approximately 45 representatives from 27 colleges and universities across the country attended the event, as well as more than 40 distinguished guests from most of the major chiropractic organizations in the United States. Following introductions by Don Ellis, EdD, vice president and provost of TCC, attendees heard speeches by National University of Health Sciences President James Winterstein, DC; ACA President Donald Krippendorf, DC; Palmer College of Chiropractic Interim President Donald Kern, DC, PhC; and NCMIC President Louis Sportelli, DC.
Also during the event, Peter Tyler, representing U.S. Congressman Nick Lampson, read a letter from the congressman, a close personal friend of Dr. Brassard, who could not attend due to a prior commitment; Dr. Ellis read a letter from Dr. James Simmons, president of Lamar University and a good friend and former high school classmate of Dr. Brassard; and Col. Mark Losack, DC, presented the new president with a framed photo of Dr. Losack adjusting a fellow Marine last year in front of one of Saddam Hussein's palaces.
In his inaugural speech, Dr. Brassard emphasized that "the future is ours," echoing the theme of the evening's event. "Within the walls of Texas Chiropractic College exists an academic curriculum on par with those in the Texas Medical Center. Our hospital rotations program continues to expand and has helped to set the standard for other colleges to emulate. ... 'Complementary and Alternative Medicine' ... is the future of health care. It is the future of chiropractic medicine. We intend to strengthen our curriculum and perpetuate the hospital rotations for which this institution has become known. Our graduates will be fully prepared to become members of complementary and alternative medical clinics that are reshaping the model of health care in this country."
Founded in 1908, TCC is one of the oldest chiropractic colleges in the country. Its first-of-its-kind Hospital Rotations Program gives college interns the opportunity to rotate in nearly 30 hospitals and clinics throughout the Houston area, including the world-renowned Texas Medical Center.
The goal of Northwestern Health Sciences University's first on-campus legislative day was to familiarize area legislators with the mission of the university, as well as to give students a chance to ask questions of the elected officials. Legislators given tours of the university and introduced to students, faculty and staff were Sens. Geoff Michel and Bill Belanger, and Reps. Dan Larson and Duke Powell.
"My hope is to increase the legislators' awareness of natural health care because what they decide ultimately governs our lives," said tour guide Mary Grady, a student in the Minnesota College of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine and the Student Senate vice president. "There needs to be a better awareness in order to meet our needs as practitioners. The better informed the legislators are, the better decisions they will make."
Legislators gave students suggestions in regards to passing legislation and getting involved. They encouraged students to visit the state capitol, write letters and call.
"It was a great tour and I was especially interested and encouraged by the research aspect of Northwestern and the relationship with the National Institutes of Health," enthused Rep. Larson.
Cleveland Chiropractic College (CCC) recently announced the appointment of Paul Barlett, PhD, as academic dean of its Kansas City campus. Dr. Barlett assumed the new position July 1, taking over for Dr. Ashley Cleveland, who had been serving as interim academic dean.
Dr. Barlett has been with the college since 1987; he began his career at CCC-KC as an assistant professor of anatomy, and since then, has served in a variety of capacities, including leading the undergraduate program from inception to full accreditation.
"I am excited to take on this new position," he said. "I hope that I can make a difference in the academic programs at the college. I have an excellent mentor in Dr. Ashley Cleveland, and I will continue to work with the department chairs to develop an education program of which we can all be proud."
The Life Chiropractic College West Health Center recently named Shawn Henry Dill, DC, as director of community outreach. As director of the center, Dr. Dill will pursue and maintain relationships with local businesses, government, nonprofit organizations, and chambers of commerce. He will also instruct and assist student interns in their community outreach and education programs.
Dr. Dill recently returned to the states after spending nearly 10 years in Costa Rica, where he opened and directed four successful chiropractic clinics. He also served as team chiropractor to four first-division soccer club teams and produced and hosted a daily health-related radio show on the country's highest rated talk-radio station.
The Life West Health Center provides health care for approximately 1,600 patients a week and is operated by 200 senior interns, guided by licensed DCs.
When sports chiropractors first appeared at the Olympic Games in the 1980s, it was alongside individual athletes who had experienced the benefits of chiropractic care in their training and recovery processes at home. Fast forward to Paris 2024, where chiropractic care was available in the polyclinic for all athletes, and the attitude has now evolved to recognize that “every athlete deserves access to sports chiropractic."
It is estimated that 61% of patients with CTS avoid taking surgical options due to postoperative complications and costly surgical procedures. Chiropractic care offers a comprehensive and effective treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome, addressing the condition from multiple angles. Recent studies also have unveiled a game-changing adjunct to chiropractic treatments for CTS: nerve flossing.
Some doctors thrive in a personality-based clinic and have a loyal following no matter what services or equipment they offer, but for most chiropractic offices who are trying to grow and expand, new equipment purchases help us stay relevant and continue to service our client base in the best, most up-to-date manner possible. So, regarding equipment purchasing: should you lease, get a bank loan, or pay cash?
