Following a late April visit, a Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) site team found no areas of recommendation for Sherman College of Straight Chiropractic and noted the progress the institution has made in the past year, setting the stage for the college's probationary status to be lifted. Sherman expects to receive written notification of the commission's decision regarding reaffirmation of accreditation this month.
"This is the best possible outcome we could have at this point," said Dr. Jon Schwartzbauer, president of Sherman. "By sharing that they have no recommendations in any areas, the site team has affirmed that we've done everything in our power to make positive changes and improvements at the college. The accreditation process itself has made Sherman College a stronger institution."
The site team was sent to the school to follow up on a set of recommendations made last year, when the SACS Commission on Colleges continued Sherman's accreditation but placed it on probation at the commission's June 2008 meeting. In December 2007, SACS placed Sherman on "warning" for six months for "failure to comply with Core Requirement 2.12 (Quality Enhancement Plan) of the Principles of Accreditation." By June 2008, that warning had become probation after the commission determined that the college had failed to demonstrate compliance with Principle 1.1 (Integrity), Core Requirement 2.2 (Governing Board); Core Requirement 2.12 (Quality Enhancement Plan); Comprehensive Standard 3.2.4 (External Influence); Comprehensive Standard 3.2.8 (Qualified Administrative/Academic Officers); Comprehensive Standard 3.7.4 (Academic Freedom); and Federal Requirement 4.5 (Student Complaints).
Dr. Gert Bronfort: FCER Researcher of the Year
The Foundation for Chiropractic Education and Research (FCER) 2009 Researcher of the Year is Gert Bronfort, DC, PhD, vice president of research at Northwestern Health Sciences University. Dr. Bronfort received the award during the International Conference on Chiropractic Research, held in conjunction with the 10th Biennial WFC Congress in Montreal.
"The Researcher of the Year Award represents one of the most prestigious awards given to a doctor of chiropractic," said Dr. Reed Phillips, FCER director of international programs and research development. "The recipient must have demonstrated performance above and beyond their normal duties, successfully completed research projects with high value to the profession, and moved fellow colleagues closer to an appreciation of the value and importance of research to the chiropractic profession".
Dr. Bronfort led a research team that conducted the first clinical trial of chiropractic care for acute neck pain, funded by the National Institutes of Health, and has received funding from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to investigate the effects of exercise and spinal manipulation on neck and back pain in elderly and non-elderly subjects. He is also the principal investigator of the first randomized clinical trial exploring the value of chiropractic care for managing chronic back-related leg pain (also funded by HRSA). Overall, he has received nearly $10 million in federal funding to conduct clinical trials for low back, neck and headache conditions during his distinguished career.
ACA Executive Vice President Stepping Down
Kevin Corcoran, CAE, executive vice president of the American Chiropractic Association (ACA) since 2005, is leaving the association to "pursue other professional opportunities," according to a May 19 ACA release. As of press time, the ACA Board of Governors has started the search process to find a new executive vice president.
"Kevin has provided leadership to the ACA during challenging times," said ACA President Glenn D. Manceaux, DC. "We appreciate his service to ACA and the chiropractic profession, and wish him the best in his future endeavors."
Corcoran spearheaded a review and overhaul of ACA operations during his tenure, including acquiring the management system that functions as the centerpiece of the association's grassroots patient advocacy campaign. He also helped launch a new national education conference and was heavily involved in successful efforts to defeat S.B. 1955, the controversial Health Insurance Marketplace Modernization and Affordability Act. Introduced in 2006, the bill's stated purpose was to expand health care access while reducing insurance costs, but contained language that would have exempted association health plans from having to comply with state regulations regarding health care coverage.
Iowa Chiropractic Society Honors Dr. Steven Kraus
At its annual convention earlier this year, the Iowa Chiropractic Society recognized Steven Kraus, DC, DIBCN, CCSP, FASA, with the Iowa Board of Chiropractic Service award. Dr. Kraus, who practices in Carroll, Iowa at the Family and Specialty Medical Center, has served on the board for nine years, the past four as board chair. Dr. Kraus is also the CEO of Future Health, Inc.
"Dr. Steven Kraus continues to give back to the profession through his work and leadership on the Iowa Board of Chiropractic," said Daniel D. Garrett, executive director of the Iowa Chiropractic Society. "He is [also] a tireless volunteer and continues to advocate for the profession as a national delegate to the American Chiropractic Association in Washington, D.C."
Texas Chiropractor of the Year Announced
The Chiropractic Society of Texas has named Eric G. Russell, DC, its 2009 Texas Chiropractor of the Year. Dr. Russell, a 1996 graduate of Palmer College of Chiropractic, practices in Commerce, Texas, and is an associate professor at Parker College of Chiropractic. He is active in the profession and his community, having served as president of the society and board member for several local organizations, including the Chamber of Commerce and the Northeast Texas Children's Museum. He is also a former member of the board of directors of the International Chiropractors Association.
When I graduated from chiropractic college in 1981 and started practice, I heard it all, and very little was positive. “You are a quack; you do not know what a subluxation is; you couldn’t get into a real health care program, so you chose the one that is slightly above a mail-order degree; you have no proof that chiropractic works; Are you really licensed?”, and so much more.
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A central challenge in creating our identity is that chiropractic is a method of care, not a technique or procedure. This is an important concept for us to promote. Our patients are treated with lifestyle modification, exercise, nutritional supplements, diet and a whole-body approach to accelerate the natural healing process. We are not simply CMT providers.
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