News in Brief

The American Chiropractic Association (ACA) has announced the formation of the Chiropractic Board of Clinical Nutrition (CBCN) a diplomate-granted body for clinical nutrition. Established and operating under the auspices of the ACA, the board maintains autonomy in terms of testing standards and protocols.

Chiropractors who have completed nutrition courses through an accredited institution are eligible to be grandfathered into the CBCN without examination until Sept. 30, subject to the following criteria: current or prior diplomate in nutrition, completion of the 300-hour nutrition diplomate course, master's degree in nutrition from an accredited institution and three or more years in practice, or completion of 400 hours in nutrition and five or more years in practice.

As of press time, a date for the first certification examination has not been scheduled. The CBCN is currently working with the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners to develop and administer the exam. While practitioners can be grandfathered in without examination, they are required to sit for the first available exam in order to maintain diplomate status.
For more information about the CBCN including board bylaws, frequently asked questions and the grandfathering application form, visit www.cbcn.us. For background on the formation of the organization from the board's president, Dr. Jeff Weber, read "Why a New Diplomate Nutrition Board?".

Northwestern Submits Five Federal Grant Proposals

The Wolfe-Harris Center for Clinical Studies, the clinical research division at Northwestern Health Sciences University (NHSU), recently submitted five federal grant proposals: three to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and two to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). If accepted, the grants will be used to fund various research projects at NHSU, which has received more than $10 million in federal funding for on-campus research in the past decade.

"Research is important to natural health care in the same way that it is essential for allopathic approaches," said Roni Evans, DC, MS, dean of research at the university. "It provides the underlying evidence that clinicians can use to make good choices regarding the care they provide."

The three proposals submitted to the HRSA are titled "Chiropractic and Exercise for Spinal Dysfunction in Seniors," "Chiropractic and Exercise for Low Back Pain in Adolescents" and "Chiropractic, Exercise and Stress Management for Tension Headache." The two NIH proposals, collaborative efforts between Northwestern and the University of Minnesota, involve research on the effects of different therapies on spinal motion and assessment of whether low back pain patients have brain changes detectable on functional MRI, respectively.

ACA Names Acting Executive Vice President

Janet Ridgeley has been named acting executive vice president of the ACA. Ridgeley's appointment follows the recent announcement that EVP Kevin Corcoran had decided to leave the position to pursue other career opportunities.

An ACA staff member for 12 years, most recently as vice president of meetings and administration, Ridgeley will manage the day-to-day operations of the association and help coordinate ongoing efforts to represent chiropractic in national health reform, among other endeavors.

"Janet brings a wealth of experience and knowledge of the ACA, as well as years of dedication to chiropractic," said ACA President Glenn Manceaux, DC. "We believe that ACA members - and the entire profession - will be well served with Janet at the helm of our initiatives and activities."

As of press time, the ACA Board of Governors is in the process of naming a search committee and hopes to fill the EVP position by fall 2009.

Cleveland KC Student Named to Public Health Post

Rich King, a student at Cleveland Chiropractic College Kansas City and president of the college's public health club, has been named student section chair of the Kansas Public Health Association. King, who is serving a one-year term with the public health association, believes this type of participation is key to advancing the profession: "The only way we will be represented in the state and national conversation about health care and wellness is if we get involved wherever possible," he said. "No one is going to come to us, looking for opinions or sound-bites. We have to crash the party and make ourselves heard.

Life West Professor Honored by ICA

Dan Murphy, DC, FICA, a member of the Life Chiropractic College West faculty, is the International Chiropractors Association's 2009 Chiropractor of the Year. Dr. Murphy received the award at the ICA's 83rd Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C. Dr. Murphy, a member of the Life West faculty for 27 years, has served as vice president of the ICA since 2003 and been named Educator of the Year by the association on three occasions (1987, 1991 and 1995).

"It is wonderful to see Dr. Murphy and his contributions to the profession recognized in such a meaningful way," said Dr. Gerard Clum, president of Life West.

Honorary Degree for Standard Process President

Charles DuBois, president of Standard Process Inc., recently received an honorary doctorate from National University of Health Sciences. University president James Winterstein, DC, presented DuBois with the degree and thanked him for his "commitment to whole-health healing, to the support of human nutrition and to the university." DuBois was the commencement speaker for the spring 2009 graduating class at National.

Standard Process is a major supporter of chiropractic education, as evidenced by its funding of various scholarship programs, campus renovations and endowed nutrition chairs. For example, in January of this year, the company donated $750,000 to Northwestern to help establish an endowed faculty chair position and master's degree program in clinical nutrition, and one month later, donated $1 million to Parker College during the Parker Seminar in Las Vegas.