Turning Veterans Into Chiropractors
Life Chiropractic College West has announced that it is participating in the Veterans Administration's voluntary Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement Program, a provision of the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008. The program provides financial aid to U.S. military personnel with post-9/11 active-duty service who are attending educational institutions with tuition costs higher than that at public in-state schools.
Institutions participating in the Yellow Ribbon Program choose the amount of fees and tuition that will be contributed; the VA matches that amount and makes payment directly to the institution. According to Life West, the majority of veterans attending the college will receive tuition, a monthly allowance of $1,590 and a book stipend of up to 1,000 per academic year. If necessary, Life West will contribute up to $2,250 for tuition alone per academic year for up to 10 VA students on a first-come, first-served basis; the VA will match that amount.
"It is an honor to participate in this exceptional program providing greater benefits and support to our veterans who have given so much to our country.," said Brenda Johnson, director of financial aid at Life West. "We genuinely appreciate all of our veteran students and look forward to guiding them through the funding process."
To learn more about the Post-9/11 GI Bill, particularly if you have a patient, friend or family member interested in pursuing a chiropractic career and who served in the U.S. military after Sept. 10, 2001, visit www.gibill.va.gov.
Life Gets $3 Million Donation From the Harris Foundation
Life University recently received a $3 million donation from the William M. Harris Family Foundation to continue the university's ongoing campus renovations. The generous gift, which raises the foundation's total donations to Life above the $7 million mark, will be used to build the Center for Clinical Education in Dr. Harris' name. The center, which will occupy the building currently used for administrative functions, will include classrooms, an X-ray lab, two diagnostic imaging assessment areas, and a mock clinic.
The center is on a short list of projects slated for completion in phase one of the university's $56 million "Creating a Livable Campus" campaign, initiated in 2008.
Have-a-Heart Campaign Right Around the Corner
Before you know it, the Oklahaven Children's Chiropractic Center "Have-a-Heart" campaign will be in full swing. The annual event scheduled for Valentine's week brings attention to the value of - and need for - chiropractic care for children with serious health conditions while raising funds for the nonprofit center. If you've participated in the fund-raising campaign in the past, or read about it in this publication, you know how it works: Sign up at www.chiropractic4kids.com and you'll receive complete fund-raising information and materials. When Valentine's week arrives, encourage your patients to make a donation to the center by "selling" them a heart, which will then be posted with their name on it in a prominent place in your office. At the end of the week, send all donations to the center, along with any donation you want to include courtesy of yourself or your office. The "Golden Heart" is awarded each year to the practitioner and the college that sells the most hearts.
"It is through the amazing generosity and support of people all around the world that allows us the opportunity to help children with their journey back to optimal health," said Dr. James O'Dwyer, director of Oklahaven. "I am extremely hopeful that our expanded campaign efforts to businesses in your community this upcoming year will not only increase the awareness of our mission, but allow us to provide more children with the chiropractic care they so desperately need."
Added five-time Golden Heart winner Dr. Harold Berg: "It allows the community to see ... that you do contribute to something greater and that chiropractic makes a difference in children's lives. That's huge."
Recognizing Quality at NYCC
New York Chiropractic College is one of only 15 institutions - and the only institution of higher learning - to be selected for a Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award site visit. The awards, regarded by many as the gold standard of quality awards, are given out via a program managed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology.
As of press time, an eight-member site team was scheduled to visit the NYCC campus in late October; award winners will be announced later this month and honored at a ceremony in Washington, D.C., in Spring 2010, an event expected to be attended by President Obama.
