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."
Dr. Eric Russell to Assume Presidency of New Zealand College of Chiropractic
Dr. Eric G. Russell is the new president of the New Zealand College of Chiropractic, becoming the first Chiropractic Philosophy diplomate to be named president of a chiropractic college. He is a 1996 graduate of Palmer College of Chiropractic and is very active in the chiropractic profession. Dr. Russell replaces Dr. Brian Kelly, who recently accepted the Life Chiropractic College West presidency vacated when longtime president Dr. Gerard Clum announced he was stepping down.
"The New Zealand College of Chiropractic has a great reputation for supporting vitalism throughout the curriculum, rigorous and innovative academic instruction, and progressive subluxation-based research," said Dr. Russell. "These competencies that have distinguished the New Zealand College as an academic leader in our profession are very dear to me, competencies that I personally strive to develop and uphold. These characteristics, coupled with a culture of love and certainty are what make the New Zealand College unique and what, quite frankly, made me fall in love with their students, faculty, administration and institution as a whole."
Dr. Russell will commence his role as president at the New Zealand College of Chiropractic in February 2011.
"We have been honoured by the extremely high caliber of candidates for this position," said Dr. Phil McMaster, board chairman. "The Board engaged in an extensive worldwide search and the outcome has been exceptional. We are pleased to welcome Dr. Russell and his family to New Zealand. The College has never been in better shape and Eric will be taking us further in our next phase of development and growth."
Besides maintaining a very busy practice, Dr Russell is also an associate professor of chiropractic techniques and philosophy and the director of institutional philosophy at Parker College of Chiropractic. He is also currently the chairman of the board of directors of the ICA Council of Chiropractic Philosophy, a past president of the Chiropractic Society of Texas, former member of the Board of Directors of the International Chiropractors' Association (ICA), past president of the Texas Palmer College of Chiropractic International Alumni Association and past president of the Loyal Legion of Chiropractic Philosophers.
A published author and speaker on chiropractic, Dr. Russell has received several awards and recognition over the years including 2010 Faculty Member of the Year by Parker College of Chiropractic, 2009 Texas Chiropractor of the Year by the Chiropractic Society of Texas, and 2000 Illinois Chiropractor of the Year by the Illinois Prairie State Chiropractic Association.
He was also named to the Palmer College of Chiropractic Great Hall of Philosophers (August 2009) received the Student Recruitment Award from Palmer College of Chiropractic (2003), and ICA Assembly Representative of the Year Award (2002), and was elected a Distinguished Fellow by the ICA (2001).
Source: New Zealand College of Chiropractic