Protecting Our Nation's Heroes From Back Pain
This spring, John Mayer, DC, PhD, associate professor and Lincoln College Endowed Chair in Biomechanical and Chiropractic Research at the University of South Florida, will oversee two landmark research projects designed to evaluate the effectiveness of back-endurance exercises in unique subject populations: firefighters and the military. The studies are funded by a $1.42 million federal grant: $715,000 for the Department of Defense (DoD) project and $701,000 for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) project.
"Back injury is a primary condition that dramatically affects our nation's heroes – cited as a top reason for disability and early retirement amongst firefighters, and a top non-combat reason for service men and women being displaced from active duty," said Dr. Mayer in a press release from the Foundation for Chiropractic Progress. "These studies will be the first to be led by a Doctor of Chiropractic at a major university that will attempt to identify the preventive outcomes of applying specific exercise interventions amongst firefighters and soldiers."
The DoD study includes 600 active-duty U.S. Army personnel, while the FEMA study features 106 firefighters from a Tampa, Fla., fire department. The former will evaluate the impact of high-intensity exercise interventions to strengthen the back extensor musculature; the latter will assess how stability and resistance exercises affect back muscle endurance. Each multi-phase study will be conducted over the next few years.
Texas Chiropractic College Partners With PA University
Texas Chiropractic College and West Chester University of Pennsylvania recently entered into an articulation agreement whereby qualified WCU students enrolled in the university's exercise science bachelor's degree program will be able to enroll in the TCC Doctor of Chiropractic program. The agreement, which has already taken effect, guarantees WCU students acceptance into the chiropractic program provided they have completed the required undergraduate coursework at West Chester with at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA.
"This agreement with our new friends at West Chester University signifies the importance to TCC of building partnerships with outstanding institutions from different areas of the country," said Dr. Clay McDonald, TCC provost. "We strive to build relationships with academic institutions who share our interest in offering the most exciting and rewarding educational opportunities possible to our students."
Added Dr. Donald Barr, dean of the College of Health Sciences at WCU: "We very much look forward to working with Texas Chiropractic College in the years ahead. This new relationship provides our students with some wonderful opportunities that we value a great deal."
AECC Student Awarded Scholarship by FICS
Sharon Sackey, a student at the Anglo-European College of Chiropractic (AECC), beat out 37 students from 20 colleges to win a Foot Levelers-sponsored scholarship from the Federation Internationale de Chiropratique du Sport. The FICS awards four student scholarships annually as part of its campaign "to promote high standards of education and practice in sports chiropractic worldwide."
"Besides working with our sports therapy team, [Sharon] is a supervisor in our busy rehabilitation and exercise centre," said Ed Rothman, director of the AECC Clinic. "Over many discussions, Sharon has expressed her interest in developing clinical acumen in the assessment and treatment of athletes. Sharon has shown great organisational skills as a member of the student management committee for our sports and injury/therapy team. It is because of Sharon [that] we will have a student chapter of the British Chiropractic Sports Council on campus."
Palmer Toys for Tots Drive: Nearly $2,000 in Donations
On Dec. 10, 2011, members of the Palmer Student Alumni Foundation donated nearly $2,000 in toys to the U.S. Marine Corps' annual "Toys for Tots" holiday collection. On the same day, they also volunteered at the Toys for Tots warehouse, working side by side with Palmer Campus Guides.
According to Devanni Partridge, a member of the Campus Guides and the alumni foundation, "December 10 was a huge success for Palmer students in the Davenport community. ... It was a fun, rewarding and educational time for everyone involved as we got to experience the joy of community service and see how much can be accomplished and how many lives can be changed when everyone gives a little."
New Career Path for Foot Levelers' Jamie Greenawalt
Jamie Greenawalt, director of international business at Foot Levelers, Inc., has announced she is leaving the company to pursue her passion for international development. Greenawalt majored in global studies and worked in international development before joining Foot Levelers in 2009.
"I am very proud of Jamie and what she is doing to help humanity," said Kent Greenawalt, president and CEO of Foot Levelers. "She is giving of herself for the benefit of others in an attempt to help make the world a better place. This decision was not an easy one for her – but in the end, her passion for helping others and her desire to give back gave her clear direction."
ChiroTouch: $25,000 to FCP
ChiroTouch has pledged $25,000 to support the Foundation for Chiropractic Progress' public-awareness campaign. Said Robert Moberg, president of ChiroTouch: "The Foundation's remarkable work has galvanized the profession, and we look forward to playing a part in its future success."
New Face at CLA
David Fletcher, DC, has acquired a majority position in the Chiropractic Leadership Alliance and assumes the role of chairman and chief clinical officer. CLA made the announcement on Dec. 19. "My vision for CLA is the same as for my practice and patients, and every doctor I come in contact with," he said. "That's to offer the best solution that provides the best possible outcome."
