The chiropractic profession is mourning the loss of one of its matriarchs: Nell K. Williams, BS, DC ("Dr. Nell"), the "first lady" of Life Chiropractic College and Life University. A 1956 graduate of Palmer College, Dr. Nell passed away peacefully in her sleep on Aug. 16, 2019, at the age of 92.
With her husband, Dr. Sid Williams, Life Chiropractic College became a reality in 1974. With Dr. Sid as president, Dr. Nell served as senior vice president and dean of student affairs at the institution for more than a quarter of a century.
Even after her retirement, Dr. Nell continued working at Life Foundation, the nonprofit entity she and Dr. Sid founded in 1966 that helped launch the chiropractic college. The foundation supports chiropractic research, education and service worldwide.
Here are some of the other highlights from Dr. Nell's life and career in service to chiropractic:
Co-founded (with Dr. Sid) Si-Nel Publishing to publish chiropractic brochures, pamphlets and tapes (1957).
Authored Basic Chiropractic Assistant Textbook: Practice Administration and Management, which teaches CAs how to successfully run a chiropractic practice (1981).
Served as a speaker at every Dynamic Essentials seminar (founded by Dr. Sid in 1964) for four decades.
Elected a Distinguished Fellow in the International Chiropractors Association (1980).
Named Palmer College's Woman Chiropractor of the Year (1981).
Named the ICA Chiropractor of the Year (2000).
Recipient of the ICA Woman of the Decade award for her lifelong contributions to the International Chiropractors Association and the chiropractic profession.
Dr. Nell is survived by her daughter, Dr. Kim Williams, and son, Dr. John Sidney Williams (both graduates of Life University), as well as three grandchildren. Dr. Sid Williams passed away in 2012 at the age of 84.
Some doctors thrive in a personality-based clinic and have a loyal following no matter what services or equipment they offer, but for most chiropractic offices who are trying to grow and expand, new equipment purchases help us stay relevant and continue to service our client base in the best, most up-to-date manner possible. So, regarding equipment purchasing: should you lease, get a bank loan, or pay cash?
Some pundits say that the upcoming presidential and congressional races, and many local races, might be the most consequential in our country’s history. We do not have the choice of sitting on the sidelines and hoping our patients will carry our water. Unlike other medical professions such as physical therapists, podiatrists, nurses, etc., the health care class (AMA) will not protect us. We must be in the game.
The most common condition affecting the shoulder is rotator-cuff disease. From acute tears to chronic tendinopathy, it’s common and needs a thorough workup. In fact, even asymptomatic shoulders can have full-thickness rotator-cuff rears in up to 40% of instances. Let’s look at additional conditions that can present to the office with weakness, loss of motion and pain in the shoulder beyond rotator-cuff tears.
