Life West Hosts Successful Homecoming
The annual 3-day homecoming festivities at Life Chiropractic College West, Hayward, were marked by special presentations and announcements.

Gerard Clum, DC, president of Life West, accepted a Spine-Master unit as a donation from Michael Zabelin, DC, and chair of the education committee of the National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association (NUCCA), and Jerry Ostgard, president of Up Time Solutions Inc. The Spine Master is an analytical tool used to evaluate patients using the NUCCA protocol, which is included in Life West’s curriculum of chiropractic-adjusting systems taught at the school. Robert Brooks, DC, NUCCA’s president played an important role in coordinating the donation.

At the homecoming dinner, the Life Chiropractic College West Alumni Association named Craig Weinston, DC, of Walnut Creek, Calif, the 2003 Alumnus of the Year. Weinston, the 12th recipient of the award, has made numerous contributions to the chiropractic community since graduating magna cum laude from Life West in 1991.

Weinston has held positions as president, vice president, and secretary with the California Chiropractic Association and the Contra Costa Chiropractic Society. He received the Outstanding New Chiropractor (1993) and Chiropractor of the Year (1994–95) awards by the Contra Costa Chiropractic Society. He served for several years as Qualified Medical Examiner after earning his Industrial Disability Evaluator certification.

“I have always known Craig Weinston to be very passionate about chiropractic,” said Sue Salem, DC, a fellow alumnus and member of the Life West Alumni Board of Directors. “He is very committed to teaching others about chiropractic, and serving our profession through his political involvement. He is a great asset to our profession and to Life West.”

In addition to being active in chiropractic organizations, Weinston has also helped his local community organizations, such as the Walnut Creek Wellness Center and the Contra Costa County Battered Women’s Alternative by serving on the board of directors. He is the cofounder of the Contra Costa County Healing Arts Forum and was the team physician for the Concord Blue Devils Drum and Bugle Corps.

ACA Elects National Student Officers
A new group of national officers for 2003–2004 has been elected by the Student American Chiropractic Association (SACA).

The new officers include: Andrew Cohen, a student at Palmer College of Chiropractic West, San Jose, Calif, SACA National Chairperson; Marc Persson from New York Chiropractic College, National Vice Chair; David Haas of Northwestern College of Chiropractic, National Legislative Chair; and Brianne Hanson of Northwestern College of Chiropractic, National Vice Legislative Chair. SACA’s Immediate Past National Chair is Janelle Whitehead, a student of Parker Chiropractic College.

“The energy and enthusiasm of our SACA students never ceases to amaze me,” said Don Krippendorf, DC, ACA President. “I congratulate our new SACA national officers.”

At the American Chiropractic Association’s (ACA) House of Delegates meeting in Albuquerque, NM, the SACA chapter of New York Chiropractic was named Chapter of the Year for outstanding student participation and leadership. Palmer College of Chiropractic West was named Most Improved Chapter.

SORSI Elects Larsen as President
For the second time, Kurt Larsen, DC, was re-elected as president of the Sacro Occipital Research Society International (SORSI). The decision was announced at the SORSI Annual Convention in Omaha, Neb. Larsen, a featured speaker on cranial and SOT in Foot Levelers’ 2004 License Renewal Seminar series, previously served as president from 1989 through 1991.

“I’d like to see more chiropractor use aspects of Chiropractic Craniopathy and Sacro Occipital Technique (SOT) into what they already do,” said Larsen. “SOT is the best way, the most chiropractic way to work on the cranium.”

The SOT addresses 80% of the nervous system that’s in the brain. According to Larsen, SOT helps where other techniques haven’t worked.

SORSI, an international organization, which was established in 1957, offers various SOT certification programs. Courses range from 64 hours to 250 hours.

Parker Residents Receive Valuable Learning Tool
Parker College of Chiropractic, Dallas, has acquired the teaching file of Michael Buehler, DC, a distinguished chiropractic radiologist. The file is a valuable tool for helping diagnostic imaging residents prepare for the annual examination given by the American Board of Chiropractic Radiologists (ABCR).

Though the Diagnostic Imaging Residency program at Parker College is young compared to those in other schools, the program boasts an 80% success rate of its graduates passing the annual examination and receiving their diplomas.

Nic Poirier, DC, Celia Maguire, DC, and Trevor Foshang, DC, recent graduates of the program, passed the ABCR examination. Maguire currently works at the Parker College of Chiropractic Dallas Chiropractic Wellness Clinic.

Residents who participate in Parker’s Diagnostic Imaging Residency Program receive a salary and full benefits. In addition to interpreting x-rays for the chiropractic wellness clinic and studying, the residents also teach chiropractic students and work with local imaging centers.