feature The New ‘u’ By Maria DiDanieli 1 A look into Parker University and chiropractic education The Parker University campus in Dallas, Texas. I f you enjoy observing an enterprise as it harnesses the opportunities afforded by its cultural, fiscal and political milieus and expands its potential to impact the society it serves, then you would enjoy keeping an eye on the various chiropractic schools around the world. Whether they are independent colleges or university-based/affiliated programs, the institutions that train doctors of chiropractic are among the most progressive and dy-namic health-care organizations in our societies today. They espouse focused training in chiropractic clinical and philosophical principles, along with overall health and wellness programs, research, patient-centred interdisciplinary outreach and lifelong learning. They work tirelessly on honing their offerings – as individual schools and as part of a professional network – in all of these areas in the face of challenges that would appear unsurmountable to others, never failing to underscore their efforts with the most sacred of bottom lines, i.e., the well-being and safety of the patients who come to them for help. In Dallas Texas, there resides a chiropractic program that is among the leaders within this paradigm. I would like to tell you that it is called Parker College of Chiropractic but, in fact, I would be a liar if I did so. For, as of April 11, 2011, this particular institution announced its change of status, and concomitant name change, to Parker University, and proceeded, some weeks later, to matriculate its first class of graduates, under that name, into the community. According to its website, Parker University is now accredited to award the certificate, bachelor of science and doctor of chiropractic degrees. With this transformation come a number of potential new relationships with other educational institutions, as well as with the community. Parker will now be able to expand its offerings to its students, as well as bring instruction on chiropractic and wellness lifestyles to the public and other health-care professionals. But, as chiropractic educators are not known for resting on their laurels, Parker hasn’t stopped there. Having cultivated a relationship with the Universidad Estatal del Valle de Ecatepec(UNEVE) in Ecatepec de Morelos in the Estado de Mexico, Mexico, Parker University has developed an academic exchange program whereby American and Mexi-can students can expand their clinical experience as well as learn the culture and the language of the country they are visiting. THE STORY DOES NOT END THERE Canadian Chiropractor is privileged to present a discussion with Parker faculty regarding the institution of Parker University, its goals and the impact of university-level, community-26 • Canadian ChiropraCtor | JULY/aUGUSt 2011 www.canadianchiropractor.ca
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