George Hector Haynes was a remarkable fellow. Born in Mexico on July 11, 1911 to American parents, he was raised in Central and South America, learned English, earned his bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Loyola University in Los Angeles and graduated from Ratledge Chiropractic College (today’s Cleveland Chiropractic College of Los Angeles) in 1936, authored a textbook on chemistry for chiropractic students in 1938 and earned a master’s degree in chemistry from the University of Southern California.

Haynes taught at the non-profit Southern California College of Chiropractic (SCCC), a broad-scope chiropractic school which competed for students and in the ideological (“philosophical”) arena of chiropractic politics in California.

In 1947 he served as a trustee SCCC and participated with John Nugent, DC, director of education for the National Chiropractic Association (NCA), in the amalgamation of SCCC and the for-profit Los Angeles College of Chiropractic (LACC) to form the larger, non-profit LACC.

Haynes served initially as clinic director and instructor in the basic sciences, and in 1953 succeeded Raymond Houser, DC, ND, as administrative dean (CEO) of the LACC.

From 1953 until his retirement as president of the LACC in 1976, the College reverberated with the hum of Dr. Haynes’ efforts to create a higher standard in chiropractic education.
Some of his accomplishments included:

• Curriculum standards. The curriculum was repeatedly revised and the school required a two-year pre-professional admission requirement.

• Science teachers hired. Instructors with credentials in the basic sciences were hired to teach the first two years of the program.

• Mortgage burned. The college’s new quarters in Glendale, Calif., were gradually paid for.

• Voice of chiropractic. The Chirogram, longtime publication of the LACC, became a voice in the profession for higher academics, more critical thinking and research.

• Research focused. Cousin Henry served as research administrator for the College and the NCA, and was successful in bringing many small grants for research to the institution.

INTO A LEADERSHIP ROLE AT NCA

In 1959 the NCA (forerunner of today’s ACA) forced John Nugent to retire from his post as education director. George Haynes, member of the NCA’s Council on Education since its formation in 1947, stepped in to fill the leadership void created by Nugent’s departure. He also achieved much in this role:

• Raised accreditation standards. Haynes accepted the challenge to improve chiropractic education sufficiently to meet the accreditation standards of the U.S. Office of Education (USOE). The task required years to accomplish, and he had to struggle not only against the forces of allopathic medicine working behind the scenes at USOE to discredit the chiropractic profession, but also with the straight chiropractic community, which viewed the NCA Council on Education as a ruinous influence within the profession.

• Led CCE independence movement. Haynes proposed and then led the independent incorporation of today’s Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE) from its previous subordination as the ACA Council on Education.

• First CCE president. He served as the first president of the CCE (1971-1972).

• Liaison to USOE. Haynes subsequently chaired the Council’s liaison committee to the USOE, conducted the necessary educational research, prepared the reports and, in collaboration with Orval Hidde, DC, JD, met repeatedly with USOE officials to secure federal status. On August 26, 1974, the U.S. Commissioner of Education informed Dr. Hidde of the CCE’s recognition as the accrediting agency for chiropractic education in the United States.

The CCE’s recognition by the federal government made the students of its accredited colleges eligible for guaranteed student loans, provided an additional and legitimizing criterion for licensure by the various state boards of chiropractic examiners and secured eligibility for member colleges to apply for federal grants for research and educational development. The chiropractic profession had finally entered the mainstream of higher education in the United States.

Dr. Haynes retired as LACC president in 1976, and served as a trustee for the Pasadena College of Chiropractic during his remaining years. Cancer took his life in 1979 at the age of 68. He had lived to see one of his dreams fulfilled, and in the CCE he left a legacy that has immeasurably benefited his profession.