February 2004

Palmer hires 3 experienced researchers

The The research capabilities of the Palmer Center for Chiropractic Research (PCCR) in Davenport, Iowa, have been bolstered by the addition of three experienced researchers — Maria Hondras, DC, MPH; Dana Lawrence, DC, FICC; and Edward Owens Jr., MS, DC.

The PCCR is the headquarters of the National Institutes of Health’s Consortial Center for Chiropractic Research.

The addition of these three respected research scientists to the Palmer research team comes on the heels of a recent $2.7 million grant from the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), a division of the National Institutes of Health. The grant allows Palmer to establish the Center for the Study of Mechanisms and Effects of Chiropractic Adjustments, a three-year, collaborative project with National University of Health Sciences, Kansas State University, the State University of New York at Stony Brook and the University of Iowa.

“Adding experienced scholars like Drs. Owens, Lawrence and Hondras significantly increases our ability to expand Palmer’s research program, especially in the areas of clinical research and technology assessment. We expect each of these faculty members to use the resources of the center to pursue funding opportunities, conduct studies and publish new data regarding chiropractic theory and practice,” said William Meeker, DC, MPH, vice president for research for the Palmer Chiropractic University System.

Maria Hondras, DC, MPH, earned a doctor of chiropractic degree from National College of Chiropractic, Lombard, Ill., in 1989, and a master of public health degree in epidemiology from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 1993. She was a health and safety specialist for the UPS North Illinois District, served as a consultant to the Consortial Center for Chiropractic Research and was a scholar-in-residence at Western States Chiropractic College.

Hondras has more than 10 years experience with the design, management and oversight of clinical trials in chiropractic and has conducted trial management workshops in North America, Europe and Australia. She has published numerous research studies in peer-reviewed journals including the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, Spine and Pain.

Dana Lawrence, DC, FICC, has more than 24 years teaching and administrative experience in chiropractic education with an emphasis on teaching spinal and extravertebral chiropractic technique and orthopedics.

With expertise as a biomedical editor, writer and textbook consultant, he has served as the editor of the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics since 1987 and also is editor of Journal of Chiropractic Medicine and Journal of Chiropractic Humanities.

A graduate of National College of Chiropractic, Lawrence has published numerous textbooks. He was dean of the Lincoln College of Postprofessional, Graduate and Continuing Education at National University of Health Sciences and concurrently served as director of the Department of Publication and Editorial Review and a professor in the Chiropractic Technique Department.

Edward F. Owens Jr., MS, DC, is a graduate of Life Chiropractic College. He earned a master of science degree in engineering science and mechanics from Georgia Tech in 1980.

Owens was director of research for Sherman College of Straight Chiropractic. He has served as editor of the Chiropractic Research Journal and was a member of the research faculty of Life College from 1983 to 1990 and from 1994 to 1998. His areas of expertise are biomechanics and clinical research, with a particular interest in muscle tone changes that accompany vertebral subluxation. He has made many presentations and published numerous articles on these subjects in peer-reviewed journals.

Source: Palmer College of Chiropractic, www.palmer.edu

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