It’s almost time to talk the ‘tic

January 28, 2010 — Soon Northwestern Health Sciences University students will be talking the ‘tic — chiropractic, that is.

The second annual “Talk the ‘Tic” competition at Northwestern is set to occur in late February 2010. While no specific dates have been set, Jake Schmitz, a chiropractic student coordinating the event, is planning on conducting multiple rounds of competition. “Northwestern used to hold the ‘Talk the ‘Tic’ competition each year but eventually they stopped,” said Schmitz. “We picked it back up last year and a student from Northwestern, Kristopher Stepney, who graduated in 2009, won nationals. We are doing it again this year and hoping that it will continue to be an annual event.”

“Talk the ‘Tic” is an international competition between chiropractic schools. It challenges students to give a 10-minute talk focused on educating the public about the benefits of chiropractic care. According to the official “Talk the ‘Tic” Web site, “effective communication of what chiropractic is and does is a pertinent skill. That is why a cause has emerged whose sole purpose is to promote excellence in communication of the chiropractic principle.”

Participating chiropractic schools hold local “Talk the ‘Tic” competitions between their students. Winners are sent to the national competition to compete for large cash prizes valued at $9,000 or more. This year’s national competition will take place in Atlanta, Ga. April 9, 2010.

Northwestern’s “Talk the ‘Tic” will be held on campus. Chiropractic students will compete in front of five judges – four Northwestern faculty members and a layperson. Schmitz is hoping that 25 to 30 Northwestern students will participate in this year’s competition.

Contact Schmitz at cschmitz@nwhealth.edu to get involved.

Source: Northwestern Health Sciences University, www.nwhealth.edu/nwtoday/index.html