April 12, 2017—At commencement exercises on April 1 in the Standard Process Health and Fitness Center, New York Chiropractic College (NYCC) conferred the Doctor of Chiropractic degree on 52 candidates.
Matthew Coté, DC, MS, senior clinician at the College’s Depew Heath Center, served as grand marshal. Thomas De Vita, DC, chairman of the NYCC Board of Trustees, delivered greetings and congratulations from the Board. Lisa Bloom, DC, PhD, assistant dean of preclinical chiropractic education and professor in the chiropractic clinical science department, delivered the faculty address; and Caitlin Atkinson, president of the Student Government Association had the honor of addressing the assemblage with a message from the student body.
Serge Nerli, DC , led the 92 Convocation of the American College of Chiropractors, an honor society chartered by an act of Congress on September 24, 1924, that recognizes individuals for exceptional achievement and meritorious service on behalf of the chiropractic profession. For many years, the ACC has chosen NYCC’s commencement ceremony to hold its annual convocation and presentation of chiropractic fellowships and honorary degrees. Inductees this year were Mitchell B. Green, DC; NYCC faculty members Fiona Jarrett-Thelwell, DC, MS , and William J. Lauretti, DC; and Harlan J. Pyes, MS, who also received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters.
David Herd, DC, president of the American Chiropractic Association delivered the keynote address. A national chiropractic leader, he was the New York state delegate for the ACA before accepting his current appointment. Dr. Herd served as secretary, treasurer, vice president, and president of the Rochester District of the New York State Chiropractic Association. As a chiropractic educator, he held an appointment as assistant professor of chiropractic studies at NYCC and served as president of the Faculty Senate. Herd has also served on the board of directors of the Council on Chiropractic Guidelines and Practice Parameters and the Foundation for Chiropractic Education and Research, and is the recipient of numerous professional awards. Herd has practiced in the Finger Lakes region for the past 37 years.
Herd spoke of the journey undertaken by the new graduates and acknowledged their family, friends, and the faculty at NYCC who helped them along the way. He told the new doctors that their license to practice is a covenant between themselves and the state representing its citizens. It is a privilege afforded only to those who show competency to provide the necessary care to those citizens, and a promise by them to uphold the highest standards in delivering that care. He urged them to protect their licenses by practicing the values learned at NYCC. “The good [chiropractors],” he said, “practice evidence-informed, patient-centered chiropractic care, just as you have been taught at NYCC.” The level of training at NYCC is second to none, providing access to an integrated environment and opportunities to learn how to co-treat patients and communicate with other healthcare professionals.
These graduates are entering a healthcare market eager for their services, and the opportunities before them have never been greater. Large numbers of Americans suffer from back and neck pain, and many seek relief from opioids. With the mounting crisis of opioid addiction in this country, there is a growing need for alternative methods of pain relief; and increasing numbers of hospitals are recognizing the value of non-invasive, non-drug approaches to pain management.
The healthcare environment requires lifelong learning. Dr. Herd urged the graduates to stay on the cutting edge by keeping their study skills sharp and their thirst for knowledge alive. “This is your time,” he said. “There are 75 million Americans suffering back and neck pain and only 70,000 chiropractors to provide them that care. Welcome to the team. We need your help.”
Source: New York Chiropractic College
