|
|
University Governance
University of Western States (UWS) is a private,
coeducational, non-profit, professional school.
The University holds tax exempt status under the
provisions of Internal Revenue (IRS) code
section 501(c)(3).
Board of Trustees
The governing body of the University is a board of
trustees. The President, selected and appointed by
the board, is the chief administrative officer, and
is responsible for all administrative and academic
affairs of the University.
Richard Branson, DC | University of Western States, Bachelor of Science in Human Biology
University of Western States, Doctor of Chiropractic
In 1991, Richard Branson graduated from the University of Western States with his Bachelor of Science in Human Biology and his Doctor of Chiropractic. Since 1998, he has worked as Director of Chiropractic Services at Minnesota’s second largest private health system, Fairview Health Systems. Dr. Branson was the first Doctor of Chiropractic hired by Fairview. In this role, he has a clinical practice, as well as overseeing all chiropractic-related issues. Past work experience includes serving as the Director of Clinical Services for Health Services Management, private practice, and associate professor at Northwestern Health Sciences University research department in Bloomington, MN.
Since 1999, Dr. Branson has served as Chief Chiropractic Consultant for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota. He is an active consultant with several national and Midwest regional insurance and managed care organizations, offering peer review and consultation services. He has served on numerous committees including the Minnesota Department of Human Services Health Services Advisory Council and Preferred One’s Quality Management Committee. He currently serves as a site team academy member with the Council on Chiropractic Education.
|
| Richard Cole, DC, DACNB, DAAPM, FIACN, FICC (H)Palmer College of Chiropractic, Doctor of Chiropractic
A national leader in chiropractic healthcare, Richard L. Cole, is an advocate for ethical evidence-based chiropractic care and collaboration with other healthcare providers for the benefit of patients. Actively practicing since 1978, Dr. Cole has helped advance the practice of chiropractic with his work in pain management and chiropractic neurology.
In 1997, he helped establish ChiroAdvance, a managed care organization designed to attract the highest caliber chiropractors and elevate the practice of chiropractic medicine by setting high standards for members.
Dr. Cole served an appointment to the Tennessee Board of Chiropractic Examiners from 1996 to 2000 and was reappointed for 5 years in 2011. He is board certified by both the American Academy of Pain Management and the American Chiropractic Neurology Board, and holds a neurology fellowship from the International Academy of Chiropractic Neurology. Dr. Cole also serves as a consultant for BlueCross & BlueShield of Memphis, Blue Cross & BlueShield of Tennessee, Intracorp, Provident, Comprehensive Rehabilitation Associates, and State Farm. Dr. Cole is a member of numerous professional organizations, including the American Chiropractic Association, the American Academy of Pain Management, the Tennessee Chiropractic Association, the Cervicogenic Headache Society, and the Medical Group Management Association.
A director on several national boards, including the Federation of Chiropractic Licensing Boards and the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners, Dr. Cole has participated extensively in new developments of chiropractic licensure and regulation. For his work advancing the profession in Tennessee, the Tennessee Chiropractic Association gave him their Torchbearer Award in 1992, and voted him Tennessee’s Chiropractor of the Year in 1997 and 2000.
|  |
| Patricia Conners-Allen, DCSecretary | Palmer College of Chiropractic, Doctor of Chiropractic
Mount Saint Mary College, Bachelor of Science in ChemistryDr. Conners-Allen has held numerous high profile professional positions and appointments in the chiropractic profession. Since 1999, she has served as the Director of the District 1 Federation of the Chiropractic Licensing Board. Additionally, from 1994-2000, Dr. Conners-Allen was appointed to the Medicare Coverage Advisory Committee to review proposed regulations which affect the Medicaid program for the State of Alaska. Dr. Conners-Allen has held a private practice in Juneau, Alaska since 1985. |
| Shirley Cyr, CPATreasurerOregon State University, Bachelor of Science in Finance and Marketing
Portland State University, Post-Baccalaureate in Accounting
Shirley presently serves as the Controller for Clean Energy Works Oregon, a nonprofit organization that delivers high-quality job creation, energy savings and carbon reductions through energy-efficiency remodels in existing homes and commercial spaces. She was previously the Director of Finance and Administration for Loaves and Fishes Centers, a nonprofit organization, serving seniors in the Portland Metro area.
Prior to that time, Shirley was a senior manager with Moss Adams LLP, a regional public accounting firm, focusing on the nonprofit industry (primarily colleges and universities) for over nine years. Professional experience includes 17 years in the banking industry in the areas of credit review, commercial real estate lending, asset based financing, and operations.
Shirley presently serves as Treasurer for the Oregon & Southwest Washington Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure and is an Audit Committee member for Central City Concern and the Energy Trust of Oregon.
|  |
| Jennifer Forbes, DC | University of Western States, Doctor of Chiropractic
Dr. Jennifer Forbes decided to become a chiropractor at the age of twelve. She completed her university pre-med classes at Trinity Western University in Langley, British Columbia. She then moved to Portland, Oregon to attend the University of Western States.
At UWS, Dr. Forbes was a member of the Associated Student Body, first as Events Coordinator, and finally as Vice-President. She probably is best remembered for sneaking into classrooms and singing announcements for upcoming events dressed in various manners of costume. Before joining the board, Dr. Forbes worked unofficially with the university as an active alumni and recruiter, and has welcomed many students into her practice for job shadowing.
Dr. Forbes started practice in Langley, BC in 2000, and opened her own clinic in the Murrayville area in the spring of 2002. In 2008, Dr. Forbes opened a home office in Chilliwack to accommodate patients in her hometown. This is now Dr. Forbes’s primary location.
Dr. Forbes married Jordie Forbes 2 weeks after graduation, and they have two daughters, Carolyn and Charlotte. In her free time, Dr. Forbes enjoys standup paddling with friends and family, and even participated in the Battle of the Paddle in Waikiki, HI. She has remained active in her community, organizing various fundraisers for an orphan home in Kenya, as well as organizing free clinics for homeless and low-income families.
|
| Alice Jacobson, EdDWestern College for Women, AB Degree in English
Teachers College, Columbia University, MA and EdDAlice Jacobson retired from a 36 year career in college and university administration and teaching in December 2003. She served as President of the Sylvania Campus of Portland Community College (Oregon) for 13 years. Prior to that, she held administrative positions at two- and four-year institutions in Oregon, South Carolina and New York. She has taught courses in English, Humanities, and Higher Education Administration.
Alice holds the AB Degree in English from Western College for Women (Oxford, Ohio) and the MA and EdD degrees from Teachers College, Columbia University in New York City. Her advanced degrees are in adult and higher education administration.
Alice has served on a number of Commissions and Boards of Directors over the years. She served as a Commissioner on the Northwest Association of Colleges and Universities, the regional accrediting association, and on its Executive Committee. She has served as a member of the Boards of Directors of the Equity Foundation in Portland, Oregon, Neighborhood House, the Southwest Portland social service agency, and the Robison Jewish Home, a Southwest Portland home for the aged. She has chaired the board of the National Institute for Leadership Development in Phoenix, Arizona.
Alice has served as a presenter, trainer, and facilitator for numerous organizations. She has assisted not-for-profits in strategic planning and budgeting as well as in leadership development. Currently, she is sole proprietor of Alice Jacobson Coach, a consulting an executive coaching service. |  |
| Robert Jones, DC, APC | Palmer College of Chiropractic, Doctor of Chiropractic
Dr. Jones is a native of Alberta, Canada, and like both his parents, is a graduate of Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport IA. After twenty years of practice, in 2009, he obtained New Mexico’s certification in advanced practice, which allows for chiropractic to utilize a limited formulary and injection therapy into their practice protocols. Dr. Jones has an interest in further integration of the chiropractic profession into the evolving health care models of society. He shares this passion with his wife Dr. Yeon-Joo Lee who is also a graduate of Palmer College, Davenport.
Dr. Jones has been on the executive board of the New Mexico Chiropractic Association since 2006 and presently is the president of the association. He is also the delegate from New Mexico to the American Chiropractic Association, where he sits on several of their national committees, including the Alternative and Complementary Health Care Committee.
Dr. Jones was honored with the Fellow in the International College of Chiropractors in 2012. He was awarded New Mexico Chiropractor of the Year in 2009-2010 and again in 2011-2012.
Dr. Jones has volunteered with USA Swimming, where he sat on the executive board on New Mexico Swimming for twelve years, with the last three years as the General Chair. He also sits on the Albuquerque Business Education Committee, which is championing community-centered schools in academically-challenged parts of Albuquerque.
|
| Ron Rogers, DC, DABCO| Western States Chiropractic College, Doctor of Chiropractic Dr. Rogers graduated summa cum laude from Western States in 1989. He feels fortunate to have been among the last students to have enrolled in the post-graduate orthopedics program taught by Richard Stonebrink, DC. In 1995, Dr. Rogers achieved Diplomate status with the American Board of Board of Chiropractic Orthopedists. He is also certified by the National Strength and Conditioning Association as a Strength and Conditioning Specialist.
Dr. Rogers practices in Washington State where, in 2006, he was appointed by Governor Chris Gregoire to serve on the Chiropractic Quality Assurance Commission. He served as Chair of the Commission from 2009-2011. He was reappointed for a second term with the Commission in 2010.
Dr. Rogers has had papers published in the peer-reviewed, “Journal of the Neuromusculoskeletal System,” “Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics” and the “Strength and Conditioning Journal.”
In his free time, Ron enjoys running and other personal fitness pursuits. He also enjoys motorcycling and community-theater. He and his wife, Christa recently celebrated 25 years of marriage. They have 2 beautiful daughters and 2 grandsons.
|  |
| Leo Romero, DCChair | Cleveland Chiropractic College, Doctor of Chiropractic
Dr. Romero graduated from Cleveland Chiropractic College, Los Angeles in 1992. He completed his post-graduate work in orthopedics at Western States Chiropractic College, now known as the University of Western States (UWS). He has completed over 400 hours in orthopedics and is board eligible. Dr. Romero has been a Board of Trustees member at UWS since 2005 and was appointed Chairman of the Board in August 2012.
Dr. Romero is the owner and clinic director of three offices, in Tacoma, Kent, and Bellevue. He has been a practicing chiropractor in Washington for 20 years and works closely with the Hispanic and Russian communities.
Dr. Romero was appointed in 2000 as a Commissioner to the Washington State Department of Health, Chiropractic Quality Assurance Commission. He served as the Commission's Chairman from July 1, 2004 - June 30, 2007. He continued his tenure with Commission by serving as a disciplinary Pro Tempore member from 2007 to 2012.
Dr. Romero is a Fellow for the Federation of Chiropractic Licensing Boards (FCLB). The Commission appointed him as the Washington State voting delegate during the FCLB's 78th and 79th Annual Congress. Since 2000, he has been active with the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners Competency Committee, which is a sister board to FCLB. He also served on an Advisory Committee at Highline Community College for the Chiropractic Technician Program from 1997 to 2000. He helped co-author a manual for the development of a new college curriculum for chiropractic technicians.
|
| Mark Sutton, DCVice ChairWestern States Chiropractic College, Doctor of Chiropractic
Loyola Marymount University, Bachelor of Science in Biology With over 20 years of experience managing a private chiropractic practice, Dr. Mark Sutton brings to the WSCC Board of Trustees extensive experience in business management and chiropractic care.
Dr. Sutton has held numerous chiropractic appointments and professional positions. In 2002, he was appointed by Governor Gary Locke to the Chiropractic Quality Assurance Committee. Additionally, he is an Examiner for the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners and a member of the Washington State Department of Health Chiropractic Quality Assurance Commission. In 1990 he was named as the Central Valley, “Doctor of the Year.” |  |
|
|
|