UWS brought chiropractic health care to Oregon in 1904
PORTLAND, Ore., Sept. 22, 2014 –Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber recently signed a proclamation declaring October 2014 as “Oregon Chiropractic Health and Wellness Month.”
The proclamation comes as University of Western States (UWS) celebrates 110 years of leadership in educating health care professionals. The university, founded in 1904, was the first educational institution offering a doctor of chiropractic degree in Oregon. The university has expanded over the past 110 years and now offers a master’s degree in exercise and sports science with four new concentrations, human nutrition and functional medicine and diagnostic imaging; and a massage therapy certification program.
The proclamation, signed on August 25, cites some impressive data for Kitzhaber’s decision to focus on chiropractic physicians as primary care providers “specializing in spinal manipulation, but also on health promotion and wellness.”
“A seven-year prospective follow-up study analyzing 70,274 member-months of patients managed by doctors of chiropractic resulted in an 85 percent reduction in drug costs, 62 percent reduction in MRIs and surgeries, 60.2 percent reduction of, in hospital admissions, and a 59 percent reduction in hospital stays,” writes Kitzhaber.
While these numbers do tell a story of efficient health care, in a time when there is much scrutiny of this subject, Dr. Joseph Brimhall, president of UWS believes it’s also affirmation that UWS lives by its motto “for the good of the patient.”
“Since our beginning in 1904, we have consistently delivered the finest integrative health care education available. And we are proud that the work of past faculty members, founders and distinguished alumni is being recognized,” Dr. Brimhall said. “We are truly honored that the governor recognizes the benefit of chiropractic care for patients. This dedication to patients and their care is what drives UWS.”
The UWS 110 year anniversary celebration is culminating during the weekend of October 10-12 with the 15th Annual NW Symposium held on the UWS campus. The event is designed for integrated health care professionals exploring the latest research, with clinical lectures and essential information on clinical care. The keynote speaker is Dan Murphy, DC, DABCO and a UWS alumnus. He will be discussing the keys to longevity in a talk entitled “Longevity: Chiropractic—Nutrition—Exercise: The Science and Habits for Maximizing the Length and the Quality of Life.” Chiropractic physicians and other health care professionals can find out more and register at www.uws.edu/event/nw-symposium.
UWS was founded in 1904 and has been in continuous operation in Portland since then. To find out more about the history of the university visit the UWS history website. For more information on UWS program and current news, please visit our website at www.uws.edu.
