“At UWS we considered ourselves to be ‘evidence-based’ before the term ever came about,” Dr. Lester Partna says about the UWS chiropractic program. “The evidence-based approach uses the best available external evidence from systematic research, combines it with the doctor’s own clinical experience, and considers each patient’s own unique values and expectations.”

Dr. Partna, a professor and the Chair of Chiropractic Sciences, says the UWS Chiropractic program does not ignore the history and tradition of chiropractic, but emphasizes the use of evidence-based methods of inquiry and analysis. As the evidence evolves, the curriculum evolves.

The integrated approach of the UWS program incorporates information and principles from a wide variety of sources and techniques. “We borrow from the best. If it has good data to back it up, a broad-based track record of success, or an acceptable degree of biological plausibility, we’ll teach it,” Dr. Partna says.

When it comes to the adjusting skills of his students, Dr. Partna says, “I would take a student or recent graduate of ours and match them against those of any other institution. If there were an adjusting Olympics, I would confidently expect UWS students to be at the top in adjusting skills.”

Last summer, novice runner Marie Rudback, thought it would be a fun to complete in the Hood to Coast Relay Race.

She researched the race and found out that it was pretty competitive to get a team registered. It was highly unlikely that she could be so lucky to be chosen in the lottery system, yet she mailed off the application anyway.

In November, Rudback was notified that her application was chosen and she was able to register a team of runners to participate in “the mother of all relay races.” This was pretty amazing, especially when more than 1,500 other applications were denied.

Within a few weeks a random gathering of new and old friends created a new Hood to Coast Team. So many of her classmates were excited and inspired that it was requested that a school club be formed to support runners and training.

A new club this year is the Hood to Coast Training Club. The club has experienced runners and those very new to the sport. All fitness and ability levels are welcome. The basis for this club is to aid in the training and fitness level of UWS students for running events. You don’t have to commit to an event, if you just want to run with a group of like-minded classmates, you are welcome to join.

Group runs are projected to once a week and monthly club meetings are on the horizon. If you want to run with classmates, learn more about running and nutrition, be part of the Hood To Coast Team or a volunteer for the club or events, contact Marie Rudback via email at [email protected].

Also note, there is a communications board in the gym for student athletes to share training schedules. Check it out if you are curious about other athletics on campus.

If you would like to learn more about the Hood To Coast Relay visit the website: www.hoodtocoast.com

– Written and submitted by Marie Rudback. Image from hoodtocoast.com.

Want to know more about Student Groups in general? Contact [email protected]! 

While managing several companies and averaging 55-hour work weeks, Candace Parmer suffered extreme shoulder pain. During a visit to a friend in Idaho, she signed up for a two-hour luxury massage and within twenty minuets, 95 percent of the pain was gone. After another session, the pain was gone entirely.

“I never realized massage therapy had the ability to heal something so fast,” she said. “I was fascinated by the idea that massage therapy could relieve pain.”

She hasn’t had any shoulder pain since and longed to know the physiology behind it.

Taking advanced continuing education courses to learn more, Parmer was hooked. She asked one of the instructors what would be the best profession to apply anatomy courses and structural balancing. The instructor recommended massage therapy.

Soon, she was enrolled at UWS in the very first massage therapy program class. Though she continued to manage a roofing company while attending classes, she knew massage would be a career she would enjoy.

After graduating, she rented a small house for her practice, but knew advertising the practice would make her a potential target since she lived alone. It wasn’t until a client recommended she move to the Pearl District that her practice, Fine Art Massage, took off.

“It was a leap of faith coming here,” she said. “If I didn’t make it, I’d be broke. I had no back-up plan. I just knew I had to do it.”

She rented a condo and sent flyers to nearby complexes and joined the Pearl Business Association. She also rents a space with a local chiropractor. With her practice focused on pain relief and sports performance necessities her leap of faith has taken off.

“If you don’t love it, don’t do it,” she said. “People will know.”

After running a biology lab at the University of Oregon while completing his Bachelor’s degree in general science, Bradley Capp applied for a research scholarship at the University of Western States. Though he was contemplating attending a physical therapy school, he took a deeper look atUWS.

The freedom and range of the chiropractic career appealed to Capp, and he applied. As a chiropractic student and sports fan, he enrolled in the Masters in Sports and Exercise Science program.

“If you enjoy what you do, it makes it much easier,” he said. Capp especially enjoyed the opportunities within the Masters program to apply his skills.

With the Master’s program, Capp is looking forward to earning his Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician (CCSP), Diplomate American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians (DACBSP), and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialists (CSCS).

Capp graduated this past quarter as valedictorian. He plans to seek an associateship in and work with athletes, though he said his experience in the Masters program prepares him to perform as a practitioner for all patients.

A passion and degree in dance turned Montserrat Andreys’ goal of a chiropractic practice into a unique calling.

Andreys worked as a massage therapist for ten years, owned her own practice and even held a faculty position with a massage therapy school. Still, she wanted to do something more. After closing down her business, she pursued a degree in dance in Albuquerque, New Mexico, while she was completing prerequisites for chiropractic college.

A former colleague and then-student at the University of Western States recommended Andreys look into the Portland campus.

“The students right away told me the academics were strong and the faculty was open and friendly,” she said. “They said I’d have to work really hard but I’d get a lot out of that. After my undergrad education, I was bowled over by the quality of the professors and the fact that they were all amazing. That made me feel confident about my decision.”

She now serves as the ASB president as well as a UWS ambassador and mentor. A former member of a Middle Eastern Dance Company and Flamenco Dance Company, her passion led her desire to move to New York to treat dancers and performing artists exclusively.

“A lot of chiropractors treat competitive athletes, but some people forget that because an activity is artistic, it is any less physical,” Andreys said.