UWS SACA Named Chapter of the Year

Posted on February 15, 2021September 17, 2024 by Dana Schatz

The University of Western States (UWS) Student American Chiropractic Association (SACA) chapter was named the 2020 SACA Chapter of the Year. The announcement was made during the 2021 American Chiropractic Association (ACA) ENGAGE conference presented virtually this year.

“We are truly honored to be recognized as the 2020 SACA Chapter of the Year,” said Danielle Pettet, past SACA president. “All SACA chapters were faced with many challenges this year, so to be selected for this award is quite the honor. Despite the online environment, we were able to boost our UWS SACA membership and host several successful fundraisers and virtual events. All of these things were made possible by our amazing SACA members and club advisor, Dr. Gary Schultz, who stuck with us during these uncertain times and kept the SACA spirit alive at UWS.”

Through the challenges faced this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, being able to think creatively and keep engagement up with members was critical in keeping members connected. The executive board created many well-attended virtual events to help keep a sense of normalcy and community.

“Working with this SACA executive board has been the antidote to 2020,” said Dr. Schultz. “Each member of this team has embodied leadership, positivity, good humor, creativity and persistence. They truly have been an inspiration both personally and professionally. To be honest, it really was not the least bit surprising to see them awarded SACA Chapter of the Year. I am so very proud of them and the hard work they have put in this year.”

Additionally, Caitlin Jones, past UWS SACA legislative representative was one of four recipients of a scholarship from Standard Process and was also elected to the SACA National Executive Board as the legislative vice chair.

SACA eboard — 2020-2021 UWS SACA executive board: President – Danielle Pettet; Vice President – Leah Dash; Legislative Rep – Caitlin Jones; Legislative Assistant – Katrina Parsley; Treasurer – Kailey Koopman; Secretary – Sierra Zinke; Public Relations Chair – Carlee Thomson

About the American Chiropractic Association

ACA is the largest professional association in the United States representing doctors of chiropractic. ACA promotes the highest standards of ethics and patient care, contributing to the health and well-being of millions of chiropractic patients.

On behalf of its members, ACA lobbies for pro-chiropractic legislation and policies, promotes a positive public image of chiropractic, supports research, provides professional and educational opportunities for doctors of chiropractic, and offers leadership for the advancement of the profession.

At-Home Workout Motivation Tips and Tricks

Posted on January 14, 2021April 14, 2025 by Dana Schatz

With many public gyms still closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, working out at home requires some extra motivation and creativity

By: Caitlin Jones, 10th Quarter UWS Doctor of Chiropractic and Sports Medicine student

This past year, with the temporary closure of UWS’s campus fitness center and all of the gyms in the Portland area due to COVID-19 restrictions, getting a good workout in has required some creativity and a massive amount of internal motivation. Especially since my workouts typically consist of weightlifting and power lifting, and buying a barbell isn’t quite in my student budget. Luckily, I have a sandbag, some resistance bands and a great playlist!

In the beginning, the hardest part was trying to figure out what to do each day and to get the motivation to step away from studying (and Netflix) to workout. So, to help myself, I break it up throughout the day. I wrote down a list of movements such as squat, lunge, single-leg Romanian deadlift (RDL), push-up, pike push-up, handstand work, mountain climbers, and the dreaded core work such as planks and Pallof presses. And just like we ask our patients to do McKenzie protocol every waking hour – I do 10-30 reps of a movement every waking hour. At least, when I’m not actively in class or clinic! This has helped keep my brain awake for all of the online lectures and it’s easy to fit in, because it only takes about 1-2 minutes. If I have some extra time or motivation, I do a couple of different movements or go on a long walk while listening to a podcast.

The key to any workout routine is to schedule in these little bursts. After every lecture or recording I watch, I do a few movements. For the days when I’m wanting or needing more, I design a quick workout of 5-6 movements and complete 3-5 rounds of them. I’ve even started adding some sprints into my routine even though I hate running. But sprinting is at least over in a few seconds! So, if you hate running like me, then give 20 second sprints a try. Just be sure to ease into them so you don’t strain your hamstrings (but if you do, go see your favorite intern at the Campus Health Clinic)!

The need to be extra creative with home workouts has been going on for 10 months now, so I try to switch things up to keep from getting bored. I’ve attended a few Zoom yoga sessions and worked on skills like handstands. Though it’s still a work in progress, it’s a fun way to stay active and challenge myself! But the best part about living in the Pacific Northwest and trying to find ways to be active – there are a ton of hikes in the area. It’s a great workout, a chance to get some vitamin D and there are plenty of terrain and elevation options. Now that it’s winter, the trails have thinned out and the rain and mud just add to the experience. Just be sure to bring a mask if you head out to the trails!

If you need an idea for a quick workout you can do with no equipment, give this a try!

3-5 Rounds

20 jumping squats
16 lunges
10 push-ups
10 dips (using a chair or couch)
100m sprint
30-second plank hold

Alumna Spotlight: Analia Camarasa

Posted on December 7, 2020December 4, 2025 by Dana Schatz

Analia Camarasa, MS-HNFM, IFMCP, CNS, UWS teaching staff, UWS alumni mentor

Why did you choose the field/profession of human nutrition and functional medicine?

My brilliant father used to say, “no one can take away your education.” He understood the true meaning of this having only completed 6th grade. With that in mind, I chose the field of human nutrition and functional medicine out of need, having more health questions than answers for my daughter and myself. I had been suffering with crippling fatigue and gastrointestinal issues since college that conventional medicine could not fix. At a young age, my daughter suddenly developed unexplained large motor tics. It propelled me to seek higher-level education in pursuit of bettering the state of our health. Within two years, I had graduated and was able to take my health to greater heights with the knowledge gained during this very rigorous program. I felt I had a new lease in life.

Briefly share your experience in advocating for state licensure in North Carolina.

During my time at UWS, I took two elective courses through the Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM). These advanced practice modules introduced me to that wonderful educational organization. After graduating from UWS, I was hired to be teaching staff of the master’s program while I continued taking the advanced practice modules from IFM for three years. This experience complemented the education I had gained at UWS very well. In addition, after graduation, I sat for and passed the BCNS exam to become a Certified NutritionSpecialist (CNS). All the while, I was working on the 1,000 supervised practice experience hours required to gain the tile of CNS.

What does it mean to you to become the first licensed nutritionist in your state?

With the support of the North Carolina (NC) Board of Dietetics/Nutrition (the licensing board for dietitians and nutritionists in NC), the North Carolina Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, and the Nutrition Advocacy Group (now known as the American Nutrition Association) I advocated for about four years to change the NC Dietetics/Nutrition Practice Act. In 2018, after many discussions, meetings and drafting, a new pathway to license nutritionists in the state of North Carolina was enacted. When the opportunity to become a member of the North Carolina Board of Dietetics/Nutrition dietetics presented itself, I leapt at the chance to help more qualified nutritionists to become licensed in our state. As a result of my education at UWS with a master’s degree in nutrition plus having completed 1,000 hours of supervise clinical practice experience, I was honored to become the first licensed nutritionist (LN) in the state of North Carolina.

How have you evolved and adapted in your own practice or work during this intense time (pandemic, social upheaval, economic uncertainty)?

The good news is that all of my studying inspired my husband to grow his knowledge of nutrition and functional medicine as well. Aside from being an IFM certified practitioner, he is also a board-certified emergency medicine physician. This means that we when it came to the pandemic, we saw the writing on the wall and begun quarantine before it was required in our state. This lead us to start seeing patients virtually early on, at first over the phone. Soon, we began our first telehealth visits and our patients quickly adjusted to the new normal.

How did your work with UWS help you to become an IFM certified practitioner?

During my education at UWS, I took an elective class in Herbal Medicine. Inspired by the depth of knowledge of HNFM’s professor and western herbalist Jason Hawrelak (ND, PhD), I was accepted into a two-year herbal studies program with Registered Herbalist David Winston. Since graduating from UWS, I have taken many continued education courses and attended many conferences to deepen my knowledge of herbs as it relates to nutrition. Class starts in the fall of 2020 and I eagerly look forward to be once again a devoted student with the goal of becoming a registered herbalist.

I am so grateful I followed my dreams to earn a master’s degree, to become a CNS, a North Carolina licensed nutritionist, and an Institute for Functional Medicine Certified Practitioner (IFMCP). Continuously learning and helping one patient at a time gives me immense joy. I am forever grateful to have heeded my father’s advice and have started in this journey with University of Western States’ Human Nutrition and Functional Medicine program. It has opened my life to new opportunities, to be of service and touch the lives to the people in my community.

Connecting with Dr. Lester Partna

Posted on December 3, 2020December 4, 2025 by Dana Schatz

Dr. Lester Partna has been a staple in the University of Western States (UWS) chiropractic sciences department since 1989 and embodies what it means to Take the Lead both in his professional and personal life. Learn more about the renaissance man, (DJ) Dr. Partna.

What inspired you to pursue a career in the field of chiropractic?

I was a teenager when I was first exposed to chiropractic. My mom was helped significantly by a chiropractor when other methods of treating her low back pain had been unsuccessful. As I learned more about chiropractic, it was the concept of conservative health care, along with the dramatic results that I witnessed in my mom that fueled my journey toward this exceptional profession. By the time I graduated from high school, my career goals were clear.

What drives your passion for chiropractic education here at UWS?

I chose to attend Western States because of its reputation as a science-based chiropractic institution, and because they advocated and taught a broad-scope, patient-centered chiropractic model. Those are still the characteristics of the institution which I find to be the most compelling and which represent the most positive way forward for the profession.

What is a favorite memory you have from your time working at UWS?

The daily experience of being in the classroom with eager future chiropractic physicians is energizing and fulfilling in a way that, after 26 years, has created a rich mental scrapbook of great memories. I also think of the many extracurricular UWS events that have been so enjoyable: golf tournaments, barbecues, commencement ceremonies, and so many others. As I reflect on my years at UWS, I believe that my true satisfaction ultimately revolves around the relationships that have been developed with so many students and graduates over so many years. Of particular delight, in recent years, is to be able to teach the children of some of my former students.

What is one main pearl of wisdom you hope your students take away from your instruction?

Keep learning, while maintaining a sense of intellectual humility. As Chinese philosopher Lao-Tzu said, “To know yet to think that one does not know is best; Not to know yet to think that one knows will lead to difficulty.” Strive to be knowledgeable—not to be a know-it-all.

Along with being the famous DJ Partna, please provide some other pastimes and passions you are involved in.

I have been told that I am a man of many interests and I suppose that’s true. Variety has always appealed to me. That’s probably why I like buffets.

I have been a musician from my earliest years, starting on the trumpet, adding the piano, guitar, bass, and drums along the way. I sang in a barbershop quartet while attending Western States Chiropractic College (WSCC). My wife is an accomplished musician and we performed as a duo for many years at wedding receptions and corporate events. For a period of time a few years ago, we even had the opportunity to write and perform music for television commercials. A few years ago, I took up the bagpipes with the encouragement of one of our UWS graduates.

I like to play golf, hike, collect and polish rocks from Oregon beaches, fly my hang glider, and make wooden bowls from locally available wood on my lathe. Though not as skillfully in recent years, I can ride a unicycle and juggle.

This is getting too long. I should stop now.

Why do you believe it’s important for health care providers to have other interests outside of work?

The story is told of nine-year-old Frank Lloyd Wright, who walked with his uncle on a winter day across a snow-covered field. As the two of them reached the far end of the field, his uncle stopped him. He pointed out his own tracks in the snow, straight and true as an arrow’s flight, and then young Frank’s tracks meandering all over the field.

“Notice how your tracks wander aimlessly from the fence to the cattle to the woods and back again,” his uncle said. “And see how my tracks aim directly to my goal. There is an important lesson in that.” Years later the world-famous architect liked to tell how this experience had greatly contributed to his outlook on life. “I determined right then,” he’d say with a twinkle in his eye, “not to miss most things in life, as my uncle had.”

For fun – What item is on your bucket list that you cannot wait to cross off?

I want to play golf with my wife at The Old Course at St. Andrews in Scotland. It’s been on my bucket list for many years, so I don’t think it would be accurate to say that I can’t wait to cross it off. I’ve already been waiting a long time.

University of Western States Core Values

Posted on November 25, 2020December 4, 2025 by Dana Schatz

In fall 2019, University of Western States (UWS) launched an initiative to better define its core values as a forward-thinking health science university. Core values are fundamental concepts that support the UWS mission and goals, shape the campus culture and exemplify the university’s brand and identity. In short, the formal exploration of core values helps the campus answer the questions, “Why do we do what we do at UWS?” and “What values do we want to personify to create an exceptional workplace and educational environment?”

Guided by the university motto, “for the good of the patient,” the initiative focused on engaging faculty and staff in identifying core values that make UWS a unique place to work and learn. A task force was convened to formulate the key core values of the university based on input from employee focus group sessions led by Executive Vice President Rosalia Messina, EdD, MPA, and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dana Sims, PhD.

“The core values will assist us promoting cohesion on our new campus by guiding us on how we want to treat each other, our students, our patients and our community,” Dr. Messina stated.

The university’s new core values will:

Guide the recruitment, selection and evaluation of employees.
Integrate into strategic and operational planning processes.
Inform institutional decisions and the creation of institutional goals and objectives.
Be promoted internally and externally to help differentiate UWS from other colleges and universities.

Connecting with a Graduate Studies Student Abroad

Posted on November 19, 2020November 20, 2020 by Dana Schatz

Jessica (Nomi) Levy, NBC-HWC, RYT

UWS Human Nutrition and Functional Medicine (HNFM) Student in Jerusalem, Israel

Social media handle: @nomiknowshealth

How has the HNFM program helped deepen your knowledge and pursuit toward incorporating functional medicine into your life and future career?

I regularly say to my husband – I absolutely love my program! I am learning things that help me on a day-to-day basis make healthier decisions for myself and my family. I am able to be a more valuable resource for my coaching clients and the IFM affiliated doctor that I work with. I see this degree as a stepping stone to so many goals that I have – continuing my education even further, writing a book and getting my CNS certification.

How have you adapted your coaching business and working with clients during this time?

At the beginning of the pandemic I, along with the rest of the world, switched over to Zoom sessions. I was a little nervous because I felt like we would lose some of the “magic” connection that happens in a session. However, I was surprised that for some of my clients it made things easier. It eliminated the trip into my office and let them schedule their session over their lunch break or another convenient time. Instead of me sticking to my office days, like I normally would, my hours opened up. I could see clients while my kids had their evening tutoring sessions or early in the morning while they were sleeping in. As we have now transitioned to being back at my office, I am back to regular hours, but I still offer all of my clients the choice of connecting virtually or in-person. About one-third have chosen to stay on Zoom.

With the normal happenings of each day being interrupted by the pandemic, how have you kept yourself focused in life, motherhood, work and schoolwork?

The pandemic made life a lot more intense in some ways and relaxed in others. The first week of shut down for Israel coincided with winter 2020 finals week. I was writing papers and studying and my kids were just in the house, trying to entertain themselves. I adjusted by waking up early, doing a few hours of work while the kids slept in a bit, and then spent the day with the kids, catching a time here or there for work, and playing tag team with my husband so we could manage it all. I can say that I felt grateful for school, because it kept me focused on something other than checking the news or googling “Corona symptoms for dogs.”

What are some things your family has adopted into their routine that has served you well?

One thing my kids will probably say that has served us well is our new TV! We have never owned a television and have limited, (once a week for two hours) screen access, for my kids. Once corona hit we ordered a television and in the evenings, we would have TV time together. We watched cooking shows, sports and some oldie family movies. My kids got into parkour from watching one show – not the best sport to try while in lockdown! We enjoyed that time to slow down together at the end of the day and just laugh. We are back to our usual limited screen time, but we do enjoy just squishing on the couch together every once in awhile and watching a movie.

What nutrition, wellness and self-care advice could you offer your fellow UWS classmates?

Wherever you are in life, whether in the single and learning stage, juggling with family and work /school stage, or anywhere in between, have a sacred routine. My sacred routine involves getting up each morning before my kids, enjoying a coffee with my husband, and then going for a run. I did this during corona even when the lockdown meant we weren’t allowed to be out of a 100-meter radius from our house. I ran a lot of circles around the block! A sacred routine sets the theme for the whole day. I can’t imagine just waking up and jumping into my day. Entering each day having had a little “me time” means that I am more mentally available for all the different roles and activities in my life.