FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
FEBRUARY
12, 2004
ICA ISSUES STATEMENT OF CONCERN OVER RECENT
DEVELOPMENTS AT PALMER
COLLEGE
ICA's Board of Directors,
in response to a massive outpouring of concern from its doctor and student
members worldwide, has issued a formal statement on the recent developments at the Palmer
University System and the sudden departure of Dr. Guy Riekeman from the position
of Chancellor of that institution.
"ICA members worldwide are deeply concerned over the uncertainty at
Palmer College and doctors and students
in unprecedented numbers are looking for answers in what appears to be a
very unfortunate situation," said ICA President Dr. CJ Mertz. ICA's Board, meeting in its 2004
Mid-Year session on February 12, 2004, unanimously adopted the following
statement:
The
International Chiropractors Association deeply regrets the situation within the
Palmer
Chiropractic University System
and remains steadfast in its support of the best interest of the Palmer student
community. Based upon the
information available to us at this time, the ICA is concerned over the
departure of Dr. Guy Riekeman from the leadership of the Palmer University
System and the loss of Dr. Riekeman's unique skills and abilities to that
institution. In the past several years, Palmer has enjoyed a period of
tremendous positive growth and development, while at the same time enjoying the
benefits of an historic and profoundly significant enhancement of Palmer's
traditional vision and values. Dr.
Riekeman's personal role in recruiting and inspiring an entire generation of
students also highlights his extraordinary
record.
The ICA is concerned that the new strength and growth enjoyed by
Palmer will be jeopardized by this action, and that students currently enrolled
at the Palmer campuses might find their education disrupted or disturbed in some
manner. ICA believes that the
needs, concerns and interests of Palmer students must be the highest priority, and ICA urges those in decision making positions at Palmer to
thoroughly consider the full implications of their actions regarding such
important leadership issues and keep the student's best interest paramount at
all times.
ICA
strongly urges the parties in this unfortunate situation to resume a
constructive dialogue in the hope that the most positive resolution will be
attained in a timely manner.
"ICA has deep Palmer
roots, having been established 78 years ago by Dr. BJ Palmer to build and defend
chiropractic, and we hope that the powerful and vitally important profile Palmer
has presented to the world in recent years is in no way diminished, for any
reason, " Dr
Mertz said. "In recent years we
have also seen
how the lives of chiropractic students can be disrupted, and turmoil on that
scale is simply bad for chiropractic, especially in an environment in which the
numbers of new chiropractors entering the profession may not even be sufficient
to replace those who are leaving."
----------------------------------------------------------------
For More
Information, Contact the International Chiropractors Association, chiro@chiropractic.org or visit
the ICA website at www.chiropractic.org.
* International Chiropractors Association Mailing List *
1110 North
Glebe Rd.
Arlington, VA 22201
800/423-4690