Vickie Palmer Passes Board of Trustees Gavel; Dr. Trevor Ireland Elected as Chairman

Davenport, IA – After an illustrious 20-year legacy as chairman of the Palmer College of Chiropractic Board of Trustees, Ms. Vickie Palmer announced to Board members on Jan. 15, 2008, that she would officially conclude her tenure as chairman at the Feb. 1-2, 2008, Board meeting in San Jose, Calif. Ms. Palmer continues serving on the Board as a Board officer and member of the executive committee. “I began considering this nearly seven years ago and consulted with many advisors, including my two sisters, during that time,” explained Ms. Palmer. “For many reasons, I’m confident that this is the right time to make a smooth transition. We’ve successfully completed our capital campaign and opened the Academic Health Center. I’m also very comfortable with the strength of the Board and the College administration. More importantly, the time is right for a practicing chiropractor to lead this College as it has become a true participant in the mainstream healthcare delivery system.” As part of her announcement, Ms. Palmer submitted the nomination of Vice Chairman Trevor Ireland, D.C., as her successor. At the Board meeting, Dr. Ireland received unanimous support and approval from all members and officially assumed chairman responsibilities on Feb. 2. “I appreciate that the Board of Trustees agreed with my nomination of Dr. Ireland as chairman,” Ms. Palmer added. “He is an incredible individual and I’m certain he will do an excellent job. Dr. Ireland possesses all of the characteristics necessary to lead us on this journey.” “I’ve trained my entire life to assume this position,” Dr. Ireland said of his election to Board chairman. “It has been a privilege to have served with Vickie for all these years. As we enter this new era of chiropractic, I shall do my utmost to benefit Palmer College, pursue its mission, and protect and perpetuate its philosophy, science and art, and continue to honor the historic connection between Vickie Palmer and the College.” Dr. Ireland, a 1970 magna cum laude graduate of Palmer’s Davenport Campus and a Board member since 1988, is founder of the Ireland Clinic of Chiropractic in Anchorage, Alaska, one of the largest chiropractic healthcare facilities in that state. During his distinguished 38-year career in chiropractic, he has been honored as a fellow of the International Chiropractors Association, the Palmer Academy of Chiropractic, the Palmer West Campus Academy of Chiropractic, and the International College of Chiropractors. Dr. Ireland was the youngest doctor ever to receive all four Chiropractic fellowship honors. In addition, he co-founded the Alaska Chiropractic Society and is a past president of that organization. With Dr. Ireland assuming the Board chairman position, Mr. Kent Forney was elected vice chairman. Mr. Forney, a prominent attorney in Des Moines, Iowa, has served on the Board since 1982, most recently as the Board secretary. “Having been a Board member for more than 25 years, I have had the pleasure of serving the College with Vickie Palmer,” said Mr. Forney. “I have always been impressed with her unselfish devotion to the College and the profession. Her tireless efforts as chairman will be sorely missed. Fortunately, she will remain a member of the Board, so as we move forward, her talents will not be lost to the College.” Ms. Palmer was named to the Palmer Board in 1978 and served as vice chairman from 1985 until her election to chairman in 1987. During that tenure, she has been instrumental in many significant accomplishments for the College. Those include opening of the Palmer Academic Health Center on the Davenport Campus; the growth, development and stabilization of Palmer’s West Campus; the establishment of the Florida Campus in 2002; the creation of the Palmer Center for Business Development and the Palmer Center for Chiropractic Research, and the unification of the three Palmer campuses as one College. “Having literally grown up on the Davenport Campus, my entire life has been centered around Palmer College,” said Ms. Palmer. “It has been my pleasure to serve this wonderful College in so many ways, including my time working in various areas such as Student Affairs, Academics and, for the past 20 years, as chairman of the Board. “I have reached a time in my life – and in the life of Palmer College – when I wish to serve the Board in a new role; one that allows me to be more interactive with our students and alumni. I am excited about contributing in different ways to help Palmer College of Chiropractic move forward.” “Over the years, Vickie has quietly contributed her time, resources and talents to the College as she has honorably carried on the Palmer family legacy,” said Larry Patten, chancellor of Palmer College. “She’s been an exceptional leader and I personally want to thank her for all she has done.”

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