Life University

It is time to address the circus going on at Life University. As a chiropractor, this is my opinion and my opinion alone. Politically speaking, it takes a lot to get a group of chiropractors to agree 100%. This is a strength at times. With disagreement comes growth and multiple ways to approach a problem. With a singular approach you may have a standard of care, but grass tends to grow around you feet, allowing one to ignore evidence often taking past procedure as right and unquestionable.

Let us look back at history. Before 1972 there was not an accrediting body to certify schools of chiropractic. There were however two basic chiropractic camps. The first being the ACA, American Chiropractic Association, which primarily views the chiropractic health profession as helping only musculoskeletal type pains – neck pain, back pain, etc - the extreme right wing. The other camp being the ICA, International Chiropractic Association, which focuses on nerve pressure, the lack of proper communication setting the body up for malfunction resulting in disease – the far left. These two groups are often at loggerheads with one another. Back in 1972 the ACA gave the impetus push for accreditation and were able to grease enough political palms to have all ACA oriented schools automatically accredited. The ICA schools had to do calisthenics to get approval. Life College was and is an ICA school.

Now lets introduce Dr. Sid Williams. Sid was and still is an extremely controversial character. Not only was political jockeying between the two chiropractic groups going on, but there was also political attacks coming from the AMA, American Medical Association, not medical doctors, their lobbyist group – this was resolved by a 1989 United States Supreme Court ruling in favor of chiropractic. Sid is quite a character, with almost an evangelistical flare, and as such has made his share of enemies. In the past, if memory serves correctly, Sid’s practice and home was burnt to the ground under questionable circumstances. Sid has been accused of being a micromanager of Life University putting family and cronies in key positions, not necessarily the best person for the job. I believe this is the situation although I understand the impetus behind these decisions. Sid is an easy target being a politically incorrect good ol’ boy. You could probably accuse Sid of being anti-white, anti-black, anti-female, anti-male or anti-bald...you name it, and with the right lawyer can make a good case of it. It is easy for me to see how other leadership would want Sid out of the picture.

Now lets talk about accreditation. From what I understand, they are coming down on the diagnostics department. That surprised me, because when I went through Life I felt that department was pretty good. I had the opportunity to discuss the situation with a past professor of mine. They mentioned that CCE, the accrediting body, had talked to the faculty a while back and told them specifically they were on track. The areas of interest needing work: more microscopic urine exams and blood drawings/ microscopic evaluations. If memory serves correctly, we had to do 150 urinalysis exams/ microscopic evaluations, 25 blood drawings and microscopic evaluations. I could be wrong, but that is what I remember. We also had to perform prostate exams on a plastic model. As a chiropractor I perform spinal adjustments. I understand the need for the UA and blood work, but a prostate exam? None the less, I appreciate the educational process making me a better-rounded healthcare practitioner. Do I think I will ever have to draw on my “skill” to examine a prostate? I should hope not, because it would be a complete disaster, as I am not properly trained. Let us leave it to the guys who perform that task every day. That is not my focus nor has it been since day one.

Once I received my degree from Life University, I still had to take 4 national board exams. These exams, two days apiece, test diagnostics except for the last one, 25% chiropractic focused. The first board exam focuses on basic sciences, biochemistry, microbiology, anatomy, etc. In my opinion, I do not believe the diagnostics department is lacking. I was able to take these tests and do very well. I went to the University of Georgia and graduated with a degree in Biochemistry. I did research for the Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, a subsidiary of the University of Georgia. At no time during my education did I spend more time or effort studying than I did at Life University. I was not alone. I look back on my time at Life University and think of two things: practicing adjustments and studying at my cubical.

Let us shift gears once again, after CCE spoke to the faculty indicating everything was on track, Sid was taped indicating he would make CCE happy and then go back to his way – 2 times. True? Given the personality involved, I could see something like that going down. It does not matter if the accrediting situation was a political hunt for Sid or based on actual concerns, the proper response from administration should have been, “How high do you want us to jump?” When I was at Life, I felt the administration needed work. Sid has done much for chiropractic politically in the state of Georgia and nationally. As a figurehead for chiropractic, I desire a more eloquent and polished figurehead than Dr. Sid, but I can respect his views and the tremendous work he has done. I realized this when I practiced in another state. It is sad that the profession of chiropractic has been portrayed in a less than favorable light. When practiced properly, chiropractic is an extremely valuable and powerful healthcare profession.