|
In February 2004, the College established a presence in eastern Jackson County near Lee’s Summit, with the opening of the Cleveland Chiropractic College Wellness Center at Truman Medical Center (TMC) Lakewood. The agreement between the two health care providers has allowed patients to utilize chiropractic services in a traditional hospital setting. It provides an off-campus internship opportunity for students, while offering greater visibility for the College in neighboring communities.
The partnership with TMC was designed for authorized chiropractic interns from CCCKC to work with supervising faculty clinicians in the treatment and management of wellness center patients. Doctors from the College were given Allied Health Professional status at the facility, which allowed them to refer patients or to receive patient referrals from other physicians at the hospital. Over time, the program has flourished.
Since its inception, the wellness center has provided opportunities for more than 45 interns, each of whom spend a trimester at TMC. Dr. C.O. “Chip” Gowan ’95 has been CCCKC’s team leader for the TMC program since it began. He feels it has offered a unique learning environment for students.
“Students are able to see the chiropractic approach applied in a different setting than the typical field practice,” Gowan said. “This integrated environment allows exposure to a variety of conditions and patient presentations not always seen in the College Health Center.”
To be considered for an internship at the wellness center, students must submit an application for acceptance and go through a selection process that includes a qualitative and quantitative review and a personal interview with a selection committee. Once selected, participants are photographed for ID badges and go through an orientation process before they are authorized to participate in the program. The number of interns ranges from four to eight, and a new group is selected each trimester. Most find the program to be a valuable experience, as it is another way to gain “real world” experience prior to graduation.
“TMC gave me the opportunity to see how an actual office should flow and what to expect when I have my own office,” Nyoka Lytle (XII) said. “I was able to actually be one-on-one with Dr. Gowan and see how he interacts with the patients in terms of what should be said and done.”
The Wellness Center is located on the first floor of the TMC Lakewood Care Center building. Appointments are available Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. To schedule an appointment, call 816-404-9120.
 Dr. C.O. “Chip” Gowan ’95 assists two former CCCKC interns with a patient diagnosis in the Cleveland Chiropractic College Wellness Center at Truman Medical Center (TMC) – Lakewood in Lee’s Summit. The collaboration with TMC allows interns to provide treatment to those TMC patients seeking chiropractic care. |
 Recent renovations at Truman Medical Center - Lakewood provide a wonderful state-of-the-art home for the Cleveland Chiropractic College Wellness Center. The College-sanctioned facility offers internship opportunities for CCCKC students in their final trimester at the College. |
|
