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FORWARD Paying it - Cleveland University-Kansas City
alumni                                                                                      2016 Issue / Volume 26
   magazine
          Cleveland University-Kansas City
CLEVELANDER

                                                                                                              Pg. 18

                                                                                   Paying it
                                                      FORWARD
                                                       Cleveland alums are giving back to their communities
                                                       and society through an evolving spirit of volunteerism
                                             FEATURES: Faculty Focus / New Beginnings / Complete Me / Lasting Legacies
FORWARD Paying it - Cleveland University-Kansas City
Scene on campus
Chiropractic student Ryan
Burdick studies for finals in a
hammock he set up on campus
to take advantage of the
sunny skies of early spring.
Turn to page 28 to read more
On Campus news.
FORWARD Paying it - Cleveland University-Kansas City
2016 Issue / Volume 26

CLEVELANDER                                                                                                 alumni
                                                                                                            magazine

                                                                        In Every Issue

                                                                                                             contents
                                                                        05     President’s Message

                                                                        06     Memory Lane

                                                                        07     Faculty Focus

                                                                        08     Alumni News

                                                                        16     Complete Me

                                                                        22     Cleveland Foundation

Cover Story                                                             26     New Beginnings

18   Alums pay it forward                                               28     Campus News
     Cleveland alums are giving back to their
     communities and society as a whole through                         36     Farewell Graduates
     an evolving spirit of volunteerism.
                                                                        43     Lasting Legacies
News & Features
07   Dr. Tuttle retires
                                                         cleveland social

     After nearly 30 years of service to the
     University, Dr. William Tuttle ’80 starts his
     life’s next chapter in retirement.                                      facebook.com/ClevelandUnivKC

26   Dr. Russell begins anew
     Dr. Robyn Russell ’14 embarks on her
     career by providing chiropractic care at an                             twitter.com/ClevelandUnivKC
     integrative health care facility.

32   New VPAA leads growth
     The University’s new vision and new program
     plans bring Dr. Gery Hochanadel to campus                              instagram.com/ClevelandUnivKC
     as the new vice president of academic affairs.

                                                                                    cleveland.edu
                                                   Visit our website for recent news and direct links
                                                         to all of our social networking communities.
FORWARD Paying it - Cleveland University-Kansas City
Looking for a way to show your
                                                                 Cleveland pride? Consider a
                                                                 gift to the Foundation. Visit    ADMINISTRATION
                                                                 cleveland.edu/giving or call
                                                                                                  Dr. Carl S. Cleveland III ’75
                                                                 (913) 234-0618 to learn more.
                                                                                                  President
                                                                 Also, use the hashtag below to
                                                                 share your pride for Cleveland   Dr. D. Clark Beckley ’75
                                                                 via social media. You will be    Vice President of Alumni Relations
                                                                 entered into a monthly drawing   Sarah Hilliard
                                                                 for a chance to win some cool    Director of Alumni Services
                                                                 Cleveland swag.
                                                                                                  EDITORIAL BOARD
                                                     #WeAr eCle v elandPr oud                     Jeffrey D. Karp
                                                                                                  Chief Operations Officer
                we are cleveland proud                                                            Scott Albright
                                                                                                  Senior Associate Publications Editor
                   our vision                                                                     Scott Vater
                   The Cleveland vision is to be recognized and respected as a leader in          Advertising & Marketing Associate
                   health promotion.                                                              Amelia Trollinger
                                                                                                  Associate Projects Manager
                   our mission                                                                    ALUMNI BOARD
                   The Cleveland institutional mission is to provide strong, student-centered
                                                                                                  Dr. Robert Riley ’01
                   academic and professional education with a focus in the areas of life          President
                   sciences and health promotion through education, scholarship and service.
                                                                                                  Dr. Jeffrey D. Spencer ’97
                   The Doctor of Chiropractic program mission lies in the areas of education,     Vice President

                   scholarship and service and in the advancement of chiropractic.                Dr. Linda Klinginsmith-Tilford ’76
                                                                                                  Executive Secretary

                                                                                                  Dr. Michael Perusich ’99
                                                                                                  Recording Secretary
                   on the web                                                                     Dr. L. Russell Matthias ’74
                                                                                                  Treasurer
                   cleveland.edu/magazine
                                                                                                  Dr. Roger Ott ’84
                                                                                                  Sergeant at Arms
                           Got your own Cleveland
                       news? Want to comment on                                                   At-Large Members
                                                                                                  Dr. Patrick Hammond ’97
                       a past article or issue of the                                             Dr. J. Kay Carver ’71
                         magazine? Perhaps submit                                                 Dr. Charles A. Eddy ’70
                                                                                                  Dr. Eugene Lockrow ’83
                       a “Class Notes” or “Memory
2016 Issue

                                                                                                  Dr. Doran Nicholson ’80
                   Lane” item? Or maybe you have                                                  Dr. Jessica Tallman ’13
                        an idea for a future story or
                                                                                                  CLEVELANDER magazine is published annually
                     feature? If so, why not submit                                               for all Cleveland alumni & friends. Send inquiries

 4                    your news today? We make it
                             easy to do it all online.
                                                                                                  to the Office of Communications, 10850 Lowell
                                                                                                  Ave., Suite 2045, Overland Park, Kan. 66210.
                                                                                                  Printed in the USA. Postmaster: Please send
  CLEVELANDER

                                                                                                  address changes to the Office of Alumni Relations,
                                                                                                  10850 Lowell Ave., 3rd Floor, Overland Park, Kan.
                                                                                                  66210. Non-profit U.S. postage paid, Kansas City,
                                                                                                  Mo., Permit 1345. Submissions: To have items
                                                                                                  considered for publication, contact Scott Albright
                                                                                                  via email at scott.albright@cleveland.edu or write to
                                                                                                  the CLEVELANDER address listed above. Please
                                                                                                  include your name, graduation year, address and
                                                                                                  daytime phone number. Submissions may be edited
                                                                                                  for style, clarity and length.
FORWARD Paying it - Cleveland University-Kansas City
greetings
L            THE UNIVERSITY VISION
    isten in on classroom presentations the next time you are on campus.
Yes, you will hear class lectures in the basic and clinical sciences, as well
as technique instruction, reminiscent of your days at Cleveland. However,
today the lecture across the hall from chiropractic pediatrics may be a
class in English Composition, College Algebra or Economics.
    In addition to the Doctor of Chiropractic degree, today students at
Cleveland are completing the general education and science coursework
for the two-year Associates degree in Biology, or for the four-year Bach-
elors degree in Human Biology. Most undergraduate students at Cleve-
land are enrolling in the concurrent B.S./D.C. degree program. However,
numbers are increasing with nearly 30 percent of the current undergradu-
                                                                                F RO M P R E S I D E N T
                                                                                      D R . C A R L S. C L E V E L A N D I I I ’ 7 5

ate students earning the B.S. degree completing the requirements needed
to enter other health profession degree programs. Word is spreading
about the strength and quality of Cleveland’s accelerated B.S. program.
    Why Cleveland University? The University structure accommodates the
expansion of additional degree programs, and positions the organization
for future growth. The institution is now organized as Cleveland Univer-
sity – Kansas City, with a College of Chiropractic and a College of Health
Sciences. The A.A., B.S., and the Masters in Health Promotion programs
are presented under Cleveland’s College of Health Sciences. In the next
academic year, planning calls for the College of Health Sciences to be
enrolling students in the A.A. in Radiological Technology, and later to be
followed by an A.A. in Occupational Therapy Assistant.
    Diversifying the Cleveland educational offerings brings additional op-
portunities and greater visibility for the University and for the profession
within the health care community, and bolsters the resources available to
underpin the strength of our Doctor of Chiropractic degree program.
    Today, a qualified student may enroll directly after high school gradu-
ation, completing the general education and science course work for their
Human Biology baccalaureate undergraduate degree, selecting from a de-
gree emphasis to include, Anatomy, Physiology, Chemistry, Public Health,
Health Promotion or Research. This University based program allows the
student to move from high school graduation to a doctor within six years
                                                                                                                                  2016 Issue

through Cleveland’s Concurrent B.S./D.C. program.
    As grandson of the founders, and member of a five generation family
of chiropractors, my commitment to Cleveland’s chiropractic program re-
mains unwavering. Embrace the University’s vision by introducing some-
one to the opportunities at Cleveland University. Start by asking, “Have                                                           5
you ever considered chiropractic as a career?” Someone or something
                                                                                                                                    CLEVELANDER

planted that idea in you, and it changed your life. Pay it forward.
   Yours in health,
FORWARD Paying it - Cleveland University-Kansas City
memory lane

                                                                   take a look back                   remember when?
                 TIME TO SHARE. Here we give Clevelanders the opportunity
                 to share their memories or fun stories of their time on campus
                 with fellow alumni and friends.
                 DR. DORAN NICHOLSON ’80: My favorite Cleveland memories are from the
                 time when I was a member of the faculty, and getting to watch the students
                 grow in knowledge. Graduation was always special to me as an instructor.

                 DR. GARY KURTZ ’81: There are so many good memories from my experi-
                 ence at Cleveland that it is difficult to pick just one. A fun memory I still en-
                 joy is the time that Dr. Yennie stopped his lecture, called Joe Schneller up to      1980s
                 the front of the room (Joe was obviously suffering from a severe head cold),         Dr. Larry Lovejoy ’81 is named
                 took out his acupuncture teishin and literally drained Joe’s sinuses in front of     “Chiropractor of the Year” by
                 the class. (See related photo below of Dr. Richard Yennie ’53.) A serious one        the Missouri State Chiropractors
                 is how it felt to go from silently thinking during initial patient interviews that   Association (MSCA) during the
                 I really had no right to be there, to actually feeling confidence gained from        MSCA Convention held June 10-11,
                 hands-on experience in the clinic; actually realizing that I had something           1989, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in
                 that truly could change peoples lives. I still remember the encouragement,           Kansas City. It is the first time that
                 wisdom, and kind words that Dr. Mangosing shared during our time there.              a winner was based on a vote of the
                                                                                                      MSCA district presidents rather than
                 DR. MICHAEL FRANKLIN ’96: I really enjoyed my time working at Cleveland              the president alone.
                 as a teaching assistant in the radiology department.
                                                                                                      1990s
                 DR. JESSICA CHRISTIANSEN ’02: Getting my peer-reviewed article published             The Cleveland-KC StuCo hosts an
                 in the Journal of Manipulative & Physiological Therapeutics (JMPT) was one           all-school, spring luau March 28,
                 of my favorite Cleveland memories.                                                   1992, at the Holiday Inn near the
                                                                                                      Truman Sports Complex. A Hawai-
                 DR. HEATHER HENRICHS ’07: Getting to interact with such amazing faculty              ian-style, roast pig feast is prepared,
                 as Dr. Barlett, Dr. Beckley, Dr. Beem, Dr. Larsen and Dr. Agocs. Listening           and Polynesian dancers provide
                 to Dr. Cleveland speak about the history of chiropractic in the first year.          entertainment. Additional activities
                 Attending NCLC events with fellow peers and chiropractic physicians from             include a limbo and a “best Hawai-
                 across the country.                                                                  ian costume” contest.

                 DR. KYLE RUPP ’10: My favorite memory at Cleveland was meeting the wife!             2000s
                                                                                                      Senior interns from Cleveland-LA
                                                                                                      participate in the Los Angeles Police
                                                                                                      Department Health Fair held Sept. 6,
                                                                                                      2001, at Parker Center. Interns at-
 2016 Issue

                                                                                                      tending are Dr. Richard Chung ’02,
                                                                                                      Dr. Jeff Potts ’01 and Dr. Will Un-
                                                                                                      talan ’01, along with clinician, Dr.
                                                                                                      John Raithel. The interns give spinal
  6                                                                                                   evaluations to 100 officers and em-
                                                                                                      ployees of the department.
   CLEVELANDER

                                                                        1977
                                                                                                        Visit cleveland.edu/alumni-news to submit
                                                                                                      “Memory Lane” items. Submissions should be
                                                                                                      about 100 words in length. Those chosen for
                                                                                                      publication may be edited for style and clarity.
FORWARD Paying it - Cleveland University-Kansas City
faculty focus
  Farewell,
  Dr. Tuttle
Dr. William Tuttle ’80 retires after 27
years of devoted service to Cleveland
   and its students. His days are now
   devoted to his family and hobbies.
                       < Story & Photo by Scott Vater >

   R
                   etirement is a milestone   he opened a practice in Independence,        cal therapy classes, P.T. wasn’t accepted
                   handled differently by     Mo. Tuttle spent the next eight years        but by a few states,” Tuttle said. “Now
                   everyone. Some strug-      self-employed, until an opportunity          P.T. is used in most states. It’s been fun
                   gle with the changes it    became available at Cleveland. It was        formulating a new program and seeing
                   brings and delay ending    a good fit for him, so he stayed. The        it succeed.”
their work life. Others know exactly what     influence of the Cleveland family was a          The success of his students over the
they want, and are able to take the leap      guiding force from the start.                years was also important to Tuttle. The
when the time is right. For Dr. William           “I think coming to a chiropractic col-   foundation of his teaching philosophy
Tuttle ’80, that time was December 2015,      lege with a medical background, I had        was based on giving 110 percent. Tuttle
and as the fall trimester ended, so too       a lot of questions and wondered how I        took pride in being available to stu-
did his 27-year tenure at Cleveland.          would fit in,” Tuttle said. “My talks with   dents and staying current on the profes-
    Tuttle’s career in health care began      Dr. Cleveland Sr., Dr. Cleveland Jr. and     sion. He has no regrets as an educator.
in 1962, when he started working as a         Dr. Millie Cleveland, discussing history         “I enjoyed teaching and being with
therapist at Research Medical Center in       and philosophy changed my life, and my       the students, helping with cases and
Kansas City. Eventually, he learned that      understanding about my future career.”       learning,” Tuttle said.
he wanted to do more to help others.              And during nearly 30 years as a              With his career in academia behind
                                                                                                                                         2016 Issue

    “I went back to school and Ottawa         clinician and professor at Cleveland,        him, Tuttle’s experience has come full
University was offering classes on the        that future slowly became his past. He       circle. He feels like a student again,
Cleveland campus,” Tuttle said. “I found      enjoyed working with student interns,        learning how to enjoy his new life in
a better way to take care of my patients,     and marking their progress in the clinic.    retirement. He plans to work part-time.
watching the interns treat theirs.”
    He enrolled at Cleveland in 1977,
                                              He was also key in the development of
                                              the physical therapy (P.T.) curriculum.
                                                                                           Beyond that, he will pursue hobbies, in-
                                                                                           cluding woodcarving, playing jazz music
                                                                                                                                          7
                                                                                                                                           CLEVELANDER

and following his graduation in 1980,             “When I started teaching the physi-      and spending time at the lake. z

           My talks with Dr. Cleveland Sr., Dr. Cleveland Jr. and Dr. Millie Cleveland,
                    discussing chiropractic history and philosophy changed my life, and my future career.”
FORWARD Paying it - Cleveland University-Kansas City
alumni news

                          Well deserved
                                                                                                                          A LU MNI P R O F I L E

                          Dr. Claire O’Neill ’95 of Los Angeles named 2015 Alum of the Year
                                           		        during Cleveland’s annual Homecoming celebration.
                     AS SHE LISTENED INTENTLY to the long list of glowing                O’Neill said winning the award is even more meaningful to
                 accomplishments and praise being shared by the speaker              her due to the stature of those previous honorees.
                 at the podium, Dr. Claire O’Neill ’95 at first felt happy for           “I have held many of them in high esteem, and some of
                 this well-respected doctor who would soon take the stage            them were my mentors and teachers,” O’Neill said.
                 to accept their well-deserved award. Then, toward the end,              A quick look at O’Neill’s career in chiropractic makes it
                 O’Neill started to recognize the person Dr. Kay Carver ’71 was      clear that she too is held in high esteem within the profession,
                 describing. It wasn’t long before her realization became reality    and is more than deserving of the honor. She is a sought-
                 as she was named the 2015 Alum of the Year.                         after expert in chiropractic, clinical thermography, nutrition,
                     O’Neill, who is an author, lecturer and owner of GlenFeliz      sports injury, women’s health and pediatrics. She co-authored
                 Chiropractic Wellness Center in the Los Angeles suburb              the book “The World’s Best Kept Health Secret Revealed.”
                 of Glendale, said she was “shocked, dumbfounded and                 In addition, she has served as a regular wellness expert on
 2016 Issue

                 pleasantly surprised” to receive the honor. She is the first        multiple TV programs, and has served on the boards of the
                 Cleveland-LA alum to win the award since the unification of         California Chiropractic Association and Rotary International.
                 the Kansas City and Los Angeles alumni associations in 2014.            Of the many reasons she received the award, O’Neill is
                     “As alumni association president in LA, I was always giving     most proud of mentoring young prospective doctors.
  8              out awards, not receiving them,” O’Neill said. “I have never
                 thought of myself being counted among the many past Alum
                                                                                         “My passion is keeping this profession alive and strong
                                                                                     through new doctors graduating, and keeping practicing
   CLEVELANDER

                 of the Year recipients. I feel very honored and grateful to now     doctors’ passions thriving,” O’Neill said.
                 be associated with all those great Cleveland alums who have             Such passion for the profession is commendable. And it
                 earned this prestigious award before me.”                           makes O’Neill’s honor well-deserved, indeed. z
                                                                  < Story & Photo by Scott Albright >
FORWARD Paying it - Cleveland University-Kansas City
alumni news
                        What’s new with you?
  class                 Share updates about your activities with us and we’ll spread the word for you. You can submit news about

  notes                 your personal and professional achievements and celebrations for inclusion in the Class Notes section. Visit
                        cleveland.edu/alumni-news and fill out the form or send news via email at scott.albright@cleveland.edu

                                                                        “
1969                             pital staff. In spite of this
                                 administrative hurdle, he
Dr. Edward McKenzie,                                                         My passion is keeping this profession
                                 enjoyed serving the chiro-
Holton, Kan., returned                                                       alive and strong through new doctors
                                 practic needs of U.S. mili-
from Spain in late 2015
                                 tary personnel and their                      graduating, and keeping practicing
after working as a clinic
                                 families for 2 1/2 years.                         doctors’ passions thriving.
supervisor at the Madrid
Chiropractic College on                                                            CLEVELAND ALUM DR. CLAIRE O’NEILL ’95
the campus of Real Centro        1980
Universitario Escorial-          Dr. Doran Nicholson,
María Cristina. Look for a
                                                                    1985                               Dr. John Unruh, Rogers,
                                 Lee’s Summit, Mo., has
                                                                    Dr. Ray Foxworth, Flo-             Ark., celebrated a grand
feature article on his trip in   been elected apresident of
                                                                    wood, Miss., has been              re-opening and renovation
the April issue of the Alumni    the Missouri State Chiro-
                                                                    appointed to the board             in Nov. 2015 at Unruh
Matters newsletter.              practors Association.
                                                                    of directors of The Foun-          Chiropractic & Wellness
                                                                    dation for Chiropractic            Center in Rogers. Unruh
1979                             1983                                                                  and fellow Clevelander,
                                                                    Progress (F4CP), a not-
Dr. Mark Chadwell, San           Dr. Jack Janway, Musk-             for-profit organization            Dr. Steve South ’84 now
Diego, Calif., established       ogee, Okla., was the               dedicated to raising               treat patients in an updat-
himself as a chiropractor        subject of a feature story         awareness about the                ed and modern office with
on the U.S. Naval Base           by the Muskogee Phoenix.           value of chiropractic care.        equipment that utilizes
in Yokosuka, Japan and           The profile explored his           Foxworth is universally            some of the latest technol-
the Navy’s Ikego housing         journey from a musician in         known in the chiropractic          ogy in the industry.
area, providing treatment        New York and Las Vegas,            profession and has more
on an as-needed basis by         through his return to              than 30 years of experi-           1986
verbal referral. While he        school and his career as a         ence. He is the president          Dr. Larry Buck, Iola,
could treat patients, he         chiropractor and acupunc-          of ChiroHealthUSA, a pro-          Kan., watched a rodeo
was unable to refer them         turist. The story also gives       vider-owned network that           in Eureka, Kan., nine
to the base radiologist for      details on his branching           helps keep chiropractic            years ago, which led to
X-rays, because he was           out to include its use in          care affordable for patients       he and his wife answer-
not “vetted” with the hos-       the equine community.              with non-covered services.         ing a call to minister to

                                                 C E L E B R AT I N G A LU M N I                                       SPOT
                                                                                                                       LIGHT
                                                 Dr. Tallman on national stage
                                                     Dr. Jessica Tallman ’13 performed the National Anthem at the NCAA
                                                 Division II (DII) national championship football game on Dec. 19. Held at
                                                                                                                                        2016 Issue

                                                 Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kan., the game between Northwest
                                                 Missouri State University and Shepherd University was broadcast on ESPN2.
                                                     Tallman was selected to perform after singing at the DII Cross Country
                                                 Championships in Nov. 2015. A highly decorated former DII athlete at Mis-
                                                 souri Southern State University in Joplin, Mo., Tallman was an ideal choice.
                                                                                                                                         9
                                                                                                                                          CLEVELANDER

                                                     “The stadium was full of energy and excitement,” Tallman said. “I feel like
                                                 I always “give” a good anthem, but that performance ranks in my top three.”
                                                     Tallman said the experience “awesome.” She was witness to the MIAA’s
                                                 Bearcats of Northwest winning their fifth national title with a 34-7 victory. z
FORWARD Paying it - Cleveland University-Kansas City
alumni news
                                                                                                           youth at rodeos and offer
                                                                      A LU MNI P R OFI L E                 free chiropractic services.
                                                                                                           Although partially blind,
                                                                                                           with 2% sight, he continues
                                                                                                           his service to youth, leading
                                                                                                           Cowboy Church at the An-
                                                                                                           derson Building at Kansas
                                                                                                           High School Rodeo Associa-
                                                                                                           tion events.

                                                                                                           1988
                                                                                                           Dr. Charles Hwang, Al-
                                                                                                           hambra, Calif., would like
                                                                                                           to give a shout out to his
                                                                                                           classmates in the Los An-
                                                                                                           geles class of August 1988.
                     Traveling doc                                                                         After six years of private
                                                                                                           practice, Hwang switched
                                                                                                           careers and became a
                   Dr. Jay English ’79 travels the globe to share                                          Special Agent, currently
                                                                                                           assigned to the U.S. Depart-
                          the healing power of chiropractic with those in need.                            ment of Homeland Security.
                     MOST HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS are willing to go the extra mile to help               He is also a Lieutenant
                 others, but how many are willing to go 4,000 extra miles? Dr. Jay English ’79 is one      Colonel, Medical Service
                 who can make that claim. He returned to the United States in January after a 90-          Corps, U.S. Army Reserve,
                 day stay in South America, where he provided chiropractic care to those in need.          and a veteran of Operation
                     Based in northern California, English practiced in the San Francisco Bay area         Enduring Freedom.
                 for 20 years. Throughout his career, he has also given back, traveling extensively
                 and taking chiropractic to a variety of locales around the globe.                         1991
                     “I have been very fortunate to have worked in Bejing, China, with Dr. Dong            Dr. Darrick Lawson ’91,
                 Anli and in Singapore, El Salvador and Slovenia and many other venues,” English           Sacramento, Calif., has
                 said. “Thirty-five years of healing art.”                                                 been named 2015 “Busi-
                     English was drawn to South America after answering an ad on Planet Chiro-             ness Leader of the Year”
                 practic from fellow Clevelander, Dr. Doug Medford ’86, who was seeking a doc-             by Sacramento’s Rainbow
                 tor for his practice in Tarapoto, Peru. English found a like-minded practitioner in       Chamber of Commerce.
                 Medford, and the two shared a similar treatment philosophy.                               Lawson, owner of Healing
                     “We both practice hands-on adjusting, kinesiology, NET, SOT, Gonstead, as             Touch Chiropractic, is a
                 well as nutritional counseling, to facilitate the adjusting,” English said. “He is fun,   civic leader, LGBT activist, a
                 and was a wonderful doctor to work alongside.”                                            former board member and
                     Most of their patients were from Tarapoto and the surrounding areas, but oth-         past president of the Rain-
                 ers traveled up to four hours seeking treatment. The tropical conditions made the         bow Chamber and founder
                 work taxing as they endured 90-degree heat that felt closer to 110. During his stay,      of the organization’s Rain-
 2016 Issue

                 they averaged 50 patients a day, many of whom had been living with back pain for          bowPAC. The award rec-
                 years. English said that many countries have residents who are battling drug addic-       ognizes an individual each
                 tion, so chiropractic is ideal for those areas.                                           year who has demonstrated
                     “Chiropractic is a healing art form, one that’s very creative and immediately sat-
10               isfying,” English said. “I don’t have to wait for an answer to know if I have helped.”
                     For those struggling with pain, chiropractic provides immediate results in a way
                                                                                                           leadership success within
                                                                                                           the business community
                                                                                                           and within the Sacramento
   CLEVELANDER

                 unmatched by any pill or injection. And it is the healing hands of those like English     LGBT community. Lawson
                 who make it possible for people around the world to find relief. z                        said he is “proud to have
                                 < Story by Scott Vater | Photo courtesy of Dr. English >                  built a successful business
                                                                                                           as an openly gay man” and
alumni news
                                                      C E L E B R AT I N G A LU M N I                          SPOT
                                                                                                               LIGHT
                                                      Dr. Kaibel chairs board
                                                          For the past 40 years, Dr. Jerilynn Kaibel ’75 has been helping
                                                      patients in Riverside County, California, achieve optimal health
                                                      through chiropractic care. However, Kaibel’s influence in health
                                                      care reaches much farther than her practice in Beaumont. As
                                                      chair of the San Gorgonio Memorial Hospital Board, she is mak-
                                                      ing an impact for the 85,000 residents of the hospital’s district.
                                                          “These are exciting times for the hospital,” Kaibel said. “As
                                                      chair, I’ve had the privilege to help open a 19,000-square-foot
                                                      emergency department and an 18,000-square-foot ICU.”
                                                          Kaibel has been on the 13-member interdisciplinary board
                                                      since 2007. She is now leading a campaign to raise $200 million
                                                      for a new patient care building with surgical and diagnostic suites.
                                                          “My goal is to know that for the next 50 years the patients in
                                                      the district have the facilities and care that’s necessary.” z

to have worked with orga-      Back Chiropractic, with       2008                               2011
nizations to “create a di-     locations in Cass City and                                       Dr. Ashley (Engle)
                                                             Dr. Richard Veirs, Rialto,
verse, inclusive economic      Caseville, Mich. In Sept.                                        Emel, Columbia, Mo., had
                                                             Calif., has opened Inland
environment in Sacramen-       2015, they relocated their                                       a baby girl, Charley Sloan,
                                                             Chiropractic at 11731 Ster-
to where all people can be     Caseville office, something                                      on Dec. 22, 2015.
                                                             ling Ave., Ste B, in River-
valued for their contribu-     they had been considering
                                                             side, Calif. Working with
tions rather than excluded     for several years. The new,
                                                             Veirs is fellow Clevelander,       Dr. Chad Barnes, Lenexa,
for their differences.”        larger site will give them
                                                             Dr. Arlan K. Garcia ’02.           Kan., and Elizabeth Rose
                               the opportunity to broaden
                                                             After passing a strin-             Nelson were married on
1994                           their services, allowing
                                                             gent, five-step screening          Sept. 26, 2015, in Salina,
Dr. Tim Young, Oklaho-         them to offer massage
                                                             process, the practice is a         Kan. Barnes practices
ma City, Okla., is currently   therapy, fitness classes
                                                             member in good standing            at F.I.T. Muscle & Joint
serving a term as president    and speech therapy. Other
                                                             of Doctors on Liens, a per-        Clinic in Kansas City.
of the Oklahoma Chiro-         health specialists may be
                                                             sonal injury and workers
practors Association.          added in the future.
                                                             compensation network.              2012
                               2006                                                             Drs. Brooke and Cam ’13
2000                                                         2010                               Day, Waldwick, N.J., wel-
                               Dr. Steven Loehr, Spring-
Dr. Howard Petersen,           field, Mo., was featured in   Dr. Dustin Brake, Salina,          comed a baby girl, Evelina
Jonesborough, Tenn., uses      the January 2016 edi-         Kan., and Jaci Mae Pott-           Marie, Dec. 27, 2015.
a variety of adjusting tech-   tion of 417 Magazine, as      berg were married Aug.
niques, including Diversi-     they presented “Faces of      8, 2015. Brake practices           2013
fied, Gonstead, Thompson       417-Land.” The editors        at Synergy Chiropractic            Dr. Ana Rentas, Gardner,
                                                                                                                                 2016 Issue

and Activator. He is also      selected individuals in the   and Sports Therapy in his          Kan., had a baby girl, Kelani
a Certified Nutritionist,      417 area code to represent    hometown of Salina.                Sofia, on Aug. 15, 2015.

                                                                 “
assisting patients with nu-    various professions, with
tritional deficiencies and     Loehr’s practice, Loehr
weight management/loss.        Chiropractic & Acupunc-                 Chiropractic is a healing art form,                      11
                               ture, chosen as “The Face            one that’s very creative and immediately
2002
                                                                                                                                   CLEVELANDER

                               of Chiropractic.” Fellow
Drs. Eric and Heidi            Clevelander, Dr. Aimee
                                                                      satisfying. I don’t have to wait for an
Yeager, Caseville, Mich.,      LaBrie ’09, joined the                   answer to know if I have helped.
are owners of Back-2-          Loehr team in May 2015.                        CLEVELAND ALUM DR. JAY ENGLISH ’79
“
alumni news
                 Dr. Jason Fechter, Over-           Dr. Hollee Kirchner,
                 land Park, Kan., got mar-          Gardner, Kan., visited
                 ried to his partner, Caleb         the Cleveland campus in
                                                                                                I am constantly blessed to work in
                 Summers, on Oct. 9, 2015.          November accompanied                      such a great and rewarding profession,
                                                    by two guests visiting                      but I had no clue that it would save
                 2014                               the area from Germany.
                                                                                                         my daughter’s life.
                 Dr. Tyler Armstrong,               Kirchner gave the visitors
                                                    a tour of campus facilities                      CLEVELAND ALUM DR. NATHAN BAXTER ’08
                 Sioux Center, Iowa, and
                 Dr. Tiffany Hoskins ’15            and introduced them to              opening and ribbon-cut-            Cleveland graduates, Dr.
                 got married on May 2,              Dr. Carl S. Cleveland III,          ting ceremony on July 23,          Brant Koenig ’06 and Dr.
                 2015, in Kansas City, Mo.          University president.               2015, for his new prac-            Nathan Traylor ’13. An-
                 They both practice with                                                tice, Behm Muscle & Joint          drews plays professional
                 Armstrong’s father in              Dr. Frank Siraguso,                 Clinic. In November, after         soccer for the Oklahoma
                 Sioux Center. Visit sioux-         Kearney, Mo., had a ribbon          being in business just four        City Energy.
                 centerchiropractic.com to          cutting for his practice,           months, Behm was named
                 learn more.                        Siraguso Chiropractic of            one of Sarpy County Ne-            Drs. Tyler and Kayla
                                                    Kearney, on Jan. 21, 2016.          braska’s “Best Chiroprac-          Riggs, Pittsburg, Kan.,
                 Dr. Danielle Hill, Grant,                                              tors” in 2015 by readers of        opened Riggs Chiropractic
                 Neb., was named a                  2015                                the Suburban Newspaper             in Pittsburg in Dec. 2015.
                 semi-finalist in the Miss          Dr. Brian Asbury, Wichi-            Group. Visit behmmjc.com           They specialize in diversi-
                 Nebraska USA 2016                  ta, Kan., opened Body Shop          to learn more about Behm           fied technique, and will be
                 competition, held Jan. 17          Chiropractic in August,             and his practice.                  providing other services
                 at the Rose Theater in             offering manual and Acti-                                              such as maternity support,
                 Omaha. In 2013, she won            vator adjustments, sports           Dr. Michelle Hatfield              wellness care, sports-inju-
                 the title of “Miss Wooded          physicals, athletic taping          married Coady Andrews              ry, nutrition and rehabilita-
                 Hills” in the Miss Kansas          and acupuncture.                    on December 5, 2015. She           tion. Their office is located
                 Pageant. Hill opened a                                                 practices at Physical Medi-        at 2707 N. Broadway, Suite
                 new practice in Grant in           Dr. Adam Behm, Bel-                 cine of Oklahoma in Ed-            A, in Pittsburg. Call (620)
                 February 2015.                     levue, Neb., held a grand           mond, along with fellow            308-5374 to reach them.

                 EVERY CLEVELANDER HAS A STORY
                                                                                                                                Dr. Baxter shares more
                 Dr. Baxter’s miracle baby                                                                                      about Gemma’s miracle
                                                                                                                                birth in an online
                     “My daughter, Gemma Eve Baxter, was born rapidly on 7/15/15                                                journal entry. Visit
                 at 11:10 p.m. Within an hour, things became very serious as her                                                circleofdocs.com and
                                                                                                                                search for “Gemma” to
                 heart rate went to 300+ BPM and she was taken to the NICU.                                                     read the full story.
                 Nobody knew what was going on and they called CareFlight
                 to take her to another hospital. As the nurses stepped out to
                 arrange to move my daughter, I stepped in to check her out. I
                 walked closer and began to pray and cry, I thought my girl was
                 dying. With one adjustment to her atlas (C1), her heart rate fell
 2016 Issue

                 to zero and then quickly back to up to 140. The nurses all rushed
                 in to see what was going on. To their astonishment, Gemma’s
                 heart rate was normal. They had no clue what had just happened,
                 and so I told them I adjusted her. They said this is stuff they only
12               read about. Eve means, “to breathe” and “to live,” and it is a fit-
                 ting middle name for such a perfect little Gem. I am constantly
   CLEVELANDER

                 blessed to work in such a great and rewarding profession, but
                 I had no clue that it would save my daughter’s life.” z — Story
                 submitted by Dr. Nathan Baxter ’08, Dayton, Ohio
                 Tell us your story! Visit cleveland.edu/tellus to share your item for a future segment of the “Every Clevelander Has A Story” featurette.
alumni news
  I N M EM OR I AM              		                                   I N MEMORI AM

  Dr. Simmons remembered                                             Dr. Miller’s legacy lives on
      The University was sadly informed of the passing of                The University was saddened to learn of the passing of
  Dr. Michele Simmons on Dec. 7, 2014. A 1990 graduate               Dr. Sigmund Miller ’77, who died on Sept. 17, 2015, fol-
  of Cleveland-LA, Simmons was a chiropractor, as well as            lowing an extended battle with brain cancer. He departed
  a dancer/choreographer, teacher and lecturer.                      this life at his home, surrounded by family members.
                              Born in Queens, N.Y., Sim-                                           Miller, a Cleveland-KC grad-
                           mons’ feet required braces dur-                                     uate, was always seeking new
                           ing her childhood. To strengthen                                    ways to enhance the profession.
                           her appendages, and to aid                                          Early in his career, he developed
                           balance, her mother enrolled                                        an online resource called chi-
                           Simmons in dance classes. The                                       roviewpresents.org. Today, this
                           balance issues disappeared, but                                     innovative tool for chiropractors
                           her love of dance remained for                                      is one of the profession’s largest
                           the rest of her life.                                               online repositories of informa-
                              Simmons attended New York                                        tion and educational services.
  High School for Performing Arts, and although she was                  Miller practiced in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and Kansas
  invited to study at the prestigious Julliard School, she           City, Mo., until he eventually settled in California. He
  chose to become a professional dancer. Based in Los                practiced there for more than 20 years with offices in San
  Angeles, her credits included working with Sammy Davis,            Jose and later on in Pleasanton. Miller was also part of a
  Jr. in “Golden Boy,” a featured role on the award-win-             multi-discipline practice in San Francisco for many years.
  ning Motown 25 television special, and appearing with                  In 2001, Miller moved to New Jersey where he became
  Michael Jackson in his epic “Thriller” video. Her work in          executive director of the Association of New Jersey Chi-
  classical and modern dance took her around the world.              ropractors. He took great pride in his more than 10 years
  She also taught at California State University and UCLA.           of service to the association, and in being on the front
      A shoulder injury in the 1970s exposed Simmons to              lines for chiropractic. His greatest joy was spending time
  the healing power of chiropractic and incited an interest          with family and friends. His wife, Laura, said: “Sig’s life
  in health care. She graduated magna cum laude from                 was enriched by all the friends he made along the way.”
  Cleveland, and opened Healing Arts Chiropractic treating               Those who wish to honor Miller’s memory can make
  dancers, athletes and entertainers.                                a contribution to the Caroline Vandemark Fund for Brain
      After being diagnosed with M.S., Simmons returned              & Spine Tumor Research, which is administered through
  to New York to reside with family. She is survived by her          Hackensack University Medical Center, 30 Prospect Ave.,
  sister, Cecily Simmons, and her son, Stephen, extended             Hackensack, N.J. 07601. Alternatively, donations can be
  family, and numerous friends. z                                    made in his name to a charity of choice. z

                 REMEMBERING OUR DEARLY DEPARTED
The inevitable passing of alumni, their family members and friends of the University saddens all of us within the Cleveland community.    2016 Issue

Although they are gone, they are not forgotten. During the last quarter of 2015, Alumni Services learned of the following passings:
   Dr. Earl Schroeder ’61 died on Sept. 29, 2015.                          Dr. Jon Smith ’79 died on Oct. 23, 2013.
    Dr. Walter Bonner ’65 died on Oct. 1, 2015.                          Dr. Sandra Layton ’82 died on Oct. 1, 2014.
    Dr. David Souder ’73 died on Nov. 3, 2015.
Dr. Kenneth Cartwright ’76 died on Sept. 8, 2015.
                                                                           Dr. Robert Muck ’85 died Nov. 1, 2015.
                                                                        Dr. Evonne Phillips ’89 died on July 30, 2015.
                                                                                                                                         13
                                                                                                                                            CLEVELANDER

      Dr. Robert Allen ’77 died Sept. 15, 2015.                         Dr. Michele Simmons ’90 died Dec. 7, 2014.
    Dr. Sigmund Miller ’77 died Sept. 17, 2015.                            Dr. Collin Keith ’92 died Oct. 12, 2015.
    Dr. Roma Turner ’78 died on Aug. 20, 2015.                            Dr. Kevin Davis ’91 died on Jan. 22, 2016.
alumni leadership

                                            As we evolve,                                     Three basic
                                            we must retain                                       tenets of
                                            our primary                                    success key to
                                            focus on care                                   future growth

                                 DR. CLARK BECKLEY ’75                                             DR. ROBERT RILEY ’01
                              Vice President of Campus & Alumni Relations                       President of Cleveland Alumni Association
                        Now that we’re into 2016, let’s take a few minutes to            Focus, dedication and discipline are some of the
                    reflect on what transpired last year and what lies ahead.        attributes that saw you through chiropractic college, and
                        In 2015, we wrestled with ICD-10’s “meaningful use”          these are likely the basic tenets you continue to use in
                    documentation and other “nuances” that affect our practices.     practice today. While in school, you were focused on
                    And yes, at Cleveland, we have been working through those        your studies and in practice you are focused on helping
                    issues, as well as adapting to the implementation of elec-       your patients, perhaps focusing on a certain method or
                    tronic health records in our health center.                      demographic. At Cleveland, you dedicated a few years of
                        But, as we evolve, we still have to retain our primary       your life to learning everything you could with the end goal
                    focus, which is helping people live healthier lives through      of graduating with a doctor of chiropractic degree.
                    chiropractic care. We have to remember the core elements             Today, in practice, you are focused on providing
                    of our philosophy:                                               competent care with absolute confidence that comes from
                        o The body is a self-regulating, self-healing organism       mastering your techniques, procedures and continuing your
                    with an innate ability to adapt to a changing environment.       education through postgraduate seminars. You had to be
                        o The nervous system is the master system that regu-         disciplined to complete your education when the times or
                    lates and controls all other organs and relates the individual   classes were turbulent. Your focus, dedication and discipline
                    to his or her environment.                                       continues to see you through as the practice environment
                        o Spinal biomechanical dysfunction in the form of the        continually changes.
                    vertebral subluxation complex may adversely affect the ner-          The purpose of the Alumni Association is to advance
                    vous system’s ability to regulate function.                      the cause of chiropractic, Cleveland and its graduates, and
                        o The central focus of the chiropractor is to optimize       to facilitate a positive interaction between students, faculty
                    health by correcting, managing or minimizing vertebral sub-      and alumni that promotes Cleveland’s mission of education,
                    luxation through chiropractic spinal adjustments.                scholarship and service. The Association urges you to
                        At Homecoming 2015, our goal was to blend the realities      focus some energy on, and support for, the institution that
                    of today’s world in private practice, while reminding our-       afforded you the benefits of this great profession by joining
                    selves of our philosophical foundation. I know I am preach-      the Alumni Association. There are many ways to do so.
                    ing to the choir, but sometimes we have to be reminded.              Annual memberships are $50. Depending on your fee
                        One of the highlights of Homecoming 2015 was the dedi-       schedule, that is the investment of only one or two patient
                    cation of the Gerred Family Health Center Reception Area.        visits. Or perhaps you would like to invest $1,000 now for
  2016 Issue

                    About 50 donors and friends attended this special event,         a lifetime membership. Additionally, you could purchase
                    and I want to thank everyone who helped make it a reality.       a memorial brick in your name or someone else’s for
                        As of press time, we were planning for our 3rd Annual        the entrance courtyard at Cleveland. You might want to

14                  Cleveland Alumni Las Vegas Getaway on Feb. 26-28. What
                    a great event offering an opportunity to obtain continuing
                                                                                     invest some time by serving on the Alumni Board or be
                                                                                     involved in some of the service activities throughout the
                    education hours, while enjoying fabulous Las Vegas. I look       year. Furthermore, you can do your part in recruitment by
    CLEVELANDER

                    forward to this exciting getaway that reunites alums.            recommending Cleveland and chiropractic as a career—
                        Finally, save the date for Homecoming 2016 scheduled         there are not enough doctors of chiropractic in this world!
                    for Oct. 7-9. Who knows what lies ahead in 2016? But, I am           For more information on how to get involved or to join,
                    sure it will be exciting! As always, be safe and be well. z      please contact Dr. Russell Matthias at (816) 228-5113. z
Send A Student
 Would you like to help someone find
 a rewarding career in chiropractic
      or the health sciences?

   Share your Cleveland story
          with them!

                                        The Office of Admissions will
                                        waive the $50 application fee
                                       for entering students referred
                                                  by alumni.

                                       Referring alums will be entered
                                         into a monthly drawing for
                                         a $25 gift card and some
                                        cool Cleveland swag for each
                                        successful referral you send!

                                           cleveland.edu/refer
2016 Issue

16
                Dr. Thad Schneider ’07
  CLEVELANDER
CompleteMe                     As he begins his presidential term with the Kansas Chiropractic Association, we asked the former Cleveland
                               Student Council president and tireless supporter of the University and the profession to fill in our blanks.

When I arrived on the Cleveland             My all-time favorite Cleveland                         The people who have influenced
campus for the first time, I was...         memories were...                                       me the most in my life are...
A bit skeptical about the Rockhill          The charity motorcycle ride we orga-                   My wife, Shannon, who told me I
neighborhood and the facilities to be       nized for Spina Bifida, hanging out                    could go back to school at 35 to
honest. But, in the end, I received         in the StuCo office with my peeps                      become a doctor. And, again, I have
an awesome education and a great            and the Brooksider after finals. Some                  to mention Dr. Stumph and Dr.
chiropractic foundation to build my         fun memories! A lot of great times                     McKenzie. Also, my mom, my dad,
career upon.                                with a lot of great friends.                           my brother and God.

The course I took that challenged           Cleveland prepared me for my                           When I’m asked what inspires me
me the most was...                          career in chiropractic by...                           the most about being a chiroprac-
Definitely Biochem I & II. Dr Bracho        Giving me an incredible foundation                     tor, I tell people...
was tough, but his classes helped me        for the understanding and belief in                    The most inspirational moments
ace my boards. Thanks, Dr. Bracho!          the chiropractic adjustment.                           are the joy you get from a patient’s
                                                                                                   overwhelming “Thank you!” when
My first real meaningful “a-ha”             My journey into chiropractic can be                    you have helped them out of pain
moment occurred when...                     traced back to...                                      when nothing else they have tried
                                            Dr. Stephanie Stumph and Dr. Ed                        has worked.
One of the great doctors I had the
honor to train under was Dr. Hugo           McKenzie. Thank you for encourag-
                                            ing me to become a chiropractor. It                    My goals as the president of the
Gibson. He taught my first adjusting                                                               Kansas Chiropractic Association are
                                            changed my life.
class, and was stern about cor-                                                                    primarily to...
rect technique. Everyone was pretty
                                            The most hilarious thing I remem-                      Continue where past presidents have
nervous about their first adjustment                                                               left off, trying to make the profession
                                            ber happening in class was...
as he would keep checking that                                                                     better for chiropractors in the state
you had proper set-up. He said “go          First of all, let me say the class I
                                                                                                   of Kansas. If it was not for the hard
ahead and thrust like I taught you.” I      graduated with was a blast! We had                     work of the state associations and all
did, got an audible and felt the joint      a lot of real jokesters; always some                   the volunteers, it would be almost
move. This was the first time I really      sort of prank being done. I had to                     impossible to practice chiropractic in
knew I would be a chiropractor.             really think to come up with some-                     this state or any other. If you are not
                                            thing that was fit to print, so here                   a member of your state’s association,
                                            it is. I got my first cell phone while                 then you should be. There are no ifs
                                            in school and knew very little about                   ands or buts about it.
                                            it. A couple of my classmates took
                                            it and set the ringer on high, then                    If I wasn’t a chiropractor, then I
                                            the rest of the class kept calling me                  would probably...
                                            during lecture. I didn’t know how to                   Be a full-time husband and traveling
                                                                                                                                              2016 Issue

                                            shut the damn thing off. I even think                  companion to my beautiful wife.
                                            Dr. Moore was in on it. Hey class
                                            of 2007, Old Man River here knows                      My personal philosophy is...
                                            how to use his phone now!                              Relax and enjoy because this is the
                                                                                                   only life you get.
                                                                                                                                              17
                                                                                                                                                CLEVELANDER

                                                                                                   This interview has been edited for
                                                                                                   length, style and clarity.
                                                                                                   Photo by Scott Albright
COVER STORY

                    Society today offers many strange
                    contrasts that defy logic. There are some
                    who are immersed in a hyper-materialistic
                    whirlwind of excess, while many others
                    struggle to secure the basic necessities of
                    life. The “some is good, more is better”
                    attitude seems like an empty concept,
                    when so many are lacking even “some,”
                    and “more” is merely a pipe dream.

                    Paying it
                    forward
                    For that very reason, there must be a
                    benevolent counterbalance. Whether
2016 Issue

                    it is helping the young, the old, the
                    downtrodden, or members of the animal
18                  kingdom, many Cleveland alums possess
                    a level of compassion and altruism
  CLEVELANDER

                    not found in most people. And by
                    giving back, they are paying it forward.
                       by Scott Vater & Scott albright
Drs. Tyler & Kayla Riggs in
                                 their Pittsburg, Kan., office.

“...the act of giving is so powerful.”
    Dr. Kevin Cressey ’10 practices in partnership with Smith
Chiropractic Center in Pasadena, Calif., and views paying it                                         Dr. Kevin Cressey as “Santa”
forward as a way to help stay connected to people in his city.                                        with his wife and little elf.
    “I am tremendously grateful for being part of this energetic
community and the wonderful successes that I have been
able to have providing my services to them,” Cressey said. “I      be done through money but it can be much more valuable
find that it should be my duty to at least try to do my part in    through giving your time and compassion. Taking a moment
providing this amazing community with what I can so that it        to help someone else is our duty!”
can continue being as vibrant as it is now.”                          Service to his community has become a tradition for
    Each year at Christmas, his office organizes a holiday party   Cressey. Through his actions with the youth of today, he has
that helps to support the Pasadena Jaycees’ “Operation Santa”      played a role in shaping the adults of tomorrow.

“
         Society today offers many strange contrasts
         that defy logic. For that reason there must be
         a benevolent counterbalance.”
program. The fee for entrance to the party is at least one gift    “We joined this profession to help people.”
for the Jaycees, and on Christmas Eve, the toys are distributed
                                                                      In 2015, Drs. Kayla and Tyler Riggs ’15 opened Riggs Chi-
to children around the area. The event has become so popular
                                                                   ropractic in Pittsburg, Kan. Even in the midst of getting their
                                                                                                                                       2016 Issue

that it now generates 400-500 toys each year.
                                                                   business operational, they were already planning for how they
    “Being part of ‘Operation Santa’ has been and will always
                                                                   would make a difference outside the office.
be incredibly powerful and inspirational,” Cressey said. “Just
                                                                      “Charitable donation is not just for the people receiving
being able to see the children’s smiles when I walk to up to
their door is all that matters.”
    Cressey believes that giving back comes naturally to those
                                                                   the donations, but also for us as practitioners,” Dr. Tyler said.
                                                                   “We joined this profession to help people and make a differ-        19
                                                                   ence in their lives — we do that through chiropractic care,
                                                                                                                                         CLEVELANDER

in his profession, but he stressed that everyone can do their
                                                                   and we can do it as well by giving back to our community.”
part to make a difference.
                                                                      The Riggs’ have dedicated themselves to being instruments
    “I think we can pay it forward no matter what profession
                                                                   of help for the entire year by adopting a practice mission for
we are in and no matter how much we have or don’t have,
                                                                   2016. Christened as “A Miracle Year of Wellness,” they have
because the act of giving is so powerful,” Cressey said. “It can
COVER STORY

                                                                                                              With an average of 70-100 animals
                                                                                                          in residence at the shelter, the bedding
                                                                                                          was certainly needed, and was appreci-
                                                                                                          ated by the shelter staff and the pets.
                                                                                                          “Love, hope, encouragement.”
                                                                                                              Feeling overwhelmed, scared and
                                                                                                          alone after being told by doctors that
                                                                                                          their son, Hagen, had Down Syndrome,
                                                                                                          Dr. Richard Williams ’01 and his wife,
                                                                                                          Christine, of Las Cruces, N.M., turned
                                                                                                          their uncertainty into a positive for
                                                                                                          others like them. In Hagen’s first nine
                                                                                                          months, the Williams’ researched the
                                                                       Dr. Richard Williams and his       syndrome and tried to find support lo-
                                                                         family at a DSFLC event.
                                                                                                          cally to help them cope.
                                                                                                              Not being able to find what they
                instituted a plan to take an active role     most instances, they require help from       were looking for prompted them to
                in several worthy causes in southeast        people for many of their comforts.           use their resources to pay it forward by
                Kansas this year. Being active in their      Petersen is in the second year of a          founding the Down Syndrome Families
                community helps them find ways to give       program at his Jonesborough, Tenn.,          of Las Cruces (DSFLC) support group.
                back that are a good fit for them.           practice that combats that issue. The        DSFLC became active in February 2015.
                    In January they focused on “Angels       efforts of Petersen Family Chiropractic          “We decided to start the group when
                Among Us,” a group that Dr. Kayla calls      have produced stellar results.               we realized the was no support in our
                “a truly amazing organization.” They             After learning that the new county       city for families like ours,” Dr. Williams
                help patients going through cancer           animal shelter had a concrete floor and      said. “We wanted to make sure no one
                treatments, and having been touched by       was difficult to heat, Petersen became       ever felt alone like we did when we
                cancer in their family, the Riggs’ had a     concerned. Temperatures in northeast         received Hagen’s diagnosis.”
                special connection with the group and        Tennessee can sink below zero during             DSFLC is committed to “providing
                their mission. They participated in the      the winter, so during the fall, he an-       love, hope, encouragement and sup-
                Polar Plunge in February, shifting their     nounced that he and his staff would be       port” for parents of children with Down
                focus to the Special Olympics.               collecting blankets for shelter animals.     Syndrome. Willams said the group cur-
                    “Giving more to others will allow            “It was very popular among our           rently has 12 families involved.
                us to fulfill the need in our world for      patients, including one who volunteers           “The most gratifying part of this is
                an attitude that many believe has been       at the shelter,” Petersen said. “We col-     being able to provide much-needed
                long forgotten,” Dr. Kayla said. ”We are     lected six winter coats for larger dogs,     encouragement and support to other
                young, we are thought to be the selfish,     seven pillows and about 60 blankets.”        families in need,” Williams said. “My
                materialistic and greedy generation. We          Petersen has a “soft place in his        wife received a call a few months ago
                                                                                                          from a family that just received a prena-
2016 Issue

                hope to reverse that mindset. There are      heart” not only for animals, but also
                good people in the world — we hope to        for children and the elderly. He said        tal diagnosis. They were devastated, and
                become those good people who can re-         those three groups are most frequently       being able to help them through it from
                ally have an impact on their community.”     targeted for abuse, so they are in greater   feeling like their world is falling apart to

20              “It’s the right thing to do.”                need than other segments of society.
                                                             His reason for offering help is simple.
                                                                                                          realizing how this child will bless their
                                                                                                          life is exactly why we started this group.”
                    Dr. Howard Petersen ’00 is paying                                                         Several social events for member
  CLEVELANDER

                                                                 “It’s the right thing to do,” Petersen
                it forward by assisting our furry friends.   said. “We that have plenty should share      families have been organized in the
                Absent the ability to communicate with       with those that do not. It’s American,       group’s first year. They have had swim
                people, animals are unable to share          Christian and just plain humane to take      parties, barbecues and holiday gather-
                their needs regardless of how dire. In       care of those that need it.”                 ings. In 2016, DSFLC has two major
fundraisers planned. The first is a “Buddy Day” with clowns, a
magician and face painting to celebrate World Down Syn-
drome Day March 21. Proceeds from raffle tickets and conces-
sions will go to the group. Schools are also helping them raise
funds through their “Dimes for Down Syndrome” campaign.
   Williams’ commitment to paying it forward extends beyond
the DSFLC group. He has expanded his practice, Helping
Hands Chiropractic, to include annual trips to India to pro-
vide care for the indigent. To support this mission, Williams
founded Helping Hands International, a 501c3 organization.
   “...making wishes come true is magnificent.”
    Grateful for the myriad blessings the chiropractic profes-
sion has bestowed upon them, Dr. Christopher Vargas ’09 and
Dr. Adana Moses ’09 of Innate Family Chiropractic in Pasa-                                            Mr. & Mrs. Claus (a.k.a. Drs.
dena, Calif., are completely committed to paying it forward to                                       Vargas & Moses) & staff elves.
their community and society at large.
    For the past five years, the husband-and-wife team has or-          “It was exciting to be able to help the Learning Center and
ganized a holiday toy drive at their practice. Working with the     its families by supplying toys and other goodies,” Moses said.
city of Pasadena, they adopted five to six families each year       “Day in and day out, these children will get to expand their
from 2011 to 2014. From wish lists submitted by the families,       minds, stay off the streets and have a place to go to advance
Vargas and Moses made sure with the help of their staff and         their education.”
patients that the families’ wishes were fulfilled. Once all the         Beyond the annual toy drive, Vargas and Moses give back
toys and gifts were collected, they were wrapped and then           in other ways. They both lead a variety of workshops in the
personally delivered by Santa (Dr. Vargas) and Mrs. Claus           community, and also produce patient education videos that
(Dr. Moses), along with a couple elves (staff members.)             are shared on their website and Facebook page. For all they
    “The toys we deliver to some of these children are the only     do, they were voted “Best Chiropractors in Pasadena” in 2015
gifts they get during the holiday season,” Moses said. “Know-       by the readers of Pasadena Weekly.
ing that we made them smile, helped their families out by
making their Santa wishes come true is magnificent!”                   Personal success and achievement is wonderful and we
    In 2015, they changed the focus of their toy drive to benefit   should all desire to have our share. However, service to others
the Learning Resource Center at Hathaway Sycamores, which           makes us realize that success is appreciated more when one
provides after-school enrichment programs for children. Var-        works hard to achieve it. It tastes sweeter when it is shared,
gas and Moses created an Amazon wish list for the learning          and it is more richly deserved if it allows us to give back for
center, and then patients purchased needed items off the list.      the greater good for all. That is to have succeeded. ♥

   THE SPIRIT OF ‘PAYING IT FORWARD’
       The idea of “paying it forward” is not a new concept. An Internet
   search reveals that it was the subject of a prize-winning play in ancient
   Greece, as well as a blockbuster movie starring Kevin Spacey in 2000.
                                                                                  “  It is often more about
                                                                                       kindness than cash.
                                                                                      A gift of time, or a
                                                                                                                                      2016 Issue

   The practice of paying a gift forward was described in a letter by
   Benjamin Franklin in 1784, and it has surfaced in several written works
                                                                                   simple act of good faith,
   since, including the 1916 book, “Garden of Delight,” by Lily Hardy              can also be classified in                          21
   Hammon who wrote, “You don’t pay love back; you pay it forward.”                      the same way.”
                                                                                                                                        CLEVELANDER

       And while payment can be monetary, it is often more about kind-
   ness than cash. A gift of time, or a simple act of good faith can also              How are you paying it forward?
   be classified in the same way. At its core, it’s about helping one who             Tell us at cleveland.edu/magazine
   is in need, in the hope that they will, in turn, help another. ♥
cleveland foundation

                                                              IN THE SPIRIT OF PAYING IT FORWARD

                                                              2015 Foundation Scholarships
                                                              The Cleveland Foundation awarded a grand total of $40,500 in scholarships on Dec. 4.
                                                               These scholarships are funded by alumni, their family & friends, and other donations.
                                                                 Recipients are holding envelopes and are identified from left to right.
                                                                 They are pictured with representatives for the scholarships awarded.

                               ALUMNI ASSOCIATION                        ALUMNI AUXILIARY                           ANRIG FAMILY RESEARCH
                           Craig Stramel & Mitchell Keating    Jordan Conner, Melissa Volk & Lee Ann Michel              William Augello

                                  BASIC SCIENCE                            BECKLEY FAMILY                     DR. FRANCES BLACKSTOCK MEMORIAL
                                   Scott Godsey                             Christin Phillips                      Dustin Meyer & Angela Segovia

                         DR. BUELL O. BORING MEMORIAL           DR. RAYMOND E. BORING MEMORIAL                 DR. MILLIE CLEVELAND MEMORIAL
                           Cliff VanBuren & John Huffman         Channing Rockwell & Weston Hielscher               Zoe Shelden & Erica Curtis
  2016 Issue

22
    CLEVELANDER

                       DR. CARL S. CLEVELAND JR. MEMORIAL           DR. CARL S. CLEVELAND III                 CHRISTIAN A. CLEVELAND MEMORIAL
                            Cortney Showalter & Derek Virgl        Marina Mangano & Katelyn Pitman                 Greg Kram & Lindsey Spreiter
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