After graduating from National College of Chiropractic in 1963, Alfred Traina, DC, established a successful 19-plus years in private practice in Michigan. He was a member of Northwestern Health Sciences University’s faculty from 1983-1988 and held faculty and administrative positions at Southern California University of Health Sciences from 1989-2001. He has been the president of Northwestern Health Sciences University in Bloomington, Minnesota, since 2001.
Q: What are Northwestern’s areas of greatest strength for the chiropractic student and the profession?
A: At Northwestern Health Sciences University, we embrace a core value—we are a “community of caring”. You can see that philosophy embodied throughout the University. Our students are nurtured in an environment of caring, which we believe is an essential element for those who provide health care.
We also offer our students a quality education taught by some of the best faculty in the nation. Our curriculum provides the understanding of structure and function of the human body, diagnostic capabilities and an exceptional clinical experience. A variety and mix of clinical experiences and early course work in understanding the management of a practice provides the opportunity that allows our students to “hit the ground running” when they graduate. Our Community Based Internship program also provides an understanding of application within an actual viable practice situation. Our students graduate with a sound perspective with regard to the chiropractic profession.
Q: What are your plans for the future of the school with regard to chiropractic?
A: Northwestern embraces a health and wellness holistic perspective. Our students are familiarized with the conventional health risk factors, which is of critical importance in the holistic health of patients. Understanding the application of chiropractic care and the application health assessment reflected in diet, weight management, smoking cessation programs, cholesterol management and others is of critical importance to the overall health of patients.
One of the biggest concerns facing chiropractic institutions is our reliance on tuition. Over the last three years, Northwestern has addressed this concern by identifying alternate sources of income to help offset that dependency. It has been a challenge, but we have had some success and will continue to work toward that goal in the coming years.
Q: Where do you see the chiropractic profession headed?
A: The foundation of the future of chiropractic is in evidence-based practice and the institutions will have to be the leaders in this area. The definition of evidence based practice takes into account the needs of the patient, the experience of the practioners and the preponderance of available evidence in the literature. Evidence-based practice is not exclusive to the chiropractic profession. It is happening everywhere and every health care provider has a responsibility to the public to embrace it.
Facts about Northwestern Health Sciences University
Contact info: Northwestern Health Sciences University
2501 West 84th Street
Minneapolis, MN 55431
Office of Admissions: (952) 888-4777, Ext. 409; [email protected]
Continuing Education Dept: (952) 888-4777, Ext. 249; [email protected]
Alumni Association: (952) 888-4777, Ext. 412
Established: In 1941 as Northwestern College of Chiropractic
Current enrollment: Nearly 1000 students
DC Curriculum Duration: 10 trimesters and 4,200 contact hours
Other Programs: Acupuncture, Oriental medicine, massage therapy, human biology and integrative health and wellness