Palmer Announces Dismissal of Lawsuit
IOWA: Palmer College of Chiropractic officials announced on June 30, 2008, the positive outcome of the lawsuit filed against the former Palmer alumni association and the members of its executive committee. This defamation of character lawsuit was based on untrue statements and character attacks made in 2004 against members of the Palmer Board of Trustees, the College and the administration. On Thursday, June 26, an agreement was reached with the seven members of the former alumni association. The settlement agreement allowed the College to dismiss its defamation of character lawsuit against those individuals.
“All we’ve ever asked is that these individuals issue an apology to members of the Palmer Board of Trustees as well as the College administration, and we would dismiss the lawsuit,” said Palmer Board of Trustees Chairman Trevor Ireland, D.C. “The Board’s intention in filing the lawsuit was to have the record set straight. As a Board, we held fast on our position that we would dismiss the lawsuit as soon as these individuals issued a public apology and admitted that their comments pertaining to the Palmer Board of Trustees, its members and the College administration were not true. We are very pleased with this outcome.”
On June 26, the alumni—John Willis, D.C., David Reopelle, D.C., Ted Conger, D.C., Kirk Lee, D.C., Marc Leuenberg, D.C., Frank Bemis, D.C., and Scott Harris, D.C.—issued a collective public apology to the Board, the College and the administration. The Board accepted the apology and retraction, and the lawsuit was then dismissed.
The apology and retraction from the named alumni is as follows:
“We acknowledge that this situation has developed into something entirely different from anything we desire. We certainly do not now, nor have ever, wanted to harm Vickie Palmer or Palmer College or impugn their reputation in any manner. We apologize for any comments or actions which Vickie Palmer or Palmer College may have deemed offensive to them. We acknowledge that Vickie Anne Palmer has received nothing from Palmer College except for expense reimbursements in connection with her services as a trustee and chairperson of the board of trustees.
“In addition, we fully understand the governing structure of Palmer College of Chiropractic. The board of trustees makes and has always made the substantive policy decisions. Such decisions are not made by administrative personnel.
“We believed we exercised our First Amendment Rights. If we exceeded our Constitutional rights, we apologize.
“We apologize for the inconvenience and injured feelings Ms. Palmer and the trustees may have undergone.”
“I am very pleased that Palmer was able to dismiss the lawsuit against these individuals,” said Palmer Chancellor Larry Patten. “I am extremely proud of the Palmer Board of Trustees for its firm position relating to those who may choose to wrongfully denounce our people and our purpose. We appreciate the public apology. We are happy to have this matter behind us so that we can devote all of our energies and attention to moving the College forward.”
Press release submitted by Palmer College of Chiropractic
On-Line License Renewal Is Eco-Friendly
OKLAHOMA: Renewing licenses is often a cumbersome paper intensive process and in its second year of online license renewals, the Oklahoma Board of Chiropractic Examiners (OBCE) reminds chiropractors that renewing online saves time, money, and consumption of paper. In fact, more than 300 sheets of paper, 300 envelopes, and 300 stamps have been spared in the first year of service, saving the board $4,000 and 120 employee hours. Chiropractic physicians can access the online renewal service at http://www.chirorenewal.ok.gov. “Instead of having our Chiropractic professionals mail in their renewal forms, we take pride in providing them with the option of renewing online,” said Beth Carter, Ex-renewal Executive Director of OBCE. “We would like to encourage all Chiropractic professionals to renew online, because it is easy, secure and fast.”
The online renewal service enables licensees to pay online with Visa, MasterCard and electronic check payments utilizing OK gov’s secure payment engine. Upon completing the renewal process and approval from the board, licensees can print their certificates, thus reducing mailing and printing costs for the state.
Many other states offer online renewal. For more information, go to http://www.healthguideusa.org/chiropractor_license_lookup.htm.
Leechburg Woman Pleads Guilty in Chiropractor Fraud
PENNSYLVANIA: An Armstrong County woman has pleaded guilty to participating in a chiropractor’s insurance fraud scheme. Federal prosecutors in Pittsburgh say 55-year-old Susie Horning of Leechburg accepted kickbacks from Westmoreland County chiropractor Douglas Henderson, who submitted fraudulent claims for treatment under Horning’s insurance policy.
Henderson of Lower Burrell has already pleaded guilty to defrauding Highmark out of more than $7 million by submitting false claims or having patients do it for him.
Horning pleaded guilty in late July to health care fraud. She is scheduled to be sentenced Oct. 24.
Two other women were sentenced in January to probation and ordered to pay more than $450,000 in restitution for their involvement in the scheme.
Pittsburgh Tribune Review