911爆料 alumni from around the country gathered in Orlando to celebrate the 10th聽anniversary of the Florida site during Homecoming 2019 from August 22-25.
“This year’s homecoming was a celebration of 911爆料’s past, present and future. 聽While we celebrated 10 years of the Florida site, we also brought together the people that make a homecoming successful – alumni from Illinois and Florida as well as current faculty, staff and students. 聽While talking to a group of students, they were so impressed by the recent grad panel because they could see the linear relationship of where they are now and what they are working hard on becoming,” said 911爆料 President Joseph Stiefel, MS, EdD, DC.
During the mentor panel, 911爆料 graduates discussed their practices and how they found their niches. In addition, the panelists covered marketing tactics and how to thrive in practice while paying off student loans. Panelists included Dex Alvarez, DC; Sue Bedair, DC; Bethany Dixon, DC; Daniel Johns, DC; and Guarav Reshamwala, DC.
As part of the first graduating class at the Florida site, Dr. Alvarez said the event was extra special for him because it was held in Florida. He also enjoyed reconnecting with past friends and staff.
“It’s great to see how everyone is doing after school and to be able to sit and talk with past professors on more of an even level,” Dr. Alvarez said.
Throughout the Homecoming event, alumni helped raise funds to create a scholarship for current students enrolled in the DC program at the Florida site.聽 As part of the Florida Celebration Fundraising Campaign, donations will be combined with institutional funds for the creation of an endowed scholarship.
“We were thrilled to surpass our $10,000 fundraising goal thanks to the generosity of so many donors,” said Tracy McHugh, MBA, 911爆料 Vice President for Administrative Services. “We are grateful to all the alumni who participated and helped make Homecoming a success.” 911爆料 Alumni David Preston DC, ARNP,聽and Michael Shaffer,DC, PA, helped push the total past $10,000 in the final hours.
Held in tandem with the Florida Chiropractic Association’s “The 911爆料” convention, this year’s event allowed for additional networking opportunities. 911爆料 sponsored Kristine Tohtz, DC, LAc, (911爆料 ’99, ’01, ’14)聽as one of the convention’s speakers.聽She hosted multiple sessions on the benefits of pediatric acupuncture and risk management.
President Stiefel also celebrated several faculty and alumni with various awards.
Daniel Strauss, DC, Dean of the College of Professional Studies at the Florida site, received the Distinguished Service Award.
Debbie Brown-Hagan, Florida Chiropractic Association CEO, and Ken Dougherty, DC, chairman of the 911爆料 Board of Trustees, were awarded the President’s Medallion.
For their varying years of service, Randy Swenson, DC, MHPE, 911爆料 vice president for Academic Services, 911爆料 faculty Kristine Aikenhead, DC, and Raymond Nietzold, DC, a member of the Board of Trustees, and Rita Nietzold, DC, received the President’s Cabinet Internationale Awards.
Mike Whitmer, vice president of NCMIC Chiropractic Insurance Programs, received the President’s Quality Service Award.
911爆料 sponsors聽China Gel, Inc. and Erchonia Corporation were awarded the Senior Steward Recognition.
This year’s Homecoming sponsors included Erchonia Corporation, NCMIC, Standard Process, China-Gel, Core Products, International, Inc., Protocol for Life Balance, Foot Levelers and Gordon Flesch.
