October 2006

Sherman launches leadership institute, philosophy academy

In the interest of building chiropractic leaders, Sherman College has launched two major programs: the Leadership and Practice Management Institute (LPMI) and the Academy of Chiropractic Philosophers.

Leadership and Practice Management Institute

"When we look at the profession, we see great leadership ability and potential," noted Jon Schwartzbauer, D.C., who was named LPMI director earlier this year. "We want to create and promote a culture of ever‑improving leadership. One of the basic ideas of the program is to put the idea of everyone being a leader in front of our colleagues. We want to provide the opportunity for everyone, regardless of their present abilities, to move to the next level. That's one way to ensure that the concept of leadership becomes a part of how everyone perceives the profession."

Sherman College's LPMI Success Colloquium, which began in April, promotes these concepts in a series of seminars designed to enhance leadership and practice management skills for members of the chiropractic profession as well as Sherman students and faculty.

The Success Colloquium is the first step in the PPMI's effort. According to Schwartzbauer, a student leadership program is already in the planning stage since organizers know that if students become involved while they are still in chiropractic college, they can develop leadership skills more easily than would be the case once they are out in practice. Plans are also underway to expand the reach of the present program beyond South Carolina and North Carolina.

"We also want to do something just for chiropractors on the national level," Schwartzbauer said. "We'd like to get chiropractors involved across the country with certificate programs in leadership." Presently, the primary goal remains to build the current program and to fine tune the regional effort so it can serve as a model for later expansion.

"We are pleased with the progress our colloquium program is making, but our ultimate goal is to train chiropractors to be better leaders and have greater success in practice while remaining ethical, compassionate and true to their profession," Schwartzbauer explained. "To do that, our program needs to take a leading role."

For more information on the LPMI or Success Colloquia, e‑mail Schwartzbauer at jschwartzbauer@sherman.edu or call 800‑849‑8771, ext. 285.

Academy of Chiropractic Philosophers

An inaugural class of nearly 20 kicked off Sherman's Academy of Chiropractic Philosophers (ACP) program at Lyceum 2006 in late May, with four live sessions including a writer's workshop, plus programs titled "The Three Paradigms," "A Tribute to Lyle Sherman," and "Re‑Evaluating the Mental Impulse."

The ACP is a one‑year course designed to increase the understanding and depth of the philosophy of chiropractic. It challenges and inspires participants to learn and think more than ever about philosophy and its relationship to the above‑down‑inside‑out worldview.

In addition to five live sessions offered at Lyceum and other times on the Sherman College campus, the ACP requires five online sessions and a thesis, culminating at Lyceum 2007.

Successful completion of the one‑year program awards the ACP designation, which is accepted by the ICA Council on Chiropractic Philosophy as the first year of study toward a diplomate in Philosophical Chiropractic Standards. For more information on the ACP, e‑mail lyceum@sherman.edu or call 800‑849‑8771, ext. 229.