from the faculty

Here’s to a great Lyceum 2008!

Sherman College’s annual homecoming is almost here! We call it Lyceum, a term which originated in ancient Greece. The Greek Lyceum was a school of philosophy founded by Aristotle near the city of Athens in 335 B.C. Its purpose was to serve as a center for discussion, debate, reflection and study.

I would like to encourage all prospective chiropractic students and their families to attend Lyceum and Career Day at Sherman College. It’s a great opportunity to visit the college, tour the campus, meet the faculty and students, and listen to some really great chiropractor speakers. In a nutshell, Lyceum is a weekend full of fun events and valuable learning opportunities.

I have attended Lyceum for the past fourteen years and always look forward to it. There’s an almost tangible excitement in the air during Lyceum. I enjoy catching up with old friends, visiting with recent graduates and talking with prospective students. 

I matriculated to Sherman in 1990 and graduated in 1994. While in school I became interested in chiropractic radiography and excelled in my x-ray classes. After graduation I was offered the position of X-ray Department Director. X-ray images are fascinating and can provide us with a lot of useful information about the patient and the bony misalignment component of their vertebral subluxations.

I usually host at least one Lyceum program on the topic of radiology each year. This year I will be presenting a tutorial seminar on x-ray analysis using digital radiography. Digital x-ray is rapidly becoming the standard for radiography and radiographic facilities around the country. I am very proud that Sherman College possesses this technology and can offer this technology to its students and patients. If you are interested in learning more about digital x-ray or about Sherman College in general, be sure to attend my presentation or just look me up while you’re here on campus.

Here’s to a great Lyceum 2008 !

Patricia Kuhta is a professor of clinical sciences, Director of the X-ray Department, and a member of the health center faculty. She has a D.C. from Sherman College (1994) and a B.S. from Excelsior College (2001). She teaches X-Ray Analysis and Atlas Orthogonal and has been with the college since 1994. She enjoys working out and traveling.

Plane conversations

Sitting in seat 8-A on a small commuter jet, I observed out of the corner of my eye, the young woman next to me turning around in her seat, grabbing the back of it and twisting herself around until the joints in her spine popped.

I had to say something. “That’s not a healthy thing to do to your spine you know,” I said. She replied with a statement that was intended to shut me up. “I’m a physical therapist,” she said. Fortunately, very few things can shut me up. Turns out we had a very nice conversation about our different professions.

Both physical therapists and chiropractors deal with the spine, but our approaches are very different. The chiropractor is primarily concerned with biomechanics and neural function, while the therapist is mainly concerned with eliminating painful syndromes.

While a well trained chiropractor has a very deep understanding of proper spinal mechanics and physiology, my physical therapist friend had a much better understanding of pain syndromes and how to make the spine feel better. It is interesting that even when the pain has gone, the mechanics and the neural function can be far from normal.

My point is that chiropractic is unique. It is important for the healthcare professionals to have ways to help people feel better, but it is much more crucial for us to have ways to help them function better.

Joseph J. Donofrio is Dean of Clinical Sciences, an associate professor and Chair of Technique Department. He has a D.C. from Sherman College (1994) and teaches Spinal Biodynamics I & II. He has been under regular chiropractic care since the day he was born and is a second generation chiropractor. Dr. Donofrio has lectured internationally on spinal biodynamics, palpation, chiropractic history and education. What he really enjoys is studying the Bible and spending time with his family. "It is awesome to play a role in shaping the future of this great profession of chiropractic," he says.

Enjoying the spring

I am extremely excited about the spring 2008 quarter after a much deserved and needed break at the end of March. I really enjoy teaching my philosophical applications course where students learn the chiropractic philosophical principles and apply them in the active practice setting.

The best part of being an instructor at Sherman College is being able to share such important information with students who will ultimately be the manager of our profession in the future.

John L. Reizer is an assistant professor of clinical sciences and a member of the health center faculty. He has a D.C. from Sherman College (1986) and has been with the college since 1998. He teaches Philosophical Applications, Patient Management Observation Elective, Business 810. He enjoys sports, fishing, writing and traveling when time permits. "Sherman College will offer you a chance to change your life in a positive manner while also changing the lives of countless others that you may come into contact with," he says.

The life of a D.C. has many perks

Fishing and baby sitting my grand dogs is always an excellent way to unwind from a busy quarter. It's also a great way to prepare for a new quarter.

Rest is a vital component for good health along with chiropractic care. In fact, whenever my brothers and I meet at the lake house for a few days of fishing and lying about fishing, they ask me to bring my portable adjusting table. This way they stay healthy enough to keep up with me. I still catch the biggest fish each time!!

Yes, my grand dogs even get adjusted when I visit them. The life of a D.C. has many perks... my brothers buy all the bait and the beverages!

Robert L. Irwin is Vice President for Academic Affairs and an assistant professor of clinical sciences. He has a D.C. from Life (1979) and an A.S. from SouthWestern Michigan College (1976). He has been with the college since 1998 and teaches Clinical Reasoning and Upper Cervical Technique. He enjoys golf, reading and fishing.

Radiology games

Learning should be fun and enjoyable! In my radiology class I love to have fun while teaching (it can be pretty boring looking at sleepy faces for an hour).

You will find students in my class being interactive. I will often divide the class into multiple groups and play radiology games. This helps students get more involved with learning the radiology pathology that has been demonstrated. Students like the activity and I always have 100% participation. The students also have to keep up with their radiology pathology skills so that they can be on the winning team to earn bonus points.

My thought is that if learning is fun and enjoyable, the student will want to come to class and learn!

Laura R. Greene-Orndorff is a professor, Chair of the Radiology Department, and a member of the health center faculty. She has an R.T.R. from Mercy Hospital (1989), an A.S. from Pennsylvania State College (1990), a B.S. from Regents College and a D.C. from Sherman College (1995). She has been with the college since 1996 and teaches X-Ray Review, Soft Tissue, Hard Tissue, X-Ray Positioning III & X-Ray Lab. She enjoys gardening, walking and floral design. "Education is the best investment you can make for yourself and others," she says.

Running for cookies

I started running last winter. My first race, The Frost Bite Run, was a 5K, which I actually finished. Most races, as I have come to learn, have great snacks for the runners. This particular race gives each runner who finishes a big chocolate chip cookie. Ah, here is motivation I can get excited about! My training mantra was, “I’m running for the cookie!” And it was a good cookie!!!

My most recent 5K was the Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning where I ran a perfect race … without a cookie! I think I’m hooked.

I’ve been reading a great book titled “Running and Being” by the late Dr. George Sheehan. It is a very inspiring book about life and running. Check it out. Even if you don’t run, you’ll get lots out of it.

Dr. Ron Castellucci earned an A.S. from Nassau Community College, B.S. from the University of New York and is a 1988 graduate of Logan College of Chiropractic in St. Louis, MO. After 10 years of successful practice in Lexington, MA, Dr. Castellucci moved south to join the Sherman College faculty in 1998. He currently teaches Palpation, Full Spine Technique & Patient Education. In addition to his passion for teaching, Dr. Castellucci is involved in his community as a scout leader and soccer coach, and is an active member of his church. He maintains a private practice in Hendersonville, NC, where he lives with his wife and two children.

Three things about Cindy Gibbon

First:  Welcome to Sherman's blogs and web site. I’ve been a faculty member here since 1984. I loved the school and philosophy so much that I became a chiropractor in addition to being a medical technologist.

Second:  I keep current with lab diagnosis classes by working in the lab at the local hospital a few hours a week. I get to make great blood smears of real cases for classroom demonstrations at Sherman.

Third:  I have raised 4 children while working at Sherman. If you want advice on schools, activities, neighborhoods or whatever, feel free to e-mail me.

Cynthia B. Gibbon is a professor of clinical sciences and a member of the health center faculty. She has a B.A. from Elmira College (1970) and a D.C. from Sherman College (1991). She teaches Laboratory Diagnosis, Emergency Procedures, Physical Exam Micropathology & Cardiovascular Physical and has been with Sherman College since 1986. Her hobbies include activities and sports that her children are involved in, and she enjoys swimming when she has time. "Come visit us!" she says. "We pride ourselves on a community atmosphere while pursuing your D.C. degree."

Bear with me

Between teaching quarters, the Upstate area has lots to do to unwind busy faculty and students.

A few months ago, I went tent camping at Edisto Beach State Park. I took beautiful pictures, collected shells and artifacts. I also recently carved a bear out a large tree trunk for a neighbor. I used my chainsaw and made $800 in 8 hours (pictures available upon request).

My chiropractic practice is called “Bear Country Chiropractic.” Students visit my office which is close to Sherman. Carved bears fill my office to entertain patients and students.

The other night at the office, I took x-rays showing surgical screws and metal plates in a patient’s neck. The next morning I added those pictures to my x-ray anatomy class for students to benefit from. I do this frequently to share with students (patient confidentiality is always preserved).

More random things about me:
One morning last month, I jogged 3 miles in 17 degree weather … Brrrrrrrr!  Total jog miles is now 1992 miles since I started keeping track (yeah!).

Currently, I am working on the Spanish translation of my Blair technique course.  It will be presented in Argentina this summer, and Japan in September.

Perry Rush is an assistant professor of clinical sciences. He has a D.C. from Sherman College (1976) and an A.A. from Ricks College (1973). He teaches Blair X-Ray, Upper Cervical & Full Spine X-Ray Positioning, X-Ray Anatomy & Upper Cervical Rationale. He has been with the college since 1980 and enjoys cross country jogging, beach camping, ocean kayaking, fossil hunting, shrimping and flounder fishing.

We're back!

We've just begun our winter quarter, so some new faculty bloggers will be joining us shortly. Until then, here are a few photos of faculty members and students enjoying a recent "Fun Day" at Sherman.

Sherman student/blogger Greg loves soccer

JamieLee and Jennifer jousting


Sherman president Dr. Jon Schwartzbauer plays defense

Dr. Myron Brown takes on the climbing wall

Friendly volleyball game (see student/blogger Jaime on the left?)

Dr. Bill Fehl takes a shot

Student Kristal and Dr. George Luo

Becoming a Chiropractor

I always knew that wanted to be in health care. I just wasn’t sure what form of health care I should go into, until I became a chiropractic patient. I was working part time in a restaurant while in high school and would come home every night with terrible pain in my middle and lower back. I was also having trouble with my stomach during that same time. My parents took me to a medical doctor who wanted to prescribe medication and do some pretty invasive tests in order to diagnose my stomach problems. As you can imagine I wasn’t crazy about the thought of having that done, so I decided to wait on the medical testing until I got the problems with my back taken care of.

I went to a chiropractor who was highly recommended by a friend of the family. He also happened to be a Sherman graduate. He was really nice and explained the chiropractic adjustment to me. He adjusted my spine for several weeks and I was amazed that my back problems were gone and so were my stomach problems. When I told him this he smiled and said “I’m not surprised. It’s amazing what your body can do when it’s free of nerve interference from vertebral subluxation.”

He explained the chiropractic philosophy to me and at that moment I knew that I was meant to be a chiropractor, and not just a chiropractor but a Sherman College chiropractor. The chiropractic philosophy completely resonated with me. I never dreamed that there was a whole profession full of people who believed the same things that I had always innately believed in. It was clear that I was destined to become a Sherman College graduate.

Patricia Kuhta is an associate professor of clinical sciences, Director of the X-ray Department, and a member of the health center faculty. She has a D.C. from Sherman College (1994) and a B.S. from Excelsior College (2001). She teaches X-Ray Analysis and Atlas Orthogonal and has been with the college since 1994. She enjoys working out and traveling. "If individuals want to learn dentistry, they should go to dental school," she says. "If individuals want to learn medicine, they should go to medical school. If individuals want to learn specific straight chiropractic, they should come to Sherman College. BJ Palmer once said, 'Chiropractic is specific, or it is nothing.' Sherman College is the home of specific straight chiropractic."