April 11, Dallas, TX – Parker
College of Chiropractic announced today it has achieved university status and
will rebrand as Parker
University. The
Dallas-based school cites the name change as part of an expansion of current
graduate degree offerings and programs with a focused long-term strategy of
educating wellness practitioners for today’s
changing health care landscape.
“Alumni and student surveys conducted last year identified
many of the suggested degree plans,” said Dr. Fabrizio Mancini, president of Parker University.
“We’re also working with a SACS consultant to identify the programs with the
highest market demand. Although the list is not final, bachelors programs in
health technologies and masters programs in public health, nutrition, sports
science and many others have been discussed.”
Statistics show a shift in the health care industry as costs
rise and patients look to natural, holistic care as an alternative to high
prescription and surgery costs. According to CDC National Health Statistics,
approximately 38 percent of American adults and 12 percent of children use some
form of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM), which includes
chiropractic, massage therapy and more.
“This is a great day for all of us,
and especially for current and future students. The new designation further
sets Parker apart as a leader in our industry and allows us to position our
students for greater success,” said the school’s vice president of academics,
Dr. Ken Thomas. “It is critical to seek specialty training to have an edge as a
doctor of chiropractic in today’s market, and Parker’s new programs will set
our students apart from other wellness professionals.”
Additionally, the name change will
raise awareness within the community, allowing for partnerships with regional
universities, a new set of campus amenities, research collaboration with other
universities and community health services.
Despite the name change, the chiropractic program will
continue to serve as the cornerstone of every initiative launched by Parker.
Chiropractic is, and will always remain, the hallmark program offered by Parker University.
The first graduation under the name
Parker University College of Chiropractic will take place this Saturday, April
16, and the school will adopt its new name immediately. Transition to the new
name will occur on the school’s website, materials and elsewhere during the
next six to 12 months.
Amid the transition, the focus to
spread chiropractic worldwide and remain a leader in chiropractic education,
along with the charge to expand opportunities in holistic health care education, continues.
“People today are more aware of the
importance of being proactive about their health, and
they’re realizing they can do this by making better choices in their
lifestyles,” said Dr. Mancini. “Because of this there’s great demand for
chiropractors right now. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that
chiropractic is a rapidly growing profession, with employment of chiropractors
expected to increase 20 percent by 2018.”
With just 27 students in its first
graduating class in 1985, Parker has grown into a leading chiropractic and
wellness institution with 270 employees and more than 1,000 students impacting
the local economy, education and health care industries. Twenty-eight percent
of Dallas area
chiropractors are graduates of Parker.
“In all my years as a student,
administrator and now president, I cannot recall a more exciting time to be
part of the vibrant community here at Parker,” said Dr. Mancini. “I know our
founding father, Dr. Jim W. Parker, would have been immensely proud of our
college’s evolution to university status.”
The University also expects hiring
to occur as the offerings continue to grow with its new focus and status.
“As we expand, we
will have a need to hire additional faculty who have the knowledge to support
our new programs,” added Dr. Mancini.
For further information,
contact Stacey Kjerstad, public relations
for the school, at 214.902.3449 or by emailing skjerstad@parkercc.edu
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