Life University Chiropractic College Loses Accreditation GEORGIA: Administrators at Life University recently told students they would do everything in their power to regain accreditation after it was revoked early in June. Life was cited by the Council on Chiropractic Education for a numberofdeliciert cies. including problcmsjwithJaculty_oyersight and diagnostic instruction. The loss of accreditation meansJutureLifegraduatesjwQiildjiQl be able to take licensing exams to become practicing cMropractors. Founded in 1974 by president Sid Williams, Life currently has about 2,600 chiropractic students and 700 students in other degree programs; but, without accreditation, the school would likely have trouble attracting new students. The school is appealing thedecision^iindJhatJwilljlelayJhe revocation by as much as 90 days. Mamie Ware, vice president for academic affairs, assured students that their financial aid and academic standing would not be affected unless the school loses its appeal. But, when a student asked whether the school would be accredited for a Sept. 22 graduation—about two weeks after the 90-day period would end—Ware said she could offer no guarantees. If Life loses its appeal, the school might take legal action against the council in hopes of prolonging its accreditation, Ware said. Williams' daughter, Kim Williams, told a student audience that Life had no accreditation 25 years ago, when she came to the school, and would overcome this "great time of trial" as well. "These are times when you have to be strong, and you have to stand up for what's right." she said. Students asked officials pointed questions about why the school failed to address previously known shortcomings. After the meeting, many students said they were not getting straight answers; some said they were considering transferring. Other students were more encouraged by the meeting. "It was informative," said a first-year student from Chicago. "I don't feel bad. I don't think they will just let the school go down. You just don't let something you worked so hard for go down the drain." Life also faces_ losing ils_uniYersity-wide_accreditation._ The Southern Association of CoJleges_and_Schools, in December 2QQL, sanctioned Life for its financial stability, management and faculty preparation, giving the school a year to respond. Associated Press Chiropractor Who Admitted Fraud Sued by Independence Blue Cross PENNSYLVANIA: Independence Blue Cross (IBC) has filed suit in Common Pleas Court, seeking to recover thousands of dollars in false claims from a Bucks County chiropractor who pleaded guilty to health care fraud. The suit claims that Richard J. Farina. D.C.. andinnexHealth Lifestyle Center routinely submittcdfiaudulenLbillsJolBIT audits subsidiary. Keystone Health Plan Fast (KHPE), claiming to have provided chiropractic services to patients who actu-ally had receLvedJweighLloss and exercise treatments. In all, the suit claims, Farina and Inner Health Lifestyle Centersubmitted26,101 claims to IBC and KHPE between 199-and July 2000, seeking payments of more than $5 million. IBC ami KHPE paid a total of S2.2 million before the results of an internal IBCiaYestigaiiojiiecLtlieJnsureiitDstop alLpaymentslOLEariDiiflnd the center. It was IBC's investigation that led the federal government to investigate and file criminal charges. IilJune 2001, Farina and Inner Health Lifestyle Center each pleaded guilty to two federal counts of health care fraud. PR Newswire Another Expert Witness Says Death Was Not Result of Chiropractic Treatment TORONTO, CANADA: In a much celebrated inquest. Dr. Richard Moulton, a senior and widely respected neurosurgeon at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto, testified May 27lh that Lana Lewis died of natural causes, and firmly rejected any assaciation_ber tween her death and her chiropractic treatment. Dr. Moulton is the Head of the Division of Neurosurgery, and Medical Director of the Trauma Centre at St. Michael's Hospital. Dr. Moulton, who was called as an expert witness by the coroner's office, agreed with previous experts called by the coroner, including Dr. Michael Pollanen, Dr. Scott Haldeman, and Dr. Ham- ilton Hall, that Ms. Lewis's stroke was caused by atheroscelerosis or advanced hardening of her vertebral arteries. However, he testified that the actual cause of her death was not the stroke, but a series of blood clots in the venous blood system inside her brain, which blocked fluids from draining from the brain, causing it to swell and precipitating death. This was noted in the original pathology report on Ms. Lewis written in 1997. Dr. Moulton stated that, based on his review of the pathology, it was evident that this was the primary cause of death, not the stroke. He testified that it was his opinion thatJhere was no_eyjt dence whatsoever to associate Ms. Lewis's neck adjustment with her stroke or her death. Lewis died 17 days after receiving a chiropractic neck manipulation in 1996. For further information: please contact: Jonathan Bennett at (416) 482-2340 extension 274, CO/Canadian Chiropractic Association. Canada News/Wire Chiropractors Granted Hospital Privileges in Oregon OREGON: Portland-area chiropractors affiliated with Partners In Health, a chiropractic network based in northeast Portland, have been granted Dependent Allied Health Privileges by Woodland Park Hospital's Medical Staff, as defined by the hospital's accrediting agency, the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospital Organizations. WoodlandParkJiospital is the first Oregon insiiHh tion to grant designated privileges to chiropractic physicians. Partners in Health E-News Pass on the information to warn other D. C. 's about events that are really happening to chiropractors. When you see a "yellow page " article in your local, regional, or national newspaper about chiropractic or a fellow chiropractor, fax, e-mail or mail it to us at TAC. For further information, fax: I-305-716-9212 or see page 4 for our mailing address.
