Feature Story

UWS Program Development and Expansion

The COVID-19 pandemic challenged the world to rethink processes and how we measure success in uncertain times. Through it all, UWS has persevered in our commitment to teach and to heal. Our persistent focus on innovation, creativity and continuous improvement has guided our institutional development and advancement. Learn more about continuous improvements within our educational programs from our program leadership.

Human Nutrition and Functional Medicine

Dr. Daniel Redwood, Director Dr. Chris Browne, Director

What are some of the current changes occurring within your program?

Launching in October 2021, the UWS doctor of clinical nutrition (DCN) program will provide students with advanced knowledge and skills in the practice of nutrition-focused health care. By emphasizing instruction in clinical reasoning, evidence appraisal, nutritional therapeutics and patient/client assessment through physical examination and laboratory evaluation, graduates of the DCN program will be prepared to manage complex and challenging cases with their expanded clinical toolkit.

Why are these changes important? When will they go into effect?

Our DCN program uses a functional medicine approach to facilitate effective, evidenceinformed whole-person care, using nutrition for both therapeutic and preventive interventions. In collaboration with the Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM, we have integrated cutting-edge IFM clinical tools into our DCN curriculum, helping students to develop and apply their knowledge in practice.

College of Chiropractic

Dr. Kathleen Galligan, Dean

What are some of the current changes occurring within your program?

The doctor of chiropractic program (DCP) is currently undergoing a curriculum revision. This revision followed an extensive program review by the DCP faculty. The development of the new curriculum is to create a cohesive integrated curriculum that is outcome focused and utilizes best practices in teaching and assessment.

Why are these changes important? When will they go into effect?

The new curriculum emphasizes studentcentered course design using adult learning practices. These changes will enhance the clinical focus of the program to better prepare

our students to become chiropractic physicians who apply evidence-informed, patient-centered strategies with professionalism. The new curriculum will start rolling out in fall of 2022.

Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Dr. Michelle Cox, Director

What are some of the current changes occurring within your program?

Currently, the UWS clinical mental health counseling (CMHC) program is engaged in the self-study application process as we prepare for Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) accreditation. This self-study is both a process and a product. It facilitates the evaluation of the program from coursework to broader university support for the program. It is helping the program focus on making improvements that meet the gold standard in the field. The program faculty are working with many UWS departments to facilitate this application process. We have a great team and so much support from key departments at UWS that the process has been streamlined and productive. The program is also growing! We recently admitted our 72nd student. Considering we had seven students when we launched the program in 2018, you can get a hint of how meaningful mental health is in the world. People are now recognizing the need for mental health services more than ever and we are excited to contribute to the overall wellbeing of communities all over the U.S.

Why are these changes important? When will they go into effect?

CACREP is the gold standard accreditor in the field of counseling. UWS is a regionally accredited institution but also pursues accreditation of individual programs when possible. As part of this process, we have added two new full-time faculty members, Dr. Patrick Davis and Dr. Amy O’Hana. These changes ensure the kind of academic and clinical excellence we desire for this program.

Sport and Performance Psychology

Dr. Sarah Castillo, Director

What are some of the current changes occurring within your program?

In the UWS sport and performance psychology (SPP) program, we’re collecting student input to develop new elective options to allow students to broaden their expertise. We’re also hiring new adjunct faculty members and restructuring our Culminating Experience courses.

Why are these changes important? When will they go into effect?

Our students come from incredibly diverse backgrounds, interests and expertise. By offering a variety of electives that mirror current research and intervention needs in SPP, students are better prepared to make a difference in their chosen populations. The connection between students and faculty is essential. By broadening our faculty population, it allows our students to develop relationships with professionals representing a

variety of cultures, experiences and expertise. The completion of a doctoral degree is one of the greatest accomplishments in our students’ lives. To ensure UWS graduates are prepared as best as possible for their new professions, we’re making sure the mentorship and dissertation experiences are second-to-none. This incudes an appropriate orientation to the culminating experience, a variety of possible mentors or committee members, and a well-structured process that allows our students to successfully complete their research and/or experiential goals.

Sports Medicine

Dr. Tim Ray, Director

What are some of the current changes occurring within your program?

The sports medicine department has doubled the availability of distance practicum locations for students to gain hands-on practicum credit. This allows concurrent UWS doctor of chiropractic (DC) students the ability to transform their didactic learning into practical clinical experiences helping them transition into clinical practice. In addition, all sports medicine students are earning certification through U.S. SafeSport.

Why are these changes important? When will they go into effect?

Local hands-on practicum opportunities look to open once federal, state and municipal regulations allow. Why Racing, Westside Timber’s Soccer, Canby Rodeo and Seaside Beach Volleyball are planning to hold competitions this summer as pandemic regulations allow.

Sports medicine students were selected to participate at the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials in Eugene, Oregon. This provided invaluable multi-disciplinary, multimodal, polyclinic experience in a national Olympic qualifying event. They worked beside chiropractic physicians, medical doctors, nurses, athletic trainers, physical therapists, acupuncturist and certified massage therapists in supporting athlete medical services.

U.S. SafeSport is an independent nonprofit organization committed to building a community free of emotional, physical and sexual abuse and misconduct. SafeSport certification is designed to provide students education, training and best practices where participants can work, learn and play in a safe environment. The SafeSport vision is to support respectful environments and embrace diversity. U.S. national governing bodies recognized by the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic have adopted the certification for coaches, volunteers, administrators, officials, staff and support teams. This certification is in line with the UWS core values of professionalism and inclusiveness. 