GLORIA NILES, D.C., NAMED 2004 ALUMNA OF THE YEAR
Hayward, Calif., October 28, 2004

Acknowledged for her longtime and numerous contributions to chiropractic education and the chiropractic profession, Gloria Niles, D.C. ('90) of Port Orange, Fla. was named the 2004 Alumna of the Year by the Life Chiropractic College West Alumni Association. The prestigious award was presented to Dr. Niles at the college's Oktoberfest Celebration, on Saturday, October 23. This special evening capped the final day of the college's Festival 2004-a three-day college extravaganza featuring education, fellowship, and alumni programs.

Life West professor and alumni representative Karen Franklin, D.C. read a dazzling list of Dr. Niles' accomplishments and contributions. The list started from her days as a Life West student to the present, as she now serves as the academic dean and interim senior campus administrator of Palmer Chiropractic College of Florida.

Rodney West, D.C. ('97), who nominated Dr. Niles, said, "Dr. Niles has exhibited the strength of character and can-do spirit that serves to elevate the standard for our profession and serves a beacon for all present and future doctors of chiropractic."

Dr. Niles' impressive work in chiropractic education started when she graduated from Life West magna cum laude. She then became an esteemed faculty member from 1992 through 2001. During her years at Life West, she also served as director of multicultural affairs, director of clinical competency, chair of the department of clinical education, chair of the research committee, coordinator of the Breakthrough Scholarship committee, and was a test writing committee member of the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners.

In 2001, Dr. Niles continued her work in chiropractic education when she became the coordinator of clinical academics at Palmer Chiropractic College, in Davenport, Iowa. Soon after, in 2002, she was named dean of academic affairs for the start-up Palmer College of Chiropractic, Florida.

As for contributions to the chiropractic profession, Dr. Niles served two consecutive terms as president of the American Black Chiropractic Association. She also continues as a member of the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners' test-writing committee from 1997 to the present. In addition, she has been a committee member of the Association of Chiropractic College's (ACC) Research Agenda Conference and the ACC's Peer Review Committee.

Through her career, Dr. Niles has earned a number of other accolades, including the Prevention Magazine Community Health Service Award , Adoption Placement and Research Leadership Award , and Palmer Florida's Chiropractic Angel Award .

" I am truly honored and proud to have been selected as Alumna of the Year," said Dr. Niles. "The support I received during my education at Life West is the foundation upon which my accomplishments have been achieved. Additionally, the encouragement and leadership mentoring I continue to received from Dr. Clum, has been an instrumental factor in the successes I have achieved thus far. The Life West community will always hold a special place in my heart."

Along with her doctor of chiropractic degree from Life West, Dr. Niles also earned a bachelor's degree in organizational management from Patten College, Oakland and a master's degree in education from California State University, Hayward. In addition, she holds a diplomate from the American Chiropractic Academy of Neurology.

Dr. Niles is the 13th alum to receive the Life West Alumnus (a) of the Year Award The recipient of this honor is selected by the Life West Alumni Association Awards Committee, which is made up of his/her peers.

Life Chiropractic College West, established in 1976, is an accredited non-profit institution of higher learning offering the doctor of chiropractic degree through a four-academic-year program of academic study and clinical internship. The college currently enrolls close to 600 men and women from across the U.S. and abroad. More than 3,300 graduates of Life West are now practicing throughout the world. The college’s Public Health Center, operated by approximately 200 senior interns who are guided by licensed doctors of chiropractic, provides health care for more than 1,700 patient visits a week. Life West maintains a Web site at www.lifewest.edu.

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