Meet the New Alumni Chair
choosing me to fill Dr. DeMatte's shoes as the next chairperson of the PAAC. I look forward to serving NUHS in accomplishing its mission and goals “to provide and promote the necessary leadership, management and resources for the advancement of education, new knowledge, cultural diversity, outreach, and the ethical practice of the healing arts and sciences as taught within the programs of this university.”
As the weather here in Chicago begins to change (when isn't it?), I was motivated by the early spring temperatures to begin a cleanup of sorts. I began with some old boxes that were conspicuously sitting in a dark corner of my home's basement. As I began unpacking them, I was hit with that damp, musty smell of old paper. This box hadn't been touched in years and its contents told me the reason why… Biochemistry lecture notes on a yellow legal pad paper from 1993! Oh, the horror!
As these boxes became unfurled, revealing all of the class notes from NCC, 20+ years of memories flooded my mind faster than this basement occasionally does after a summer thunderstorm. One by one, these labeled hanging files cried out to me like many of my classmates did in our first technique lab. Subject after subject — Anatomy, Pathology, Embryology, Physiology, Genetics... etc. I soon realized that I had kept every jot and title from every class that I attended. I even had lecture notes from classmates for days that I was absent (thanks to Ken Nolson and Bill Shelton!).
I then began asking myself why I still had these pieces of paper. In this digital age, there is very little need for such material. I can't recall ever referencing my class notes after my first year in practice. Upon some introspection and reading through these notes, I remembered why I kept all of these seemingly now worthless pieces of paper — Pride. Not the type of pride that is conceited or vainglorious, but the type that has a dignified sense after an accomplishment.
This is the same feeling we all get as clinicians when we give our patients hope through our skills that we began learning here at this institution. Pride in an institution that since its founding 110 years ago, followed the conviction of John Fitz Alan Howard, DC, to provide a science-based, broad-scope approach to conservative medicine. Pride in an institution that sets the educational bar for our professions through innovation and rigorous curriculum.
With this in mind, I invite you to come visit your campus this Homecoming as we celebrate 110 years of progressive, educational leadership while being rekindled with classmates and colleagues.
See you soon!
Darren D. Hancock, DC, DACBSP
Chair, President's Alumni Advisory Council
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Dr. Darren D. Hancock
I would like to thank John DeMatte, IV, DC, for his 10+ years of leadership and service to the university as chairperson of the (PAAC). I know that he will continue to represent NUHS well in all his endeavors and increase the profession's reputation in all arenas. I would also like to thank Joseph Stiefel, DC, president of NUHS, for his trust in choosing me to Dr. DeMatte's shoes as the next chairperson fill
I would like to thank John DeMatte, IV, DC, for his 10+ years of leadership and service to the university as chairperson of the President's Alumni Advisory Council (PAAC). I know that he will continue to represent NUHS well in all
his endeavors and increase the profession's reputation in all arenas. I would also like to thank Joseph Stiefel, MS, EdD, DC, president of NUHS, for his trust in