BLOOMINGTON, Minn. – Northwestern Health Sciences University will embark upon a national search for a president following the resignation of Alfred Traina, D.C., president of Northwestern. Dr. Traina is stepping down from the presidency effective Sept. 1, 2006, due to personal health issues.
"My decision to resign as Northwestern’s president was an exceedingly difficult one for my family and me," Dr. Traina said. "However, I am heartened by the knowledge that our university’s excellence is not the product of one person, but the collective outcome of the passion and energy of our students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends of the institution. It is that community of caring that makes this such a special place and that will continue to build this institution into the nation’s university of choice in natural health care education."
Mark Zeigler, D.C., chair of the university’s Board of Trustees, will direct the search for Dr. Traina’s replacement.
"We are saddened to see Dr. Traina leave Northwestern Health Sciences University," he said. "Under his tenure as our university president, he has done an excellent job of advancing the mission and vision of the institution."
Dr. Traina became the fourth president of Northwestern Health Sciences University in August 2001. During his presidency, Northwestern:
– Created and implemented a five-year strategic plan.
– Expanded the its fundraising efforts.
– Developed on plans for a building expansion/renovation expected to begin in 2006.
– Reorganized its clinic system, which records more than 60,000 patient visits a year and now breaks even financially.
Dr. Traina came to Northwestern from Los Angeles College of Chiropractic, where he as served as associate dean of clinical education since 1997. Dr. Traina was a faculty member at Northwestern College of Chiropractic from 1983-1989, having chaired the Clinical Sciences Department and Clinical Sciences Orthopedic residency program.
After graduating from National College of Chiropractic in Illinois in 1963, Dr. Traina established a successful 20-year practice in Michigan. He is a fellow of the American Board of Chiropractic Orthopedists and a fellow of the International College of Chiropractors. He has been a member of the Council on Chiropractic Education’s Clinical Competency Task Force committee, and has served as a site visitation team member. In addition, he was on the Rand Research Panel on the Appropriateness of Spinal Manipulation. He has been publishing articles and giving presentations nationally about chiropractic for the last two decades.
Previous Northwestern presidents include founder John B. Wolfe, D.C. (1941-1984), Donald Cassata, Ph.D. (1984-1991) and John F. Allenburg, D.C. (1992-2001).
