About the Research Honors Program

Robin Ostermeier, a 6^th trimester Palmer Main Campus student from Germany, is one of three students participating in an National Institutes of Health (NIH) funded research project through the Research Honors Program at the Palmer Center for Chiropractic Research. The project is titled Spinal Manipulative Therapy vs. Prescription Drug Therapy for Care of Aged Medicare Beneficiaries with Neck Pain. The study utilizes Medicare insurance claims to identify elderly patients with a neck pain diagnosis who choose one of two treatments, spinal manipulation or prescription drug therapy.

“Being an international student from Germany, chiropractic is not very popular or known there. But here, in the U.S., it’s very well-known. The Research Honors program has given me the opportunity to go beyond the academic side of chiropractic. It’s allowing me to understand the knowledge behind it to help promote chiropractic care as a professional. It teaches me critical thinking, which helps me learn better in the classroom and in the future as a Doctor of Chiropractic. I can bring this knowledge back to Germany with me so I can educate future patients on these topics,” says Robin.

Palmer’s Research Honors Program gives students the opportunity to experience research and enhance their educational experience while in the Doctor of Chiropractic program. It allows students to participate in faculty-mentored research projects.

The study, led by Brian Anderson, D.C., M.P.H., M.S., Ph.D. is a collaboration with Southern California University of Health Sciences. Palmer students work with students at Southern California University of Health Sciences and spend weekly meetings following lectures, courses and hearing from professional researchers.

“The relationships the Palmer Center for Chiropractic Research has outside of Palmer College itself opens you up to opportunities you would have never known. I didn’t realize we were connected to Yale, Dartmouth, Harvard, SCU, the list goes on. I have endless paths of networking after I graduate all because of the Research Honors Program,” said Brandon Jackson, an 8th trimester student at Palmer’s Main Campus.

“I’ve never worked this closely with a mentor that is truly invested in helping students navigate their future career. I can honestly say I would not be as confident in my future goal without the help of Dr. Anderson,” said Alexis Hannah, a 7^th quarter Palmer Florida student in the Research Honors Program.

After this two-year study is complete, Dr. Anderson hopes his students have a better understanding of the value of being research literate. He wants them to know how to read and interpret research and how they can apply their research findings into their own practice, ultimately leading them to become better Doctors of Chiropractic. He hopes to provide them with enough knowledge and resources within this study so they have an advantage over other chiropractors after graduation.

The Palmer Center for Chiropractic Research is the most highly funded and productive chiropractic research effort in the nation. All details on how to be considered for Palmer’s Research Honors Program can be found on our website, palmer.edu/palmer-center-for-chiropractic-research/research-honors/