Chiropractic Care Now Offered at Northwestern’s Salvation Army Harbor Light Clinic
Posted on Nov. 4, 2009
Northwestern Health Sciences University and the Salvation Army Harbor Light Clinic have teamed up to offer free chiropractic care to those who use the shelter’s resources. Chiropractic students from the University will participate in internships at the clinic and provide care in the new space located at 1010 Currie Ave. in Minneapolis, Minn.
Northwestern has been operating a student clinic at the Salvation Army for about two years. The clinic began offering chiropractic care two weeks ago. Jeff Novak, DC, chiropractic supervisor at Harbor Light Clinic, said the new facility is very functional. “In the future I hope the chiropractic interns will see 30 patients a day,” Dr. Novak said. “Right now we do not have enough interns to fully staff the clinic. In the next few trimesters, I intend to place three full-time interns there to provide chiropractic care.”
The clinic recently opened in the Salvation Army’s old chapel space. “The chapel was overflowing beyond its capacity,” said Stephen Horsfield, Salvation Army chief operating officer. “We decided to build a new chapel and set up a renovated clinic in the old space.” Jill Larsen, LAc, MOm, acupuncture supervisor, emphasized the importance of the renovated clinic. “Offering chiropractic care was made possible with the new space,” she said. “We used to offer just acupuncture in the old gym. Now we can provide both and see more patients in a more professional setting.”
The new clinic space has a private room and space for three table treatments. There is also a private office for consultations. Northwestern acupuncture student interns see about 15 patients a day while chiropractic student interns see about seven patients a day. “We have more control over the environment in the new clinic,” Larsen said. “It is a peaceful atmosphere and it gives patients access to shared resources and benefits.”
Carrie Nightshade, acupuncture student, is in her second trimester as an intern at the Harbor Light Clinic. “I enjoy this internship because it allows me to work with a diverse group of people from the community,” Nightshade said. “I also think the new space is very inviting. I tell my family and friends to come down here for treatment.”
Horsfield said he expects the chiropractic care program to expand at the clinic. “We are very excited that this service is being offered,” he said. “A partnership like the one we have with Northwestern is innovative and exciting. I am very pleased about the level of engagement that Northwestern has had in this project.”