The Life West Board of Regents are excited to announce that Dr. Ron Oberstein has been named the 3rd president of Life Chiropractic College West.
Dr. Oberstein will begin his formal tenure as the president of Life Chiropractic College West immediately.
After conducting a thorough and comprehensive search over the past several months, we are thrilled the search efforts have led to the appointment of such an extraordinary leader. The entire Life West community has much to look forward to in the near future and for many years to come. This appointment will create new opportunities for Life West and for our supporters and constituents to work with President Oberstein for the benefit of the College and the chiropractic profession.
President Oberstein has a deep understanding of and commitment to Life West and to the chiropractic profession. Dr. Ron was nominated into service on the board by Dr. Sid Williams and elected to the Life West Board of Regents in May 1991. He served as Chairman of the Board from August 2015 until his appointment as Interim President in October 31, 2016. Over the past 30 years, Dr. Oberstein has sent over 300 prospective students to Life West, and he and his wife have been active donors to the college. Their philanthropy has led hundreds of others to support Life West in kind.
Board member, Dr. Steven Silk, who chaired the search process added, “The Board of Regents was very pleased to have a large field of competent applicants from which to choose. The quality of the candidates made the process very rigorous. The search effort ultimately allowed us the ability to choose the person best-qualified for the job. We are 100% certain that person is Dr. Ron Oberstein.”
Life West Board Chair, Dr. Jimmy Nanda, added, “The Regents are confident in the abilities of Ron Oberstein to fulfill the strategic vision of Life West. Dr. Oberstein embodies the values of Lasting Purpose and exemplifies the Give, Do, Love and Serve philosophy in action and intent.”
Dr. Oberstein is a 1981 graduate of Life Chiropractic College in Marietta, Georgia, and has had private practices in the Boston and San Diego areas. He has lectured at venues worldwide on the scientific validation of chiropractic and the effectiveness of the chiropractic adjustment along with leading philosophical conversations on salutogenesis and the vitalistic force that resides within the body.
Dr. Ron has been significantly involved in professional development within the chiropractic community. He has served as the past Vice President of the International Chiropractors Association and currently serves on its board, and has been extensively involved in state, national and international politics during his 36 years in chiropractic. He is well-known throughout the profession as a passionate chiropractic advocate, a resourceful communicator, and a lifelong humanitarian.
Dr. Oberstein and his wife of 29 years, Dr. Mary Oberstein, together have served thousands of people with chiropractic care, and constantly travel spreading the chiropractic message to the corners of the globe. The Obersteins have three daughters: Drs. Lauren and Morgan are practicing chiropractors, and Sydney is finishing her last year of studies at Life West.
When notified of his presidential appointment, Dr. Oberstein stated:
“I am humbled and privileged to accept the appointment of President at Life Chiropractic College West. Under the direction of the Board of Regents, I will ensure that Life West stays true to the principles of chiropractic, and will serve Life West as we grow into the institution we have dreamed of building together. It is my goal to see Life West produce the greatest and most successful chiropractors in the profession, while becoming the leaders in technology, communication and research. Life West will be student-centric and mission-centric. We will continue to foster the vision of its founder, Dr. Sid Williams, and spread chiropractic across the globe.
I am fortunate to follow in the footsteps of two great leaders at Life West, Dr. Gerard Clum and Dr. Brian Kelly, and I promise to lead Life West with clear purpose, giving every ounce of my attention to this great institution and profession. To Give, To Do, To Love and To Serve will be our mantra, and together, with the unparalleled administration, faculty and staff at the college, and with our inspiring students, Life West will lead our profession into the bright future of chiropractic.”
The presidential search process has been lengthy and thorough. An international search began this spring after the Board Presidential Search committee contracted a professional search firm to help them in this most critical selection. The Board Search Committee is comprised of Dr. Steven Silk – Chair of Board Presidential Search Committee, Dr. Jimmy Nanda – Chair of Board of Regents, Dr. Kristen Giles – Vice-Chair of Board of Regents and Chair of Enrollment Committee, Dr. Jeanne Ohm – Chair of Academic Affairs Committee and Dr. Angel Ochoa-Rea – At-Large Board Member.
Included in the search process were many members of the Life West community, notably many within the college, the Presidential Search Advisory Group (SAG). We would like to thank the members of the Presidential Search Advisory Group, which included representatives from alumni, faculty, staff, and the student body, who reviewed applications and closely assessed the credentials of the candidates, and conducted extensive interviews, leading to the selection of our new president.
The search group’s contributions and commitments to this process were unwavering and exceptional: Mr. Dave Straub – Faculty Senate, Dr. Ramona Houston – Past-president Faculty Senate, Ms. Jackie Biron – Director of Student Life, Dr. Raj Dhaliwal – President of Student Council, Ms. Charlene Blades – Student Representative, Dr. Eric McKillican – President Alumni Board, Dr. Mark Zeigler – Vice President of Institutional Development and Dr. Koen Kallop – Faculty Representative.
Student Council President, Raj Dhaliwal remarked, “Dr. Oberstein has proven to be incredibly student-centric. His open-door policy and consistent and clear communication with the students of Life West have allowed us co-create with the administration and to have the certainty that our education and experience is paramount to the College.”
“The Life West Alumni Association is committed to help shape and guide the future of Life West and its alumni. We congratulate Dr. Ron Oberstein in being selected as the next president of Life Chiropractic College West. We are confident his vision is in alignment with the mission of Life West and are excited for the future,” said Alumni Association President, Dr. Eric McKillican.
“The Life West Faculty Senate has been working closely with Dr. Oberstein and we know him to be focused on building an exceptional educational experience”, said Faculty Senate President, Dave Straub. “He is open and collaborative with faculty. We look forward to building on our reputation for academic excellence together.”
“Dr. Oberstein is widely respected in the chiropractic profession. He brings confidence, commitment, and enthusiasm to student learning and academic excellence. With his vision and big heart for chiropractic, Life West is in great hands. We are excited to have him named as our new president,” said Dr. Mark Zeigler, VPIA.
The Board of Regents has great confidence in the leadership skills and vision of President Oberstein. We have witnessed firsthand his abilities as a chiropractor and thought leader, as well as a board member and Interim President.
On behalf of the Board, we invite the entire community to join us in welcoming President Ron Oberstein to Life West. We look forward to hosting a formal investiture ceremony in the coming months. We are excited for the future of Life West under the vision, guidance and direction of President Oberstein.
The Life Chiropractic College West Board of Regents
- Jimmy Nanda, DC, Chair of Life West Board of Regentsa
- Steven Silk, DC, Chair of Presidential Search Committee, Chair Governance Committee
- Kristen Giles, DC, Vice Chair Board of Regents, Chair Enrollment Committee
- Cameron Hastings, AASME, AASEM, Board Member at Large
- Mark Kimes, DC, Chair Ad Hoc WAVE Committee
- Angel Ochoa-Rea, DC, Board Member at Large
- Jeanne Ohm, DC, Chair Academic Affairs Committee
- Scott Turner, CPA, Chair Finance Committee
