Alan Conteras's Personal Rampage, Unprofessional Conduct

[Trevor Nigel]

Alan Conteras's Personal Rampage, Unprofessional Conduct

http://www.mailtribune.com/archive/2006/...5local.htm

State questions wellness expert's degree
Nisha Jackson claims harassment, says she may sue

By BILL KETTLER
Mail Tribune

A well-known women's health care practitioner and a state agency that validates academic credentials are fighting over her use of a doctoral degree in advertising.

The state Office of Degree Authorization has told Nisha Jackson that all promotional references to her Ph.D. in health-care management from Kennedy Western University must also state that Kennedy Western "does not have accreditation recognized by the United States Department of Education and has not been approved by the Office of Degree Authorization."

"It's inherently deceptive for a health-care professional to call herself a Ph.D. or `doctor' without using the disclaimer," said Alan Contreras, administrator of the Office of Degree Authorization.

Jackson, 42, is the president of Southern Oregon Health & Wellness, and she works at Medford Women's Clinic. She has written a book on balancing women's hormones and presented health tips on KTVL-TV Channel 10. She hosts a weekly radio show Monday mornings on KDOV.

Jackson described Contreras' letter as "harassment," and said she may sue. She said she had met all the requirements of the Oregon law and spent "thousands of dollars" to remove any reference to her Ph.D. from her marketing materials.

She said Contreras is "on some kind of rampage to see me go down."

Accreditation is the process by which institutions of higher learning are reviewed and evaluated. It serves as a way to tell students, employers and consumers that an institution provides quality education.

"The whole idea (of accreditation) is that a college education ought to stand for something," Contreras said.

Accreditors are private, nongovernmental organizations created for the specific purpose of reviewing the quality of higher education institutions and their programs. In the United States, colleges and

universities may be accredited by any one of 19 organizations that have been recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation or the U.S. Department of Education.

Kennedy Western is not accredited by any of them.

Kennedy Western's Web site says it offers "busy professionals a convenient and flexible method for earning Bachelor's, Master's and Doctorate level degrees." Based in Agoura Hills, Calif., Kennedy Western bases tuition and course requirements on prior work experience. Classwork is done via computer.

Kennedy Western's Web site includes testimonials from people who say their degree has helped them increase their income and prestige.

Oregon is one of eight states where it is against the law to advertise an unaccredited degree for personal gain. The maximum penalty for violating the law is one year in jail and a $1,000 fine for each occurrence.

The Mail Tribune's review of state licensing records shows that Jackson holds valid licenses to practice as a registered nurse and a nurse practitioner in Oregon. She has earned a bachelor's degree from Azusa Pacific University and a master's degree from Oregon Health & Science University, which are both accredited institutions.

Jackson's husband, Rick, who is secretary of Southern Oregon Health and Wellness Corp., said his wife has never used the Ph.D. degree to attract patients to her practice, as Contreras contends.

"She doesn't need to increase her practice," Rick Jackson said. "Her practice was closed (to new patients) before she got her Ph.D."

Contreras said the Oregon Board of Nursing asked him to investigate Jackson's academic credentials after the nursing board received information that suggested Jackson was referring to her doctoral degree without the disclaimer.

"She's obviously using (the Ph.D.) with the intent to add customers and enhance her celebrity," Contreras said. "We don't care if she uses (the degree from Kennedy Western), but she has to use the disclaimer."

Jackson's Web site and book jacket cite her doctorate without mentioning the source of the degree. The dust jacket of her book, "The Hormone Survival Guide," describes her as "Nisha Jackson, Ph.D." Her Web site, "Nisha on Health," notes the degree without mentioning its origin except for a small disclaimer at the very bottom of the Web site.

Nisha Jackson said the disclaimer meets all the requirements of Oregon law. It reads: "Nisha Jackson received her PhD in healthcare management from Kennedy Western University. Kennedy Western has currently lost there (sic) accreditation in the state of Oregon."

Contreras said Jackson's disclaimer fails to comply with Oregon law because it does not use the language required in the statute, and the disclaimer is not linked to her Ph.D. in a way that the average viewer would find.

He said that the disclaimer in Oregon's law was drafted after Kennedy Western attorneys challenged Oregon's law on the grounds that it violated freedom of speech. He said Kennedy Western attorneys agreed to the specific disclaimer language that is now in Oregon's law.

Contreras said that Jackson's disclaimer has a factual error, namely that Kennedy Western never has been accredited in Oregon. Prior to the settlement, he said, "it was absolutely illegal to use that (Kennedy Western) degree (in promotional materials)."

Kennedy Western and other unaccredited institutions (often called "diploma mills") were the subject of congressional hearings in May 2004. A witness who worked at Kennedy Western for three months told the committee "There is no value to a Kennedy Western education."

Nisha Jackson said she took a Ph.D. in health care management at Kennedy Western because it was "the only one I could do while living in Medford." She said the degree from Kennedy Western has no bearing on her practice of medicine as a nurse practitioner and registered nurse.

Contreras said Nisha Jackson was advised by letter and by phone in November to use the disclaimer. Rick Jackson said his wife sent back the required disclaimer form. Contreras said the disclaimer form had not been properly completed and he sent a second letter Jan. 6.

Nisha Jackson's attorney, Sydnee Dreyer, said it's too early to say whether she will sue. Dreyer characterized Contreras' treatment of Jackson's case as "highly unprofessional conduct."

"It would appear to be personal," she said, "and not a standard compliance action."

[Randall Flagg]

First of all let's see what accredit really means.

Accredit= to give credit to; have confidence in; authorize; stamp with authority; to believe and accept as true.
--Webster's School and office Dictionary

There has been an attempt by various groups to hijack the English language (American Version). THEY tell you, or try, what and how you may use words that have been in use for MANY years.

The state of Wyoming did indeed accredit-approve-license, Kennedy Western University. This is a different approval than regional or national, indeed, it is above all these. It is state accreditation/approval. If anyone doubts the power of the states to approve of a school, just ask Union Institute if the OBR had the authority to close the doors to programs if changes were not made.

More:
Accredit= certify, license, endorse, guarantee, commission, authorize, sanction, empower. officially recognize.
--Roget's Thesaurus

By the way the state of Mississippi calls its form of state approval, accreditation, and it doesn't matter what Contreras thinks about that. Each state decides what and how it approves or accredits, licenses colleges. The state of New York also accredits schools.

The word accredit has many uses. It does not belong to John Bear and Contreras as a weapon to bash people over the head, unless, we let them do it. They don't own words, though they seem to want that power. But I don't approve or accredit that idea.

Contreras just wants the disclaimer to be as negative for Nisha Jackson, as harmful, as painful, as he can make it. It has nothing to do with disclosure or public protection, it has to do with a bully wanting to get his rocks off while causing as much pain as he can inflict.

By the way John Bear has told many people (including me) to call him Dr. Bear. He has a Ph.D. in communications, which has almost nothing to do with the various things in claims to be an expert in. She wants to be called Dr. for what she has done and he wishes the same for his work. Her degree was approved of and recognized by the state of Wyoming. If they don't like it, that's too damn bad. Besides (Dr. Bear) in several of his guides listed KWU as one of the 100 good colleges in America. Maybe she should tell Contreras that Bear said it was a good school.? Maybe it was also Bear Accredited.? He certainly sold guide books saying it was a good school. And he cashed $$$$$ the checks.

[Cogito Ergo Odi]

Why do you people hate this guy, when he sounds like the average member of this very site? He probably owns 1/3 of the user names on this thing. Now if we can only find the other 2 people who own the rest of them.

[ham]

Why do you people hate this guy, when he sounds like the average member of this very site? He probably owns 1/3 of the user names on this thing. Now if we can only find the other 2 people who own the rest of them.

You posted 12 messages in 20 minutes...what's wrong? Is your social worker on holiday?

[Cogito Ergo Odi]

Why do you people hate this guy, when he sounds like the average member of this very site? He probably owns 1/3 of the user names on this thing. Now if we can only find the other 2 people who own the rest of them.

You posted 12 messages in 20 minutes...what's wrong? Is your social worker on holiday?

No, but my incredibly hot Social Worker just texted me for a little "unscheduled appointment" at her place. Excuse me while I attend to some business that you must be quite unfamiliar with.

[ham]

Why do you people hate this guy, when he sounds like the average member of this very site? He probably owns 1/3 of the user names on this thing. Now if we can only find the other 2 people who own the rest of them.

You posted 12 messages in 20 minutes...what's wrong? Is your social worker on holiday?

No, but my incredibly hot Social Worker just texted me for a little "unscheduled appointment" at her place. Excuse me while I attend to some business that you must be quite unfamiliar with.

So did Bernardo (I mean Sally, sorry) finally get to put 'female' on his ID? About time! Beware that showing up unannounced may cost you an extra $100...and don't forget your preparation H. Sounds you'll need that 'herpes bomb shelter' sooner than you think.

[CarrieAnn]

Can somebody tell me what the 8 states are requiring this kind of disclosure?

Alan Conteras's Personal Rampage, Unprofessional Conduct

http://www.mailtribune.com/archive/2006/...5local.htm

State questions wellness expert's degree
Nisha Jackson claims harassment, says she may sue

By BILL KETTLER
Mail Tribune

A well-known women's health care practitioner and a state agency that validates academic credentials are fighting over her use of a doctoral degree in advertising.

The state Office of Degree Authorization has told Nisha Jackson that all promotional references to her Ph.D. in health-care management from Kennedy Western University must also state that Kennedy Western "does not have accreditation recognized by the United States Department of Education and has not been approved by the Office of Degree Authorization."

"It's inherently deceptive for a health-care professional to call herself a Ph.D. or `doctor' without using the disclaimer," said Alan Contreras, administrator of the Office of Degree Authorization.

Jackson, 42, is the president of Southern Oregon Health & Wellness, and she works at Medford Women's Clinic. She has written a book on balancing women's hormones and presented health tips on KTVL-TV Channel 10. She hosts a weekly radio show Monday mornings on KDOV.

Jackson described Contreras' letter as "harassment," and said she may sue. She said she had met all the requirements of the Oregon law and spent "thousands of dollars" to remove any reference to her Ph.D. from her marketing materials.

She said Contreras is "on some kind of rampage to see me go down."

Accreditation is the process by which institutions of higher learning are reviewed and evaluated. It serves as a way to tell students, employers and consumers that an institution provides quality education.

"The whole idea (of accreditation) is that a college education ought to stand for something," Contreras said.

Accreditors are private, nongovernmental organizations created for the specific purpose of reviewing the quality of higher education institutions and their programs. In the United States, colleges and

universities may be accredited by any one of 19 organizations that have been recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation or the U.S. Department of Education.

Kennedy Western is not accredited by any of them.

Kennedy Western's Web site says it offers "busy professionals a convenient and flexible method for earning Bachelor's, Master's and Doctorate level degrees." Based in Agoura Hills, Calif., Kennedy Western bases tuition and course requirements on prior work experience. Classwork is done via computer.

Kennedy Western's Web site includes testimonials from people who say their degree has helped them increase their income and prestige.

Oregon is one of eight states where it is against the law to advertise an unaccredited degree for personal gain. The maximum penalty for violating the law is one year in jail and a $1,000 fine for each occurrence.

The Mail Tribune's review of state licensing records shows that Jackson holds valid licenses to practice as a registered nurse and a nurse practitioner in Oregon. She has earned a bachelor's degree from Azusa Pacific University and a master's degree from Oregon Health & Science University, which are both accredited institutions.

Jackson's husband, Rick, who is secretary of Southern Oregon Health and Wellness Corp., said his wife has never used the Ph.D. degree to attract patients to her practice, as Contreras contends.

"She doesn't need to increase her practice," Rick Jackson said. "Her practice was closed (to new patients) before she got her Ph.D."

Contreras said the Oregon Board of Nursing asked him to investigate Jackson's academic credentials after the nursing board received information that suggested Jackson was referring to her doctoral degree without the disclaimer.

"She's obviously using (the Ph.D.) with the intent to add customers and enhance her celebrity," Contreras said. "We don't care if she uses (the degree from Kennedy Western), but she has to use the disclaimer."

Jackson's Web site and book jacket cite her doctorate without mentioning the source of the degree. The dust jacket of her book, "The Hormone Survival Guide," describes her as "Nisha Jackson, Ph.D." Her Web site, "Nisha on Health," notes the degree without mentioning its origin except for a small disclaimer at the very bottom of the Web site.

Nisha Jackson said the disclaimer meets all the requirements of Oregon law. It reads: "Nisha Jackson received her PhD in healthcare management from Kennedy Western University. Kennedy Western has currently lost there (sic) accreditation in the state of Oregon."

Contreras said Jackson's disclaimer fails to comply with Oregon law because it does not use the language required in the statute, and the disclaimer is not linked to her Ph.D. in a way that the average viewer would find.

He said that the disclaimer in Oregon's law was drafted after Kennedy Western attorneys challenged Oregon's law on the grounds that it violated freedom of speech. He said Kennedy Western attorneys agreed to the specific disclaimer language that is now in Oregon's law.

Contreras said that Jackson's disclaimer has a factual error, namely that Kennedy Western never has been accredited in Oregon. Prior to the settlement, he said, "it was absolutely illegal to use that (Kennedy Western) degree (in promotional materials)."

Kennedy Western and other unaccredited institutions (often called "diploma mills") were the subject of congressional hearings in May 2004. A witness who worked at Kennedy Western for three months told the committee "There is no value to a Kennedy Western education."

Nisha Jackson said she took a Ph.D. in health care management at Kennedy Western because it was "the only one I could do while living in Medford." She said the degree from Kennedy Western has no bearing on her practice of medicine as a nurse practitioner and registered nurse.

Contreras said Nisha Jackson was advised by letter and by phone in November to use the disclaimer. Rick Jackson said his wife sent back the required disclaimer form. Contreras said the disclaimer form had not been properly completed and he sent a second letter Jan. 6.

Nisha Jackson's attorney, Sydnee Dreyer, said it's too early to say whether she will sue. Dreyer characterized Contreras' treatment of Jackson's case as "highly unprofessional conduct."

"It would appear to be personal," she said, "and not a standard compliance action."

[Herbert Spencer]

Can somebody tell me what the 8 states are requiring this kind of disclosure?

...Oregon is one of eight states where it is against the law to advertise an unaccredited degree for personal gain.

According to Gay Al's website, the list is up to twelve. In addition to Oregon, the rest of the dirty dozen are Maine, New Jersey, Virginia, Missouri, Illinois, Wisconsin, North Dakota, South Dakota, Texas, Nevada and Washington. Michigan and Indiana are only semi-oppressive.

Red states have broad laws prohibiting or restricting the use of unaccredited degrees.
Yellow states have narrow or more limited protections for genuine degrees.

http://www.osac.state.or.us/oda/unaccredited.aspx

[CarrieAnn]

I knew about OR and TX, but did not know about the other 6. My understanding is that it has never held up in a court of law. I'm trying to find a source other than the creep gang's websites for info. Thx.

[bigfoot]

You are right CarrieAnn. When these unconstitutional attempts have been made to criminalize individuals for using legal, valid degrees, they have failed..miserably. The constitution of these United States grants executive powers for education to each state...when the state determines that the conferred degree is from a state approved/licensed school, it's degree holder now possesses a legal, valid degree, with oversight. No other state may deny the use of this degree holder from using or claiming to possess this degree! Oregon, Texas and Florida, have all lost in court cases, (BADLY!) and Florida repealed the state law that criminalized the use of an unaccredited degree. When states such as Nevada, Virginia and Washington get challenged constitutionally, somewhere down the line, they will be defeated as well, it's only a matter of time...

---

Truth be told...I have my doubts if some of these remaining states would even enforce these unconstitutional laws. I think they were really put in place to protect the citizens of these states from "diploma mill" scammers, who sell PHD's for a hundred bucks out of their garage. These are the "scammers" that the triad should have been going after!...but... "strangely", they chose to attack good, legal, valid state approved schools, that offer legitimate degrees.. with governmental oversight. Imagine CarrieAnn, if every time you drove out of state on vacation, with your "state drivers license", you could get a ticket for not possessing a drivers license in the state you were driving in... while on vacation, or worse still, be found guilty of a crime! Now wouldn't that be pretty absurd?