The National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE) and the Federation of Chiropractic Licensing Boards (FCLB) held their annual meetings in Chicago May 3-4, 2002. While most DCs are unaware of the daily activities of these two organizations, their work greatly impacts the chiropractic profession at the state and national level.
Women Enter the NBCE Leadership Scene
While the gender demographics of the chiropractic profession in the United States continues to move toward parity, there is still a wide disparity between men and women in chiropractic leadership positions. Before the annual meeting began, however, the feeling was that a woman DC would finally enter the ranks of the NBCE leadership.
The first foray was lead by Cynthia Vaughn,DC, the president of the Texas Board of Chiropractic Examiners. After the annual meeting in 2001, Dr. Vaughn announced her intention to challenge James Badge,DC, for the District IV director seat he has occupied the last 15 years. Since her announcement, that race had been "too close to call," with both doctors asserting they had the necessary six votes to win.
The key events involved in this hard-fought race came down to who was authorized to vote from the Kansas and Nevada boards. There was some last-minute jockeying during the caucuses of the state board delegates for the District IV nomination. In the end, Dr. Badge edged out Dr. Vaughn. There is still some debate over the circumstances of that election.
But the lady DCs were not to be denied. Vying for the two available director-at-large positions were several well-qualified women, including Julia McDaniel,DC, president of the Vermont Board of Chiropractic. Under her leadership, the Vermont Board has an increased emphasis on proactive education for its licensees. Dr. McDaniel won a one-year term as a director-at-large, thus giving her the bragging rights as the first woman DC elected to the NBCE Board of Directors in its 40-year history.
In other board elections, Dr. Lawrence Gerstein was re-elected for a one-year term as director-at-large; Dr. Wayne Wolfson, president of the FCLB, and Dr. Richard Cole, FCLB vice president, were reseated as FCLB-appointed directors to the NBCE Board. The NBCE Board re-elected Dr. Frank Hideg as chairman, Dr. Peter Ferguson as president, and Dr. Jerry Blanchard as treasurer. Dr. Vernon Temple was elected vice president, and Dr. Rick Murphree as secretary.
FCLB Annual Conference Focuses on Leadership Issues
A dynamic and emotional opening presentation by Dr. Terry Yochum set the tone for the Federation of Chiropractic Licensing Boards' 76th Annual Congress in Chicago, May 1-5. "You will hear Dr. Janse 'speak' to you before I am finished today," Dr. Yochum promised. His was the 12th annual presentation in the FCLB's prestigious lecture series designed to honor the powerful oratory and visionary abilities of the late Dr. Joseph Janse, former president of National College of Chiropractic.
The keynote address, "Leading the Leaders: The Art and Science of Board Service," was delivered by Paul Arntson, PhD, founder and director of the Undergraduate Leadership Program at Northwestern University. Arntson urged the audience of 150 leaders from chiropractic regulatory boards and colleges to balance their passions with their skills and where they spend their time. "Effective leadership also comes from understanding the important roles and participatory styles played by each member of the team," he explained.
At the opening reception, noted attorney George McAndrews was honored for contributing to the well-being of the public. Despite having laryngitis, Mr. McAndrews captivated the attendees with his descriptions of several pivotal events in the evolution of patient rights to seek chiropractic care.
The FCLB, via a bylaws amendment, adopted the creation of a new category ("Executive Fellow") to formalize the involvement of an executive administrators on the board. Kevin Earle, executive director of the New Jersey State Board of Chiropractic Examiners, was elected to the new position.
Further highlighting leadership, the FCLB's highest individual honor, the George Arvidson Award, was presented to Dr. Joseph Brimhall of Ogden, Utah, recognizing his contributions to licensing and accreditation.
The Outstanding Board Award went to the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Chiropractors for their innovative licensee programs.
In other annual meeting business, Dr. Wayne Wolfson of Orlando, Florida was re-elected president. Other officers winning re-election were Dr. Richard Cole (vice president) of Bartlett, Tennessee, and Dr. N. Edwin Weathersby (treasurer) of Glendale, Arizona.
"We (members of the FCLB Board) invite candid discussion and have worked hard to establish a setting where all ideas are welcome and can be assured of thoughtful consideration," explained Dr. Wolfson. "Our ultimate goal is excellence in the protection of the public, and this can be truly the most unifying concept for our profession."
Centralizing Continuing Education Approval
The FCLB's emerging model for centralized CE approval was discussed in numerous sessions. Input was solicited from a number of chiropractic college officials responsible for postgraduate education to refine the program design. "Approved CE programs should not only have a sound scientific basis, but a strong philosophical one," urged Dr. David Koch, vice president for professional and international affairs at Palmer College of Chiropractic.
The current FCLB model under consideration involves evaluating programs with the goal of granting recognition status to providers of CE for a three-year period. Boards will be encouraged to accept CE from recognized providers in areas of study approved by the board. Recognition will ensure that course design, development methods, scientific rigor and attendance verification aspects are appropriate and in order. Boards will retain the option of continuing to approve CE programs individually as well.
Also under discussion is maintaining a roster of completed CE hours for practitioners on the FCLB's expanded CIN-BAD database, which now lists all licensed practitioners. Taskforce Co-Chair Dr. Richard Cole, explained: "This would be a significant benefit to field chiropractors and regulatory boards. Using the power of technology we could develop a seamless benefit to all chiropractors by allowing doctors easy access to quality programs and by assisting them in maintaining records of their CE credentials."
A complete agenda and reference handouts from the program can be obtained from the FCLB's website, www.fclb.org.
When sports chiropractors first appeared at the Olympic Games in the 1980s, it was alongside individual athletes who had experienced the benefits of chiropractic care in their training and recovery processes at home. Fast forward to Paris 2024, where chiropractic care was available in the polyclinic for all athletes, and the attitude has now evolved to recognize that “every athlete deserves access to sports chiropractic."
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Some doctors thrive in a personality-based clinic and have a loyal following no matter what services or equipment they offer, but for most chiropractic offices who are trying to grow and expand, new equipment purchases help us stay relevant and continue to service our client base in the best, most up-to-date manner possible. So, regarding equipment purchasing: should you lease, get a bank loan, or pay cash?
