RENO, Nevada -- The American Chiropractic Association held their annual meeting in this self-proclaimed "biggest little city in the world," a metropolis that sprouted up overnight when the rich silver deposit, the Comstock Lode, was discovered back in 1858 near the swift flowing Truckee river.
Perhaps in search of their own silver lining, the ACA House of Delegates came together to elect new officers, to settle their diplomate/trademark controversy, to pass a number of resolutions and bylaws, and present awards.
Council of Delegates:
District governors are elected by groupings of state-elected delegates, and serve on the board of governors, along with the ACA president, vice president and president of the council of delegates:
"This great profession of ours has fought many battles over the years," Dr. Pedigo said. "We've overcome great odds. Our work is not done yet. Our strength in our work is as a team. We are a team. Together we will fight. Together we will win some battles. Together we will lose some battles. This team is the house of delegates, not just the board of governors, not just the delegates, but this entire body -- the house of delegates. That's the team."
Trademark Question of Diplomate Programs Left to Individual Councils
The house of delegates approved the action of the board of governors to give each ACA council and its related certification board or academy the option to decide whether it will continue to proceed with the existing collective trademark for its diplomate designations. Earlier this year, acting to protect its trademark, the ACA informed the specialty councils that only ACA members could use the diplomate designation.
The ACA House of Delegates has specified that:
The HOD recommended creating a task force to prepare a comprehensive report on the educational requirements of DCs performing physical exams. The HOD directed that model legislation be developed for use by state chiropractic associations which would protect the rights of DCs to perform the exams. The delegates resolved that the ACA should serve as a clearinghouse for information on programs and organizations using DCs to conduct physical exams.
ACC Position Adopted
The HOD formally adopted a position on chiropractic that was developed through consensus by the Association of Chiropractic Colleges. The new HOD statement reads:
"Chiropractic is a health care discipline which emphasizes the inherent recuperative power of the body to heal itself without the use of drugs or surgery.
"The practice of chiropractic focuses on the relationship between structure (primarily of the spine) and function (as coordinated by the nervous system) and how that relationship affects the preservation and restoration of health. In addition, doctors of chiropractic recognize the value and responsibility of working in cooperation with other health care practitioners when in the best interest of the patient.
"The Association of Chiropractic Colleges continues to foster a unique, distinct chiropractic profession that serves as a health care discipline for all. The ACC advocates a profession that generates, develops and utilizes the highest level of evidence possible in the provision of effective, prudent and cost-conscious patient evaluation and care."
House Imposes Two-Year Limits on Board Members
A new bylaw revision aimed at allowing greater participation on the ACA Board of Governors, limits the term of office on the board from a maximum of three 3-year terms to three 2-year terms. The new bylaw does not affect the board members elected before the limits were imposed.
Craig Little, DC, ACA "Chiropractor of the Year."
Dr. Craig Little (Hanford, California) was awarded this distinguished honor because of his efforts on the AMA's CPT Health Care Professionals Advisory Committee (HCPAC) Review Board. He was appointed to the HCPAC in October of 1995. The HCPAC Review Board is an editorial panel responsible for the annual publication of the CPTs.
Dr. Little is a past president of the California Chiropractic Association and has been a member of the ACA for more than a decade. He has served as consultant to the ACA Insurance Committee, is ACA's appointee to the Council on Chiropractic Education, and is ACA's alternate to the AMA Relative Update HCPAC Committee.
"It was because of his keen mind ... that we have accomplished what we have now with the CPT codes and our profession has finally gained the parity that we so long sought," said last year's "Chiropractor of the Year," Dr. Kerwin Winkler. "I know very well he sacrificed his personal activities to travel all over this country to bring the CPT message ... to our profession and the nation."
"Humanitarian of the Year"
(From left:) Dr. Kurt Hegetschweiler, president of the ACA the past two years, presents Grant Bagley, MD, the Humanitarian of the Year" award.
The ACA presented Grant Bagley, MD, of the Health Care Financing Administration, the "Humanitarian of the Year" award for his exceptional work on behalf of the chiropractic profession on Medicare issues.
"I am honored to receive this," Dr. Bagley told the delegates. "I am certainly pleased and couldn't be more surprised."
Dr. Bagley related the story of a high-ranking HCFA bureaucrat who recently asked his advice on a medical matter. The bureaucrat's son was considering entering medical school. He aspired to helping people and providing care that would make a real impact on their lives.
"Well, I think you're son saw too many 'Marcus Welby, MD' movies, Dr. Bagley told the father. "That's not the way medicine is anymore. But if your son really has those kinds of feelings, I'd make a serious suggestion that he ought to explore chiropractic."
Dr. Bagley explained how he had "taken the opportunity to be educated." At the ACA's invitation several years ago, he visited National College of Chiropractic, spending the day with a group of third year chiropractic students, discussing chiropractic education and health care. "It's probably one of the most enjoyable afternoons I've ever spent," Dr. Bagley commented. "They were marvelous, they were charming, they were ambitious, and they contributed to my understanding of the profession."
Dr. Bagley said he continues to sell that message to HCFA and the federal government. "It's going to be an uphill battle, but we're making headway," he said.
"Delegate of the Year"
George McClelland, DC, becomes the ACA's first "Delegate of the Year."
Dr. George McClelland, of Christianburg, Virginia, was chosen by his peers as the first-ever ACA "Delegate of the Year." An ACA Virginia delegate, Dr. McClelland is also the ACA representative to the Foundation for Chiropractic Education and Research (FCER) Board of Trustees, and chairman of ACA Managed Care Committee. An ACA member since 1969, Dr. McClelland is a member of the Council on Diagnostic Imaging, and the Council on Chiropractic Orthopedics.
Dr. McClelland has served as FCER president and is currently a member of the FCER research committee, and the FCER study section on low back pain.
Presidential Awards for Meritorious Service
Dr. Kurt Hegetschweiler recognized four individuals on the managed care committee with "Presidential Awards for Meritorious Service": Dr. Joseph T. Goben, Dr. Keith Overland, Dr. Mario Spoto, and Dr. George McClelland.
Dr. Linda Zange was recognized with a "Presidential Award" for her years of service on the ACA Bylaws Committee. "I started in '88 as a delegate in this house and I needed a lot of help at that time," Dr. Hegetschweiler commented. "Dr. Zange has been there, and is still here today, helping us every time we need it. This place would not be functioning without her help."
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."
It is estimated that 61% of patients with CTS avoid taking surgical options due to postoperative complications and costly surgical procedures. Chiropractic care offers a comprehensive and effective treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome, addressing the condition from multiple angles. Recent studies also have unveiled a game-changing adjunct to chiropractic treatments for CTS: nerve flossing.
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?
