PHOENIX, Arizona -- If you've been paying attention, you'll know that each year representatives from the chiropractic state associations across the country come together to share experiences and brainstorm ideas: it's called the Congress of Chiropractic State Associations (COCSA) meeting.
This year, over 40 chiropractic state associations attended the annual meeting. The focus of this year's get-together was on membership services, public relations, legislative activities, conventions, seminars, and third-party payment.
One of the highlights of the meeting was a presentation of the agenda for the upcoming ICA/ACA Leadership Summit given by Gary Cuneo, ACA executive vice president, and Ron Hendrickson, ICA executive vice president.
The attention of the state chiropractic leaders was captured by Mr. Cuneo and Hendrickson as they discussed the upcoming ACA/ICA leadership conference. The attentive interest of the state association leaders was prompted by the anticipation of constructive cooperation between the two national associations; anticipation that the chiropractic profession might finally bring its full resources and talents together for common goals and the common good.
Mr. Hendrickson used the question and answer period to clear up a misunderstanding among some delegates about ICA policies, apparently generated by editorial comment in the Chiropractic Journal. "The Chiropractic Journal has nothing to do with the ICA, and the ICA has nothing to do with the Chiropractic Journal," Mr. Hendrickson stressed. He added: "There is no affiliation officially or unofficially. ICA has its own communication mechanism. Anyone wishing to know ICA's position on any issue or matter is welcome to copies of our publications or to communicate directly with us."
Leonard Suiter, DC, from the Missouri State Chiropractic Association, was elected the new president of COCSA. "As president, I want to continue developing the apolitical environment where we can bring together all chiropractic state associations for mutual benefit," Dr. Suiter commented. "Without political considerations, we are able to concentrate on the nuts and bolts of association management and leadership development," he added.
Election of COCSA Officers
President: Leonard Suiter, DC
Missouri State Chiropractic Association
1st Vice President: Dale Cohen, DC
New York State Chiropractic Association
2nd Vice President: Thomas Klapp, DC
Michigan Chiropractic Council
Secretary: Kevin Donovan, DC
Chiropractic Society of Rhode Island
Treasurer: Robert Poteete, DC
Ohio State Chiropractic Association
Directors
District 1: Stephen Simonetti, DC
New York Chiropractic Council
District 2: David Mason,DC
Michigan Chiropractic Council
District 3: J. Michael Honea
Georgia Chiropractic Association
District 4: Harold Bryan,DC
Kansas Chiropractic Association
District 5: Terry Petersen,DC
Arizona Association of Chiropractic
Former COCSA presidents Rick McMichael, DC, of Canton, Ohio, and Robert Dark, DC, of San Bernardino, California, were unanimously elected as honorary lifetime members of COCSA. There are only the third and fourth DCs to receive this honor.
Endorsement of ACC Position Paper
The Congress voted to endorse the position on chiropractic proposed by the ACC (Association of Chiropractic Colleges). This is seen as an important step in establishing a consensus statement for the profession. The ACC position on chiropractic 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 the spine) and function (as coordinated by the nervous system) and how that relationship affects the preservation and restoration of health. 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."
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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?
