The chiropractic profession paused to mourn one of its most devoted members, Edmonde Samuel, D.C., a 13-year member of the board of trustees of the Foundation for Chiropractic Education and Research (FCER), and ACA delegate to Oregon. Dr. Samuel succumbed to cancer December 18, 1992.
Dr. Samuel was born in Portland, Oregon on January 5, 1922. He served during World War II in combat service with the U.S. Navy and as a hospital corpsman with the Marine Corps. In 1949, he graduated from Western States Chiropractic College, and in 1950 completed postgraduate work at Western States Naturopathic College. During the early 1950s, he was an instructor in clinical lab, microbiology, pathology, and electophysiology at WSCC. His dedication to learning led him to attend Northwestern College of Law, and Southern Oregon College to study psychometrics.
Among Dr. Samuel's many influential chiropractic posts was his membership since 1979 on the FCER's Research Committee. His honors from the profession are numerous: In 1992, he received the ACA's "President's Award," as well as the Chiropractic Association of Oregon's "Lifetime Achievement Award"; in 1987, he was given the Dr. "William J. Cash Memorial Award" for lifetime contribution and dedication to the chiropractic profession; and in 1985 he was recognized for his outstanding service to the Oregon Board of Chiropractic Examiners.
An interesting aspect of Dr. Samuel's private life was his lifelong hobby of cultivating bamboo. He raised over 50 varieties of bamboo.
"The chiropractic profession has lost an advocate, a tireless craftsman, and a true leader in Dr. Edmonde Samuel," said FCER President George B. McClelland, D.C.
FCER's Executive Director Stephen R. Seater call Dr. Samuel's passing a "real blow to FCER," and added: "Nobody loved the profession more than Ed, and he served it well for many years. Ed was an idea man and someone who spoke from a vast store of knowledge. More important, however, he was a wise man. Wise men are few and far between."
Dr. Samuel is survived by his wife Shirley; his daughters Tauni, Michelle, and Lisa; and his mother Sarah.
It is the family's wish that any memorials be donated to the FCER at 1701 Clarendon Blvd., Arlington, VA 22209.
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?
