Dr. Anthony (Tony) Lavender, of Cody, Wyoming, a town of less than 8,000 people tucked away in the northwest corner of the state, is not your typical small town DC. When he first heard about manipulation under anesthesia (MUA) and its potential as a procedure, he flew to Pasadena, Texas to attend Texas Chiropractic College (TCC's) postgraduate course in hospital protocol and MUA, taught by Rob Francis, D.C., a pioneer of chiropractic MUA in the hospital setting.
Certification in MUA is obtained by completing the class work, procedure observations, and the performance of five MUAs deemed acceptable by a proctor in a fully equipped medical center.
While finishing the TCC hospital protocol and MUA course, Dr. Lavender applied for staff privileges at a local hospital in Cody, Wyoming. He was approved through every committee with the exception of the executive board, which is scheduled to discuss his application this spring.
After Dr. Lavender had completed the MUA course work, he sought to help two of his patients who fit the established protocol for MUA, i.e., chronic, unrelenting pain that has been treated by practitioners of multiple disciplines without adequate resolution of the patient's complaints. As Dr. Lavender had not yet secured hospital privileges in Cody, and not did hold a Texas license, his options to perform MUAs on his two patients was stifled.
Dr. Lavender did however have a license to practice not only in Wyoming, but in Montana, Oregon, and California. Dr. Rob Francis suggested Dr. Lavender contact Doug Andersen, D.C., of Brea, California. Dr. Andersen was the first chiropractor in California to be certified in MUA and to perform the procedure at Buena Park Doctors' Hospital. (See "Buena Park Doctors' Hospital Leads the Way" in February 1, 1991 issue. Dr. Andersen writes the "Clinical Nutrition column for "DC".)
Dr. Andersen listened to Dr. Lavender's patients' case histories and concurred they were candidates for the MUA procedure, but Dr. Andersen advised Dr. Lavender to contact Robert Troutman, chief administrator of Buena Park Doctors' Hospital to discuss the possibility of performing MUA on his Wyoming patients in California, but cautioned Dr. Lavender of the formidable obstacles he faced.
Mr. Troutman, a strong supporter of chiropractic and MUA, was able to cut through the red tape and secure temporary hospital privileges for Dr. Lavender.
Dr. Lavender and his two patients boarded a plane for Southern California with high hopes, but no guarantee that the MUA would in fact be performed.
At Buena Park Doctors' Hospital, a history and physical were given to the patients by Philip Zaret, D.O. Dr. Zaret agreed with Dr. Lavender that MUA should be attempted and cleared the patients for anesthesia.
Dr. Lavender still faced two obstacles: He would need a faculty proctor from TCC present during the procedure; and a full-privileged DC from Buena Park Doctors' Hospital to assist in the procedure. The odds of Dr. Lavender performing the MUAs were diminishing by the day.
But fortune smiled on Dr. Lavender. Stephen Capps, D.C., DABCO, one of the pioneers of chiropractic MUA affiliated with TCC, was at that moment teaching a seminar in Southern California and graciously agreed to take time away from his busy schedule to proctor Dr. Lavender. The last obstacle was cleared when Dr. Andersen agreed to assist with the procedure and act as a proctor for Buena Park Doctors' Hospital.
While this story could be titled, "First Wyoming DC to Do MUA Procedure", it is really a story about the extraordinary dedication and effort put forth by a small town DC who at great personal expense coordinated a three state multidisciplinary treatment plan for two of his patients who sought relief from their back pain.
Dr. Lavender reports the results of the MUAs far exceeded his and the patients' expectations.
When hospital practice and privileges for DCs in Wyoming is commonplace, we hope the personal and financial sacrifices and the commitment to his patients made by this dedicated DC from Cody, Wyoming, will be remembered.
