On Sept. 11, the board of directors of the Ontario Chiropractic Association (OCA) unanimously passed a resolution demanding that Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty reconsider his decision to cut coverage of chiropractic treatment from the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP). The resolution was spurred by continuous phone calls to the OCA from patients and their chiropractors, complaining about the government's decision.
"This decision to stop funding services completely undermines the goal of the government's new Local Health Integrated Networks (LHINs) policy of treating patients through more effective community-based care. It will instead force people in pain to seek treatment in hospital emergency wards," OCA President Dr. Dean Wright said.
On May 18, 2004, the provincial government announced that chiropractic would be "delisted" from the OHIP, the province's health care plan. The action terminated more than 30 years of public funding for chiropractic services in Ontario. The OCA is calling on the government to meet with them to find solutions that will provide cost-effective access to the public and support the government's financial and transformation agendas.
"As we move closer to the resumption of the Ontario Legislature, the OCA, on behalf of chiropractic patients, is leaving no stone unturned in its campaign to reverse this harmful decision to cut funding," said Dr. Wright.
LACC Legacy Luncheon Southern California University of Health Sciences' Los Angeles College of Chiropractic (LACC) recently held its fourth annual Legacy Luncheon. The event was a chance for 25 former students - most of whom graduated before 1963 - to return to their alma mater and reminisce about their days on campus. They were joined by current students, who informed attendees of revisions to the university's chiropractic curriculum over the past few years.
Each LACC "legacy," including senior member Dr. John G. Anderson, class of 1940, had an opportunity to address the audience, providing updates on their personal and professional life. University President Dr. Reed B. Phillips updated attendees on the Veteran Affairs project that introduced the profession into the VA system, which he chaired, and talked about state legislation the university has been involved with over the past year.
Dr. Phillips also noted that five of the legacies were still in practice. "Because of you, were are who we are - and together, we can continue to make things better for future graduates," he enthused.
AHC Holds 24th Conference on Chiropractic History The Association for the History of Chiropractic (AHC) recently held its 24th annual Conference on Chiropractic History at the Universidad Estatal de Valle de Ecatapec (UNEVE) in Mexico City. Nine original papers were presented at this year's event; the prize for best paper was awarded to Dr. Brent McNabb, DC, for his investigation of the pioneering of chiropractic in Brazil.
Among the other papers presented were "A History of Chiropractic in Mexico," by Enrique Benet-Canut, DC; "Christmas With the Palmers - The Early Years," by Vickie Anne Palmer; and "Thomas T. Lake and Endo-nasal Therapeutics: Pioneer Medical-Drugless Ecumenism, 1938-1950," by Russell Gibbons, who received The Lee-Homewood Chiropractic Heritage Award for his contributions to chiropractic. Mr. Gibbons is one of the founders of the AHC and editor of the AHC journal, Chiropractic History.
The AHC is a nonprofit membership society founded in 1980 at Spears Hospital in Denver, Colo. Details regarding the association's 2005 conference are available at the AHC Web site, www.chirohistory.org.
Research Innovator Retires from NUHS After 19 years as an associate professor of research at National University of Health Sciences (NUHS), James Baker, DC, is retiring. Dr. Baker spent 35 years in industrial engineering and mechanical drafting before entering NUHS as a student in 1981, at the age of 53. When he graduated in 1985, he received the Joseph Janse Outstanding Graduate Award; soon after, he was appointed as clinical investigator with National's research department.
Dr. Baker's background in mechanics and engineering helped him to make many valuable contributions to ongoing research at NUHS. Gregory Cramer, DC, NUHS dean of research, called Dr. Baker a magician: "If a project had a problem or was stuck because equipment could not be adapted, we would call on James. Within a day or two he would have manufactured a gadget or gizmo that solved the problem," said Dr. Cramer.
Plastination of anatomical specimens is one of Dr. Baker's special interests. He improvised his own plastination equipment and has produced half a kidney, articulated carpal bones, a parasagittal section of lumbar spine, and portions of brain cortex, pancreas, and gastrocnemius muscle.
New Faces at Logan Kenneth L. Beck, EdD has joined Logan College (LCC) as director of institutional assessment. Dr. Beck joins the college from St. Louis Christian College, where he served as president for nine years; at Logan, he will gather data on the college's educational outcomes, to be used for accreditation self-studies and curriculum development.
Cliff Pollack has been appointed facilitator of distance learning at Logan. At his former place of employment, Saint Louis University, he was manager of media production services and was responsible for implementation of the university's integrated Web design protocol. Previously, he worked with the University of Arizona Health Sciences Center, developing its biomedical communications department.
The Logan Alumni Association also recently elected its officers for 2004-05. They are: President - Nicolas Gatto, DC; First Vice President - Karen Dishauzi, DC; Second Vice President - Jason Strotheide, DC; Treasurer - Ralph Filson, DC; and Secretary - David Yarasheski, DC.
