COCSA 2007 in Review

Nashville played host to the annual meeting of the Congress of Chiropractic State Associations (COCSA) from Nov. 8-10, 2007. The event featured the election of new board leadership for 2008, the introduction of several new COCSA programs and policies, and association management training for state leaders and staff.

More than 125 delegates representing 44 state chiropractic associations partici-pated in round-table discussions and workshops designed to improve their operations and overall effectiveness in serving their membership and the profession. Sponsors of this year;s meeting, set to the theme of "A Sound Investment," included the Tennessee Chiropractic Association, NCMIC, Foot Levelers, Parker Chiropractic College, Alternative Medicine Integration (AMI), Core Products, Life University, Standard Process, Payment Processing Consultants, and Queue Marketing on Demand.

COCSA leadership reviewed 2007 successes and announced the launch of several programs for 2008, including endorsement of "A New Outcome." Richard Sarnat, MD, president and co-founder of AMI, spoke on the vision for a wellness and prevention health care system that utilizes the education and vision of the doctor of chiropractic. (See "Chiropractors as Primary Care Providers" in the June 4, 2007 issue of DC for complete details.) Data collected by AMI for the past decade support the cost-effectiveness of chiropractic and provider performance for the payer community.

Also announced were plans to continue expansion of the Straighten Up program around the globe. For the latest on Straighten Up, read "Straighten Up Continues to Expand Globally" beginning on page 1 of this issue.

New Leadership for 2008

• President: Dr. Jerry DeGrado (Kansas)
• 1^st Vice President: Dr. Jeff Fedorko (Ohio)
• 2^nd Vice President: Dr. John Galbreath (Ill.)
• Treasurer: Dr. Kate Rufalo (Pa.)
• Secretary: Dr. David Kassmeier (Neb.)
• Past President: Dr. Stephen Simonetti (N.Y.)
• District 1 Director: Dr. Don Hirsh (Md.)
• District 2 Director: Dr. Ken Hughes (Mich.)
• District 3 Director: Dr. Carol Grubstad (Ga.)
• District 4 Director: Dr. Harold Lease (Colo.)
• District 5 Director: Bill Howe (Calif.)
• District 6 Director: Lamont Carter (Tenn.)

Several districts also elected representatives to serve on the Council on Chiropractic Guidelines and Practice Parameters (CCGPP). COCSA representatives to CCGPP for 2008 are as follows:

• District 1 - Dr. Tom Augat, Maine Chiropractic Association
• District 2 - Dr. David Radford, Ohio State Chiropractic Association
• District 3 - Dr. Greg Baker, Georgia Council of Chiropractic
• District 4 - Dr. Evan Katz, Colorado Chiropractic Association
• District 5 - Dr. Steven Jaffe, California Chiropractic Association
• At-Large - Dr. Len Suiter, Missouri State Chiropractors Association

Dr. Glen Hultgren (Colo.) and Col. Roger Mills (Ill.) were voted honorary members of COCSA. Dr. Hultgren is an original founder of the organization and oversaw its incorporation in Colorado, while Col. Mills has been a delegate for many years. He retired as executive director of the Illinois Chiropractic Society in December 2007.