News in Brief

ACA Sets Course for Next 10 Years

The American Chiropractic Association's House of Delegates has approved a 10-year vision statement outlining the association's major goals through 2023. The statement, approved as delegates met during the National Chiropractic Legislative Conference in mid-March, includes five broad goals to be accomplished in the next 10 years:

• "Collaboration with other health care disciplines and integration into all health care delivery models that enhance individual health, public health, wellness and safety
• Change in public policy, legislative, and regulatory arenas, which result in a more effective U.S. health care system
• Improved health care access and freedom of choice of health care providers for the American people, without discriminatory obstacles
• Increased value of health care for patients, policy-makers, and the public through the high professional and educational standards of the chiropractic profession
• Healthier and more productive lives for the American people"

The House of Delegates also passed two resolutions during NCLC 2013, both intended to help doctors of chiropractic better serve patients. One resolution creates an ACA Council of Integrated Practices, designed to advance "the quality and availability of chiropractic physicians and their services through full integration into mainstream, evidence-based health care systems"; the other authorizes the Student ACA (SACA) to develop a program whereby new DCs could become "delegate apprentices" and learn leadership / policy from HOD members.

"Both the chiropractic profession, and the American health care system are at important crossroads," said ACA President Keith Overland, DC, commenting on the vision statement and resolutions. "Chiropractic physicians who continue to grow their skill sets and work with other health care providers can play an important role in improving the health of ailing Americans and an ailing health delivery system. The important work done by the HOD in Washington [D.C.] helped set the stage for progress toward those goals in the year ahead."

Palmer Alumni Drama Finally Put to Rest?

A March 11, 2013 statement from Palmer College of Chiropractic's Trevor Ireland, DC, chair of the Board of Trustees, addresses for the first time a November 2012 ruling by the Iowa District Court regarding the college's "motion for summary judgment against the leadership of The Chiropractic International Alumni Association (TCIAA), a small group of individuals (less than 20) who previously were part of the Palmer College of Chiropractic International Alumni Association."

According to Dr. Ireland, the court has ordered the dissolution of the alumni organization and transfer of its remaining assets to Palmer College. That asset transfer, amounting to just under $1 million, was completed on Jan. 17, said Dr. Ireland, who added:

"Pursuit of these funds has been a trying ordeal over the past eight years; however, the fiduciary responsibility of the Palmer Board of Trustees necessitated this action to ensure the donors' original intent for these financial gifts was maintained. As such, the [Palmer College of Chiropractic] Administration has now been directed by the Board to use these returned assets for the benefit of Palmer students."

In 2005, an effort by the Palmer International Alumni Association to convert its ex officio seat on the Palmer board to a full voting seat ultimately led to the board dissociating the college from the alumni association. For additional background on the dispute, read "Palmer College Dissociates From Alumni Assoc." in the April 9, 2005 issue.