The World Federation of Chiropractic has named Dr. Christine Goertz interim chair of its research committee. In a mid-September announcement, the WFC noted: "Professor Goertz's appointment comes after Research Committee Chair, Professor Greg Kawchuk, informed the WFC of his decision to step down from the committee. Professor Kawchuk has served as Chair since 2015, having first been appointed to the committee in 2011."
Dr. Goertz's appointment as interim committee chair is the latest in a distinguished career that includes serving as former vice chancellor of research and health policy at Palmer College of Chiropractic. She is currently a professor and director of system development and coordination for spine health at Duke University School of Medicine; adjunct professor in the Department of Epidemiology at the University of Iowa; and chair of the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) board of governors.
"During my 10 years as a member of the PCORI Board of Governors, I have learned the value of listening carefully to the voices of those who are the ultimate end-users of research information – providers, patients and others. Broader inclusion at the research table helps us ask more relevant questions and speeds implementation and dissemination efforts. I am excited by the opportunity to embed this perspective more deeply into chiropractic science and practice as we work together to advance the WFC's mission."
In its press release announcing Dr. Goertz will fill Dr. Kawchuk's position on an interim basis, the WFC also announced that research committee members Drs. Iben Axén, Martin Descarreaux, Simon French, Jan Hartvigsen and Carolina Kolberg have all resigned from the committee.
"Anchored by the its 20 Principles, the WFC is uniquely positioned to increase the reach of evidence-based chiropractic care across the globe for the benefit of patients and the public," said the WFC. "A key component of this effort is a strong focus on a strategy that asks, and rigorously answers, research questions that matter to chiropractors and their patients.
"In pursuit of this goal, the WFC Research Committee plans to develop an international research agenda that will be informed by a multi-stakeholder group comprising not just scientists, but [also] the end users of research findings: chiropractic clinicians, patients, third-party payers and policymakers."
