"laim his Birthright Parker College and Pt The Karl Pa CONFUSED??' "ker Seminars and Now ker Seminars So were we.... "*-*v /: W. Karl Parker is well m I on his way to becoming M ^J another icon in the chiropractic profession. The son of the late, great Dr. James Parker, founder of Parker College of Chiropractic, Dr. Karl has devoted his life to nurturing and developing the ideals instilled in him by his father as to the future of chiropractic. In this capacity, he served for many years as Executive Vice-President of the Parker Foundation (Parker Seminars), teaching thousands of DCs and CA's the principles of successful living through providing outstanding service to others. Indeed, he researched and authored the textbook Parker System for Professional Service, as well as a 444-page book for chiropractic assistants, which were the core teachings of Parker Seminars. He also served as Executive Vice President of Share, at that time the largest chiropractic supplier in the world, and was responsible for the creation of a multitude of forms and brochures still utilized within the profession today. In 1987, Dr. Karl became the Chief Operations Officer of the Parker Foundation and Share, assisting his father in the further development of Parker College of Chiropractic, which had opened in 1982 and, which, under the Parkers' direction, quickly became one of the finest educational institutions in the world. In 1996, however, in a surprising professional coup d'etat, Dr. Jim Parker was removed from the office of President of PCC following a vote of the college's Board of Directors; and, subsequently, Dr. Karl Parker was named as his father's successor amid much speculation within the profession as to the circumstances surrounding this strange series of events. Then, just two years later, in 1998, Dr. Karl, himself, was replaced as President, and the college which bore his name-which his father had founded-was no more simply a family legacy; it had become a legacy to the chiropractic profession. Thus, "relieved of" his duties within the college, as well as with the Parker Seminars to which he had devoted a quarter of a century to developing, Dr. Karl was forced to begin again, starting from scratch! Well, not exactly! Taking with him a lifelong passion for serving chiropractic through educating chiropractors, Dr. Karl very quickly developed a "new millenium" concept for chiropractic seminars, infused with the original spirit and camaraderie of past Parker seminars, but emphasizing MasterMind Management and associated practice procedures. Within three months of this new beginning, Karl Parker Seminars debuted, with nearly 500 DCs and CA 's in attendance! And, the reviews from first-time attendees are outstanding! Dr. Karl Parker has been and, obviously, will continue to be a major influence upon this profession. In an interview with The American Chiropractor (TAC) Magazine, Dr. Karl Parker (KP) shares his chiropractic story: TAC: I understand you are often referred to as Dr. Karl. May I refer to you that way? KP: Yes, certainly. I prefer friendly communication over fancy protocol, any day. TAC: How long have you been doing seminars? KP: Well, I've been around my dad's seminars since 1 was 10-years old. 1 grew up with them and our seminars are a part of me, a part of my life, just like my family is. I took my first seminar like a doctor in '65 when I started chiropractic college. I started teaching classes in '74 and went full time with my father into the seminar business in '76. I consider 1999 as my silver anniversary year. TAC: Did you practice chiropractic before becoming involved in seminars? KP: Yes. in the little town of Webster, TX, south of Houston, for 6 years. It was actually a requirement to have to live the principles and procedures my dad had taught me. Dad and 1 both knew that the profession would not accept me in helping and then carrying on for my father had I not actually "been there". TAC: Was your practice a success? KP: To me it was. I started off purchasing a 3-bedroom house with a borrowed down payment, and converted it into an office myself. The garage became the x-ray and examination room. I lived in the back room for the first few months, until the practice had to have my living space for adjusting rooms. Three years later, I bought a double-wide home and annexed it to my clinic for more space. To equate my practice then to today's office-call fees, and assuming 1 would have doubled my practice once in 25 years, it would equate to a million dollar practice today. I was happy and Dad was pleased with what I was accomplishing. TAC: Why did you move from such a successful practice into the seminars? KP: 1 loved practice. I really felt I was rendering a great service to my patients. On the other hand, the seminars are a part of me, my father wanted me and needed me, and I had caught his vision, years before, that I could serve more people more by serving the doctors who serve the people. As my dad said, it was naturally right that I continue what he had started. TAC: It sounds as if you and your father were planning all along for you to come into the family seminar business. KP: Yes, that's true. I adopted my father's vision for a more successful chiropractic profession during my first month in chiropractic college, almost 35 years ago. I still hold that vision as my life's mission. You may be interested in knowing that I believe it was my father's Innate abilities that got me into the family seminars years earlier than I had anticipated, if you think your readers may be interested in that story? TAC: Yes. Tell us. KP: I was visiting Dad over the Christmas holidays in "75, and we sat up and talked chiropractic until 5 in the morning. I was pleased to report to Dad that I felt I would be physically, mentally and financially prepared to put my practice up for sale in a year or so and move to Fort Worth to work with him. After I described to him all the factors involved for that to happen he said, "Keep your consciousness open to things' happening much faster than you plan." I said my usual, "Yes Sir." Within a month, everything fell into place, including a buyer for my practice, and I was moved and working full time in the Parker Foundation only five months later: debt-free, money in the bank and an outside income from the sale of my practice and rental property. TAC: How large were the seminars when you began full time? KP: Coincidentally, the year I arrived and the following year, '76 and '77, were bumper years and we grew about 40% each year. The seminars suddenly went from hundreds to thousands of attendees. Doctors came from everywhere around the globe. Dad had worked hard for 25 years laying the foundation for that to happen. We broke the 5,000 barrier' in Madison Square Garden in New York in the mid-eighties, and then several more times in Las Vegas after that. The crowning achievement was the 300th seminar in Las Vegas in '89 when Dad set us a goal for 7,777 attendees and, as history records it, we hit 8,383. TAC: How did your involvement in the seminars change when your father started the Parker College? KP: Dad set up the college on paper in 1980. He opened the school in '82. After going through two presidents-Dad was a tough man to please-he became its third president in '87, and moved to Dallas to head the school himself. He left me to oversee to the day-to-day operation of the seminars and the supply company, which had grown to be the world's largest supplier of chiropractic supplies. TAC: How long did you serve in that capacity? . • . . KP: Until '96, when I was asked to be President of Parker College after my father was removed from that position. I still oversaw the seminars, generally, while I was President of the college. ' ; TAC: Mind if I ask how your father felt about your taking over his position as President of the college? KP: Well, as you and everybody else knows, Dad was not a bit happy with being removed as President. But I know he foresaw the possibility, because he called me from his suite at the seminar hotel two days before he was removed. He was whispering into the phone so others in the room with him could not hear. He told me that, if I was asked to be the president of the college, to be sure to say, "Absolutely." 1 laughed, saying, "Yes. Dad. 1 know what I'm supposed to do." I received a midnight phone call the next day from the chairman of the board offering me the position. You see, the seminars had become a part of the college through several years of a tangled legal matter, and Dad and 1 knew that one of us had to be at the head of the college to protect and continue the mission of the seminars. Even before the seminars became entangled with the college, it was pretty well understood that my father wanted me to succeed him. It was just a shame that it all happened the way it did. My personal relationship with Dad was essentially the same during this time, even though we were pitted against each other a few times. We got through it fine. I loved my father very much, and I know he loved me. TAC: When, and under what circumstances, did you leave the college as President? KP: I was "relieved of my duties Continued on page 32... ...from page 30 without cause", I believe was the correct legal term, on the eve of the September seminar in '98. TAC: Well, what can you tell us about the circumstances of your father's being "removed" and your being "relieved", as you said? KP: I could write a book on the tragedies and travesties that have befallen the Parker world and its ill-effect upon our profession. But that's looking back, and, at least at this point in time, I choose not to air this adverse situation publicly. I would like only to discuss where we are going from here. TAC: OK, then, what are you doing from here? KP: The Parker family and I have. joined together to create a new seminar experience to continue the spirit and intent of my father's and my life's missions. I believe that chiropractic is in a state of need for greater individual success, as much as it was back in the '50's when my father arrived to fill that need. I feel there are probably as many doctors that are not reaping anywhere near the satisfactory rewards they should be for the great service they have been taught to render; and that there are as many not making it in practice at all as there were when Dad came on the scene. Just consider the stats that show our profession is still caring for the same number of people as years ago, yet we have many more doctors practicing. Our team family has also joined us in this quest. TAC: What do you mean by "team family"? KP: These are about 55 of our previous team members and a couple of new folks who have stepped forward to support this new beginning. They all wanted to continue with me in fulfilling my father's mission and dreams and volunteered to do so. These are dedicated instructors and workers, many of whom are well known in the profession, who gave up a lot to help get this new seminar going, and are still giving their all in time and expense to see to it that we are successful in our mission. When you see a name on our program, you know that person is there for the right reason, to serve chiropractic. I'll vouch for that, as I know of the sacrifices each has made to be there. They are all volunteers, coming at their own expense, just to serve. Even our guest speakers come for no honorarium for they, too, have gotten caught up in the spirit of service to chiropractic through our new seminars. Also, many chiropractic vendors have stepped forward to help support us and are sticking with us as our numbers grow. Our outreach is even touching a few celebrities such as Sinbad, who says he'll make an appearance once his schedule permits it, as well as Emmitt Smith and Daryl Johnson of the Dallas cowboys, Randy Travis, Jon Voight and others. TAC: Well, how well has it been going so far? ,. KP: "Tremendous," as this profession's dear friend and one of our favorite „ , ,o _______________Continued on page 42... ...from page 32 speakers, Charlie Jones, always says. Even though I am personally disappointed in the total number we have served so far, I could not have asked for any more regarding the level of enthusiasm, the joy of the attendees and the spirit of the seminar. Everyone says we are doing excellently, as we had almost 500 attendees at our first seminar with only three months of preparation time starting from scratch. We had almost 300 the second time, and we had well over 300 the third time. We expect our first seminar in 2,000 to bust open the numbers. Our goal is to be serving at least 4,000 a year by the end of the new millenium year. TAC: I understand you are being legally restrained from using your father's name and picture and even his words. KP: Well, that is true. The college filed legal action against me for using Dad's name and picture in an ad. So now, I can't even display a photo of my father at our seminars or say my father's name in public. TAC: How does that make you feel? KP: I don't let it bother me. It is just a shame I can't openly honor my father. The family should be the ones to carry on his name and traditions in seminars. I do not believe anybody else has that moral right. That was Dad's wish for us. I certainly do not believe that an academic institution can carry on the true spirit of the seminars, especially without a Parker at its head. I do believe that the right president, with proper support, could carry on the college's traditional spirit of my father, but not the seminars. I would like to help the college, which I understand has had major reductions in enrollment; but we are at such odds with each other over the seminars and the method of operation of the college, that it is out of the question right now. TAC: Well, what are you teaching at your seminars since you can't use anything of your father's? KP: All new stuff! It was time for a fresh new approach anyway. I had been wanting to present a totally updated new program with updated information from many of the team members to be introduced to kick off the new millenium in Las Vegas in 2000. This situation has hastened the process and it is available now. We include essential elements that make it more valuable, especially in this new arena of managed care; more emphasis on cash practice; the difference in collection methods today and marketing, too, is very different, especially when you consider the growth of the internet. The principles and spirit which cannot be copyrighted, continue on, being re-languaged in an updated format. The Sharing Team of instructors are, for the most part, active practitioners who share the latest methods of bringing success in the practice that they use everyday. My approach is one I call MasterMind Management. The tremendous camaraderie and masterminding of the Sharing Team and the attendees at our seminar results in everyone's being Continued on ptige 50... ...from page 42 better able to tap into his/her own personal Innate resources to a greater extent, plus everyone shares his/her experience and knowledge with each other in and out of the classroom, so they all go home with the inspiration and motivation to serve more, as well as with the tools and ideas to implement on Monday morning to make a practice grow. The most exciting thing we are accomplishing is that people are reporting healings, of themselves as well as of patients, that haven't happened before. TAC: Why would a DC and staff want to take one of your seminars? KP: Because we have answers to stimulate practice growth and an exciting attitude to serve the profession that moves people to take action. We have collected together a team of DCs and CAs that are knowledgeable and experienced and deeply desire to see all chiropractic practices flourish. The program is expansive with many choices to fill almost everyone's needs. And besides all that, it's guaranteed. TAC: Are your seminars of value to someone who has been to a Parker Seminar in the past? KP: I think they are even more impactful for a person who has been before. Our seminars today have greater camaraderie than I believe I have ever seen before. Those that used to come regularly, because of what we call the "magic", will find it, in greater abundance than ever before. We also appreciate the returning folks, for they add to the collective mastermind of the group to help each other. Of course, since everything is new and updated, there are always plenty of practice tips for everyone. - TAC: What do you think the DC today needs to do to be more successful in practice? KP: There are many specific things to do; that's what our seminar provides. Generally, as a result of what I've gleanned in 35 years of working closely with my father, the keys to success are the same today as they were when both he and I began our study of practice success for DCs. It primarily has to do with conscientiously developing the compassion for your patients that moves you to care for them just as you would a member of your own family you love deeply. I know doctors who lovingly care for patients in two minute office visits, get great results ana nave sona reier-ral practices. I know others who spend 10-to-15 minutes with each patient, love practicing and do over $50,000 a month in service to patients in solo practices. It truly is not the amount of time you spend on a patient, or what you say, or what technique you use; it is the level of compassion you hold for each patient that makes everything else we do really work. I hear, all too often, about the apathy that is rampant in chiropractic. The only way we can let apathy become a part of our lives as chiropractors is to lose sight of the benefits our patients are receiving from our adjustments. As we stay focused on our real goal to get sick people well and help them stay that way and do it for the right reason, the fires of passion for practice and chiropractic will always burn brightly. Apathy cannot exist in that environment. And when passion and purpose are high, all the success tools available will work and work well to manifest consistent growth. TAC: Any last comments you would like to make to our readers? KP: Only this, if things are tough, don't quit; don't give up. Remember that you can do what anyone else has done. All you need is the inspiration and information to do it. Those resources are right next door. Your chiropractic colleagues are a wealth of knowledge and encouragement. This profession needs more open communication and masterminding of our resources. We can still not only survive, but flourish, even with all our infighting over who has the best technique, organization, or principles, as long as we can find just one common flagpole to rally around. And that is the desire to see humankind get well and stay well under chiropractic care, coupled with our willingness to assist our fellow colleagues not only to survive, but to be successful in practice, so they can help us move toward our ultimate goal! TAC: Thank you, Dr. Karl. KP: Thank you and thank you to The American Chiropractor for your many years of excellent service to our profession. I also applaud the magazine and you, personally, for the interesting and informative editorials we've seen. Keep it up! ♦ Dr. Karl Parker Dr. Parker with his father Dr. Jim Parker after Dr. Karl presented a 50 year tribute and historical presentation for his father in January of '97. Dr. Karl with the "BACS", a mastermind group he was a part of in practice, all of whom came to the seminar to support its kickoff. The BACS are pictured with Dr. Shelby Elliott, president of Texas Chiropractic College and Karl Parker Seminar participants.
