CONSENSUS Some background information on Dr. Padgett: Born in Syracuse, New York, and a resident of Romulus, Dr. Padgett began his chiropractic practice in the village of Waterloo in 1954. In 1951. he had graduated from Lincoln College of Chiropractic, Indiana. From that time to the present, Dr. Padgett's rise in prominence within the profession has been marked by a keen dedication to serve. Involved with numerous political, civic, fraternal and professional organizations, he has been honored on many occasions for his deep commitment to his profession and community. Dr. Padgett has contributed generously in his sen>ice as President to a number of professional organizations including American Chiropractic Association (1983-1985), New York State Chiropractic Association (1971-1973) and Council of Delegates of American Chiropractic Association (1980-1982). In 1974, he was honored by being appointed Chairman of the Legislative Commission of American Chiropractic Association. He served in that capacity until 1986. He has also served as Vice President of AC A and New York State Chiropractic Association. In September 1989, Dr. Padgett was elected President of New York Chiropractic College, by a unanimous vote of the Board of Trustees, and served in that capacity until September 2000. Dr. Padgett was appointed by New York State Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller as Director of the State Environmental Facilities Corporation and later, by Governor Malcolm Wilson, as a member of the New York State Parks Recreational Advisory Committee. For 12 years, he was Chairman of the Seneca County Republican Committee, and was a delegate to the 1976 Republican National Convention at Kansas City, Kansas. Dr. Padgett currently serves as the President of the Association of Chiropractic Colleges. Over the pa.M lew months, the hot topics of discussion in chiropractic have been unity and legislation-more specifically, as they relate to the VA Inclusion Bill and the need to present a united front as a profession, in order to progress. Unless you've been living under a rock somewhere, you're familiar with the news and gossip that has been bandied about as a result of the actions taken by the various chiropractic associations in an attempt to include chiropractic care in the veterans' health care benefits plan. Familiar to you already, the ACA and ICA have been working with congress for many years on this issue. This interview piece with Dr. Padgett, of the ACC, and Dr. Rondberg of the WCA, is designed to give you further insight into the people and entities whose actions influence our success (or lack thereof) in chiropractic legislation. In an interview with The American Chiropractor (TAC:), Dr. Kenneth W. Padgett (KWP:) talks about the ACC and its positions in chiropractic legislation. TAC: Dr. Padgett, give us some background information about the ACC. KWP: In the late 1980"s. the Association of" Chiropractic Colleges. Inc., (ACC) was organized under IRS. provision 501 (c)(6) to promote chiropractic education, research and the profession. ACC is the successor organization to the Association of Chiropractic College Presidents. The ACC"s office is located in Bethesda. Maryland, a suburb of Washington, D.C. David S. O'Bryon is the Executive Director. The ACC board is composed of presidents of each member institution. The seventeen member institutions (who currently represent over 14.000 students and 57,000 alumni) are required to maintain accredited status with the Council on Chiropractic Education pursuant to authority vested by the United States Department of Education. Institutions that reside outside the United States must be accredited by CCE-equivalent accrediting bodies. Among others, issues handled by the Association of Chiropractic Colleges include those involving the United States Department of Education, professional employment trends, chiropractic research and general promotion of the profession. TAC: Recently the ACC joined the ACA and the ICA in a mutual legislative effort regarding chiropractic. Can you explain how your associations came together for this cause? KWP: The ACC is interested in promoting proactive chiropractic legislation that would increase and mandate chiropractic care for such entities as the Department of Defense, Department of Veterans Affairs and parity in the student loan process among others. To the knowledge of Continued on Page 38 ...from Paffc J4 the ACC, only the ACA and the ICA have had a significant legislative presence regarding chiropractic in our nation's Capitol. The ACC serves to protect the students that are enrolled within its member institutions. The ACC seeks to facilitate future job opportunities that may be available in various federal programs, and provide for legislative parity in the student loan repayment process, as it relates to the health care professions. The ACC has been deeply interested in establishing the Center for Chiropractic Research, which is housed on the campus of Palmer College-Davenport. The Center tor Chiropractic Research is an opportunity for all ACC institutions and the chiropractic profession to provide a research venue that is designated for the chiropractic profession. ; The ACC, ACA and ICA all work j together to advance legislation that | enhances the profession. All three | groups recognize the Council on | Chiropractic Education as the official accrediting body and, consequently, they have all endorsed both the ACC's paradigm and scope of practice position papers that were signed by all 17 college presidents. The position papers were also endorsed by COCSA (an organization representing all state associations) and the National Association of Chiropractic Attorneys. TAC: Do you see the ACC working together with or against other chiropractic associations, such as the WC A? KWP: The ACCs design is to work proactively for the chiropractic profession and for its members, and to serve and protect the students that have matriculated within our member institutions. Annually, we have the only educational symposium that gathers all chiropractic educators under one umbrella lor the purpose of expressing chiropractic research and development and exchange of academic ideas within the various 19 divisions of a chiropractic college. TAC: What common parameters do you feel your organizations share? KWP: I do not feel that I am in a position to comment on the WCA. as our missions are entirely different, and I certainly have very little knowledge of the WCA. TAC: In what areas do you perceive that you are completely and hopelessly divided? KWP: The ACC is an educational organization representing all of the accredited colleges throughout the United States and North America. Our spheres of influence are simply ACC Position on Chiropractic Chiropractic is a health care discipline, which emphasizes the inherent recuperative power of the body to heal itself without the use of drugs or surgery. The practice of chiropractic focuses on the relationship between structure (primarily the spine) and function (as coordinated by the nervous system) and how that relationship affects the preservation and restoration of health. In addition, Doctors of Chiropractic recognize the value and responsibility of working in cooperation with other health care practitioners, when in the best interest of the patient. The Association of Chiropractic Colleges continues to foster a unique, distinct chiropractic profession that serves as a health care discipline for all. The ACC advocates a profession that generates, develops, and utilizes the highest level of evidence possible in the provision of effective, prudent, and cost-conscious patient evaluation and care. The Chiropractic Paradigm PURPOSE: The purpose of chiropractic is to optimize health. PRINCIPLE: The body's innate recuperative power is affected by and integrated through the nervous system. PRACTICE: The practice of chiropractic includes: ' s establishing a diagnosis-, facilitating neurological and biomechanical integrity through appro priate chiropractic case management; and • promoting health. FOUNDATION The foundation of chiropractic includes philosophy, science, art, knowledge, and clinical experience. IMPACTS The chiropractic paradigm directly influences the following: education; research; health care policy and leadership; relationships with other health care providers; professional stature; public awareness and perceptions; and patient health through quality care. The Subluxation Chiropractic is concerned with the preservation and restoration of health, and focuses particular attention on the subluxation. A subluxation is a complex of functional and/or structural and/or pathological articular changes that compromise neural integrity and may influence organ system function and general health. A subluxation is evaluated, diagnosed, and managed through the use of chiropractic procedures based on the best available rational and empirical evidence. not on the same plane. The ACC stands ready to work with any organization whose mission and efforts advance the chiropractic profession and the constituencies it serves. 1 remain unclear about WCA's position and, therefore, should not comment upon likely areas of shared or differing interests. To date, however, I have not been particularly impressed with its methods. As educational institutions, we are concerned with advancing educational excellence in the field of chiropractic. TAC: Do you foresee the possibility of the ACC's lobbying with the WCA in the future? KWP: The ACC develops a governmental relations philosophy, based upon what is best for the educational chiropractic community, If the WCA were to support a constructive position, and deal with people ethically and in good faith; if it were to recognize and not impinge upon other chiropractors' abilities to practice as their respective state laws allow; and. if its membership numbers (is there a membership list available?) proved significant, it would be imprudent to overlook any assistance they might provide. TAC: Is the ACC currently funding any lobbying efforts, either in Washington or among the various states? KWP: The ACC has a governmental relations firm that consults with the association as it relates to educational matters in our nation's Capitol. ACC's Executive Director. David O'Bryon, who formciiy worked for Congress, also assists. TAC: Recently the ACC, the ACA, the ICA and the WCA gained much attention for their actions involving chiropractic and the VA Inclusion Bill. The ACA, ICA, and the WCA have been very vocal about their respective "takes" on what happened. Can you explain exactly what happened from the ACC's perspective, and why? KWP: There were two separate events to which you may be referring. In the spring of 2000, there was a meeting at the VA, at which the ACC presented its educational paradigm to the Department of Veterans Affairs. Our association directly testified on the educational standards of the chiropractic profession. In the fall of 2000, as President of the ACC, I participated in the negotiations with the United States House Veterans Affairs Committee, when Congress asked the national representatives of the profession to participate in discussions. Representatives of the ACC. the ACA and the ICA were in attendance. We made a joint decision that the Congressional staff recommendations were inadequate. Throughout negotiations over the Veterans Administration Inclusion Bill. I felt the WCA was advocating a position that set the entire chiropractic profession two steps back. Dr. Rond-berg. of the WCA. issued a letter to the United States House Veterans Affairs Chiropractic Group Leaders Meet On December 2, 2000, the representatives of the American Chiropractic Association, the International Chiropractors Association, and the Association of Chiropractic Colleges met to discuss legislative efforts during the upcoming year. At the meeting, the legislative committee members agreed to jointly support legislation to provide for chiropractic care for the nation's veterans, which would include language that mirrored the newly passed Department of Defense statutory language, calling for services that "at a minimum, would include neuro-musculoskeletal conditions."' A working group will advance this effort. In addition, the groups reconfirmed their support of the ACC's paradigm and position papers on chiropractic. The task force also called upon doctors of chiropractic and patients to identify individuals active in veterans groups that may be able to advance this legislation. A task force on Medicare was formed, to review the various issues that can be j resolved by statute. Signatories: Jim Mertz, D. C. American Chiropractic Association Michael McLean, D. C. International Chiropractors Association Kenneth Padgett, D. C. Association of Chiropractic Colleges Committee claiming that "...thousands of licensed capable doctors of chiropractic would be virtually barred from providing subluxation-based services through the VA system." His statement was both imprudent and misleading. Had he done his homework. Dr. Rondberg would have recognized that united support of ACC's position papers, as adopted by the ACC. the j ACA and the ICA, would ultimately j have swung open the doors of Veteran's j Administration hospitals to chiroprac- I tic care. TAC: What is the ACC's position for chiropractors in the VA Inclusion Bill? KWP: Using ACC's position papers as a base, we support the full availability of chiropractic services to our nation's veterans. We support a chiropractic department within the Veterans Administration. TAC: Apparently, this matter will be revisited when Congress reconvenes in January. Can you tell us what is happening in preparation for achieving a different outcome at that time? KWP: Early in 2000, the Department of Veterans Affairs issued a new position paper on chiropractic care that was considered inadequate by Members of Congress, who had asked the VA to expand chiropractic services. The Congressional hearing on October 3, 2000, was a response to the Congress' desire to provide veterans with chiropractic care. Congress called upon the profession's leaders to testify. ACC, ACA and ICA were called by Congress and responded with a unified statement during their panel presentation. This hearing came at the end of the Congressional session, and we will continue to support such efforts for the profession. The ACC's interest is to see that the Department of Veterans Affairs understands and has a clear knowledge and vision of the contemporary standards of how a doctor of chiropractic is educated. The standards of accreditation are met by member institutions. TAC: Is there anything else you'd like to tell our readers? Advice you'd like to give to the practicing doctor of chiropractic? KWP: We appreciate the opportunity to provide this information to your readers. Accurate information is very important to all of us. Dr. Kenneth Padgett may be reached through the Chancellor's office at New York Chiropractic College at (315) 568-3030. o Editor's note: TAC invites your feedback on this article. Be sure to fill out our Fax Back Survey on page 5, and fax or snail mail to us (see our contact info on page 4). Or now you may Jill it out online at: nun .amchiropractor.com * Photos from: lit tp://veterans.house.gov/hearings/sc hedulel06/oct()0/10-3-00/news. htm ACC Chiropractic Scope and Practice DEFINING CHIROPRACTIC SCOPE Since human function is neurologically integrated, Doctors of Chiropractic evaluate and facilitate biomechanical and neuro-biological function and integrity through the use of appropriate conservative, diagnostic and chiropractic care procedures. Therefore, direct access to chiropractic care is integral to everyone's health care regimen. DEFINING CHIROPRACTIC PRACTICE A. DIAGNOSTIC Doctors of Chiropractic, as primary contact health care providers, employ the education, knowledge, diagnostic skill, and clinical judgment necessary to determine appropriate chiropractic care and management. Doctors of Chiropractic have access to diagnostic procedures and /or referral resources as required. B. CASE MANAGEMENT Doctors of Chiropractic establish a doctor/patient relationship and utilize adjustive and other clinical procedures unique to the chiropractic discipline. Doctors of Chiropractic may also use other conservative patient care procedures, and, when appropriate, collaborate with and/or refer to other health care providers. C. HEALTH PROMOTION Doctors of Chiropractic advise and educate patients and communities in structural and spinal hygiene and healthful living practices. www.chirocolleges.org/Scope.htm In an interview with The American Chiropractor (TAC:), Dr.Terry A. Rondberg (TAR:) talks about the WCA, and its position in Chiropractic Legislation. TAC: Please tell us the purpose, direction, and goals of the WCA. TAR: The World Chiropractic Alliance (WCA) was founded in 1989 as a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting and strengthening chiropractic around the world. It serves as a "watchdog" and advocacy organization, with emphasis on education and political action. We passionately defend the rights of subluxation-based doctors and stand up against those who attempt to corrupt chiropractic by denying its philosophical and vitalistic foundations. TAC: Do you see yourself and your organization working together with or against the other chiropractic associations such as the ACA and ICA? TAR: The World Chiropractic Alliance has always been willing to work with the ACA, ICA and other chiropractic organizations, on those issues where we can agree. However, we will not compromise chiropractic principles in order to create a sense of false harmony or to win "acceptance" by any other organization or profession. We want to work toward unified action, but, if necessary, are willing to stand alone in such important matters as opposing the World Federation of Chiropractic (WFC), or demanding recognition of chiropractic as a unique, subluxation-based health care discipline. We have stated, again and again, that we are interested in working with the other groups. Unfortunately, until now, they have excluded us whenever possible. I think they realize that is impossible now, and, therefore, we might be able to make real progress. TAC: What common parameters do you feel your organizations share? TAR: That's difficult to say, since the stated principles of some organizations are not always congruent with their actions. For example, the ACC document is completely embraced by the WCA, and was the entire basis of Section 2 of the WCA VA Position Paper. At one of the VA meetings, the WCA and the ICA fought for the recognition and inclusion of the Association of Chiropractic Colleges Position Paper No. 1. The ACC did not even mention any of their own stated principles, let alone fight for the inclusion of their own document. I would like to believe we all share a sincere desire to promote chiropractic as a unique, drug-free, and non-invasive form of health care, centered on the detection and correction of vertebral subluxation, as stated in the ACC Position Paper No. 1. This entails safeguarding the Some background information on Dr. Rondberg: Dr. Terry Rondberg is a prominent leader in the chiropractic profession. After graduating from Logan College of Chiropractic in 1974, he began his private practice, helping thousands of patients from offices in St. Louis and Phoenix. In 1986, he founded The Chiropractic Journal, a successful, widely read international monthly newspaper focusing on public information and political action concerning chiropractic. In 1989, Dr. Rondberg founded the World Chiropractic Alliance (WCA), a non-profit "watchdog" organization which has led the movement to protect consumers' rights to name chiropractic as their first choice in health care. In 1998, the WCA was recognized as a Non Governmental Organization (NGO) by the United Nations and approved for association with the Department of Information of the UN'. Dr. Rondberg founded Chiropractic Benefit Sendees, as yet another way to provide much needed sen'ices to subluxation-based chiropractors around the world. Dr. Rondberg puts his communication skills to full use as a speaker at chiropractic conventions and seminars, on college campuses, and at a variety of other chiropractic events. He has also appeared on numerous radio and television shows, and is the author of a number of books on chiropractic for both professional and lay audiences, including Chiropractic First. Under the Influence of Modern Medicine, the CBS Malpractice Prevention Program, and Chiropractic: Compassion and Expectation. In addition to The Chiropractic Journal, he publishes the Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research, a scientific peer-reviewed journal, and the weekly online newsletter Health Watch. Dr. Rondberg serves as the President of the World Chiropractic Alliance. uniquely chiropractic terminology and respect for our historical foundations. I would also hope that all organizations unconditionally respect the right of each doctor to practice in harmony with his or her own chiropractic philosophy, whether this means focusing solely on subluxation correction or incorporating complementary therapies. TAC: In what areas do you feel you are completely at odds? TAR: Our strong position on chiropractic as a unique, non-medical, sub-luxation-based health care system has frequently put us in direct opposition to those groups promoting chiropractic as a medical therapy for neuromuscu-loskeletal conditions or other medical diseases or conditions. Chiropractic is not a form of treatment, and it is self-destructive to present it as such— whether to justify an insurance claim or to win the approval of the medical profession. Normally, this philosophical difference manifests itself in actions which can directly affect the profession. For instance, the World Chiropractic Alliance opposes the World Federation of Chiropractic, because it has shown itself to be clearly opposed to the use of the terms sub-luxation, or the correction of vertebral subluxation as the basis of chiropractic. Its leaders have repeatedly made statements ridiculing the concept of subluxation correction, yet they continue in their attempts to regulate chiropractic throughout the world, while lacking any authority to do so. Other organizations and chiropractic colleges pay large amounts of money to belong to this group, thereby providing it with both financial support and credibility. This incongruency is one area in which we are completely at odds with the other groups. Another area is federal legislation. Other organizations have supported legislation, such as the recent provision in the VA bill, which would limit chiropractic to the treatment of musculoskeletal conditions and which do not even mention subluxation correction as an element of chiropractic care. We oppose such legislation. TAC: Do you see the possibility for the WCA of joint lobbying with the ACA, ICA, etc? TAR: Yes. definitely. In fact, we have developed a very specific Legislative Policy Statement, which sets out clearly our minimum requirements for any chiropractic legislation. There are just five points we feel are absolutely mandatory: Explicit inclusion of chiropractic for the detection, correction and management of vertebral subluxa- tion; Recognition of vertebral subluxa- tion as a reason for chiropractic care: Exclusion of drugs and surgery or any mandate for medical diagno sis; Direct access to chiropractic care, without referral by any other provider; and Participation in covered programs open to any willing licensed chi ropractor. It's hard to understand why any chiropractic organization would have a problem with making sure that chiropractic legislation excludes drugs, provides for direct access, or includes subluxation correction. Keep in mind that the World Chiropractic Alliance doesn't want to exclude any therapies legally performed by chiropractors. We will not oppose the inclusion of additional provisions, once these minimal requirements are met. I would welcome the opportunity to have all chiropractic organizations present a unified front to the legislature. We would need to come together to develop appropriate language, then work in harmony to lobby for its passage. TAC: Is the WCA funding any political actions either in Washington or in the various states? TAR: We have a professional lobbyist and a WCA office in Washington D.C., and we constantly monitor the Senate and House of Representatives for chiropractic-related legislation. Through our International Board of Governors, we also are kept up-to-date on political actions on the state and international levels, and will lend our assistance whenever help is requested or needed. Right now, for example, we are developing input into the Department of Defense chiropractic implementation procedures here in the U.S., and assisting our affiliated organization in Israel to earn licensure status there. TAC: Recently the WCA achieved notoriety for its actions involving chiropractic and the VA Inclusion Bill. Can you explain exactly what happened and why? TAR: This is a very involved situation, but I'll try to summarize it here. Complete information is available at the WCA website (www.worldchiro-practicalliance.org/tcj/2000/nov/nov20 OOa.htm). Let me give a bit of background first. In February 2000, representatives from various chiropractic organizations—including the WCA, ACA, ICA, and ACC—met with officials of the Veterans Health Administration to assist in the development of its chiropractic utilization policy. At that time, the WCA filed a position paper with the VA, explaining chiropractic as a unique service focused on the detection and correction of vertebral sublux-ation. In contrast, the ACA submitted a report to the VA stating that chiropractic is "a branch of the healing arts that is concerned with human health and disease processes." The 50-page ACA report referred repeatedly to chiropractic's role in treating low back pain, but never once used "vertebral subluxation." This was of great concern to the WCA and to doctors around the world. The ACA, ICA and ACC representatives got together—without any input from the WCA—and drafted legislative language, which they submitted as a provision to the VA bill. The provision contained some positive elements, such as allowing for full and direct access to chiropractic. However, it also stated that chiropractic was to be made available "for neuromusculoskeletal conditions typical of those affecting all age groups within the eligible veterans population.... " Again, as in the ACA report, there was no mention of chiropractic for subluxation correction. Legal and legislative experts agreed that, given the medical opposition to chiropractic inclusion, the provision would probably be interpreted as allowing chiropractic care ONLY for neuromuscu-loskeletal conditions. Since medical doctors are also available for those services, chiropractors would effectively be excluded from the system, since there was no provision for our unique I role. Although the World Chiropractic j Alliance very much wants to have I DCs in the VA health care system, we | realized that this method of getting our i foot in the door would not guarantee a i meaningful role for chiropractic. We I sent written testimony to the House | Committee explaining our concerns, j We also posted the information on our j website and asked doctors who agreed j with us to contact their Representa- J tives and Senators. They did so, in | great numbers, and, according to our I lobbyist in Washington, the House j committee members—faced with disagreement among chiropractors themselves—chose to pull the provision. Unfortunately, the ACA reacted vehemently and immediately began sending out press releases denouncing the World Chiropractic Alliance, calling it a "fringe group." and accusing it of working with the medical and physical therapy lobbyists. This is totally untrue. We understand why the ACA and other supporters of the provision were disappointed by their failure, but it is not productive to try to blame a scapegoat. The truth is, the profession did not agree about the wording of the provision and made sure its opinion was heard. Isn't that what democracy is about? I think this issue provided a valuable opportunity for all organizations to learn firsthand what field doctors really want, and to see the influence they can have when informed of what's going on in Washington. When the chiropractic profession resubmits the VA provision—or when we face other similar situations, as we will very soon with the Department of Defense—I hope all organizations can work together to develop legislative language, which will be accepted by the profession as a whole. Only then, can we be sure that we will have sue- cess in Washington and end this chiropractic gridlock. TAC: Dr. Rondberg, your critics address with concern two specific-areas regarding your association: 1. The WCA's membership totals, which, it has been stated, the WCA has never revealed to Washington; and, 2. The fact that your position as President of the WCA is a self-appointed position, rather than by election of your members, as with most other associations. How do you respond to these two concerns? TAR: I have never understood why everyone focuses so much on membership numbers. Obviously, we aren't the largest group, but their is no organization that represents a majority of chiropractic. The ACA and the ICA combined represent less than one-fourth of the licensed doctors in the United States. Rather than concentrate on membership, let's consider the WCA's accomplishments: We have been highly successful in legislative lobbying efforts on the federal and state levels. One of our seven WCA executive board members was the only chi- ; ropractor chosen to serve on the | White House Commission on j Complementary and Alternative | Medicine by the President of the j United States. The ACA has [ already extended an invitation to j this same distinguished WCA j Board Member. Dr.Veronica Gutierrez, to address their ACA Board of Governors. WCA remains the only chiroprac tic organization in the world invit ed to serve as an associated NGO (non-governmental organization) with the United Nations Depart ment of Public Information. The WCA gave the first and only chi ropractic presentation to the Inter national NGO Conference in Korea. WCA board member. Dr. Christopher Kent, is serving as our main representative to the United Nations DPI, and has been elected to serve as treasurer of another NGO Health Committee. The WCA is in the process of developing a working relationship with the World Health Organization (WHO) and has already held discussions with WHO officials in Geneva about future chiropractic projects concerning model chiropractic laws and chiropractic guidelines throughout the world. We helped fund the development and distribution of the Council on Chiropractic Practice (CCP) Guidelines, so that doctors would not be held hostage to the dictates of the Mercy document. We are currently funding a research project to investigate the impact of vertebral subluxation on the immune system. The WCA maintains a website completely free of advertising, which provides news to the profession, as well as consumer information to millions of potential chiropractic patients. We have published three patient education books on chiropractic (two of which are distributed free on our website); and. Continued on Page 44 ...from 1'difc 37 • The WCA publishes the Journal of Vertebral Suhlu.xation Research (JVSR), the only scientific, peer-reviewed, subluxation-based chiropractic journal that focuses exclusively on vertebral subluxa-tion. If we can do all this with a relatively small number ol members, imagine what we'll be able to do as we continue to grow! Perhaps the question we need to ask is not how many members we have, but why other organizations—with many more members and, therefore, much more revenue— haven't accomplished as much. In response to your question about my "self-appointed" position as president—yes, it's true that, when I started WCA. I took on the role of president without being "elected" by anyone. That's because there wasn't anyone around to elect me. I started the WCA with my own money and have continued to finance nearly all its activities, including lobbying and public relations. I was upfront about the structure of the WCA, and asked doctors to join ONLY if they trusted me to take whatever action was needed to protect subluxation-based chiropractic. The alternative was another top-heavy organization, stymied at every turn by infighting, political maneuvering, and bureaucratic red tape. The doctors who joined WCA thought it was time to try an ■■unconventional" organization, with leaders who were more interested in getting things done than in campaigning for elected office and jockeying for position. I would like to point out that when the Clevelands, Palmers and Life Colleges began, their presidents and founders established boards, and many of these presidents continue to serve their schools. The only difference between them and me is that I have never drawn a salary for my work and, in fact, have financially supported many of the WCA activities for years. I continue to donate all of my time and a great deal ol money to the WCA, as needed. I will never accept any monetary gain from the WCA organization, or profit from my efforts on behalf of the WCA. I will continue to serve as the president of the organization, as long as the board of directors have confidence in my ability. And. as long as this benefits the doctors, the profession and the patients we all serve. The WCA is, indeed, a labor of love for me and my family, and it has been one way of giving back to the profession. Now that the WCA has grown to the point that it is almost self-sufficient financially. I have turned to other leaders in the subluxation-based chiropractic community and asked them to join me. Our current Board of Directors includes Drs. Fred Barge. Christopher Kent, Patrick Gentempo, and Veronica Gutierrez, as well as my wife Cindy Rondberg. and my son-in-law Timothy Feuling. who also serves as the vice president of Chiropractic Benefit Services. Upon the end of their terms, all Board positions—including that of the President—will be filled by a vote of the rest of the Board members. In addition, we have an International Board of Governors made up of doctors around the world, and headed by Dr. Stuart Warner. One reason our members don't object to the way the WCA works is that they know their voice counts. We listen to them, solicit their input, and take swift action to help them when they need it. They are the only ones who are in a position to judge whether or not the WCA structure is "proper": and they vote with their membership dues. So far. it's been working, since we are growing steadily. Of course, if other organizations object to the WCA's administrative procedures, they are free to formulate their own. That way, doctors can have a chance to choose whichever organizations they feel are most effective. TAC: Is there anything else you'd like to tell our readers? Advice you'd like tu give to the practicing doctor of chiropractic? TAR: Yes, there is. and I thank The American Chiropractor for giving me this opportunity to talk to the profession. I want to stress that chiropractic isn't alone in appearing "divided" on important issues. Every profession has internal conflicts. Medical doctors, lawyers, journalists-1—they are all made up of individuals who agree some of the time and disagree at others. That's the nature of the beast. Yet, these professions can and do engage in unified action on critical issues. It involves setting aside personal animosities and petty power struggles. It requires a willingness to do what's best for the profession as a whole, rather than what's expedient for the organization. Most of all. it calls for the active participation by all practitioners who have an interest in the process. Things are moving quickly in the chiropractic profession, and we face important decisions every day. Chiropractic organizations should not be forced—or. indeed allowed—to make those decisions without input from practicing doctors. That's why it's vital for all doctors of chiropractic to look at the statements and actions of each group and support those most closely aligned with their own principles. At the very least, they need to join that organization. If they can, they should volunteer or serve in that group. Last. I want to say to doctors...take back your power to run this profession, but use it wisely and compassionately. Be tolerant of other ways of thinking, and strive to protect all those who have chosen chiropractic as their vocation. Remember and respect our past, for only then can we be assured of a strong and enduring future. Dr. Terry Rondberg may be contacted through the WCA at 1-800-347-1011 or you may look up their website at: www.worldchiropracticalliaiwe.org O Editor's note: TAC invites your feedback on this article. Be sure to fill out our Fax Back Survey on page 5, and fax or snail mail to us (see our contact info on page 4). Or now you may fill it out online at: www.amchironractor.com
