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Mark Wade
DC Program Tri 7/10
University of Missouri Graduate
Foundation for Chiropractic Progress National Chair
Immediate Past Chirovoice.org National Chair
Student American Chiropractic Association
March 2, 2010
I just returned from the National Chiropractic Legislative Conference in Washington DC. There were over 400 students from across the country and a couple hundred Docs as well. We had a combined force of 96 students from the Cleveland campus'. 60 from LA and 36 from KC. This is an amazing feat considering there were 400 students total from 18 chiropractic colleges and Cleveland made up nearly one fourth of this presence.
Wed night was our opening ceremony where we heard speakers including the ACA presiden Dr. Rick McMichael, 1st Vice President of the World Federation of Chiropractic, a chiropractor who works in Geneva at the World Health Organization Molly Merri-Robinson, Foundation spokesperson General Becky Halstead, lobbying guru Dr. Permean, and many more.
Thurs started off with a general assembly of some important information and a couple presentation from current Congressmen in DC. Then all 400 students and 200+ docs hit capitol hill to lobby with their respective congressmen/women and senators on issues relating to health care, chiropractors in the VA, tricare and the medicare cuts.
This was followed by a reception with many of the congressmen and women joining the students and Dr's for some social drinks and finger foods.
Friday and sat were spent working hard to better our student and national organizations in business meetings, and specialty councils. Friday night was also the famous SACA Idol contest where 12 contestants each from a different chiropractic college sang karaoke for a grand prize of 2000 dollars. The winner of the entire contest was Cleveland KC's very own, Jessica Tallman a tri 2 student. This was a huge honor and great event enjoyed by all of the students and many of the doctors.
This NCLC was record breaking being the largest in history with many very influential speakers. It was enjoyed by all the students and thought of as a great networking opportunity but more importantly as an opportunity to speak face to face with your congressmen/women and voice your opinions in defense of our profession. I would encourage everyone to take advantage of this opportunity at some point in there schooling as NCLC occurs every February.
The Foundation for Chiropractic Progress was congratulated by every speaker for their work towards bettering our profession in everything they do. Every influential speaker took time to encourage every student and doctor to join the campaign and become a monthly contributor. The more support the Foundation has the better our profession will be as they continue to promote public awareness of the benefits and effectiveness of chiropractic through celebrity spokesperson, national advertising, and informative public service announcements. I hope each student and doctor of chiropractic will take the time to look into the Foundation and become a monthly contributor at whatever level they are able.
October 27, 2009
This past weekend I was honored to be on campus at Texas Chiropractic College in Houston, Texas to deliver a presentation on the Foundation for Chiropractic Progress to 75 current chiropractic student leaders from across the country.
The Leadership Conference hosted several amazing speakers consisting of the next World Federation of Chiropractic President, and current National SACA advisor Dr. Michael Flynn who spoke on no longer accepting apathy in our profession. That we all need to be responsible and give back whether by time involvement or donating monetarily to an organization so that they may influence the profession on our behalf.
Dr. Rick McMichael who is the newly elected American Chiropractic Association President spoke on being involved in our profession. He also presented on many of the current issues in the chiropractic profession.
Dr. Mary Beth Larsen 2 time Olympian, doctor of chiropractic and Standard Process representative gave an uplifting speech on persevering despite what challenges we face.
Colonel Mark Losack D.C. who was the Director of Humanitarian Operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and currently serves as one of the directing clinicians at Southern California University of Health Sciences spoke on the definition and qualities of a leader. His stories as a chiropractor in the military treating patients despite the constant persecution from the medical doctors made our daily struggles seem infantile.
Dr. Louis Sportelli has been president and officer of NCMIC Group, Inc., since 1995. He is past president (1998-2000) of the World Federation of Chiropractic (WFC). He also served as chairman of the board of the American Chiropractic Association (ACA) from 1989 to 1990. The amount of sacrifice this man has given for his profession inspired all of us to increase our effort to give back to our profession.
Dr. Richard Brassard is currently the Texas Chiropractic College President but previously was Vice President of the Council of Delegates in 1999, became President of that Council in August 2001, elected Vice President of the ACA in 2003 and elected President of the ACA in September 2005 and re-elected September 2006. Dr. Brassard completed his second term as ACA President in September 2007. His positive attitude and charisma was so refreshingly inspirational as he spoke through a huge smile about how proud he was that chiropractic students from across the country are coming together to work for a better tomorrow.
As amazing as all these speakers were, one stood above the crowd in terms of motivation, passion, and leadership. Mr. Bo Short, among his many activities, serves or has served in the following capacities:
American Leadership Foundation (President)
Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge (former Vice Chairman)
Boys & Girls Clubs of America Government Relations Advisory Committee (Member)
Leadership Training Center at Clemson University- (former Chairman, Executive Council)
KIDS, inc. (Advisory Board Member)
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (former Advisor to the Chairman, and current Public Relations Committee member for the Board of Directors)
Among his many awards he is the recipient of the Courageous Citizen Award and the Ethics in Business Award.
Mr. Short lived up to every title and creditenial referenced to him as he spoke at the Leadership Conference. Mr. Short talked on how to be and impactful leader, ways to positively influence people, how to take control of our profession and make it as highly respected as it should be. His motivational advice impacted everyone in the audience. He is such an influential speaker and I am grateful to have been in attendance.
These tremendously successful leaders offered up life changing advice on leadership, involvement, and responsibility. They showed myself and the other students how to be successful in both practice and life, what it takes to be a leader, while at the same time overflowed our hearts with passion for this amazing profession and inspiration to strive for more. Our worlds were shaken and our vision was magnified. The feeling I had while sitting in a room with such well respected leaders of our profession was both unbelievable and humbling. These leaders that have changed the path of chiropractic to pave way for our generation to have the chance to be successful, took time out of their lives, families, and practices to come offer advice and inspiration to us.
To conclude, “at this Leadership Conference memories were made and relationships were developed that will change our profession forever, the ripple effects of which will extend far beyond the horizons which we know to be within sight today. The pearls of wisdom that we heard over the weekend will be reflected on by all and will be implemented into our lives from this point forward.” (Lance Cohen, current National Naval Medical Center intern and immediate past National Legislative Represenatative)
I would encourage every chiropractic student and Doctor of Chiropractic to be involved in your profession. Do not just go through your everyday routine of treating patients or studying for exams. Take time out to give back to your profession. Be involved in an organization that is helping to contribute to the betterment of chiropractic. The time of apathy has passed, and the time of involvement and responsibility is upon us. We no longer can sit back and hope that someone will do the work for us. The revolving theme at this Leadership Conference was “Responsibility”. Take responsibility for your profession, be involved, and contribute to the success of Chiropractic. One of the best ways to be involved regardless of your time availability is to become a monthly contributor to the Foundation for Chiropractic Progress. This non for profit organization is changing the profession by positively promoting chiropractic to the public. The more awareness the public has on chiropractic the more successful every one of us will be. Donate at whatever level you can and lets change the world of chiropractic.
Thank you for your support and all you are doing for our profession!
October 21, 2009
As an active chiropractic student at Cleveland Chiropractic College – Los Angeles I have been involved in many student organizations. I have attended many chiropractic seminars, listened to multiple chiropractic speakers, and supported many chiropractic causes. Out of all of these important organizations, none has been as important to our profession as the Foundation for Chiropractic Progress. This non for profit organization is the largest positive press for chiropractic campaign in history. The Foundation is giving chiropractic more positive media exposure, while changing the general public’s perception for chiropractic and motivating them to utilize chiropractic services. The foundation is creating an identity of professionalism, which is consistent with consumer expectations, ultimately increasing patient visits. The foundation is also giving the chiropractic practitioner the marketing support he/she needs to build and maintain a successful practice.
The foundation is accomplishing all this by running the largest positive press campaign in the history of chiropractic. The last month the foundation launched a $1M, four-week media blitz in some of the nation’s highest profile publications including The Wall Street Journal, Politico, Roll Call, USA Today, and The Washington Post. Featuring support for the profession articulated by the Foundation’s highly credible spokespersons, the campaign is expected to generate over 10 million media impressions and will reinforce the role of chiropractic care as it impacts the delivery of quality, cost-effective health care nationwide.
This is just one of many ways the foundation is ensuring the success and growth of the chiropractic profession. The Foundation for Chiropractic Progress is planning a state by state campaign to raise public awareness in each of our own cities and states later this year. The foundation is also supported by both national chiropractic associations, every state chiropractic association, and every chiropractic college in the country. Its time we all supported our own profession and donated monthly to support the Foundation. This is one of the most important campaigns in our profession and I am proud to say I am a monthly contributor to this organization. Many of my fellow students have already become contributors and more are signing up every day. I encourage you to join the foundation at what ever level of monthly donation you can and support your profession as it climbs its way to the most influential health service in the country.
Thank you for your support and all you do for our profession.
Mark Wade
Cleveland Chiropractic College –LA
Student Intern
Foundation for Chiropractic Progress
National Student Chair
www.f4cp.com
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