"Passion rebuilds the world for the youth. It makes all things alive and significant." — Ralph Waldo Emerson
James Mertz was born in St. Louis. Naturally, he became an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan. Throughout his life, he displayed great passion for his family, his profession and the Cardinals.
Jim relocated his family to Albuquerque during the summer of 1980. The younger members of the chiropractic profession in New Mexico remember Dr. Mertz as an expert diagnostician and radiologist who offered professional services for their patients with warm, fatherly advice. He was concerned about the well-being of our young chiropractors and continued to rebuild the world of chiropractic medicine with his passionate support of the political process.
I recall my initial meeting with Jim at a professional conference over 30 years ago. He introduced me to the use of video-fluoroscopy and the diagnosis of cervical sprain injuries with resultant ligament laxity and biomechanical joint dysfunction. His concern for patient care and his passionate explanation of this technology convinced me that New Mexico would benefit greatly if he relocated to the "Land of Enchantment." Fortunately, Jim did move to Albuquerque and provided outstanding radiological services and clinical consultations for patients and colleagues for more than 30 years.
Dr. Mertz dedicated his career to patient care and the chiropractic profession. He provided high-quality professional services to his fellow chiropractors complemented with a personalized service matched by none. He would often hand-deliver imaging studies with reports and then read the films with the doctor while offering a clinical consultation. He was a passionate doctor, who demonstrated patient-centered care and fatherly concern for both patients and chiropractors.
Rather than attempt to describe all of Dr. James A. Mertz's significant professional accomplishments, I offer these quotes from a few of his colleagues.
George Goodman, DC, FICC, president of Logan College of Chiropractic / University Programs: "Dr. Mertz had a desire to make the 'playing field' a more equal opportunity, legislatively speaking, for DCs in Missouri. This was my first encounter with Dr. Jim Mertz. It was 1967 and the 'state of play' for our profession was dismal. Our practice act was of the 1927 variety – the detection and adjustment of the vertebral spinal subluxation by hand; an oxymoron to the content of the curriculum that was taught at Logan College of Chiropractic. It had to change. Insurance payment for DCs was almost nonexistent.
"A small but dedicated group of Logan students joined with Dr. Mertz and the Missouri State Chiropractic Association to change not only the Missouri chiropractic practice act, but also the framework of the Missouri State Board of Chiropractic Examiners. The practice act finally was altered in 1972 following several years of legislative attempts.
"Dr. Jim Mertz was a good teacher. He studied to become a board-certified chiropractic radiologist and had a highly successful 'radiographic reading practice' out of his south St. Louis home/office. Dr. Mertz was very willing to assist individuals (such as myself) to sharpen their skills diagnostically and radiographically. His personal desire to elevate the standard of chiropractic education was evident in his membership ultimately on the Missouri Board of Chiropractic Examiners, the Federation of Chiropractic Licensing Boards and the Council on Chiropractic Education. When Dr. Mertz moved to New Mexico, he became the president of the American Chiropractic Association, whose home office is in the Washington, D.C. area.
"James A. Mertz was a Logan graduate and the institution has always been proud of his lengthy and successful professional accomplishments."
George Simmons, DC, APC, University of New Mexico, Center for Life: "Jim was a true mentor to our profession, a leader on a national level. Personally, he was always friendly and interested, a presence that felt warm and welcoming. Visiting the office was a pleasure; he and Pat made you feel right at home. Jim took great care of my patients and I had complete confidence in his professional opinions.
"He also took great care of us, X-raying us if indicated, I can attest to a couple of fractures he found in my own arm. He personally would come around to deliver X-rays to us and answer questions we had, like an old-time house call.
"I last got to see Jim and Pat this past May. He appeared full of vitality and it was a pleasure to talk with him and Pat for a few moments. He is one of our best and will be greatly missed."
John Pammer, DC, DACBR: "Jim is one of those chiropractors upon whose shoulders we currently stand. His visionary work with the CCE is such a boon to chiropractic that it will be hard to ever duplicate. He was a hard worker for the College of Radiology and I was honored to work with him in that fine organization. He will be missed by us all."
Norman Kettner, DC, DACBR, FICC, chairman of the Department of Radiology, Logan College of Chiropractic: "On hearing the sad news about Dr Mertz's passing, my first recollection was his contagious positive affect. He seemed always able to lift some of the weight from a complex and even potentially threatening political issue and place it in a fresh, more acceptable and focused perspective. Dr. Mertz accomplished much with his smile and luminary confidence. His charisma often rallied support from sometimes-unexpected sources.
"I'll always remember being struck by the magnitude of the professional service provided by Dr. Mertz over his career. His definition of professional service knew no bounds and will always stand as a source of inspiration for those who aspire, with every fiber, to advance the cause of our profession. His progressive and visionary influence reached into and influenced many of the most significant arenas and issues in the past 30 years of the chiropractic profession.
"His range of administrative knowledge and ever-increasing clinical acumen gave him the capabilities of effectively addressing an enormous range of issues. Dr. Mertz could be found providing consultation with chiropractic clinicians and in the next moment, addressing a fine point of radiological diagnosis. The next day, his attention might be directed toward the development of a new chiropractic educational standard and then on to the fine points of drafting a response, as ACA president, in response to an attack by the uninformed.
"I would say in closing that the vigor and charisma, professional commitment and forward-looking vision of Dr. Jim Mertz will stand as a legacy to which our patients and our profession will forever be grateful."
If Jim were able to offer some final suggestions to the chiropractic profession, I think it would read: "Chiropractors must be the best diagnosticians and clinicians, active in the political process, and dedicated members of the state and national organizations in order to move the profession forward."
I will miss Jim's sense of humor and his passion for life, his family, St. Louis Cardinals baseball and the chiropractic profession.
"It is the duty of every citizen according to his best capacities to give validity to his convictions in political affairs." — Albert Einstein
Click here for previous articles by James Lehman, DC, MBA, DIANM.