The goal of the AFCC is to ensure that every chiropractic student has the same opportunity as all other Catholic health care students; that they to have access to the pastoral care information and teachings of the church as it relates to health care. As a practitioner, educator and consultant I, along with our board, advisors, and members, feel there is a void in our profession for Catholics regarding integration of our philosophical, business, and spiritual roles. The role of today's health care providers is changing. Today there is an experimental educational grant for medical colleges to offer a class on the role of spirituality in patient care.
Harvard Medical School offers continuing education courses to physicians on the role of spirituality in health, using the religious, sociological, psychological, biological models of patient care. Chiropractic colleges are unique places of higher learning and have an important role in serving the common good of society. It is in the best interest of society to assist our students in preparing them to take on the important roles of health care providers. One facet that cannot be overlooked (but does not come under the functions of a chiropractic educational institution) is the integration of one's faith.
There are well-known Catholic universities that have health care programs in nursing, physical therapy, medicine and dentistry, but no chiropractic programs yet. Since there are no Catholic chiropractic colleges, it is the purpose of the AFCC to offer that assistance. Health care in Catholicism is a ministry in which the institution represents the church's social, ethical, and moral teachings. To aid in this call the AFCC offers free student memberships with general membership benefits.
The mission of the AFCC's student chapters and Catholic campus ministries is to:
- bring together Catholic students and faculty into fellowship;
- receive pastoral care from the local bishop or those he appoints in charge of health care workers;
- fellowship with other students of all faiths in the spirit of ecumenism and share in discussion of themoral and ethical standards, as it relates to health care;
- sponsor programs that offer chiropractic care to the poor.
What has been done to date:
- University of Bridgeport, College of Chiropractic -- Fr. Douglas Tufaro has been assigned by Bishop Egan as the Catholic chaplain. Retreats are scheduled for this fall. A chapter project, "Hands of Care," is an ecumenical outreach for the entire student body to work within the Catholic charities of the diocese of Bridgeport to offer free chiropractic care to the poor by the interns under clinicians. Final paperwork is being completed.
- Northwestern College of Chiropractic -- NWCC has a student chapter of the AFCC. Dr. P. Thomas Davis is faulty advisor. Bishop Flynn has assigned Sister Rosalind Gefre, CSJ, as the spiritual advisor. They had their first retreat this past spring with a second one schedule this fall.
Other colleges with desire to open chapters are:.
- Palmer Chiropractic College -- Dr. Garry Krakos, faculty advisor
- Western States Chiropractic College -- Dr. Theresa King, faculty advisor
- Logan Chiropractic College -- Deacon Lawrence Hutti, DC, chaplain
- New York Chiropractic College -- Fr. Richard Murphy, chaplain
- Parker Chiropractic College -- Dr. Walter Brake, student services
For information on how to start a chapter call the AFCC offices (203-552-0628). Student chapters have membership open to chiropractic students of all faiths who accept the constitution and bylaws of the Association for Catholic Chiropractors, and the social and ethical teachings of the Catholic church as it relates to health care. Benefits include free membership and free e-mail newsletters with discounts to future events.