One of those seven, Dr. Sira Borges, with over 20 years of clinical experience as a medical doctor, graduated from Palmer College in 1990. In Brazil she has exclusively practiced chiropractic in her clinic and in the hospital. Dr. Borges has been overwhelmed with the clinical benefits of chiropractic care and with the high interest in chiropractic shown by the public and the medical community (over 30 of her patients are medical doctors).
As a result of the huge potential for chiropractic in Brazil, Dr. Borges and the Brazilian Chiropractic Association have planned an international conference in beautiful and historic Ilheus, Bahia, Brazil, April 21-24, 1994.
The conference has two objectives:
- Expose the health care community, particularly Brazilian health officials, to chiropractic. This will be accomplished through a seminar program.
- The eventual development of a chiropractic college in Brazil. Dr. Donald Kern, President of Palmer College of Chiropractic will be meeting with government leaders and a number of the medical profession to share information on chiropractic education.
"We want to lay the initial foundation for a chiropractic academic program in Brazil that meets CCE standards. This is a primary goal of the conference," said Dr. Borges. In addition, Palmer College is providing a continuing education program during the meetings. This will allow foreign DCs with an interest in Brazil the opportunity to make the trip as a business expense. The organizers hope that many of the visiting DCs will take advantage of the opportunity to travel around the country.
As a result of the article "Brazil: Rio, Rainforest, Carnaval, and Chiropractic" in the Jan. 29, 1993 issue of Dynamic Chiropractic by Brent McNabb, DC, which described the first meeting of the Brazilian Chiropractic Association, a number of DCs have expressed an interest in practicing in Brazil. For these doctors, Dr. Borges feels the conference will provide the necessary first-hand experience from which to make a more realistic and informed decision about practicing in Brazil.
Dr. Borges said the Brazilian DCs are especially excited that Dr. Donald Kern, president of Palmer College, has agreed to participate in this historic meeting. Also in attendance will be Brazilian university administrators who will meet with Dr. Kern to determine how a chiropractic academic program could be created in Brazil.
"Chiropractic care has so much to offer the developing world, and we in Brazil see this as an enormous first step towards that goal," enthused Dr. Borges.
Dr. Borges relates that Ilheus, the conference site, is a subequitorial, spectacularly beautiful city nestled in a rich coastal rainforest in a region known for its coco beans, chocolate, cinnamon, and cloves. "You will enjoy the sights, foods, music and miles of beaches," Dr. Borges promised.
Dr. Borges added: "Brazil is very open to chiropractic. We do not have the problems of prejudice." The program will also offer prospective Brazilian chiropractic students the opportunity to learn more about chiropractic.
Anyone interested in attending the conference may write, phone or fax: International Colleagues of the Brazilian Chiropractic Association (ICBCA), Attention: Drs. Royster or McNabb, 2205 N. Sherman Avenue, Madison, WI 53704, phone: (608) 244-0044, fax: (608) 244-2773.
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