ACA governor and executive committee member Dr. James Edwards accepted an invitation from the Kansas Insurance Commissioner to attend a private dinner with Vice President Gore in Kansas City on July 18. Dr. Edwards asked for Gore's assistance in correcting discriminatory federal policies against doctors of chiropractic.
"You know, the court case bothers me," Mr. Gore responded, but said he was "hesitant to get involved when there is a legal action going on." Mr. Gore admitted he has never been to a chiropractor, but noted: "I have many friends who rave about the benefits they have received from chiropractic care."
Dr. Ken Luedtke, a past president of ACA from Madison, Wisconsin, had the opportunity to speak with Governor Bush in July in Wisconsin about health and wellness and alternative care. Dr. Luedtke will meet with governor Bush several times before the election to discuss his views on the availability of chiropractic services in health care plans.
Another meeting took place on July 13 in Austin, Texas with Bush campaign staffers to discuss the presidential candidate's views about chiropractic, patient choice and access to providers, and about the HCFA lawsuit. The meeting was coordinated by Dr. Luedtke with the help of Wisconsin Governor Tommy Thompson. Dr. Jack Christy of Houston, Texas, who has a long-standing friendship and working relationship with Bush, was in attendance, along with Dr. Daryl Wills, ACA president of the council of delegates, and Dr. Luedtke. There was also a discussion of the possibility of working with the Bush campaign to develop an ad that will feature a picture of Governor Bush and a tagline that reflects his thoughts on health and wellness.
NJ Governor Appoints Dr. Murphy to Board of Examiners
Dr. Joseph Murphy of Chatham, New Jersey, was selected by Governor Christine Whitman to the New Jersey Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NJBCE) on May 8, 2000. His appointment was ratified by the state Senate Judiciary Committee at their June meeting. Dr. Murphy replaces Dr. Anthony DeMarco on the board.
"I've long been an advocate of choice in consumer health care," said Dr. Murphy. "I will do the best job possible to ensure the right of all citizens of New Jersey to choose holistic chiropractic health care."
A graduate of Rider College and Palmer College of Chiropractic, Dr. Murphy is the immediate past president of the New Jersey Chiropractic Society. He has served as editor-in-chief of the state chiropractic journal, The Jersey Journal, for the past 15 years, and as a member of the governor's Health Care Advisory Council. He's been an anchorman on the "Healthwatch" program on CTN television, and was recently appointed a trustee of the Early Childhood Learning Center in Chatham.
The NJBCE board is composed of eight chiropractors, two public members and the district attorney general. Each member serves a three-year term. Doctors of chiropractic appointed to the board must undergo a stringent selection process and must be recommended by the senator of their district. Senator Walter Kavanaugh recommended Dr. Murphy to the board earlier this year.
"I'd like to sincerely thank Governor Whitman, Senator Kavanaugh, Senator Gormley, and all the members of the judiciary for giving me this opportunity," said Dr. Murphy.
Foot Levelers Donates $130,000 to Chiropractic
Foot Levelers, Inc., has announced that it has donated over $130,000 from its recent seminar series to help benefit chiropractic colleges and state organizations. The cosponsoring chiropractic colleges have received $70,000; state associations and other chiropractic organizations have received $60,000 through the seminar grant program; and the Congress of Chiropractic State Associations received a $3,500 donation in the name of each member association that participated in the program.
Foot Levelers is on track to donate approximately $250,000 by year's end.
Parker Names Tomlinson Dean of Development
Bena Tomlinson,DC, a 1994 graduate of Parker College of Chiropractic has been appointed dean of development. Dr. Tomlinson's new role is a challenging one, requiring her to oversee the departments of admissions, recruiting, financial aid, publications, and communication/public relations. She will also direct the alumni association and help raise funds for the school.
Before being named dean of development, Tomlinson handled similar responsibilites as the college's director of development. "This is a tall order," Dr. Tomlinson assessed, "but I am pleased to have the opportunity to serve. Dr. Mancini has chosen a great team, and I feel honored to be included." Her goal, Dr. Tomlinson said, is to make Parker "the best chiropractic college in the world."
Logan Intern Makes Cover of Esquire
The theme of the August's issue of Esquire magazine is "Women of Summer," which includes a feature article on "Strength & Beauty: A Portfolio of America's 10 Sexiest Athletes." Gracing the magazine's cover is Mary Beth Larsen, an eighth-trimester intern at Logan College of Chiropractic who has qualified for the U.S. Olympic Team in the pentathlon.
The modern pentathlon consists of five diverse events: fencing; pistol shooting; a 300-meter swim; horseback riding/show jumping; and a 4,000-meter cross-country foot race. She is currently on a leave of absence from her studies while training in San Antonio for the Sydney Olympics. She plans to return to her studies at Logan in January 2001.
Canadian DCs Open Performing Artists' Health Center
Parker College graduates Kee Fedak and Franz Pavalock of Toronto, Ontario have opened a clinic in Arlington geared to treat repetitive movement injuries that often afflict musicians. The doctors have forged a working relationship with the local musicians' union and contacts with music teachers at the colleges and universities in the area.
Dr. Fedak has a degree in piano performance and studied at Toronto's Royal Conservatory of Music; Dr. Pavalock is an aspiring guitarist. While in college, both doctors created a presentation on performance injuries among musicians, a subject that has been of considerable study. A 1986 study of 4,000 orchestral musicians in the U.S. found that 66 percent of string players and 48 percent of wind players were suffering from musculoskeletal disorders. These findings were confirmed with a study of 56 international orchestras in 1997.
Dr. Fedak explained that percussionists often experience pain in the forearms and low back, while pianists experience pain in the hands, forearms, neck and back. All instruments place physical demands on one aspect of the body or another, but neck, back, forearm and finger pain are common problems areas for instrumentalists.
Parker Students Experience Brazilian Health Care
Earlier this year, Dr. Sarah Loomis led 33 Parker College interns on a week-long trip to Brazil to deliver chiropractic care. Their trip began in Porto Alegre on the country's southern coast. Chiropractic demonstrations were given at a medical university, a physical education college and several hospitals. The students also visited the orthopedic wing of a medical university in Florianopolis, a city on the island of Santa Catarina linked to the mainland by the longest suspension bridge in the country.
Dynamic Chiropractic editorial staff members research, investigate and write articles for the publication on an ongoing basis. To contact the Editorial Department or submit an article of your own for consideration, email
.