On February 15th, the California Chiropractic Association (CCA) sponsored its annual HOPE (Helping Other People Eat) day.
CCA members throughout California provided free chiropractic services to anyone donating a grocery bag full of goods, including nonperishable food, personal care/hygiene items, and/or toys.
CCF Offers Managed Care Credential and Seminars
The California Chiropractic Foundation (CCF), the educational affiliate of the CCA, is offering a two part managed care credential program: "Understanding the Mercy Conference Document," and "Understanding and Working within the Managed Care System." The program is geared for the DC to become familiar with the history and structure of the managed care system and learn about the quality assurance and what reimbursement arrangements are available.
Doctors must attend both seminars and pass a written examination to receive the managed care credential. This program is available for 12 hours of continuing education credit, pending state board approval. Contact the CCF at (916) 387-0177 for more information.
Seminars
The CCF is offering seminars on E/M coding, utilization review, technique, and managed care.
E/M coding usage will be required by all indemnity, personal injury, workers' compensation, and managed care organizations. The seminar will detail comprehensive levels of history and examination. The seminar will also cover RBRVS codes/procedures, and new workers' comp. changes involving CPT, E/M, and other treatment codes.
The utilization review will help participants understand the methods of utilization review organizations in managed care and the private sector. Topics covered include UR processes and methods for appealing utilization review decisions.
The technique seminar will stress hands-on experience in one of five areas: extremities, applied kinesiology, diversified, Activator, and Cox.
The managed care seminar will teach DCs how to use computer information systems to streamline form processing/maximize productivity, and to work with MACROs and productivity software.
All seminars will be submitted to the Calif. State Board for continuing education credits. For more information contact the CCF at (916) 387-0177.
College News
Los Angeles College of Chiropractic
Graduation DayLACC President Dr. Reed Phillips presented diplomas to 104 new doctors of chiropractic at the college's winter commencement ceremony, December 18, 1993. Louis Sportelli, DC, gave the commencement address, speaking to the graduates of the successful battles that the chiropractic profession has fought and the resources used in those confrontations.
"Perhaps it is time to beat the swords into treatment tables," said Dr. Sportelli, adding that chiropractic may have won the war, but asking if the profession can win the peace.
Dr. Phillips introduced the co-valedictorians, Stacey Barbossa and Donald Graham. Five graduates were presented with special awards at the ceremony:
- Outstanding Senior Award: Rob Engel and Jeffrey Norman, chosen by the Student American Chiropractic Association (SACA).
- Alumni Award: Rob Engel, chosen by the LACC alumni.
- Student Service Award: Kevin Gilbertson and Sonja Hahn, chosen by LACC's Management Council.
- E. Maylon Drake Humanitarian Award: Rob Engel, chosen by the LACC student body.
- President's Award: Rob Engel and Lisa Montez, selected by Dr. Phillips.
Alumni Coordinator Named
New graduate Dr. Rob Engel has been appointed as alumni coordinator for LACC. He will be working in the department of institutional advancement. Dr. Engel will serve as a liaison between the college administration and the alumni president in planning and organizing alumni meetings/activities, assist in the organization and management of the alumni association, and will work with the admissions department in supporting the efforts of the Volunteer Doctors Council in recruiting new students.
Dr. Engel will also be involved as a governmental affairs representative on behalf of the college, working on local, state, and national issues.
Cleveland Chiropractic College of Los Angeles
CCCLA Students Named to Who's WhoThe 1994 edition of Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges will include the names of 22 students from Cleveland Chiropractic College of Los Angeles (CCCLA) who have been honored for their national outstanding campus leadership. The students were chosen from more than 1400 institutions in all 50 states based on their academic achievement, service to the community, leadership in extracurricular activities, and potential for continued success.
The CCCLA students are: Michael Abrams, Romel Axibal, Ron Barak, Brad Barez, Kenneth Best, Joanne Buettner, James Dirkes, Cynthia Dix, Keith Henry, Rocky Kemp, Lynn Kerew, Carl Larson, Michelle LeBlanc, Evan Lessuk, Stuart Martin, Robert Nielson, Kenneth Obarski, Carlos Pacini, Sharon Pickford, Robin Riba, Jennifer Smith, and Guy Wilson.
Hospital Rotation Program Update
The CCCLA internship program at Coast Plaza Doctors Hospital (CPDH) in Norwalk, California was initiated nearly a year and a half ago. Now, in addition to this program, qualified interns are part of an extended pathology rotation at Whittier Hospital Medical Center. A total of 44 interns (called externs at the hospital) have participated in the program since in began in June 1992. Students observe hospital protocol in the areas of pathology, surgery, and radiology.
Fall 1993 CCCLA graduate Leona Graham participated in the radiology rotations at CPDH. She had the opportunity to exchange information on chiropractic, and observe the medical treatment approach up close. "There are many hours of interaction and learning on both sides," she said.
Research Associate Joins Faculty
Dr. Judith Zatkin has joined the CCCLA faculty as a part time research associate to assist the research director. Her responsibilities will include assisting in the development of an atmosphere and infrastructure supportive of the research efforts of the faculty and students. Dr. Zatkin will assist in the selection of a research design, helping the principle investigator develop the proposal, interpreting data, and polishing reports for publication. Dr. Zatkin will also assist researchers in using various statistical software packages which have been created to further research efforts.
Life West Students Awarded Scholarships
Life West student Dane Silva, a junior from Hilo, Hawaii, is the recipient of a $9,000 post high-school financial award by the Kamehamea Schools/Bishop Estate. It is the second year in a row that the Hawaiian scholarship went to a Life West student.
The Honolulu-based program provides community service scholarships to native Hawaiians studying full time in degree granting programs of higher education.
Three Life West students were awarded $500 outstanding student scholarships based on community service, dramatic career changes, academic standing, involvement in school activities, or personal accomplishments: recipients were Michelle Paris, Mel Penell, Marcus Strutz, and Rick Bonar.
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