In the August 1, issue of "DC" (page one) we announced FCER's Patient Appreciation Day program, a research funding project scheduled to be launched in the month of October. Spurred into action by the idea, Dr.
Arlington, Virginia -- Donations of $1,310 were raised by Russell E. Sawyer, Jr., D.C., at the first Patient Appreciation Day held for the Foundation for Chiropractic Education and Research (FCER). These donations will help further chiropractic through FCER's education and research programs.
On August 16, Dr. Sawyer and his two associates, David McKenzie, D.C., and Brian Brockman, D.C., provided chiropractic treatment to 124 current and new patients in exchange for patient contributions to FCER. Dr. Sawyer's Patient Appreciation Day not only benefited FCER; it benefited his practice.
Of the patients who were treated, 90 were current patients, many of whom had not been in the office for months or years. The Patient Appreciation Day helped Dr. Sawyer re-establish contact with these patients. He also examined and took x-rays of 34 new patients, who he will contact again after this first positive chiropractic experience.
Dr. Sawyer's only promotion for his Patient Appreciation Day was through a monthly newsletter mailed to his current patients. He felt that more extensive promotion like that which was outlined in the Patient Appreciation Day kit provided by FCER would have brought an even greater response.
Dr. Sawyer, president of the American Chiropractic Association's (ACA) Council of Delegates, is an enthusiastic supporter of the Patient Appreciation Day program. "Thank you for conceiving of this program," he said in a letter to FCER's executive director, Brian E. Cartier. "All I can say is that I encourage other offices to do this during your projected month of October."
The donations from Patient Appreciation Days will help fund important FCER projects, including an assessment of federal funding policies and programs, the Peter Bommarito Research Residency Program, and studies that will help to establish standards of care for the chiropractic profession.
Patient Appreciation Day kits are available from FCER. For more information about holding your own Patient Appreciation Day, please contact:
FCER
1701 Clarendon Blvd.,
Arlington, Virginia
(800) 637-6244 or
(703) 276-7445
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