Dr. Huey Smith convinced me to attend chiropractic college. I can never thank him enough. Without Dr. Chester Wilk, I would not have been a part of the Wilk vs. the AMA antitrust suit and the 19 years of my life that were involved in that case. I also would not have developed the friendship and respect I have for George McAndrews, our attorney in the Wilk case; it has been a privilege and learning experience that's hard to describe.
Upon graduation from Palmer College in 1969, Dr. George Anderson and his wife, Elvera, welcomed me as an intern in their office. Upon obtaining my California license, I began my practice in their office, located in Hayward, California. While this article is a tribute to Andy, as he was called by his friends, it is difficult to separate him and his activities from his wife. She was always there by his side. If Andy was there, you could count on Elvera being there as well, helping and supporting him (and he supporting her). They were a team in the truest sense of the word.
Dr. Anderson taught me a great deal about how to build a practice, and how to develop the all-important doctor-patient relationship so crucial in rendering quality health care. Much of what he taught me was by example. I saw patients come to him and remain his patients on an as-needed basis over the years, because he was ethical, loving, caring, and always gave them the best care he could. They liked him, respected him and trusted him.
Dr. Anderson taught me the importance of belonging to state and national chiropractic associations. He taught me it was important to be involved; that I had a responsibility and obligation to protect and advance the profession -- to give back to the profession.
Dr. Anderson also got me involved in the politics of the profession. Until I met him, I had never held any office in any organization in my life. He attended the annual convention of the ICAC while I stayed home. At that meeting, he nominated me for vice president, and I was elected. That was the beginning of my chiropractic political involvement.
I went on to become president of ICAC and ICA due largely to the influence Dr. George Anderson had on my personal and professional life. Years later, I joined the CCA and ACA and eventually became president of both of those associations. Andy never told me how he felt about that change in my life, but I am sure he was disappointed. He lived and breathed ICA and ICAC. Nonetheless, I credit him, in part, with my decision. He was a strong believer in doing what a person believes is the right thing, even if it's not popular. That moral belief reinforced what my father had instilled in me all of my life. It was put to a very difficult test. When the merger effort I had lead failed, I had to make a decision. I had to decide whether to stay with ICA, which I had been a member of since enrolling as a student at Palmer (and was the current chairman of the board), or join ACA. It was not an easy decision, but joining the ACA was the right thing for me to do, so I did it.
George Anderson was a quiet man. Those who knew him for only a short time most likely would never think of him as an influential leader, but it quickly became obvious to me that he was. He led by action, by example, and by deed. He never said much, but when he spoke, his words were filled with wisdom. Because of that, people listened. They listened because they knew he did not talk just to have something to say or just to make conversation. When he spoke, it was always in a very soft, nonthreatening tone. I never heard him raise his voice or yell at anyone, but somehow he always was able to make his point. The world needs more people like that.
When I say he was a man of action, he truly was. He had a dream of starting a chiropractic college, one that would emphasize the Grostic technique he loved so much. He and Dr. George Wentland went forward with blood, sweat, tears, and money to create Pacific States Chiropractic College (PSCC). I don't recall how long the college was in existence, but because of conflicts, one day the vast majority of the college's administration and student body packed up and moved across the bay to create Northern California College of Chiropractic (NCCC), which later became Palmer West.
This is where the true character of Dr. George Anderson came shining through. He had a dream, and poured his lifeblood into making it happen, only to see his beloved college up and move, leaving him with an almost empty campus. Most people would have thrown in the towel, but not Andy. He was determined to see his dream come true. He mortgaged his home and rebuilt the college, which today is the thriving college known as Life West.
Dr. George Anderson passed away on January 13 of this year, but his influence and impact on this profession lives on. It lives on in my life and the lives of the other doctors who had the privilege of working with him in his office. It lives on through all the doctors that have graduated from PSCC and Life West, and all the future doctors that will graduate and serve the public. It even lives on through all those that passed though the halls of NCCC and Palmer West, for had it not been for George Anderson, there would have been no NCCC.
The world is a better place because of George "Andy" Anderson and his wife Elvera. I have been blessed to know, work with, and learn from this quiet leader. You will be missed, Andy, but your contributions to our profession continue to live on. Thank you.
Michael D. Pedigo, DC
San Leandro, California
mikepedigo-aol.com
Dr. Michael D. Pedigo is a past president of the American Chiropractic Association and the International Chiropractors Association, and the only doctor to receive the Chiropractor of the Year Award from both organizations. He practices in San Leandro, Calif., and can be contacted with questions and comments via his Web site: www.drpedigo.com.