Minds Meet at WCA Summit

Clair O’Dell, DC (front row, center) at a candle lighting tribute. He is joined by some of his family members, many of whom are also DCs.

Washington DC hosted the annual World Chiropractic Alliance International Summit on May 1–3, an event with many chiropractors and proponents of the practice for a celebration of increased knowledge in the field. Kick-starting the first day of the WCA Summit, the Legislative Day matched the minds of chiropractors and their governmental allies, Senators and Representatives who benefited from hearing about chiropractic from dedicated DCs.

“The WCA summit was filled with chiropractic warriors not afraid to fight for, protect, and promote our chiropractic principles,” said Terry A. Rondberg, DC, WCA president, speaking about the plans discussed between the two parties on how to promote and expand subluxation-based chiropractic. “The WCA Summit was filled with passion, purpose and commitment.”

The remaining 2 days of the summit functioned as an information bonanza featuring 24 top chiropractic speakers addressing concerns and issues in the chiropractic industry. An increased awareness for the philosophies, research, practice techniques, and management of chiropractic for summit attendants indicated a successful event.

Along with the speaker sessions, a special tribute to Clair O’Dell, DC, a pioneer who paved the way for chiropractors everywhere, celebrated O’Dell’s lifetime achievements and exemplary dedication to the profession. Also sharing the spotlight was 2003 WCA’s Outstanding Service Award recipient, Joseph Flesia, who was unable to attend due to health complications. Kevin Phallis of International Renaissance accepted the award on his mentor's behalf.

Zemelka Receives Award for Chiropractic Execellence

The Iowa Chiropractic Society honored Wayne Henry Zemelka, DC, president of the East Central District (ECD) for the past 2 years, with the Outstanding District President Award. Better known to peers as Dr Z, the 1975 graduate of Palmer College (Palmer) received his award at the Iowa Chiropractic Society convention in Des Moines, Iowa. Among his achievements as ECD president is the establishment of an educational program taking place at monthly district meetings.

This program enlightens attendants about treatment of whiplash injury, video motion x-ray and analysis, patient procedures for hard copy x-ray and patient education. Zemelka also has developed a Power Point presentation explaining the results of research quantifying chiropractic as a viable treatment methodology for muscoskeletal injuries for businesses and industries.

Since his retirement from Palmer in 1998, Zemelka has traveled extensively to promote chiropractic care. He lectures at seminars on segment drop adjusting featuring the Thompson Technique for Foot Levelers Inc, Roanoke, Va.

2003 Spring For Life Event at Life West

Life Chiropractic College West President Gerald Clum, DC, with sumo wrestling participant.

Life Chiropractic College West’s annual 2003 Spring for Life featured chiropractic sumo wrestlers who gained knowledge about the latest in chiropractic. The extravaganza pitted students and professionals who are learned in the healings of physical realignment into an arena sport invented to do the opposite. The event began with plenary sessions circulating information at the cutting edge of chiropractic and health care.

Life West President Gerald Clum, DC, fresh from a World Federation of Chiropractic and the Federation of Chiropractic Licensing Boards conference, started the day off by breaking down the status of chiropractic practice in various countries throughout the world.

After elaborating about important chiropractic topics in the United States, as well as present state regulations in many states, including California, he concluded with news about the health center’s new digital imaging technology and the new osteometer, a device to measure bone density.

Also, a newly installed wireless fidelity network for students improves Internet accessibility on campus for students with laptops.

Malk Slosberg, DC, a Life West Professor, followed up with a plenary session titled, “Validating Chiropractic: Recent Research,” which lead to various impromptu lectures on the subject.

In the afternoon, the Life West’s Student Council’s sponsored sumo wrestling competition squeezed and shoved some excitement into the event. After a round robin tournament of cheering and laughter directed toward bodies encased with sumo suits and helmets resembling plush dinosaur costume, Carl Shaff, a 7th-quarter student , emerged as the winner.