“Through our Seminar Series, we can contribute to the growth of chiropractic in two ways—building skills of existing doctors and funding our chiropractic colleges,” says Kent S. Greenawalt, Foot Levelers president and CEO.

Chiropractic schools that benefit from these proceeds include Palmer Institute for Professional Advancement, National University of Health Sciences (Lombard, Ill), Northwestern Health Sciences University (Bloomington, Minn), Cleveland Chiropractic College (Kansas City, Mo, and Los Angeles), Parker College of Chiropractic (Dallas), Logan College of Chiropractic (Chesterfield, Mo), and Texas Chiropractic College (Pasadena).

At the recent Parker Seminars in Melbourne, Australia, Mark Charrette, DC, was honored with the “Parker Seminars Outstanding Achievement Award” for his commitment to educating the chiropractic profession.

Mark Charette, DC

“The idea of education is to convey knowledge, not to control knowledge,” says Charrette. “The extremity-adjustment protocols I teach are designed so people can take them back and put them to use in their practices.”

Charrette lectures throughout the United States, Europe, the Far East, and Australia on spinal and extremity adjusting. Known for his hands-on lecture approach, Charrette performed his 1,000th seminar in Australia.

In a separate ceremony, Parker College of Chiropractic presented Agustín Gasca Pliego, Mexico’s secretary of education, culture and social well-being, with the “Doctor of Public Service Degree” (Honoris Causa) during the Parker College commencement ceremony on August 13, 2005. Pliego received the degree in recognition of his contributions to the education and health of the citizens of the state and country of Mexico.

“Parker College and the chiropractic profession are privileged to include Secretary Gasca as one of our supporters,” says Fabrizio Mancini, DC, president of Parker College of Chiropractic. “He has distinguished himself with a career dedicated to education and health in his home state and country.”

Pliego helped establish the Universidad Estattal Del Valle de Escatepec, the first chiropractic college in a Spanish-speaking country, and he serves as president of its board of directors. Pliego also helped Parker College develop the school’s Clinic Abroad program, which allows students to build their chiropractic skills by serving as interns at the university’s public clinic. The program also allows the students to work cooperatively with the Mexican government on health care issues and the development of the chiropractic profession in Mexico.

“In many cases, back pain is treated with unnecessary surgery that still leaves the patient in pain,” says NCQA President Margaret E. O'Kane. “This program will steer people to doctors who not only know how to diagnose back problems, but who also explain the pros and cons of treatment options, help them manage their condition, and get well again.”

The 15-member committee will guide the NCQA “Spine Care Recognition Program,” which is designed to promote evidence-based medical care and involve patients in making decisions about the best treatment for them.

The committee will provide input on the new recognition program; give advice on appropriate, evidence-based performance measures; and serve as a forum for promoting and building consensus for the program.

The program will be launched in late 2006.