If only the chiropractic profession could unite like this all the time. After Hurricanes Katrina and Rita struck the Gulf Coast last year, the chiropractic community came together in a great way to help fellow practitioners whose practices and homes were destroyed or severely damaged. Although we don’t hear much news about the hurricane-stricken areas anymore, many of your fellow chiropractors are still displaced and need assistance.

Some New Orleans and Mississippi chiropractors fared better than Kathy Nguyen, DC. Some fared worse. Nguyen had two practice locations in New Orleans, but she had to shut one down temporarily because of the hurricane damage. That location remains closed today, and she now practices full time at the other location.

The majority of the chiropractors who left New Orleans because of the hurricanes have returned to the city, and the majority of those who have returned are back practicing. Their patient base, however, has changed dramatically because a large portion of the previous population has so far not returned to the city. Much of their patient base now includes people such as US Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) employees, construction workers, and others sent to the area to aid in the hurricane recovery.

After the hurricanes struck, the American Chiropractic Association set up an Online Hurricane Action Center that connected DCs across the country. The Chiropractic Association of Louisiana (CAL) set up a relief fund. Chiropractic vendors also donated to the cause.

But chiropractors are independent by nature, so only a small number of the New Orleans DCs applied for assistance. Kathy Chittom, executive director of CAL, says 49 chiropractors sought help, and CAL distributed $60,000 in aid that came from DCs nationwide. The International Chiropractors Association donated $5,000. The chiropractic community, divided in so many ways, came together when it counted.

That doesn’t mean we should forget about the DCs in the area. Although Chittom says CAL is no longer actively soliciting donations, the fund remains open and donations are still being accepted. Call (225) 924-6978 for information on how to contribute.

And let’s not forget our Mississippi friends. The Gulf Coast of that state was devastated by the hurricanes. Vickie Webb, executive director of the Mississippi Chiropractic Association (MCA), says 61 DCs were located on Mississippi’s Gulf Coast. About 20 of them relocated or have not yet reopened their practices. The ones that have reopened reported that, on average, their patient count is about 45% of what it was previously. Several DCs are still living in trailers supplied by FEMA. Chiropractors in the state continue to contact MCA for assistance, not just to rebuild their practices, but also for living expenses such as groceries. The MCA’s Web site at www.mschiro.org has information on how to contribute.

The great way that the chiropractic community united made me think that the entire situation was a bit ironic, since division in the chiropractic profession is so evident. A disaster like this has shown what the profession can do when it comes together. I hope DCs continue to unite on a personal level and help their fellow chiropractors who are in need. But I hope that DCs will also unite on a professional level and work to advance the profession so that more people will decide to visit chiropractors for many of their health care needs. CP