Title: Message from the Chair
Author:
Section/SPIG: Chiropractic Health Care
Issue Date:
This has been an interesting year for APHA and for the Chiropractic Health Care (CHC) Section. I think it best described as a year of change.
It has also been an unsettled year in this country due to both economic concerns and anxiety surrounding the war with Iraq.
During such times there are a lot of distractions, but the CHC section has been able to effectively address its concerns as well as make progress in areas important to chiropractic, the CHC section and to public health. The two key objectives I determined to focus on during my tenure as section chair were (1) to address how chiropractic, particularly the CHC Section, could participate in and positively influence emergency disaster preparedness issues relative to the chiropractic profession’s participation in providing such services, and (2) to address recent declining section membership.
They say “timing is everything,” and the disaster preparedness issue was already being investigated by a number of our members. Karen Konarski-Hart, DC, and CHC Section Councilor, was successful in the formulation and promotion of a resolution adopted by the ACA. (See related article in this issue for more details.). Congratulations and thank you to Dr. Konarski-Hart and those she worked with in getting this important matter before, and acted upon, by the leadership of the profession.
Membership was the other area of concern. It was approached with a blitz of articles by various members of the section which were published in professional journals as well as popular newspapers in the profession. Particular thanks goes to Donald M. Peterson Jr., editor/publisher of Dynamic Chiropractic, for supporting a series of articles in his publication. A special thank you also goes to Rand Baird, DC, Nominations Chair and member of the Publicity Team, for motivating a number of us to write and for handling much of the editing and submission process relative to Dynamic Chiropractic.
The national APHA central organization has been involved with substantial administrative changes and streamlining, and its staff has also been adjusting to significant modifications. All of this is for the betterment of the Association, and I feel that the future is bright for APHA. The Association provides almost an unlimited opportunity for the chiropractic profession to advance its position within APHA, and throughout the entire public health community nationwide.
It’s not been a particularly exciting year, but rather one of “staying the course” during a troubled and uncertain period. However, it has been an effective year for the CHC section as evidenced by our successes with the interdisciplinary booth, and the cross-disciplinary, collaborative research liaisons and presentations that have developed. And, the infusion of “fresh blood” resulting from our membership drive will provide needed new energy to the section’s activities into the future. I want to thank the section leadership team that has made my year as chair successful, and I am confident that next year’s accomplishments under Lisa Killinger’s tenure will be even greater!
Come visit us in San Francisco during the APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition, Nov. 15-19. The theme is "Behavior, Lifestyle and Social Determinants of Health." What theme could be more appropriate for chiropractic? You will be proud to experience and be a part of the Chiropractic Health Care Section’s activities in this 50,000 membership organization’s Annual Meeting. See you there!
Thomas L. Carpenter, DC
Chair, CHC