ACA Endorses Chiropractic Postage Stamp Project

Arlington, VA - The American Chiropractic Association (ACA) has officially endorsed the "Chiropractic Postage Stamp Project," sending a letter to the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee urging that a chiropractic postage stamp be approved.

"There have been U.S. postage stamps honoring medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, nursing and even public hospitals," noted ACA chairman James Edwards,DC, who heads the ACA efforts on this project. "It is way past time for chiropractic to be honored in the same manner, and the ACA looks forward to working with the World Chiropractic Alliance, the International Chiropractors Association and the Congress of Chiropractic State Associations on the project."

Each year the U.S. Postal Service receives approximately 40,000 proposals recommending subjects for stamps. The 15-member Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee, which meets four times a year in Washington, D.C., evaluates the suggestions.

To be successful, a stamp proposal needs to be backed by thousands of letters over an extended period of time. The committee makes its recommendations to the Postmaster General, who relies heavily on the committee's recommendations. It usually takes about three years for a stamp to be approved.

Postcards with a printed message of support are available to any U.S. doctor of chiropractic wishing to become involved in this project. Dial 516-829-8578 or email the Chiropractic Stamp Task Force (gnbhchiro@earthlink.com) and ask for a FREE packet of 100 pre-printed postcards for you and your patients to use.

The ACA reports that the committee does not track how many people are supporting a certain stamp, but how many postcards or letters support it. That means you can "vote" for the chiropractic stamp every month. The address to send your letters is: Citizens Stamp Advisory Committee, U.S. Postal Service, Stamp Development, Room 5670, 475 L'Enfant Plaza SW, Washington, D.C. 20260-2437.

For more information about the chiropractic stamp, email Dr. James Edwards (jamesedwards@jamesedwards.com), or visit the Chiropractic Postage Stamp Project section on the ACA website at: www.acatoday.com/hot_topics/110801.html

Dr. Patricia Conners-Allen (Alaska), district I director and executive board chair of the Federation of Chiropractic Licensing Boards (FCLB), was re-elected to a second three-year term as district I director; Dr. Kathleen Galligan (Oregon) was elected as the district I alternate director. (District I covers western Canada; Alaska; Idaho; Montana; Nebraska; North Dakota; South Dakota; Oregon; Washington; and Wyoming.)

Dr. LeRoy Otto (Minnesota) was elected to a three-year term as district II director. Dr. Valorie Prahl (Iowa) is the new alternate director for district II. (District II comprises Manitoba; Ontario; Illinois; Indiana; Iowa; Kentucky; Michigan; Minnesota; Missouri; Ohio; and Wisconsin.)

Dr. Steve Willen (North Carolina) will be the new district V (southeast region) director in May when Dr. Linda Steele Denham (Georgia) retires. Dr. Willen was previously the region's alternate director.

FCLB President Dr. Wayne Wolfson (Florida) noted Dr. Denham's significant contributions and many years of leadership on the Georgia Board and the FCLB.

Dr. Willen was appointed to the North Carolina Board of Chiropractic Examiners in 1998. He has held the offices of president, vice president, and secretary of the North Carolina Chiropractic Association, and is a certified chiropractic sports physician (CCSP).

Dr. Dennis Hall (North Carolina) was elected as the district V alternate director.

10 years ago, the Foundation for Chiropractic Education and Research (FCER) introduced Patient Appreciation Day (PAD) to promote public relations, attract patients and raise funds for research.

This year, the FCER has prepared a special PAD kit with a Valentine's Day theme.

ACA President Daryl Wills,DC, recently held a PAD, raising $1,700 for research through FCER. Encouraged by the results, he challenged; "If 1,000 DCs would hold annual patient appreciation days with a $15-20 minimum patient donation to FCER, we could raise somewhere between 1.5 and two million dollars a year."

As this is a fundraiser for a nonprofit organization, you may obtain free advertising in local newspapers or radio stations as public service announcements. A free FCER media kit provides sample ads and scripts, and instructions on using them.

The PAD kit includes a:

• sample media release;
• camera-ready flyer that can be personalized;
• sample letter for prospective patients;
• logo and logo fact sheet;
• sample "thank-you" letter;
• pre-addressed envelope to use when sending the proceeds to FCER;
• Valentine's Day poster to hang in your office and in your community advertising the PAD (every doctor will receive the posters); and
• 100 sample FCER brochures that can be personalized.

For more information about the program - or for a free copy of the PAD kit - call the FCER at 800-622-6309. The kit (except for posters and brochures) may also be downloaded from the FCER's web site at www.fcer.org.

Athletes from seven countries competed at the World Natural Powerlifting Federation (WNPF) World Championships October 26-28 at Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina. Male and female competitors 14 to 79 years old competed for titles in this drug-free competition. Twenty-five percent of the competitors are randomly drug tested.

Paul Wondra,DC, of Thousand Oaks, California took first place in the 220-pound division.

Dr. Wondra holds records in his home state for bench press, dead lift and Ironman events, and had to place first or second in a national competition this year to qualify for the world competition.

Dr. Wondra has been in practice for nearly 20 years. "I feel that the knowledge of the musculoskeletal system that I've obtained through work as a chiropractor has helped me immensely in training and in treating other athletes," he said.

Dr. Wondra's specialty is in sport-related injuries. "I'm committed to helping athletes recover to optimum performance without the use of drugs," he said.

Alan Mandell,DC, has practiced in South Florida for over 17 years. One of his local patients is Miami native Robert Daniels, a former cruiserweight world boxing champion, now turned heavyweight.

"Robert Daniels comes into our office for regular spinal adjustments," reports Dr. Mandell. "He credits significant improvements in his speed, agility and strength to his continued chiropractic care, and is constantly touting its virtues."

The boxer hopes to partner with Dade County to open a boxing gym in the inner city. "Mr. Daniels' dream is to offer kids an alternative to hanging out in the streets, and to give them a fighting chance to succeed in life," explained Dr. Mandell.

BLOOMINGTON, Minnesota - The Northwestern Health Sciences University Board of Trustees has announced a $1,000 per trimester grant for all international students in the chiropractic program. The students must maintain a 2.5 GPA to be eligible. International students comprise approximately 18 percent of the NHSU student body.

Marietta, Georgia - Life University has awarded Dr. Stuart Warner "Alumnus of the Year."