Governor Davis Appoints Third DC to California Board

Coincidence Strikes Twice?

By Editorial Staff

For over three and one-half years since he took office, California Governor Gray Davis chose not to appoint anyone to the California Board of Chiropractic Examiners (CBCE), essentially rendering the board defunct for over seven months. Dynamic Chiropractic published its first two articles on this subject, questioning Davis' actions in the April 8, 2002 issue.^1,2 These articles were published on the ChiroWeb.com website on March 18, 2002; three days later, Governor Davis made his first two appointments to the CBCE.³

Two more articles on this topic were published in the June 17, 2002 edition of DC, and appeared on ChiroWeb.com on May 20 and 21, 2002. These articles were also critical of Davis' apparent unwillingness to fill the remaining three vacancies on the CBCE.^4,5 DC was informed on May 20, that the governor's office had secured a copy of the most recent article that same day. On May 22, Governor Davis made his third appointment to the CBCE, an improvement, but still leaving two vacancies and two members half way through their one-year grace period.

Gov. Davis' third appointment is Barbara Stanfield,DC, a clinician in Fontana (Southern California's San Bernardino County). Dr. Stanfield is a member of the California Chiropractic Association, and the American Chiropractic Association. Dr. Stanfield has been licensed in California since 1987.

Based on the obvious pattern of publication and appointment, it appears that Mr. Davis doesn't make appointments to the CBCE until duly motivated. Dynamic Chiropractic has extended an invitation to Governor Davis to respond to the profession's concerns in an interview, a request he has not responded to. Based on the fact that Davis' appointments were made to board positions whose terms were already in progress, his current appointments could expire prior to the chiropractic board reaching its full complement of seven.

One still ponders why Governor Davis finds appointing DCs so challenging, yet has no problem making numerous appointments to the medical, osteopathic and physical therapy boards.¹

Stay tuned.

References

Demise of the California Board of Chiropractic. Dynamic Chiropractic April 8, 2002. www.chiroweb.com/archives/20/08/01.html
Are you listening, Governor Davis? Dynamic Chiropractic April 8, 2002. www.chiroweb.com/archives/20/08/16.html
California Governor Davis responds to DC article. Dynamic Chiropractic April 22, 2002. www.chiroweb.com/archives/20/09/04.html
Calif. gubernatorial candidate Bill Simon on chiropractic and the state board. Dynamic Chiropractic June 17, 2002. www.chiroweb.com/archives/20/13/15.html
Do you care about chiropractic, Governor Davis? Dynamic Chiropractic June 17, 2002. www.chiroweb.com/archives/20/13/18.html