The chiropractic profession has been working for some time toward increased integration in health care by seeking ways to become more involved within communities and on the national level, laying a foundation for doctors of chiropractic to collaborate more meaningfully with different types of providers for the benefit of patients. N. Ray Tuck, Jr., DC, and Steven J. Gould, DC, provide one example of chiropractors who are advancing integration and bridging the gap with their medical colleagues through volunteer leadership.

Last month, the American Chiropractic Association (ACA) Board of Governors elected N. Ray Tuck, Jr., DC, of Blacksburg, Va., as the association’s new president. He assumes the helm after a period of major transition at ACA, highlighted by key projects intended to better position the association to respond to challenges and opportunities and to leverage the talents and expertise of its members. ACA Blogs editor Annette Bernat sat down with Dr. Tuck recently to discuss the impact the recent changes have made on ACA’s operations as well as its ability to meet members’ needs.

Thanks to the world of technology and the internet, everything is transformed: how we communicate, how we engage in activities, and how we work together to make a better world for tomorrow.  As these changes have occurred, so has the way in which we remain relevant to our members and to the overall health care system.  Our self reflection through our strategic planning process revealed that for too long there has been what some might describe as a “class system” at ACA composed of two tiers: the leadership and everyone else. Some even feel that the long path to ACA leadership creates a division between our leaders and members.