Engage 2022 Conference Daily: Friday, Feb. 4

Access Engage programming in the Eventsential app or on your desktop. Click here to learn how to access the virtual event. It’s not too late to register! Registration is open throughout the duration of the conference. Join us at any time!

At Engage 2022, up to 20 CE credits will be available via 14 pre-recorded virtual education sessions – which can be accessed at any time – and four live virtual sessions on Saturday, which will be recorded. All education sessions will be available to attendees until March 5. Learn more about Engage education sessions here.

Upcoming Events on Saturday, Feb. 5

Schedule at a Glance

  • SACA Legislative Appointments Meeting (9 a.m. ET)
  • Panel Discussion: Integrated Practice (2 CE) (10 a.m. ET)
  • Meeting with School Leaders (11 a.m. ET)
  • Panel Discussion: Veterans Affairs (2 CE) (12 p.m. ET)
  • SACA Professional Development Workshop (12 p.m. ET)
  • Panel Discussion: Research (1 CE) (2 p.m. ET)
  • SNEB Transition Meeting (2 p.m. ET)
  • Education Session: The Primary Spine Practitioner and Clinical Reasoning in Spine Pain® (1 CE) (3:30 p.m. ET)

View the full schedule.  

Access the event on your desktop. 

Friday, Feb. 4 News in Brief

House of Delegates Meeting

ACA President Credits Achievements to Fiscal, Foundational Strength

ACA President Michele Maiers, DC, MPH, PhD, opened the House of Delegates today by highlighting how ACA’s operational and fiscal strength, along with the foundational strength of its mission and values, have enabled the association to gain momentum toward several strategic goals.

“The past several years have set a new bar of health, strength, member satisfaction and, most importantly, the influence that results from those achievements,” she said.

Dr. Maiers addressed delegates virtually at Engage 2022.

Dr. Maiers pointed to H.R. 2654, the Chiropractic Medicare Coverage Modernization Act, which has achieved 116 cosponsors to date and continues to gain steam in Congress. She said Medicare coverage for patients who choose chiropractic would be “the single most influential improvement in patient care in our lifetimes.” It would also change the way payers look at chiropractic care. Keeping the momentum behind the bill high will be key to its success.

“Our job, all of us, is helping everyone else out in the world to understand how important it is. All of us in this meeting should be looking for and thinking about ways to get that point out to as many people as we know,” she explained. “We’re all influencers, and H.R. 2654 is where we need to be using that influence.”

ACA also made progress over the past year in its goal to collaborate with the healthcare community. The association held its first Elevating Care Pathways event in January with representatives of the payer community. The purpose of the event was to begin a conversation with leaders of the payer community about how to work together more effectively toward ACA’s mission to promote the health and wellness of communities.

“Just like we need to educate the public and other chiropractors about how the Medicare bill is a game changer, we need to educate insurers on the cutting-edge research and programs that benefit our patients,” she said. “At the same time, we need to learn about the challenges payers face.”

That spirit of collaboration has also enabled ACA to improve its relationship with chiropractic state associations and increase participation in its State Affiliate Program. As part of their membership, ACA affiliate states have a seat in ACA’s governing body, the House of Delegates.

“The number of state affiliates grows every year, and representatives from participating states are in this room, invited to be part of ACA’s governing body and have a voice at the national level,” noted Dr. Maiers. “If your state is not an affiliate, reach out now and work with us to bring them into the room. There is no downside. Like I said, the bandwagon just keeps getting bigger and gaining more momentum.”

Annual Report Video 

ACA’s 2021 annual report video was shown during the Engage 2022 House of Delegates meeting, featuring the association’s activities, advancements and achievements of the past year. Watch it here 

Advocacy Team Urges Members to Keep Pushing for Support of H.R. 2654

With ACA’s Medicare modernization bill (H.R. 2654) now at 116 cosponsors, it’s not the time for the chiropractic profession to call “Medicare fatigue!” but rather to keep pushing for more support of the bill, said ACA Legislative Committee Chair Keith Overland, DC., during an advocacy update at the House of Delegates meeting. Reaching 200 cosponsors is ACA’s immediate goal.

Dr. Overland was joined by ACA lobbyist John Falardeau, member advocate Quinn James, DC, and outside political consultants, the Hon. Lacy Clay and Brian Sutter of the Capitol Hill Consulting Group. The group agreed that relationship building with current and future cosponsors of H.R. 2654 is the best approach for ensuring the bill’s success down the road.

Lacy recommended trying to meet potential cosponsors in their home districts, at fundraisers or other events, or trying to schedule a 15 minute meeting if possible. Sutter added that once you’ve found that chiropractic champion in your state, ask if they can introduce you to other members of Congress.

Dr. James noted that those who are finding it hard to get access to their federal representatives can also try asking any state representatives they may know to make an introduction. “Be persistent,” he said, even when it comes to current cosponsors. Continue updating them on the bill so when the time comes they will be willing to help move it forward.

“Be visible,” added Falardeau. “And make sure your patients are contacting their members of Congress, too. Make it a patient issue, make it an access issue, and we will get it over the goal line.”

PAC Celebrates Success, Aims to Increase Donors in 2022

John Falardeau, ACA senior vice president of public policy and advocacy, reported on the performance of and contributions to the ACA Political Action Committee (PAC) in 2021. Over the course of 2021, the PAC raised $180,276, which was distributed to 37 candidates. The PAC had 493 donors in 2021, with 261 new donors. In 2022, they will work to boost the overall number to 550 donors. “The PAC helps build our visibility on Capitol Hill,” Falardeau said, adding that the PAC does very careful vetting of candidates before making contributions. For more information, visit the ACA PAC webpage.

Deliberative Discussion Focuses on Delegate Engagement, Reimbursement

Members of the House of Delegates conducted a deliberative discussion today on issues important to the stability of ACA and its members’ practices. The group discussed delegate roles and expectations, noting that ACA delegates play a key role in communicating to members and also in bringing their feedback and ideas back to ACA leadership. A number of delegates discussed how they approach engaging with members and other chiropractors in their states. Several ideas were suggested to raise awareness of tools available to help those who would like to improve their outreach activities. Next, the HOD discussed the increased collaboration that ACA is fostering with payers. The association recently hosted a meeting with representatives from 10 payers, which was designed to provide a forum for dialogue and information exchange. The event received positive reviews from the participants, who appreciated ACA’s initiative in organizing the gathering. More payer collaborative meetings are planned in the future.

ACA Presents Annual Awards  

Each year, ACA honors select members in recognition for their exceptional leadership and accomplishments on behalf of the chiropractic profession. Congratulations to the winners: 

Dr. Wenberg

ACA’s highest honor, the Chiropractor of the Year Award, was presented today to Susan Wenberg, DC, MS, of Tucson, Ariz. Dr. Wenberg retired in 2021 after serving the chiropractic profession for over 30 years. Throughout her career, she has consistently demonstrated leadership and service to the profession, first as an instructor in the Los Angeles College of Chiropractic postgraduate rehabilitation program and later in private practice. Most recently, from 2015 until her retirement, she worked at the Southern Arizona Veterans Affairs Hospital. She also served a maximum number of terms on the Arizona State Chiropractic Board and recently completed a term as a member of the board for the Council on Chiropractic Education.

Dr. Overland

Keith Overland, DC of Norwalk, Conn., received ACA’s Humanitarian of the Year Award this year. Dr. Overland is a longtime ACA member who has served the association in many roles over several decades. He is currently chair of the Legislative Committee and a member of the Political Action Committee. He has served previous terms as both ACA president and vice president. Dr. Overland also served as ACA’s Connecticut delegate for many years and is a former president of the Connecticut Chiropractic Association.

Additional ACA Annual Award recipients include:  

Dr. Pearson

Nakiesha Pearson, DC, of Lombard, Ill., received the Academician of the Year Award, which recognizes individuals for their efforts to advance the profession through academic or educational excellence. Dr. Pearson currently serves as an associate professor and department chair in the Clinical Sciences Department at National University of Health Sciences. She is also vice chair of ACA’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. 

Dr. Salsbury

Stacie Salsbury, PhD, RN, of Davenport, Iowa, received the George B. McClelland Researcher of the Year Award, recognizing an individual for developing, refining and/or expanding the body of knowledge in chiropractic. Dr. Salsbury is an associate professor in the Palmer Center for Chiropractic Research. She is an expert in qualitative methods, a specialty that enables a deeper understanding of lived experience and offers context that cannot be obtained from quantitative data analysis. 

Dr. Dziura

The Delegate of the Year Award was presented to ACA Connecticut Delegate David Dziura, DC, FACO, DACBOH, for his tireless dedication and passion for the chiropractic profession. 

The Alternate Delegate of the Year Award was presented to ACA Michigan Alternate Delegate Lewis Squires, DC, FICC, FPAC, for his hard work on the ACA Political Action Committee (PAC) and beyond.  

Dr. McCann

The Flynn-Lynch Memorial Award, recognizing a member of the House of Delegates who has served no more than five years but who has, in that brief time period, demonstrated a passion and drive in their work that is beyond their years, was presented to ACA New Hampshire Alternate Delegate Brendan McCann, DC. 

Dr. Mead

Next Gen Member of the Year Announced  

The NextGen Member of the Year Award, officially called the Dr. Michele Maiers Leadership Award, recognizes someone who has significantly contributed to Next Gen by showing exceptional service, achievement, and leadership to the chiropractic profession Congratulations to this year’s recipient, Kaelyn Mead, DC, of Washington, D.C. 

 

 

Additional Awards and Honors Presented 

During a reception hosted by ACA President Michele Maiers, DC, MPH, PhD, four ACA members received special President’s Awards for demonstrating outstanding service to ACA and the chiropractic profession. Congratulations to:  

  • Heidi Henson Dunlap, DC, of Central Point, Ore. 
  • John Ventura, DC, of Rochester, N.Y. 
  • Kathy Boulet, DAAPM, DC, Dipl. Ac., of Lewiston, Maine 
  • Marcus Nynas, DC, FICC, of Billings, Mont. 

ACA Welcomes New GAC Member

A big welcome to Kelly Golob, Washington state delegate, who joined the Governor’s Advisory Cabinet today, which is ACA’s premier membership level. ACA is offering 25% off to anyone who upgrades to GAC membership this weekend. Members interested in upgrading can contact Membership VP Jane Zaretskie at [email protected].

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Special Thanks to Engage 2022 Sponsors: 

NCMIC 

Standard Process 

Southern California University of Health Sciences 

DNA Vibe, LLC 

Breakthrough