The Engage 2024 Conference Daily brings you information and announcements to help maximize your ACA Engage experience, along with highlights from the day’s events. For further assistance, contact [email protected].
Updates & Reminders
FICC Luncheon Tickets Available
A limited number of FICC Luncheon tickets are still available. Please inquire at the Engage registration desk, across from the Executive Room on the lobby level of the hotel.
Earn Up to 12 CE This Weekend
ACA Engage 2024 features education sessions that highlight chiropractic specialties, with 20 CE credits offered in total. The majority of the continuing education sessions will run concurrently, and attendees may earn up to 12 CE credits. Register to earn CE and pick up your attendance card at the registration desk, which is located across from the Executive Room on the lobby level of the hotel.
Stay Engaged on the Event App
To make the most of your conference experience, create a schedule in the event app or desktop platform (on the Engage home page, look for the link “Engage 2024 Virtual Platform Instructions).
Engage with ACA on Social Media: #ACAEngage2024
We want to see ACA Engage 2024 from your perspective! Throughout the conference, please share photos on social media with the hashtag #ACAEngage2024 and tag ACA so that we can reshare your posts. You can also email photos from your congressional meetings to [email protected].
Instagram & X (Twitter): @acatoday
Facebook & LinkedIn: American Chiropractic Association
***
Thursday, Jan. 25 News in Brief
Chiropractic’s Day on Capitol Hill
Under cloudy skies, a thick fog rolled into Washington, D.C. today, but nothing could stop the hundreds of doctors of chiropractic and students who traveled to Capitol Hill to tell their story — chiropractic’s story — and to highlight to members of Congress the important role that the profession plays in keeping people well and pain free, and off unnecessary prescription pain medications.
In all, more than 200 meetings were held between chiropractors and students and their elected officials or key legislative staff, bolstering support for the Chiropractic Medicare Coverage Modernization Act (H.R. 1610/S. 799).
Members were directed last night during a briefing by ACA lobbyists to stress the important role that chiropractic plays in the nation’s efforts to reduce opioid overuse and abuse. While fentanyl is making headlines, many people are still falling victim to overdoses involving prescription opioids. “If we can get even 1% off opioids, I think that is a tremendous victory,” noted John Falardeau, ACA senior vice president of public policy and advocacy.
Doctors and students also shared personal stories of why H.R. 1610/S. 799 is important to the healthcare system and patients. One student shared that her father was excited to finally sign up for Medicare only to be disappointed to learn that he would no longer be covered for chiropractic services. “These patients have covered access to chiropractic up until age 64, but as soon as they turn 65 they have to pay out of pocket,” one ACA member pointed out.
In another meeting, a doctor observed that passage of the Medicare bill would help people in rural areas who are forced to travel long distances or experience long waits when trying to access a primary care physician. In such areas, they explained, chiropractors — who are trained to provide primary care — could fill the gap.
As one doctor summed it up in his meeting, “Chiropractors are only asking to practice to the fullest extent of their scope because patients have a right to choose what kind of care they receive.”
Chiropractic’s Day on the Hill ended with a reception at the hotel, providing an opportunity for everyone to share their experiences, reflect on the challenges ahead and catch up with friends and colleagues.
Check out ACA’s Facebook and Instagram accounts for more photos from Capitol Hill and the reception.
***
State Leaders and Executive Directors Meet at Engage 2024
State chiropractic leaders and executive directors held their annual ACA Engage gathering today in Washington, D.C. The meeting aims to foster collaboration and information sharing across the profession, for the benefit of all states. The meeting included representatives from ACA’s State Affiliate Program, which now includes 15 participating state associations.
***
SACA Announces Annual Award Winners
The Student American Chiropractic Association (SACA) presented its annual awards Wednesday night during the SACA Welcome Meeting. Congratulations to this year’s winners:
Chapter of the Year: National University of Health Sciences, Lombard, Ill. The award recognizes a chapter that demonstrates extraordinary teamwork, collaboration and commitment to further the mission, vision and values of ACA, and is a positive, visible force on both the national and campus levels.
Most Improved Chapter of the Year: Southern California University of Health Sciences, Whittier, Calif. The award recognizes a chapter that demonstrated growth and leadership despite facing challenges in previous years.
Congratulations to all the members of these two outstanding chapters!
***
Standard Process Presents Student Scholarship Awards
Standard Process announced the winners of this year’s Standard Process Scholarships Wednesday night at the SACA Welcome Meeting. The annual program recognizes outstanding members of the Student ACA (SACA).
Four SACA members each received a $5,000 scholarship. This year’s winners are:
- John Bassily of Southern California University of Health Sciences in Whittier, Calif.
- Brooke Green of Northeast College of Health Sciences in Seneca Falls, N.Y.
- Claudia Montelongo of Parker University in Dallas, Texas
- Klairice Schwartz of National University of Health Sciences in Lombard, Ill.
***
Upcoming Events on Friday, Jan. 26
Schedule at a glance:
- Breakfast (7:30 a.m. ET)
- House of Delegates Meeting (8 a.m. ET)
- Education Session: Long Live Cardiometabolic Health (8 a.m. ET)
- SACA Business Meeting (8:30 a.m. ET)
- Education Session: Optimizing Sleep for Optimum Healing & Health (9:15 a.m. ET)
- General Session and McAndrews Leadership Lecture (10:30 a.m. ET)
- Professional Headshots (12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. ET)
- Education Session: Understanding the S.I.C.K. Scapula (1:30 p.m. ET)
- Education Session: The Pain Neuromatrix: Implications for the Chiropractic Profession (3:45 p.m. ET)
- Education Session: Introduction to Using Acupuncture Facial Diagnosis (3:45 p.m. ET)
- Professional Development Workshop (5 p.m.)
- NextGen Meeting (5 p.m. ET)
- PAC/Legislative Committee Meeting (5 p.m. ET)
- President’s Reception (6 p.m. ET)
- SACA and NextGen Social Event (8 p.m. ET)
