Nov. 10, Edmonton, Alta. – On Nov. 7 and 8, the Alberta College and Association of Chiropractors (ACAC) welcomed approximately 200 DCs at the Rimrock Hotel in Banff, Alberta for its annual convention and AGM, this year titled “Celebrating our Common Purpose.”

The conference comprised two days of informative and thought-provoking sessions as well as ample opportunities to network with other DCs and representatives from  various industries and services that support the profession.

First class speakers, Guy Reikeman and Gerrard Clum

On Saturday, November 7, the sessions were powered by Dr. Guy Reikeman, president of Life University School of Chiropractic in Marietta Georgia.  Dr. Reikeman developed themes such as necessary components of the doctor/patient relationship, strategies for ensuring that chiropractic not only survives our current hyper-dynamic global society but emerges as a thought leader in those areas where the profession has cultivated its vision and purpose, and to never forget that the bottom line for these efforts is to benefit the individual patients who seek out chiropractic. 

Reikeman discussed the roles of the various chiropractic educational institutions, colleges and associations in the profession’s quest to move forward, while never forgetting the importance of the DCs in practices all over the world to the mission for carrying chiropractic into the future as an integral part of health care. 

Such a tough act to follow as Reikeman called for a speaker the caliber of Dr. Gerrard Clum – immediate past-president of the World Federation of Chiropractic and current president of Life Chiropractic College West – to lead the sessions on Sunday, November 8.  Dr. Clum brought together global, national, provincial and local elements to frame the development and current state of chiropractic research, education, practice, role in politics and payment trends into a cohesive and highly relevant picture. 

Clum’s assessment of the profession’s needs in our current world health care milieu was as frank as it was inspirational, calling chiropractors to be vigilant and not indifferent to the developments that impact the profession and to act as ambassadors for mutual growth and forward vision in health care.  He also reminded DCs that they can only achieve this by pursuing unified attention aligned along a collective purpose.

Deserved recognition

Conference sessions were interspersed with moments wherein several Alberta chiropractors were recognized for their perseverance throughout decades of practice in an ever-changing Canadian and global milieu. 

As well, for his notable work and accomplishments that have honoured the vision that defines the chiropractic profession, Dr. Jeff Warren was awarded the distinction of ACAC’s Chiropractor of the Year.  Finally, organizers of the event were named and recognized for their hard work in ensuring that this venue for chiropractic collaboration continues to be informative, relevant and fun!

ACAC and beyond

The ACAC also took the opportunity of a gathered audience to remind DCs of The Canadian Chiropractic Association’s National Convention 2010 to be held from November 11-13, 2010 in Toronto.  For more information on this, DCs are asked to visit www.chiroconvention.com. 

For more information on the Alberta College and Association of Chiropractors, please visit www.albertachiro.com.