President's Letter

I’m pleased to report that a new Diplomate class is beginning in October. This is perfect timing for you to contact a friend or colleague that has expressed interest in beginning the program. I have enclosed the Illinois Chiropractic Society’s announcement.  Maybe your state association would like to host classes?

The Illinois Chiropractic Society is proud to announce that we are offering the 50 hours of in-person education required to obtain a Diplomate of the Academy of Chiropractic Orthopedists (DACO).  In partnership with the University of Bridgeport, doctors in Illinois and around the country will have access to both the education and the respected certification on which more and more organizations and patients are relying on physician selection.

Our DACO in-person educational program is designed to provide the onsite education (50 hours), and the remaining 250 hours are available online through University of Bridgeport. The 300 hours of education fulfill the DACO requirements set forth by the Academy of Chiropractic Orthopedists, and the courses are also approved for those who are only maintaining their DACO credentials.

This advanced clinical training program is designed to position chiropractic physicians with DACO credentials to become members of a primary care team, join a specialty care clinic, teach at medical schools, and become a tier one referral selection by hospital groups.

The current health care marketplace is searching for solutions to an assortment of major problems. Integration into coordinated care organizations by chiropractic specialists with the ability to evaluate and manage painful neuromusculoskeletal conditions is becoming increasingly valuable. The integration of chiropractic specialists into coordinated care organizations also addresses significant problems facing the chiropractic profession, including shrinking third party reimbursement for chiropractic services, reduced access to chiropractic services and rising health care student loan debts.

Coordinated care organizations that are looking for health care professionals with advanced certification include:
1. Accountable Care Organizations,
2. Corporate healthcare organizations,
3. Community health centers,
4. Federally Qualified Health Centers,
5. Patient-Centered Medical Homes,
6. Hospitals, and
7. Specialty care organizations.

You can find out more about the five-weekend courses by visiting www.ilchiro.org/ortho. Here is a brief listing of the courses, instructors, and locations:

October 7 & 8 (as a part of Chicago National Convention & Expo)
Tim Bertelsman, DC, DACO
Orthopedic Diplomate Session 1: Evidence-based Best Practices for Lower Back Pain

November 4 & 5
K. Jeffrey Miller, DC, FACO
Advanced Orthopedic and Neurological Examination of Patients with Chronic Pain

February 10 & 11
K. Jeffrey Miller, DC, FACO
Practical Assessment of the Chiropractic Patient: Efficiency in Orthopedic and
Neurological Testing

March 10 & 11
Brandon Steele, DC, DACO
Mastering the Assessment and Management of Shoulder and Upper Extremity Problems

April 28 & 29
James J. Lehman, DC, FACO and Todd Cielo, DC
Whiplash Associated Disorders: The Pathway from Acute to Chronic Pain
Holiday Inn Chicago-West Itasca
860 W Irving Park Rd
Itasca, IL 60143

To register and find out more information, please visit www.ilchiro.org/ortho.
To find out more about the online courses through the University of Bridgeport, please visit www.cdi.edu.au/bridgeport/nmsm.php.

The above courses will be approved for continuing medical education in the following states:
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Georgia
Idaho
Illinois
Iowa
Maryland
Michigan
Montana
Nebraska
Ohio
Oregon
Rhode Island
South Carolina
Utah
Vermont
Washington, DC
Washington

I will soon be sending information on the American College of Chiropractic’s annual symposium. It is to be held in Carlsbad, CA in April, 2018.