With the images of the September 11 terrorist attacks still vivid in their minds, many people are hesitant about flying to or visiting Washington, D.C. But that won't stop chiropractors from gathering in the nation's capitol this April for the second annual World Chiropractic Alliance International Summit.

"The world has witnessed what can happen when good people work together for a common goal," said Terry A. Rondberg, D.C., WCA president. "In April, chiropractors will do the same when they unite to celebrate their shared dream of a subluxation-free world."

Chiropractors from around the world are expected to converge on Washington from April 11 to 13, and will be met with a full slate of presentations and activities that could change the course of chiropractic history.

"One of the biggest stumbling blocks we face is a lack of chiropractic awareness in Washington," Dr. Rondberg noted. "So many of our goals for the next few years depend on winning support from key legislators and government leaders."

The WCA is working on a number of important projects including lobbying for passage of the ground-breaking House Concurrent Resolution 46, the approval of a chiropractic postal stamp, classification of chiropractors as officers in the Armed Forces, and the elimination of anti-chiropractic bias in federal health care programs.

Rondberg noted that the passage of the Veterans Affairs bill by both houses of Congress was a great victory for the profession, and helped make legislators more aware of the true nature of chiropractic. "We talked with numerous members of Congress about chiropractic and found that many of them didn't know anything about vertebral subluxations," stated WCA's Washington representative and legislative lobbyist Jim Albertine. "We were able to explain that subluxation correction care makes chiropractic unique. That's why the reference to subluxations was put into the VA bill, despite earlier efforts to discard it."

Albertine emphasized that the most effective strategy in the lobbying campaign was personal contact with key legislators. He said that nothing is as powerful as one-on-one communication with a constituent and, contrary to popular misconception, most lawmakers welcome a chance to discuss issues with residents of their state or district.

This has been confirmed by many members of Congress, including Lee Hamilton, a 30-year veteran of the House of Representatives, who went on to serve as director of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars.

"Members (of Congress) really do believe that constituent views are important; during all my years in Congress I never heard a member say otherwise," he explained in an article for Political Science & Politics. "The American people bear more responsibility for the success of our representative democracy than they realize. If people don't participate in the political process, their views cannot be effectively represented. This is not just a matter of voting. Our system depends upon open and trusting interaction between representatives and the people who elected them."

WCA International Board of Governors member Stephanie Grenier, D.C., knows this from personal experience as mayor of Auburn, Georgia. "We all have to influence the legislative decisions that can either help or hinder our goals to improve the quality of life for those in our communities and our future," she reminds doctors. "Stay in touch with your legislators and be their health advisor so they may make educated decisions that will have positive effects on us all as citizens and health providers."

The World Chiropractic Alliance International Summit will provide ample opportunities for doctors throughout the country to meet with their legislators and discuss important chiropractic issues.

"We can't think of a better way for chiropractic to show Congress, the country, and the world, that 'United We Stand,'" Rondberg said. "We are united behind the unique character of chiropractic as a drug-free health care approach that focuses on correction of the vertebral subluxation. We are united in our demand for freedom of choice in health care. We are united in our passion for a profession that can elevate the wellness of every human being on earth."

The Summit kicks off on Thursday, April 11, with personal meetings with legislators. The WCA will supply registrants with information on how to make appointments with their legislators, and how to maximize the effectiveness of the meeting. Chiropractors from outside the U.S. will be encouraged to make contact with their embassies and urge delegates to attend the Roundtable and Spinal Screening to learn more about chiropractic.

Legislators have been invited to participate in a round table discussion of chiropractic at 10 a.m. on Thursday, in the Gold Room of the Rayburn House Office Building. The informal discussion will give lawmakers a chance to hear directly from chiropractors, and ask questions about the role of chiropractic in health care.

After a break for a catered luncheon, the Gold Room will be transformed into a spinal screening area so legislators can see first hand how D.C.s detect subluxations and provide adjustments.

An Insight Millennium Subluxation Station will be set up to screen legislators and the members of their staffs. "This is the same machine used by Dan O'Brien, the fastest, most versatile athlete in the world," Rondberg noted. "We know many lawmakers will be eager to have us analyze the function of their nerve system." Participants will receive a printed readout of the test results, as well as an explanation of how subluxations are detected in various chiropractic offices.

A licensed doctor of chiropractic will be on hand to give adjustments or refer participants to subluxation-based D.C.s in their area.

"This will be an incredible opportunity to show members of Congress the reality of the subluxation, to teach them about the devastating effects it exerts on the human experience, and about our unique role as chiropractors," Rondberg observed. "If we don't do this, medically oriented musculoskeletal chiropractic will prevail, and our ability to practice subluxation correction will be in jeopardy."

The screenings will take place until 3 p.m., when WCA International Board of Governors will take over the room for their annual meeting. IBG members will provide input into, and vote on, major chiropractic issues and WCA policies. "It's important that all IBG members to attend this meeting," stated David Jackson, D.C., chief executive officer of the WCA. "We have a large and diverse board in order to have the WCA reflect the views of doctors around the globe. We can best meet the needs of the entire profession when all board members actively participate in the process."

Topping off Thursday's list of events is a gala reception. The 2001 reception was held in the Mansfield Room of the Senate Building, and the WCA is working to secure that room again in 2002.

The reception will be an ideal place for all doctors to celebrate the gathering while reflecting on the victories they have achieved and sharing their enthusiasm for the successes they anticipate in the coming year, said Rondberg. "If you've ever been in a room filled with people who share your passion and excitement, people who are truly kindred spirits, you know what to expect during the reception. If you've never experienced that before, all I can say is that you are in for an evening you'll never forget."

In 2001, numerous legislative leaders -- including Senators Trent Lott, Orrin Hatch, and Jim Bunning, and Representatives Paul Kanjorski, Donald Manzullo and Rush Holt -- joined in the festive gathering.

Jack Masche, D.C., WCA chief operating officer, said he'll never forget when Sen. Lott, then the Senate Majority Leader, stood up in front of the group and said, "If more Americans were under chiropractic care, there would be less need for drugs and surgery."

"It was an electric moment for everyone," Dr. Masche recalled. "I wonder how many chiropractors now have a photo of Sen. Lott in their waiting rooms, with that quote emblazoned below it. It would be a powerful statement for all patients to read."

There's no way to tell who might stop by for the reception this year, Rondberg admitted. "But considering the attention chiropractic has been receiving recently, I wouldn't be surprised if some of the top leadership dropped in to meet with us."

It's hard to believe but all these events -- personal meetings with legislators, round table discussion, spinal screening, luncheon, IBG meeting, and reception -- are just the start of the Summit!

The following two days -- Friday, April 12 and Saturday, April 13 -- will be packed with presentations from some of the most popular, informative and motivating speakers in the profession. Some of the people tapped to make presentations at the famed Hotel Washington are:

*** Terry A. Rondberg, D.C. -- president of the World Chiropractic Alliance, publisher of The Chiropractic Journal and president of Chiropractic Benefit Services. Risk management and how to protect yourself from malpractice lawsuits.

*** Veronica Gutierrez, D.C. -- member of the WCA Board of Directors, chair of the WCA Council on Women's Health and the only D.C. serving on the White House Commission on Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Chiropractic scope of practice issues.

*** Timothy Feuling -- member of the WCA Board of Directors and vice president of Chiropractic Benefit Services. Proper record keeping and terms of acceptance forms.

*** Matthew McCoy, D.C. -- Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research editor. Case presentations and clinical correlations.

*** Jay Holder, D.C. -- chair of the WCA Council on Addictionology, and founder and director of the American College of Addictionology & Compulsive Disorders. The latest research on adjustive techniques to correct vertebral subluxation.

*** Jeffrey Shay, D.C. -- World Chiropractic Alliance director of Insurance Relations and Chiropractic Journal columnist. Medicare reporting and procedures.

*** Christopher Kent, D.C. -- member of the WCA Board of Directors, director of research for EMG Consultants, Inc., and a co-founder of Paradigm Partners, Inc. and the Chiropractic Leadership Alliance. Principles of practice and critical thinking.

Among numerous other chiropractic leaders and experts scheduled to give presentations on a variety of topics:

*** David Singer, D.C. Insurance reporting and procedures.

*** Jay Zimmerman, D.C. Examination procedures.

*** Rich Pistolese, D.C. Principles of pediatric practice.

*** Don Epstein, D.C. Enhancing spinal and neuro integrity.

Several presentations will examine, in depth, uniquely chiropractic issues. Drs. Jay Rothstein, Spence Jahner and Jack Masche will tackle the topic of diagnosis of vertebral subluxation, while Drs. Eric Plasker, Ted Morter and C.J. Mertz will cover adjustive techniques to correct subluxation. Dr. David Jackson will discuss clinical examination for subluxation.

Other scheduled presentations include:

-- Timothy Gay, D.C., who will address principles of practice;

-- Barbara Loe Fisher, president and founder of the National Vaccine Information Center; and

-- Patrick Gentempo, D.C., co-founder and CEO of the Chiropractic Leadership Alliance, whose presentation at the close of last year's summit had participants on their feet cheering with enthusiasm.

Also planned is a special presentation by Dr. Fabrizio Mancini, president of Parker College of Chiropractic, who will discuss the state of chiropractic education.

Another highlight of the Summit will be the presentation of the 2001 WCA Awards, with beautifully designed, engraved crystal awards going to Dr. Monte Greenawalt, Humanitarian of the Year; Dr. Jack Masche, Chiropractor of the Year; Dr. Erin Elster, Researcher of the Year; and Rep. Donald Manzullo, Outstanding Service.

"Summit 2002 will offer something of interest to everyone," Rondberg said. "But most of all, it'll offer something of value to chiropractic. It will be a chance for us to be united, to share the spirit of B.J. Palmer, and to march shoulder to shoulder into the future."

The Summit is open to all subluxation-based doctors. Membership in the World Chiropractic Alliance is not required.

Registration is $285 per doctor, and each registered D.C. may bring unlimited non-D.C. guests, including family and staff members. CE credit will be available and doctors should add $50 for license renewal.

Special rates are available at the Hotel Washington. When calling the hotel (800/424-9540) be sure to tell them that you are attending the WCA Summit.