Dr. James Badge's attempt to retain his seat as vice president of the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE) has failed. Dr. Badge has served as vice president of the organization since May 2000.

He did manage to win re-election as District IV Director on a 6-4 vote. However, according to information received by The Chiropractic Journal, his attempt to continue in that position also came close to failing. It was reported that the Nevada delegate voted for Badge, in opposition to his board's instructions, and the Kansas delegate -- who was expected to vote against Badge -- was removed just prior to the meeting.

Badge has served on the Western States Chiropractic College (WSCC) Board of Trustees since 1983 and is currently the college's Board Chairman.

Many of Badge's critics were relieved that he was ousted from the VP position, a setback that put his NBCE presidential hopes in danger.

"Had Dr. Badge become president of the National Board, I believe it would have been a disaster for the chiropractic profession since he represents and promotes all the things that chiropractic should not be," stated Terry A. Rondberg, D.C., publisher of The Chiropractic Journal.

Opponents blame Badge for the direction taken by WSCC in recent years. Under his leadership, WSCC has become the foremost advocate of medicalized chiropractic.

In 1997, the school stirred controversy by sponsoring a vaccination day clinic on campus. The WSCC newspaper, The Synapse, on April 21, 1997 promoted the event with a notice reading: "Need a booster shot for your three-year old? Looking to update your child's immunization records for school next September? If so, then you'll want to take advantage of a free immunization day at the College's Campus Clinic... The Campus Clinic's family practice physician, Tom Harris, D.O. ...and clinic interns will be on hand... students are encouraged to bring their children to the free clinic..."

"Since immunizations are outside the scope of chiropractic practice, it is highly improper for Western States Chiropractic College to promote or lend their physical support to this type of activity," Dr. Rondberg stated. "It was totally irresponsible to encourage or facilitate an obviously exclusive medical procedure on the premises of an assumed non-medical institution."

The college also drew fire from around the chiropractic community by changing the name of its chiropractic clinic to "Campus and Medical Clinic," and implementing a "Doctor of Chiropractic Medicine" (DCM) program.

In defending the action, Badge proclaimed: "Far too frequently, patients present to chiropractors with signs and symptoms where pharmaceutical intervention should be considered. Currently, the chiropractor must refer this patient, causing additional expense and inconvenience for the patient, often resulting in a break in the continuity of conservative care provided by the chiropractor."

It wasn't the first time the controversial doctor had ignited a firestorm of protests. During his tenure as chairman of the Arizona Board of Chiropractic Examiners (ABCE), his actions were often considered prejudicial against subluxation-based chiropractors.

In the mid-1990s, Badge was accused of fabricating evidence against Rondberg, who was a leader of the state's subluxation-based chiropractic community, and filing unfounded complaints against him. In 1995, the ABCE voted unanimously to dismiss all complaints against Rondberg involving political campaign contributions.

No criminal complaint was ever filed against Rondberg, and it was generally conceded that he had unknowingly violated a newly passed campaign contribution regulation, on the advice of his lobbyist.

"Dr. James Badge was the head of the board," Rondberg stated at the time, "and it was well known throughout the state that he was involved in a smear campaign against me. Even other board members warned me that he was 'out to get me' because he was closely aligned with the ACA and I was trying to break their hold on the state and on the profession."

Another member of the Arizona Board, David Brotman, D.C., acknowledged that the complaints filed against Rondberg were "trumped up" and part of "a personal vendetta" against him.