February 2004

Logan students form 'unofficial' Student WCA group

The fact that their school won't allow the World Chiropractic Alliance (WCA) to establish an official Student Chapter on campus hasn't stopped Logan students from forming an "unofficial" group that shares the basic philosophy and goals of the international organization.

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Like so many students around the country, these chiropractors‑to‑be realize that chiropractic is far more than a treatment for neuromusculoskeletal conditions. They are eager to offer their patients a unique health care service centered around the detection and correction of vertebral subluxations.

They are also vocal in their support for the right of all doctors to choose their own chiropractic vision and aware of the shared ideals that unite all members of the chiropractic community.

"I have learned so much from the other members of the SWCA," said Logan SWCA President David Sheitelman. "We have members with many various philosophies and techniques. However, our common bond is that we all want to advance the objective science of chiropractic while still preserving our vitalistic philosophy. In short, we all stand for unity in chiropractic without uniformity!"

After meeting with the group in St. Louis, WCA President Terry A. Rondberg, D.C. -- a Logan alumni ‑‑ said he was extremely impressed with the caliber of students drawn to the SWCA. "If anyone thinks that chiropractic students are apathetic, they should come out here and meet these young men and women," he said. "The strength of their commitment for chiropractic and academic freedom is amazing. They are a true asset to the WCA and the profession."

The WCA has attempted repeatedly to gain approval to establish an official chapter at Logan, on par with chapters of the American Chiropractic Association and International Chiropractors Association but has met with resistance from the administration. After being told by Logan President George Goodman, D.C., that the SWCA would not be allowed because the WCA didn't "fit" into the school's mission statement, Dr. Rondberg tried to appeal the decision.

He pointed out that, according to the SWCA chapter manual, the goal of the WCA is "Promoting chiropractic as a drug‑free, subluxation‑based health care approach providing lifetime, family wellness care. It should be available to all people, from infancy to old age, regardless of the presence or absence of symptoms. We work constantly and vigorously to make sure that chiropractic doesn't deteriorate into a medical therapy or incorporate drugs, surgery or other medical techniques."

In a letter to Dr. Goodman, Rondberg noted that, "This vision of chiropractic does not conflict with the mission of Logan, since your school's website says that 'Chiropractic is a natural health method that by choice does not use drugs or surgery, and is dedicated to providing a higher quality of life for young and old alike. The modern doctor of chiropractic does not seek to compete with the medical doctor, but rather to provide non‑invasive health care.'

"In addition," he noted, "both Logan and the WCA endorse and support the ACC Paradigm, which states that, "Chiropractic is a health care discipline which emphasizes the inherent recuperative power of the body to heal itself without the use of drugs or surgery." That is surely a provision we can both agree upon! It's clear, then, that despite some fundamental differences, the WCA and Logan College share very basic principles of chiropractic and it's my hope that the differences do not make it impossible for the two to act with respect and professionalism toward each other."

Although Goodman and the Logan administration refused to relent and permit the WCA to form an official campus club, a group of students decided to establish an "unofficial" chapter in order to have access to the resources offered through the SWCA program.

The group will meet to exchange information and ideas about subluxation‑centered chiropractic, success strategies, political issues, and other topics of interest. As SWCA members, they'll also be given the opportunity to host guest speakers and obtain training material to help them as students and during their transition to private practice.

"We are proud to pioneer the first group of members for the SWCA and we want the profession to know that we are going to do our best to defend, protect and preserve the art of chiropractic," said Adam Tanase, Logan SWCA Vice President.