June 2004

WCA‑Australia Summit unites technology with tradition

The international reach of the World Chiropractic Alliance (WCA) was clearly demonstrated at the first‑ever WCA‑Australia Summit, held April 17 and 18 in Melbourne.

The seminar event was filled with motivating speakers as well as hard‑core information on leading technology, including digital x‑rays, digital file management, paperless office, corrective chiropractic equipment and more. Technology presentations were sponsored by the Kodak Corp.

One of the highlighted speakers was WCA founder and President Terry A. Rondberg, DC.

"I believe Terry changed the way people in Australia think about chiropractic forever and has given us some direction and opportunities to go even further," said Andrew Destro, WCA‑Aust. CEO.

Also a hit at the event was Matthew McCoy, DC, editor of the Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research and vice‑president of the Council on Chiropractic Practice. "He was great!" Destro enthused. "Every person who spoke to me said that they could have listened to Matt for the whole two days."

Mike Henrickson, DC, endeared himself to everyone with his limitless energy and a willingness to talk to anyone anytime.

"He gave his time freely to not only teach but he must have adjusted every person at the conference," Destro noted, adding that Dr. Henrickson is scheduled to return in June for a practical seminar.

Although not yet a familiar face in Australia, Ben Lerner, DC, will no doubt become a popular speaker there in the future, if his WCA‑Aust. Summit appearance was any indication.

Dr. Lerner is author of the immensely popular "Body by God," and leader of one of the most progressive and fast‑growing coaching programs in the world.

According to Destro, "He rocked the house. I had the pleasure of spending some time with him after the conference and not only was he great on stage but he's also a genuine human being. Ben moved everyone emotionally and started them really thinking about what they did every day."

Given the difficult task of speaking last was Mike Maggio, DC, who joked that he had to change his presentation at the last minute because everyone had covered most of his material.

Dr. Maggio, who has conducted more than 600 workshops around the world, has one of the largest practices in the USA and cares for many athletes, including Olympians.

"He brought it all together and spoke from the heart," Destro recalled. "He moved me and I know people who cried during a part of his session and when I mentioned his session to them the next day they started to cry again!"

Seminar participants showed their appreciation and enthusiasm in another way was well: by raising $23,000 during a fundraising auction at dinner. The Summit attracted new members to the WCA‑Aust. And Destro anticipates more will join the group in the weeks to come.

The organization taped all the presentations and plans to edit them onto a DVD to share with DCs who were unable to attend this year's event.

"I know that once people see what went on 'down under' this year," they'll want to be part of the excitement next year," Dr. Rondberg said.

"These chiropractors in Australia are true champions for our profession and are leading a worldwide campaign to promote subluxation correction as a wellness approach for all people. They are combining the latest technology and the most current scientific research with traditional chiropractic principles and compassion. I am so proud to have them as colleagues and friends."