July 2007

Two MAC doctors share top honors

The Michigan Association of Chiropractors (MAC) awarded two doctors the Chiropractor of the Year. Dr. Christophe Dean (Berkley) and Dr. Thomas Klapp (Ann Arbor) were both given this distinction last week at the first convention since the merger between the Michigan Chiropractic Society (MCS) and the Michigan Chiropractic Association (MCA). This award is presented to doctors who show outstanding commitment and leadership in the advancement of chiropractic in Michigan.

"This is the first time two chiropractors have ever shared this honor," says MAC president Dr. Kirk Steketee. "Both of these doctors put a lot of hard work into the MCA/MCS merger and they deserved to be recognized. This is a great indication that the merger has been an amazing success."

Christophe Dean, DC, has been a chiropractor since 1975. He graduated from Palmer College of Chiropractic after completing his undergraduate studies at Pennsylvania State University. He was a member of the board of directors of the Michigan Chiropractic Council (MCC) and was elected president of the MCS in 2004. As president he was instrumental in forging the unification of the MCS and the MCA into the MAC last year. Dean has been married for 27 years to Barbara and has two children.

Thomas Klapp, DC, graduated cum laude from Life Chiropractic College in 1979. Klapp has earned Chiropractor of the Year honors twice before by the former MCA, in 1993 and again last year. At the MCA he filled many roles, including president. He has served as chairman for the MAC since its inception earlier this year, and was instrumental in the merger. Klapp's national leadership roles include several positions with the Congress of Chiropractic State Associations, the National Chiropractic Legal Fund and he is a trustee for Life University in Marietta, Ga. He and his wife Kimberly have a three‑year‑old daughter, Victoria Grace.

"Drs. Dean and Klapp were honored in front of the largest gathering of chiropractic professionals in the history of the state," says MAC executive director Kristine Dowell. "Over 1,000 DCs and CAs attended the convention, which demonstrates an overwhelming support for the merger. It was a wonderful success."