The Pediatric Councils of the two US national associations, the International Chiropractors Association and the American Chiropractic Association, have announced they will be teaming up for a Joint Pediatrics Conference in 2011. The conference will be held at the Turtle Bay Resort, December 9-11, 2011 on the North Shore of the Island of Oahu in Hawaii. This event will be the first time specialty councils of the two organizations are collaborating to present one conference for the chiropractic profession. It will be a historic occasion and one that bodes well for the future of chiropractic pediatric continuing education.
“The ICA has been putting on these pediatrics conferences since 1991 and we are delighted to have the ACA Pediatrics Council join with us in 2011,” said Lora Tanis, DC, DICCP, chair of the ICA Pediatrics Council. “Since we both recognize one Diplomate program (DICCP) and we have the same vision regarding pediatric education for DCs and the care of pediatric patient, it makes sense for us to combine our energies and resources to put on one event to which everyone can come without having to choose one over the other.”
Elise Hewitt, DC, CST, DICCP, President of the ACA Council on Chiropractic Pediatrics was also enthusiastic about what this can mean for the future of chiropractic pediatrics. “We are very pleased and excited about the opportunity to partner with our colleagues at the ICA Pediatrics Council to put on a first-class conference dedicated to advancing the chiropractor’s knowledge and skills in chiropractic pediatrics,” said Dr. Hewitt. “While this is the first event of this kind, we hope it leads to many years of collaboration between our two organizations.”
The leaders of both ACA and ICA have given their blessings for this joint conference. “The common purpose of our Pediatric specialty councils (ACA and ICA) will be celebrated in this joint Chiropractic Pediatric Conference. This is another example of our profession coming together for the benefit of doctors and the patients we serve. Congratulations to all who helped put this historic event together…setting a positive example for all to follow,” said Dr. Rick McMichael, ACA President.
ICA President Dr. Gary Walsemann also congratulated the two Councils on behalf of the ICA Board of Directors for taking the initiative to collaborate on an event that could have a positive impact on the future of chiropractic pediatrics. “We know this is going to be an outstanding event and I encourage all DCs to come to Hawaii and support this joint venture. I have no doubt the educational program will be excellent and it is definitely another step forward for both the Councils.”
The planning committee of the joint conference is working on finalizing the program, designed to have something for everyone. It will include clinical topics and practical adjusting workshops taught by experts, as well as exciting keynote speakers. A Call for Papers will be sent out shortly by the Research Review Committee for the submission of papers for both platform and poster presentations. The program will also include a fun social event for attendees so there is an opportunity for doctors to meet and network and have some fun.
“We want this to be a memorable event,” said Drs. Tanis and Hewitt. “We invite chiropractic family practitioners all over the world, of all affiliations to join us in this inaugural effort. Our goal is to present a unified perspective in pediatrics to the chiropractic profession for the benefit of the practitioner and ultimately for the little patients they serve.”
Watch the Council website at www.icapediatrics.com and www.acapedscouncil.org for more news about the program, including hotel reservations and registration.