CONA President's Message

 

I just learned, and am saddened with the news of our esteemed colleague Dr. Julian V Vickers, DABCO, DACAN has passed away.  Although his courageous yet short and unexpected battle with cancer has ended, his memory lives on.  Those of us, who knew Julian, and the way he was loved, have some idea of just how great the loss truly is.

It seems like only yesterday when we first met at CONA’s 4th Annual conference in Palm Desert last June, and again at the BCE meeting in Diamond Bar.  Like so many others who were drawn to Julian’s charm, intellect, compassion, and warmth, I am deeply grieved and bewildered by his unexpected death.  Dr. Vickers will always remain very much in the thought, hearts and prayers of the orthopedic specialty that serves our profession so well, and that of the neurology specialty to which he was devoted professionally. 

There’s not much more one can say at a time like this, other than the world and the chiropractic profession has lost someone very special and gifted.  As president of CONA, and speaking for our membership at large, we extend our most profound sympathy to Julian’s wife, his family, and his patients.  We hope your memories of him will offer some comfort to you.  In the meantime, please accept our sympathy, and our good wishes to live life to its fullest one-day-at-a-time because with the loss of a long time friend and confidant, your grief is shared by many.

Sincerely,

Lewis N. Meltz

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Agreed, the economic climate for all of healthcare and private enterprise is indeed challenging.  Equally true will be the upcoming changes in reimbursement, the manner in the way people seek care, and are allowed to choose the care they ultimately receive.  The best we can anticipate are the choices bestowed upon us, and the worst will be the mandates imposed.  From competition and challenge comes opportunity, and I'm glad CONA has been able to offer year-after-year stellar educational programs, and license renewal on a regional basis. 

From our fall break-out mini symposium in Huntington Beach, and I mean literally, on the beach overlooking the strand, to our three-day Palm Springs convention —focusing on low back stabilization with Prof. Stuart McGill.  CONA’s vision has always been much grander with respect to our outreach, and the numbers of chiropractic doctors we can influence through practical innovative programs.  The science and art of modern chiropractic practice exists today for the simple reason, because it works.  We acquired our notoriety in the 1920-1930’s when there were no social programs.  Whether stacking bales of hay, working on an assembly line, or milking cows if you got hurt, and couldn’t work, your family starved.  People needed a swift, reliable, and economic way to return to work… and chiropractic filled the void, it always has, and always will.  Now, it’s debatable if those who received regular periodic spinal adjustments fared better in the early flu epidemics, or later during the polio epidemics… but as I pose the question to my patients, “What if?” and suggest to them how we can always learn from history… “So why take a chance?”

This isn’t the typical membership request, because I for one have heard it way too many times before.  So when it comes to CONA membership I ask you, “Why take the chance?”  The strength of any organization is in its vision, momentum, and in its membership.  You could probably take all 12- hours of required CE in one day, and choose the program on the one criteria of convenience alone, maybe it’s an easy weekday, same town, no travel, no hotel or meals to speak of… but what’s it worth other than getting it out of the way?  What’s the true value, and what’s the psychological toll to you?  It reminds me of the song “Day Tripper” by the Beatles:

“…Got a good reason for taking the easy way out…”  What’s your reason?

The true value of quality clinical programs is ultimately about your patients and their circle of influence.  As my father Joseph used to tell me, “Education is what you remember 10- years after graduation.”  Those words were never as real to me as they are today.  Your time is valuable… so why take the chance, why waste it?  CONA offers useful, proactive, and progressive programs designed to accentuate your clinical skill and competence to elicit referrals… it’s as simple as that.  You can always find a program with a slick marketing gimmick to put out a fire, but why wait until it’s too late?  The stakes are just too high these days.  True success is in the journey, and not the destination, and for an annual membership fee of $95 there’s never been a better value to join CONA, so join today… it’s just a simple click using PayPal.  Or you can send your check to:

Phillip Rake, DC, DABCO
CONA Treasurer
2048 Montrose Ave
Montrose, CA 91020

I’m optimistic you’ll choose to be a part of CONA’s continued growth, especially for your continued prosperity and success because our focus has always been evidence based patient centered care. 

Lewis N. Meltz, D.C., D.A.B.C.O.
’08 CONA President
El Dorado Hills, CA