Chiropractic + Naturopathic Doctor • April 2020 • SPEAKERS

Brandi MacDonald and her husband run a busy family based, subluxation correction office in Edmonton, Canada. She left her leadership career when she was personally touched by the healing power of Chiropractic. She is the owner of True Concepts Inc., a consulting and professional speaking company that provides leadership training to Chiropractic teams. She is co-founder and developer of the online training program and community for Chiropractors called “The Vitality Shift” Co-author of 2 health promotion books highlighting her own healing journey through Chiropractic and bestselling author of the newly released “Sipping Brandi. Facebook Wisdom for Extraordinary Chiropractors and Teams.” Today, she spends her time instilling a message of hope and healing and is known as a “communication ninja.”

Dr. Cathy Wendland-Colby graduated from Life University as a Doctor of Chiropractic in 1998. She is currently a Board Member of the Georgia Council of Chiropractic, the League of Chiropractic Women, and serves as a member of the ICA. Dr. Wendland- Colby is known for her work with pregnant women and young families. She has travelled around the world to lecture on the natural Chiropractic approach to health, pregnancy, birth and parenthood.

Dr. Ribley graduated from the Palmer School of Chiropractic in September of 1960. He is an internationally renowned Chiropractor, speaker and seminar leader. He was a team speaker at the Life DE Meetings for over 35 years. For the past 45 years he has been a continuing educational teacher for postgraduate education for state Chiropractic associations. He was the founder of the Michigan Chiropractic Council, which grew to be the largest Chiropractic professional organization in Michigan. He served on the Michigan Board of Chiropractic Examiners for 10 years. He served as ICA Representative for Michigan for 6 years. He is one of the founders of Life University - Marietta GA and has served continuously on its Board of Trustees through January 2010.

Dr. Dan Sullivan graduated from Northwestern College of Chiropractic in 2004. He is a principled Chiropractor with over 13 years of field experience in leading, educating, and mentoring the public, Chiropractic students, and Doctor of Chiropractic in human health and performance. Areas of expertise and ambitions include understanding and applying the philosophy of Chiropractic and Chiropractic lifestyle, and the science that validates it. He is highly passionate about studying, understanding, and communicating the science and evidence proving the deleterious effects of vertebral subluxation and its impact on human physiology.

For over 25 years, Dr. Fletcher has owned and managed one of Canada’s leading practices. Based in Toronto, he is a compelling speaker who educates doctors on efficient and profitable practice models. He recently acquired a majority position in the Chiropractic Leadership Alliance (CLA) and assumed the role of Chairman and Chief Clinical Officer. Dr. Fletcher is a high-profile speaker, author and coach who has assisted hundreds of doctors around the globe to build stronger, more sustainable practices. His vision is to enhance CLA’s position in the marketplace by expanding its breath of solutions, educational services and technology innovation.

Dr. Plasker is a 1985 graduate of Life University and has been a practising chiropractor for over 30 years. He and his team have helped tens of thousands of patients from all over the world improve their health and quality of life through the chiropractic care and 100 Year Lifestyle information provided at Plasker Chiropractic. Dr. Plasker is the international bestselling author of The 100 Year Lifestyle, The 100 Year Lifestyle Workout and The 100 Year Lifestyle Second Edition. Dr. Plasker believes that “everyone deserves to be healthy from the time they are born through their last breath of life. This includes you!”

Dr. Gilles LaMarche is a leader, Chiropractor, educator, accomplished author, professional speaker, and inspiring certified personal development/executive coach. Dr. LaMarche found his calling as a healer when at the age of twelve he was taken to a Chiropractor after years spent as an “unwell” child. Little did he know that one meeting would change the course of his life and he would soon discover the science, art and philosophy of Chiropractic, which lead him to a vision for better health. This vision: to help the world discover the importance and value to taking personal responsibility for overall health and well-being naturally. Dr. LaMarche continues to live to this vision almost 50 years later. After 25 years of successful practice, and 6 years in higher education, in the fall of 2013 he joined the executive team at Life University and is currently Vice President of University Advancement.

Guy F. Riekeman, D.C., was the fourth president of Life University in Marietta, Georgia and is currently Life University Chancellor. He brings to this critical leadership position in both higher education and the Chiropractic profession an uplifting vision, focused energy and a wealth of practical experience. In a dynamically changing world, glutted with information and roiling with uncertainty, Dr. Riekeman daily demonstrates a unique ability to articulate meaning and inspiring discipline for institutional, professional and personal success. Dr. Riekeman obtained his Chiropractic degree with honors in 1972 from Palmer College of Chiropractic in Iowa. He became a Chiropractic spokesman, extolling the Chiropractic message through award-winning television, video and audio productions. As a leader for the Chiropractic centennial celebration in 1995, he produced the nationally aired TV documentary “From Simple Beginnings,” helping the public appreciate Chiropractic’s contribution to health and wellness.

Dr. Heidi Haavik is a Chiropractor who has also gained a PhD in human neurophysiology. She has recently released the book “The Reality Check: A quest to Understand Chiropractic from the inside out.” This book describes in easy to understand language what happens in the brain when a Chiropractor adjusts dysfunctional segments in the spine. The book is based on cutting edge neuroscience research performed over the past two decades. Dr Haavik has used her neurophysiology expertise to study the effects of adjusting subluxations on the function of the central nervous system. Specifically, she has utilized techniques such as somatosensory evoked electroencephalography and transcranial magnetic brain stimulation to investigate the effects of Chiropractic adjustments of vertebral subluxations on somatosensory processing, sensorimotor integration and motor cortical output. Dr. Haavik graduated from the New Zealand College of Chiropractic in 1999, and has practised chiropractic for over 17 years.

Dr. Chestnut holds a Bachelor of Physical Education degree, a Master of Science degree in exercise physiology with a specialization in neuromuscular adaptation, is a Doctor of Chiropractic, holds a post-graduate Certification in Wellness Lifestyle, and has received numerous academic awards of distinction during his undergraduate and graduate studies. Dr. Chestnut recently developed the Evidence-Based Chiropractic and Lifestyle Clinical Protocols, which include evidence-based spinal health exams, reports, and patient education. Dr. Chestnut also developed, wrote the texts, and still teaches the evidence-based Chiropractic and wellness lifestyle provider post-graduate certification program accredited through the International Chiropractors Association (ICA). He presently holds the position of Chair of the ICA Council on Wellness Lifestyle Science and is a member of the ICA Committee on Chiropractic Postgraduate Education. He is also on the Clinical Advisory Panel of the Australian Spinal Research Foundation.

Always ahead of the curve, Dr. Jason Deitch has been mentoring inspired Chiropractors and health professionals and helping them to share their health stories for decades. You probably already know him from the AmpLIFEied posts populating your Facebook newsfeed, but Deitch has been instrumental in getting our subluxation-based message heard long before social media was a household term. Putting his undergraduate Marketing degree to good use, his first Chiropractic book hit the market before he even attended Chiropractic school. From tools and technology to platforms and podcasts, Deitch knows how to connect Chiropractors to the world.

Dr. Jenna Davis owns a highly successful family wellness multidisciplinary clinic in Oakville, Ontario. Dr. Davis loves working with families in all stages and has a unique ability to educate her practice members so they feel heard, honoured and understand how Chiropractic can improve their function and life. She is an author, educator, and travels around the world sharing information on the power of communication, infertility, pediatrics, infant TMJD, TOTs (Tethered Oral Tissues), team approach to health and wellness, secrets to adjusting pediatrics and prenatal patients, women’s health, niche marketing, finding your true passion and work/life balance. Dr. Davis also created a technique in 2016, the PIPS Technique (Pediatric Intraoral Palate Specific Technique) specifically to assist with Infant TMJD, Tongue-tie, Lip-tie, Dural Tension and Oromotor Challenges.

Awarded Chiropractor of the Year in 2011 and 2018, Dr. John is the creator of Minardi Education, an innovative educational series which focuses on increasing certainty in the Power of the Chiropractic. For the past 19 years, Dr. Minardi’s primary interest has been to understand the Neurology of the Vertebral Subluxation Complex (VSC) and apply this information in a clinical setting for chiropractors and patients. Dr. John brings a unique blend of passion, intensity and excellent teaching skills in order to explain, in a practical manner, the VSC’s segmental and global neurological effects that occur in the body. In addition to his busy lecture schedule, Dr. Minardi operates a full time practice in Oakville, Ontario.

Dr. Kevin Jackson was born in St. Catherine’s, Ontario and grew up in the Niagara Falls area. He attended Niagara College for Business Administration then Brock University where he received a Bachelor of Science. After attending Brock, he earned a Doctorate of Chiropractic from Life University. During his time Life U, Dr. Jackson won the national graduate school championship. Dr. Kevin is the Vice President of his state organization, the Chiropractic Fellowship of Pennsylvania. He is also a fellow of the International Chiropractors Association.

Dr. Liz Anderson-Peacock has a B.Sc. from the University of Winnipeg and in 1986 graduated Cum Laude from Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College. Her purpose is to “help, heal, empower and inspire the best version of you so you can meet and exceed your goals for the betterment of all.” Dr. Liz considers herself a “work in progress” as she discovers and unfolds a new journey and new point of view in life experiences after her recent below the knee amputation. Her passion for children led her to become a Diplomate from the first graduating class of the ICA Pediatric Diplomate program in 1996. Dr. Liz maintains an active family-based chiropractic office in Ontario. She has authored eight papers on various aspects of Chiropractic care in children and has presented at International Pediatric Conferences. Dr. Liz is a Fellow of the ICA, received “Chiropractor of the Year” from Canadian Chiropractor magazine in 1998 and the Ontario Chiropractic Association’s Heart and Hand award in 2005.

Dr. Michael Longyear is the director of Chiropractic Neurology at the NeuroLIFE Institute with Life University. A graduate of Parker University in Dallas, Texas, he has dedicated his professional life to researching and learning all he can about the brain and nervous system and to develop non-invasive ways to treat conditions associated with it. His passion lies in treating neurodevelopmental disorders as well as neuropsychological and sport related injuries. In their spare time, he and his wife Meaghan donate their time and efforts with multiple pet organizations as well seniors and homeless shelters. Having fought back from a month of paralysis, Dr. Longyear never accepted his new normal of being confined to a wheel chair and doesn’t believe that other patients should ever except their new normal either.

Dr. Peter Amlinger graduated from Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College in 1985 and has maintained a family-oriented principle-based practice in Mississauga since that time. Dr. Amlinger has served as an instrumental piece for the Halton Peel Chiropractic, Barcelona College of Chiropractic, Collage of Chiropractors of Ontario and Dynamic Essentials. He has been the pillar of Wonders of Chiropractic, Chiropractic Pure and Powerful and Purposeful Living Inc. As a teacher in various seminars, he sees his role as that of facilitating personal growth in Chiropractors, their families and their staff so that they can fall in love with the principles of Chiropractic, integrate them into their lives, and develop their “ideal practices” from the inside out. He sees the principle as the uniting force in Chiropractic and is dedicated to enhancing the understanding and utilization of the principle around the world.

Dr. Scott holds a Ph.D. in Applied Physiology from the University of Minnesota, a Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Northwestern Health Sciences University and is also a Diplomate of Chiropractic Philosophical Standards. His master’s degrees include a Master of Science in Exercise Physiology and a Master of Education in Educational Administration. He attended the University of Guelph to earn his Bachelor of Science in Human Kinetics. Dr. Scott came to Life University in 2005 as the Dean of the College of Chiropractic before moving to Vice Provost and executive leadership roles in Academic Affairs. He has also worked as the Dean of Chiropractic at Northwestern Health Sciences University and as the Vice President for Academic Affairs at Logan College of Chiropractic. In May 2017, Dr. Scott was named the fifth President of Life University, succeeding former President Dr. Guy Riekeman, who assumed the title of Chancellor of Life University at that same time.

Dr. Stephanie Sullivan, Graduate of Life University’s College of Chiropractic 2008, serves as the Director of the Life University Dr. Sid E. Williams Center for Chiropractic Research (CCR). Dr. Sullivan’s responsibilities include mission driven leadership and advancement of the CCR, research compliance, and the conduct of chiropractic research. Utilizing her background in banking, marketing, and management Dr. Sullivan has worked to increase the number of research projects conducted at Life University as well as raise the rigor of studies to include high-impact clinical trials. Dr. Sullivan is also a neuroscience Ph.D. graduate of the Biomedical and Health Sciences Institute at the University of Georgia. Her research focus includes investigating attention, sensory gating, cognitive efficiency and the effect of chiropractic and applied clinical neuroscience care on brain-body neuroplasticity.

Dr. Tom Preston is a highly sought-after trainer, advisor, consultant and coach who, for over 20 years has helped people “be” more so they can “do” more. One of the keys Tom has discovered in his many years of helping people perform at their peak is that getting more information isn’t usually what is inhibiting people from growing to their full potential in life and in business! Instead he has found that removing the blocks to applying the knowledge they already have is one of the main keys to personal and professional growth and transformation. Tom studied at the University of Toronto before receiving his Doctor of Chiropractic degree from the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College in Toronto in 1988.