noting that the rigorous educational stan- dards required in a university setting en- sures that the quality of education, as well as standards for research, will be at the highest possible level. “Chiropractors educated in a setting with such high standards,” notes Gonthier, “will also be accepted into various govern- ment programs – here, we will see a merger with the public.” The new initiative involves bringing the profession into a university in B.C. to take advantage of the growth in research, over- seas education, and regional health resource needs. With the successful implementation of this program, chiropractic will see a new venue for opportunities, leading to better health care for Canadians. By supporting this, the profession is showing that it is committed to providing high quality, safe and effective treatment for all Canadians. “We know that one third of all health care visits involve spine and spine-related conditions,” says Dr. Debbie Wright, BCCA vice president. “Giving the public better access to care will not only effectively meet the needs of an over-burdened health care system, but will do so in a cost-effective manner. This is a crucial issue consider- ing the exponential rise of health care costs each year in Canada.” HIGHLIGHTS OF THE JOURNEY Nixdorf and team note that there have been ups and downs in this process, but certain points are worth highlighting. What has been a long and trying process over the last 10 years has recently gained momentum. With the establishment of any educational program, land and a building had to be secured. Concurrently, curricu- lum discussions would be needed with ex- isting Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE) chiropractic faculty and potential chiropractic educators. And finally, fund- ing, both immediate and long-term, had to be arranged. Each is an essential item, but is not always accomplished in the antici- pated sequence. Two years ago, a golden opportunity ap- peared in the form of the Burnaby Moun- tain Sport and Medicine facility. This group saw the potential to build a world class sport and health education, and recreation, facility. Although the exact location is yet to be determined, the lower mainland is an excellent location for this facility: a future world class centre in a beautiful location where the training of both athletes and practitioners can occur, and where the public can come for optimal interdis- ciplinary health care. Having completed many internal criteria, BMSM is now com- pletely immersed in the completion of this complex. The reason that BMSM’s new vision represented such a fortuitous development was that they offered space within their facility for a school of chiropractic. Of the estimated 1 million square feet that com- prise the BMSM complex, an approximate 100,000 square feet have been dedicated to the new school of chiropractic. Further- more, the needs of the school of chiroprac- tic are looked upon as guiding the develop- ment of the project. The BCCC and BCCA are indebted to Mr. Ryan Skomorowski who has been the contact at BMSM and has worked tirelessly with and on behalf of the profession to real- ize this school of chiropractic. Upon the establishment of the facility, and planning of the CCE curricula, the dialogue can continue to identify possible synergies and mutual academic benefit be- tween the school of chiropractic and aca- demic programs currently offered at Simon Fraser University. On November 8, at the 2008 AGM in Whistler, B.C., a very important question was put to the BCCC and BCCA members at large. Would the profession in BC be will- ing to provide the additional support need- ed to develop a university-based school of chiropractic? After an open discussion, the response was resoundingly positive. WHERE WE ARE GOING Much work needs to be done towards the goal of matriculating the fi rst class of a chiro- practic program in September of 2011. The plan is to admit roughly 100 students a year, for a total of approximately 400 stu- dents in the program at a time. “B.C. chiropractic doctors recognize the opportunity to increase research and educa- tion resources to meet public health needs evident everywhere.” says Dr. Nixdorf. The chiropractic profession, itself, is the cornerstone of funding to support education and research. B.C. chiropractic doctors recognize the unprecedented opportunity for chiropractic, and the public at large, and have shown their commitment to short-term funding needs with a $500- per-member annual contribution for 10 years. All chiropractors, regardless of state or province, are being made aware of chiro- practic education in B.C., and are asked to support the completion and success of this new DC program. This is a very important period for the profession in general, and particularly in Canada. The opportunities to participate in this historic endeavour are within the grasp of each and every DC in the country. The establishment of this new chiropractic edu- cation program is an important milestone that clearly demonstrates the potential, and desire, for growth by chiropractic, and by the chiropractors who have answered its call. • For further information please con- tact Dr. Don Nixdorf, Executive Director, BCCA/BCCC at [email protected]. “HORIZONS CHIROPRATIQUES” AT UQTR Séminar “Horizons Chiropratiques” will be held by the chiro- practic program of the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières (UQTR) from January 30 to February 1, 2009. This event, organized by UQTR chiropractic students, is a great opportunity to gather students, chiropractors and everybody in the world of chiropractic together. English and French talks have been scheduled to ensure that the conference will offer much to all attendees. www.canadianchiropractor.ca Speakers will include Dr. Gilles Lamarche, Dr. Michael Hall and many others who will discuss topics dealing with philosophy, neurology and other aspects of the chiropractic profession. The seminar will take place at the Delta Trois-Rivières Hôtel. For more information, or to access registration forms online, please visit www.uqtr.ca/aedc/horizons.htm. The students and faculty of the UQTR chiropractic program look forward to meeting you, this winter, in Trois-Rivières. CANADIAN CHIROPRACTOR | DECEMBER 2008 • 9 news
Chiropractic + Naturopathic Doctor December 08: Page 9
