was initiated by the OCA in 2011. Recently
we had to fight to stop them from being
cancelled. Now the government is
looking at how to scale them across the
province, with the OCA leading those
discussions as a trusted partner.
What keeps me up at night? Chiropractic
grew up outside of the health care
system and struggled not just to thrive,
but to survive. As a result, we know the
The work the OCA and our partners do
is challenging. Yet we are stronger than
ever, better positioned, more respected
and understood than ever, and our
health care system is evolving in a way
that embraces the conservative, patient-
centred approach that is part of the
chiropractic DNA.
Working for, and as part of the OCA
during this coming of age of the
The point is, despite the fact that there is currently a
huge market opportunity around MSK issues and pain
management that we absolutely must own, I believe that
the evidence for non-MSK symptoms will eventually
catch up to practice, just as it did for spinal pain.
personal struggle of practice, and we
share an empathetic bond with our
colleagues. But this has led to a culture
of tolerance.
As a profession, we tolerate business and
practice behaviours in our colleagues
that border on unprofessional; damaging
behaviours that would never be
tolerated in other professions. We
have all known of situations involving a
chiropractor’s approach to their patients,
the system, insurers, other practitioners,
or their colleagues that is less than
completely professional. Unprofessional
practice tarnishes our reputation, making
the work of the OCA and our fraternal
organizations much harder, holding us
back, and frankly, is our biggest obstacle.
By working together, we can address
and rectify this issue. I urge you to think
about what you can personally do to
elevate the reputation of our profession.
To be a chiropractic leader is much
more than being an OCA board director,
a lecturer at CMCC or a CCO council
member. Leadership in this profession
starts with all of us, in our everyday
interactions with our patients, our
community and each other.
We’ve come a long way as a profession;
and becoming fully integrated in the
health care system is a long game we
hope to win.
14
SPRING 2018
profession has been an incredible
experience and extremely gratifying.
I’ve met, worked with and learned
from many impressive and dedicated
chiropractors and non-chiropractors.
I’ve seen boards over the years
successfully tackle some of the most
challenging issues in our profession.
And, most rewardingly, I’ve experienced
our reputation blossom within the health
professional community.
Moving on from the OCA elicits mixed
emotions, but I am extremely proud of
what we have accomplished, grateful for
all I have received, certain of the future
of the profession, and confident in the
motivation and ability of the OCA to
guide us there.
Thank you for letting me be part of it all,
I can’t wait to see where the future takes
us. I know as a profession we will stand
together and collectively face the future
looking forward.
~Dr. Bob Haig
The story of
chiropractic is
one of evolution,
not revolution.