Chiropractors often use Thomas Edison ’ s 1903 quote , “ the doctor of the FUTURE will give no medicine but will interest his patients in the care of the human frame , in diet , and in the cause and prevention of DISEASE .” In 2010 , Dr . Plasker adjusted the quote . “ I felt that 117 years was enough , and as a profession , we needed to stop living in the future . People need our leadership now . The new quote is , “ the doctor of the PRESENT will give no medicine but will interest his patients in the care of the human frame , in diet , and in the cause and prevention of DIS-EASE . BE PRESENT .” At LLW , I invite our future generation of chiropractors to be present and lead .”
Dr . Plasker shares that Life U ’ s Board members were intimidating in the beginning . “ I remember during my first few talks they would sit in the first or second row and wonder ‘ is this going to be what we need to succeed ?’ The fact that we are here more than a decade later lets me know that , together , we are guarding the sacred trust .”
The Sacred Trust is mentioned in the last printed words of Dr . B . J . Palmer , known as the developer of Chiropractic :
“ The burdens are heavy ; responsibilities are many ; obligations are providential ; but the satisfaction of traveling the populated highways and byways relieving suffering , and adding millions of years to lives of millions of suffering people , will bring forth satisfaction and glories with greater blessings than you think . Time is of the essence . May God flow from above-down His bounteous strengths , courages and understandings to carry on ; and may your Innates receive and act on that free flow of wisdom from above-down ; inside-out ; for you have in your possession a Sacred Trust . Guard it well .”
Dr . Plasker has received the Distinguished Alumnus Award from Life University , the Literary Achievement Award from the International Chiropractic Association , the Presidential Award from the California Chiropractic Association and many others . He has been married to his wife Lisa for 33 years , and all three of their children , Dr . Jacob , Dr . Emily and Dr . Cory chose to become chiropractors .
“ All three of our kids participated in LIFE Leadership Weekend ,” Dr . Plasker shares . “ I ’ m so inspired by them , as well as all the kids of chiropractors who send their children to Life U .”
One of Dr . Plasker ’ s mentors , Dr . Ernie Landi , had a reputation of creating chiropractors through his practice , and he lived a legacy by doing that . “ When I was writing ‘ The 100 Year Lifestyle ,’ people would often talk about leaving a legacy , but I was thinking , ‘ Why wait until you ’ re gone ?’”
Dr . Plasker advises that we should be living our legacy while we are alive , every day , so we can enjoy our lives more , make a bigger difference , contribute more and reach bigger goals .
“ This is such a critical time in our history . Our profession and communities need us all to step up . Our legacy is on the line . More people than ever are lost , hurting and searching for leadership . B . J . Palmer also said , ‘ Get the Big Idea , and All Else Follows .’ Well , ‘ all else ’ requires work . Join us as we go to work , smarter and with collective energy . We will not stop …”
Above : Dr . Eric Plasker receives an award from Life U President Dr . Rob Scott .
Left : Dr . Plasker speaks with longtime Life U faculty member Dr . Keith Rau at a LIFE Leadership Weekend event .
46 Alumni . LIFE . edu | 2021