NWHSU Leaders Make an Impact in Europe with the WFC
This summer, NWHSU leaders traveled to Europe to take part in events with the World Federation of Chiropractic (WFC). Engaging in the global conversation around chiropractic is vital to the future of the profession and ensures that NWHSU is at the forefront of chiropractic education and practice.
18th WFC Biennial Congress
NWHSU alumni and leaders traveled to Copenhagen in May to attend the 18th WFC Biennial Congress, which featured international keynote speakers, compelling panel discussions, groundbreaking science and inspiring workshops.
Michele Maiers, DC, MPH, PhD, presented “Future Proofing Chiropractic: Strategies for Success,” exploring the key trends shaping the future of chiropractic and the strategies needed to ensure its relevance and growth. From integrating emerging research to embracing interprofessional collaboration and demonstrating value within healthcare systems, she outlined a roadmap for chiropractors to thrive in an evidence-based, patient-centered world.
Dr. Maiers also presented on the panel “DEI: Practical Strategies for Positive Action,” and presented her research: “Contextual Factors Related to Aging Determine Spinal Manipulation Dosage: a prospective cross-sectional study.” Finally, she presented a poster “RAND REACH Center Checklist to Promote Health Equity in Research.”
With nearly 1,000 attendees, this conference was an incredible opportunity to share best practices and the latest chiropractic research, with an eye toward shaping a forward-facing global chiropractic profession,” said Maiers.
Christine Goertz received the WFC’s highest honor: the David Chapman-Smith Honor Award
NWHSU alum Christine Goertz, DC, PhD presented “Patients, Practitioners, Policy: Why Joined up Thinking is Critical for Chiropractic. She also received the WFC’s highest honor: the David Chapman-Smith Honor Award.
Another NWHSU alum, Brian Nook, DC, presented in a hands-on workshop: Management of Upper Extremity Conditions.
International Chiropractic Education Alliance Annual Meeting
Ahead of the biennial conference, the International Chiropractic Education Alliance (ICEA) held its annual meeting. NWHSU president Deb Bushway, PhD — co-chair of the ICEA—convened the meeting along with Dr. Richard Brown, Secretary General of the WFC and Christina Davis, Executive Operations Manager at the WFC.
Attendees from around the world attended the meeting. “The agenda balanced strategic content and global perspectives, through sessions like the keynote on the state of chiropractic education and a panel on accreditation consistency, with engaging, small-group discussions that invited meaningful co-creation of ICEA’s workstreams and future direction,” shared Dr. Bushway.
World Health Organization’s Annual World Health Assembly
After the biennial conference, Dr. Maiers joined the WFC delegation in Geneva at the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Annual World Health Assembly. “I’ve been here meeting with WHO staff from the Traditional Complementary and Integrative Medicine, Rehabilitation, Healthy Aging, and Healthcare Workforce units, to discuss how chiropractic can and could further contribute to organizational goals,” she shared.
At the conference, she connected with fellow NWHSU alum, Molly Meri Robinson Nicol, DC, Unit Head, Process Efficiency at WHO. “It has been inspiring to see how Dr. Robinson Nicol’s talent and adaptability has positioned her to implement cross-departmental strategies to enhance the effectiveness of WHO.”