Two Leaders To Celebrate 50th Anniversaries in 2002
Foot Levelers: A Foundation in Chiropractic

Dr. Monte Greenawalt, founder and chairman emeritus of Foot Levelers, Inc., graduated from Lincoln College of Chiropractic in 1948 and began a chiropractic practice in the basement of a bank in Dubuque, Iowa. After he began practicing, Greenawalt soon became dissatisfied with the fact that his spinal adjustments weren’t holding, which prompted him to search for a reason.

His studies led him to the feet, the foundation for the pelvis and spine. He learned that foot imbalances can cause a series of distortions in a patient’s body, interfering with the “holding power” of the adjustment. He then discovered that balance could be achieved with custom-measured and custom-made foot supports.

As a direct result of his own clinical experience and subsequent research, Greenawalt founded Foot Levelers in 1952. Foot Levelers demonstrates its support to the profession by contributing a great amount of time, energy and resources to furthering chiropractic education and research, helping chiropractic organizations, designing referral campaigns to educate the public about chiropractic, and developing innovations to help chiropractic patients.

Over the years, Foot Levelers’ Educational Division has brought quality seminars taught by well-known instructors to chiropractors across the country. The Educational Division provides doctors with educational opportunities, and it works with national and state organizations, as well as chiropractic colleges, to help raise money for special projects, fund drives, and political action committees (PACs).

Over the years, Foot Levelers has raised more than $7 million for chiropractic colleges, chiropractic research, and the profession as a whole. Each year, the company sponsors two series of License Renewal Seminars. The proceeds for these seminars go directly to the co-sponsoring chiropractic college. Foot Levelers has also donated much-needed equipment to many of the colleges and has made monetary contributions to assist with everything from scholarship funds to the construction of new buildings.

To help mark its 50th year of working with the profession, Foot Levelers is also offering an innovative series of Anniversary Seminars. The seminars, which began in the fall of 2001, are major celebrations, where doctors can renew their licenses while also having fun and exchanging ideas with colleagues. The 2002 events are scheduled to take place in Chicago, Phoenix, Charlotte, San Jose, Minneapolis and Newark.

The Anniversary Seminars will provide the opportunity to earn 18 hours of license-renewal credit over a three-day period. With as many as 10 speakers making presentations and concurrent classes offered, doctors can attend the sessions that interest them most. The seminars will also feature vendor Expos. Proceeds from the Anniversary Seminars will go to the chiropractic college of each attendee's choice.

Both Dr. Greenawalt and his son, Kent Greenawalt - who serves as president and CEO of Foot Levelers - have received numerous awards for their commitment to chiropractic. In 1996, the Northwestern College of Chiropractic dedicated the new Greenawalt Library on Northwestern’s campus. Both men recently received fellowships from Palmer College of Chiropractic, the institution’s highest honorary award, and both were inducted into the American College of Chiropractic, which was chartered by an act of Congress and is made up of chiropractors, educators and scientific investigators throughout the nation.

Kent Greenawalt served as one of the first chairs of the Foundation for Chiropractic Education and Research’s (FCER’s) Business and Industry Campaign and was an active member of the Chiropractic Centennial Foundation Advisory Board, helping to orchestrate a major celebration of the first 100 years of chiropractic. Kent Greenawalt was honored in 1999 with the American Chiropractic Association’s (ACA’s) President’s Award. In 1991, Kent Greenawalt received the “Humanitarian of the Year” award from the American Chiropractic Association (ACA), and 10 years later, Dr. Monte Greenawalt received the ACA’s 2001 “Humanitarian of the Year” award.

Foot Levelers’ history of working with the chiropractic profession has provided some interesting perspectives. Both Dr. Monte Greenawalt and Kent Greenawalt share some of those insights in these exclusive Q&As.

Q What are some of the significant changes that have taken place within the chiropractic profession since you went into practice in 1948?

A In 1948, the profession was comprised of chiropractors committed to enthusiastically trying to convince everyone that chiropractic was the answer to their health problems. Their enthusiasm may have been a little overzealous, but most of them were true believers. Most doctors of chiropractic entered the profession because of a positive experience either for themselves or a member of the family or friend. They had a passion and commitment to the profession. They were willing to stand strong in their faith and commitment to chiropractic in spite of being labeled as quacks and charlatans.

Many chiropractors of today have entered the profession because chiropractic is a good profession and a good place to make money. The majority of chiropractic students have not experienced a chiropractic adjustment before entering college. Chiropractic is unique in the fact that it is a true science and is forced to justify its existence. Therefore, the average chiropractic student is challenged with experiencing the true value of the chiropractic adjustment. Watching the patient respond in a positive manner after receiving their adjustments can and will build the confidence necessary to build a successful practice.

Q In what ways has managed care changed chiropractic?

A The managed-care environment can be a positive for the doctor who learns proper communication skills. These skills can build a bond between the various health-care providers, which may include MDs, surgeons, massage therapists, physical therapists, etc. Learning the value of referral to other members of the health-care community can create a beneficial two-way street. Doctors who do not feel comfortable referring patients and working in the managed-care environment can build a great practice as the chiropractor did before patient insurance became available. Once again it is your communication skills that will ensure success.

Q How can doctors get the message of chiropractic out to more people?

A The best way for the chiropractor to educate patients and the public about the benefits chiropractic care offers is through communication by demonstration.

...I believe the chiropractic profession has attained acceptance with the majority of the public. I also believe that chiropractic can assume the leadership role in providing healthcare for the people worldwide.

Q What types of opportunities does the movement toward “alternative care” present for the practicing chiropractor - both professionally and economically?

AThe movement toward alternative care creates huge opportunities for chiropractors. Never before have Americans had such an open mind towards health.... People are always looking for ways to do things naturally. When people are visiting alternative health-care providers more than traditional MDs, that’s significant. The population is aging, yet we all know the Baby Boomers do not want to get old.

...People care a lot about how they look and how they present themselves. The Baby Boomer demographics are quite high and if we can appeal to the youthfulness, the wellness, and the overall healthiness of these patients, a huge opportunity will be created.

Q What are the biggest changes you’ve seen within the profession during the past 5 to 10 years? What changes do you predict during the next 5 to 10 years, and beyond?

A One of the biggest changes I have seen is the way healthcare is administered in our country.

...Personal, hands-on care should be a model for the future, as opposed to corporate, administrative uncaring. Care is going to get more personal, and patients are going to be much more informed and ask many more questions.

I see huge potential for chiropractic. I think that we have just scratched the surface of our potential. Chiropractors only see about 1 in every 10 people in the United States. Chiropractic is certainly underutilized.

As part of Foot Levelers’ celebration of our 50th anniversary, we have set a goal to increase our efforts of bringing the message of chiropractic to the public. Foot Levelers has retained a nationally recognized public relations firm to assist with the campaign. The campaign will target national consumer magazines, newspapers, as well as major regional publications and all of the national news wire services. People need to know how crucial chiropractic care can be to maintaining an active, healthy lifestyle. The campaign will emphasize whole body wellness and explain how chiropractors can help patients with common problems.

I see a continued growth of chiropractic over the next 50 years and an effort to change the ratio of the number of Americans who see chiropractors from 1 out of 10, to 1 out of 4. The important thing to remember is that chiropractic’s quality of care is better than anything else - the risk is low and the reward is high.

The Parker Seminars Tradition Rooted in Acceptance and Learning

The Parker Seminars, created by Dr. Jim W. Parker, grew from his vision to create an environment of teaching where everyone could be accepted. In his early years of practice, Parker built his practice into 18 successful clinics. Although he was successful, Parker realized many of his colleagues weren’t doing as well.

He carefully analyzed his own policies, procedures and methods to develop seminars with the purpose of helping doctors achieve greater success and to raise the standards of chiropractic care. Parker also emphasized that to be successful in any way, one must develop a compassion to serve that is greater than the compulsion to survive. His visions have continued to guide The Parker Seminars, and in 2002, Parker Seminars - which is part of Parker College of Chiropractic - will celebrate its 50th Anniversary.

Parker Seminars carries on the traditions established by its founder, by lining up leading speakers from inside and outside the chiropractic profession. Together with the core team of teachers who share the Parker System for Professional Success (PSPS), the seminars strive to help doctors build successful practices.

Over the last 50 years, people have come to the Parker Seminars for a number of reasons. They come to fine-tune their adjusting techniques, to learn about various billing procedures, to get their “batteries” recharged, to learn to manage their finances better, to listen to the leaders in the profession, and to hear endorsements of chiropractic by celebrities. They come to develop patient and education protocols. They also come to learn how to communicate the value of chiropractic and how to combine family matters with their chiropractic missions. Many came to enjoy the camaraderie and support of like-minded colleagues.

The Parker Seminars 50th Anniversary kick-off is Jan. 17-20 in Las Vegas. More than 8,000 chiropractors, staff and family members are expected to attend. This will be an opportunity for doctors to share their stories and to hear the stories of people like Dr. Deepak Chopra, well-known author and lecturer; Mark Victor Hansen, author of “Chicken Soup for the Soul”; Dr. Wayne Dyer, author of “Real Magic and Wisdom of the Ages”; Morris Goodman, author of “The Miracle Man.” Other speakers will include Dr. Nathaniel Brandon, author of “Six Pillars of Self-Esteem”; and Doug Caporrino, “Trainer of the Stars.” The program will also feature numerous successful chiropractors who use the procedures and principles taught by Parker.

The seminar will also feature special entertainment, and the lighting and blowing out of 50-year candles that will honor Parker Seminars’ past and the possibilities for the future. A toast to Dr. Jim W. Parker also will be offered.

“This is going to be a historic event,” said Dr. Fabrizio Mancini, president of Parker College of Chiropractic and Parker Seminars. “We’re going to celebrate where we’ve been, and discuss where we plan to be in the future. As a collective body, there’s nothing we can’t accomplish.”