Issue 10 - July2004

Those who give back — role models for future generations

Throughout the history of chiropractic, some people have stood out. They have given leadership, money, service and support to the profession. They have defended its name and have helped shape chiropractic into what it is today and what it will be tomorrow.

In this section, we’d like to give special recognition to several of today’s leaders who serve as role models for future generations.

The Greenawalts: Providing practical solutions
Dr. Monte Greenawalt and his son Kent — both ACA “Humanitarian of the Year” recipients — are living testaments to Plato’s adage, “Necessity is the mother of all invention.”

A 1948 graduate of Lincoln College of Chiropractic, Dr. Monte Greenawalt quickly became a successful chiropractor, but he was concerned that spinal adjustments didn’t “hold” the way he thought they should. He researched the problem and discovered that poor foot posture could cause a series of distortions throughout the body. The solution he developed was to custom-measure and custom-make foot supports. That solution led to the founding of Foot Levelers in 1952.

The Greenawalts have continued to become aware of problems affecting spinal health and have developed additional solutions, which they have made available to chiropractors.

Foot Levelers, first led by Dr. Monte Greenawalt and now by his son Kent, have been generous supporters of chiropractic. Dr. Greenawalt’s philosophy of success is “to give away more than 10 percent of what I make. You can never give without receiving.”

To date, the Greenawalt family and the Foot Levelers Co. have contributed several million dollars to the profession’s learning institutions, research foundations and political action committees.

The Greenawalts’ generosity and service to chiropractic have earned them professional recognition. In 1998, Chiropractic Economics named Dr. Monte “Person of the Year.” In 2003 Kent received the accolade of “Humanitarian of the Year from The Masters Circle.” And in 2004, he was presented with the “Lifetime Philanthropy” award from Parker College of Chiropractic and Parker Seminars.

Both of the Greenawalts have received Fellowships in the Palmer Academy of Chiropractic in 2000, in recognition of their outstanding service to Palmer College and the profession. Also in that year, they were both named Fellows of the American College of Chiropractic.

Some of the major donations from Foot Levelers and the Greenawalt’s include:

• Foot Levelers Gait Research Program at New York Chiropractic College, 2000;

• Foot Levelers Education Center at Palmer College of Chiropractic, 1999;

• Greenawalt Library at North-western College of Chiropractic, 1996.

• Postgraduate educational grant for Los Angeles College of Chiropractic, 1989;

• Greenawalt Chair for Research at Northwestern College of Chiropractic, 1985.

Dr. William M. Harris: Philanthropist and statesman
In 1938, when Dr. William M. Harris graduated from Palmer School of Chiropractic, he found out that running a practice successfully takes more than a passion for chiropractic. He opened his first clinic in a basement and spent his first years struggling to build a good practice.

He succeeded, more than he could have envisioned. In 1978, he established the Foundation for the Advancement of Chiropractic (FACE) , a nonprofit organization that initially created and perpetuated chairs in practice business management.

Later, FACE expanded its focus and began to fund chiropractic research and construction of academic buildings and research centers.

His philanthropy has been recognized many times over. For instance, he was installed in the Texas Chiropractic College (TCC) Hall of Fame in 1992 — an honor only given to 17 chiropractors. Also in 1992 Parker Chiropractic Resource Foundation gave him its Golden Award for 50 years of service. In 1999 Logan College of Chiropractic opened its William M. Harris, DC Sports and Wellness Center; in 2000, TCC dedicated its William M. Harris DC Administration Building; and in 2003, Palmer opened its William and Jo Harris Research Center in honor of him and his late wife.

Dr. Louis Sportelli: A true leader
Dr. Louis Sportelli graduated from Palmer in 1963, the same year the AMA published a booklet entitled “Facts About Quacks,” as part of its systematic attack on chiropractic. The booklet didn’t demoralize Dr. Sportelli. Instead, it unleashed a leader in the profession.

One manifestation of that leadership is his current role as CEO and president of NCMIC. But he has given leadership to many professional organizations throughout the years to advance the profession and the cause.

A respected speaker, Dr. Sportelli has also been a strong advocate of chiropractic in the public press. He has participated in hundreds of radio, television, newspaper and magazine interviews, including the CBS Evening News, CNN, CBS This Morning, 20/20, Inside Edition, Time Magazine, the New York Times, USA Today and Cosmopolitan Magazine.

Organizations that have benefited from his leadership include:

• World Federation of Chiropractic (WFC), immediate past president, 2001;

• WFC, president, 1998-2000;

• American Chiropractic Association (ACA), chairman of the board, 1989-1990;

• ACA Board of Governors, District #3, 1980-1990;

• ACA Media Spokesperson, 1978-1995;

• Pennsylvania Delegate to ACA, 1974-1980;

• Director of Legislative Affairs, Pennsylvania Chiropractic Society, 1974-1982

• Trustee, Foundation for Chiropractic Education & Research (FCER), 1976-1978; and

• President, Pennsylvania Chiropractic Society, 1974-1975.

Dr. Sportelli’s passion for chiro-practic has merited him a number of awards and two honorary degrees.

Dr. Sportelli facilitates change within the profession as chiropractic grows in importance and acceptance to the public.

Dr. Chester Wilk and George McAndrews: Torchbearers in a landmark lawsuit
Perhaps no single name — outside of the Palmer family name — is more recognized in chiropractic than Wilk. Dr. Chester Wilk lent his name, his time and his energy to fight the American Medical Association.

The lawsuit carried Dr. Wilk’s name, but the fight was carried on by his counsel, George McAndrews. Virtually alone, Mr. McAndrews took on the teams of defendants’ attorneys. After 14 years of battling in the legal system, the courage and tenacity of all of the plaintiffs and Mr. McAndrews paid off. On Feb. 7, 1990, an appeals court upheld the decision that the AMA and co-defendants had conspired to eliminate chiropractic.

Today, Dr. Wilk continues to write and to be an advocate for chiro-practic. He actively works to improve the public image of the profession.

And Mr. McAndrews continues to fight for economic justice for chiropractic. He is the lead counsel for the American Chiropractic Association in two major lawsuits — one against Medicare and the other against Trigon/Blue Cross Blue Shield.

Dr. Ed Williams: Architect of today’s FCA
One of the largest and strongest state chiropractic organizations in the country is the Florida Chiropractic Association. Its national conference in Orlando is host to more than 2,000 chiropractors and assistants. And the association has been in the forefront in advocating legislation favorable to chiropractic, including, in 2004, the passage of a bill that establishes the first public chiropractic college in the country at Florida State University.

The robust effectiveness of this organization is largely due to the energy of its retired CEO, Dr. Ed Williams, who led the organization for more than 25 years.

Dr. Williams’ accomplishments can be best summed up in an excerpt from the article published about him as Chiropractic Economics Person of the Year 1997:

“Dr. Ed Williams has impacted the economics of the chiropractic community profoundly by trailblazing on a state level. His efforts have shown that chiropractic can win politically and legislatively despite the unlevel playing field it always must deal with.

“His effectiveness as a lobbyist has resulted in favorable legislation; he was one of the first to realize the potential for companies who market to chiropractors to support chiropractic efforts. He led the way in producing the first successful chiropractic exposition.

“Under Ed’s leadership the first state chiropractic political action committee (PAC) was formed and it again served as a pattern of progress for all state and national chiropractic organizations.

“There are sure to be more important firsts as Ed Williams continues to lead the FCA, setting even more and greater economic trends for the chiropractic profession.”