American Chiropractic Association, NWI partner to provide wellness certification for chiropractors

August 13, 2010 — The American Chiropractic Association (ACA) has partnered with the National Wellness Institute (NWI) to offer a wellness certification program for chiropractors in 2011.

After completing the 40-hour program, participants can become Certified Chiropractic Wellness Specialists through NWI, a well-respected organization both inside and outside of the chiropractic profession. The certification will last five years and will also include a membership to NWI. 

The program consists of four, 10-hour modules and will enable students to integrate principles of wellness coaching, health promotion and disease prevention into their current practices. Participants will return to their offices able to immediately apply what they’ve learned, thereby increasing the DC’s ability to help his or her patients improve their health and wellness.

The program was developed and will be taught by:

• Michael Perko, PhD, associate professor and coordinator of health education programs, University of North Carolina at Greensboro;

• Cheryl Hawk, DC, PhD, CHES, vice president for research and scholarship, Cleveland Chiropractic College; and

• Will Evans, DC, PhD, CHES, director of wellness initiatives, Parker College Research Institute.

Dr. Richard Bruns, chairman of ACA’s Health Promotion and Wellness Committee noted that “this course was developed by leaders from the chiropractic profession who are at the forefront of health promotion, illness prevention and wellness. The program will provide the practicing chiropractic physician and chiropractic students with an opportunity to be recognized as leaders in this movement.”

“This wellness certification program is very much in line with the whole-person, wellness-focused approach to care provided by many doctors of chiropractic,” said ACA President Dr. Rick McMichael. “The chiropractic profession has a long history of counseling patients on risk avoidance, exercise, proper nutrition and good health habits. This is a great opportunity to further our knowledge in this important area of practice and to position ourselves as experts in this emerging field.”

“We hope that this program will assist doctors who want to become leaders in their community when it comes to having an impact on health outcomes and improving opportunities for prevention for their patients,” said Dr. Evans. “I can think of no better partners than ACA and NWI to help make this happen.”

If your local college, state association, or institution is interested in co-hosting this program, please contact Marie Escobar at mescobar@acatoday.org for more details.

Source: American Chiropractic Association, www.acatoday.org