August 18, 2010 — The Chiropractic Action Team (CAT), an emergency chiropractic support team created to help relief workers in disaster situations, honored Dr. Fabrizio Mancini, president of Parker College of Chiropractic, with the 2010 CAT I Care Award during the Parker Seminar in Rome, Italy, for making a difference and setting an example for others in the profession.
Dr. Anthony Page and Dr. Marie Turgot also received the award.
“By stepping up to the plate, they lead not by force, but by living and demonstrating the example,” said Dr. Jennifer Lovern, founder of CAT. “This leadership spirit inspired others to get involved in CAT, and the CAT executive board is extremely grateful to each of their contributions to the chiropractic profession and to this expansion project for chiropractic’s future.”
Chiropractic care is a proven contributor of emergency relief operations for catastrophes and natural disasters. Continued emergency response experiences and disaster appeals occurring in so many countries have shown the necessity and the evolution of a new branch of the profession to enter into the realm of International Disaster Response. Spontaneous groups of dedicated doctors formed teams ready to serve, sometimes even at a moment’s notice.
In order to provide timely delivery of emergency services and effective operational capacity, several steps have already occurred to integrate the profession into the disaster relief arena.
In 2009, CAT created a working relationship with the Italian Red Cross. Shortly after, Lovern met with the Dr. Mancini to discuss a proposal and plan. They agreed upon the creation of a Disaster Response Network (DRN), which allows the profession to equip our colleagues and students to deliver the most beneficial procedures before, during, and after an emergency.
The DRN represents an organizational database of pre-screened chiropractors who have the desire to serve in the emergency care arena.
“As we serve over 30 million patients in the United States alone, we would like to propose a long term collaboration involving disaster preparedness, blood collection, fundraising initiatives, and community education and outreach,” said Mancini.
For more information please visit www.chiroaction.org, or contact Lovern at chiroaction@gmail.com.
Source: Parker College of Chiropractic, www.parkercc.edu
