Parker University awards David Chapman-Smith with honorary doctor of humanities degree

January 30, 2015 — Parker University recently awarded David Chapman-Smith, secretary-general of World Federation of Chiropractic, with an honorary doctor of humanities degree. The degree was presented during Parker University College of Chiropractic’s 88th Commencement Ceremony on December 13, 2014.

A leader in the chiropractic profession, Chapman-Smith was instrumental in the formation of the World Federation of Chiropractic (WFC) in 1988 and has served as its secretary-general since that time. As WFC secretary-general, he has been an adviser on chiropractic legislation and the development of the chiropractic profession in many countries. He has also administered joint projects for the WFC and the World Health Organization since the early 1990s.

His introduction to the chiropractic profession was as counsel for the New Zealand Chiropractors’ Association before the New Zealand Commission of Inquiry into Chiropractic in 1978–79. In 1982, he took a two-year leave from his law partnership to serve as a legal consultant to the Ontario Chiropractic Association in Canada during a major review of health professions’ legislation. Subsequently he remained in Toronto acting as a consultant to chiropractic organizations internationally. He re-qualified as a lawyer in the Province of Ontario in 1989.

He has been editor/publisher of a newsletter titled The Chiropractic Report, and his other articles and publications relative to chiropractic include The Chiropractic Profession: Its Education, Practice, Research and Future Directions (NCMIC Group, 2000).

He graduated with a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) from Auckland University, New Zealand in 1969. Awards at law school included the Gary Davies Award, first prize in the Faculty of Law Mooting Competition (1968). Following graduation he practiced civil and commercial litigation, from 1978 as a partner in Holmden, Horrocks & Co in Auckland.

Parker University has awarded more than 6,500 graduates with doctor of chiropractic degrees. Students participate in a balance of classroom, research, business, and clinical education in a four-year academic program condensed to 10 trimesters.

Source: Parker University