The World Chiropractic Alliance (WCA) is proud to announce the recipients of its annual "Chiropractic Awards," given to honor individuals who have advanced the cause of chiropractic around the country and the world.

Humanitarian of the Year: Dr. Monte Greenawalt

There is no single individual in the chiropractic profession as closely associated with charitable giving as Dr. Monte Greenawalt. "For decades, he has consistently put his money where his heart is," stated Terry A. Rondberg, D.C., president of the World Chiropractic Alliance.

Whether he's contributing to chiropractic research, helping build college facilities, or financing student scholarships, Dr. Greenawalt has shown himself to be as generous with his time as he has with his money. As an undisputed leader, he has shown by his example how to be a citizen of the profession and of the world.

In the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, his contributions reached an entirely new level of importance. Within days of the tragedy, Greenawalt, and his Foot-Levelers company, were spearheading a profession-wide campaign to raise funds for the Red Cross relief efforts. Thanks to a $200,000 matching grant, the campaign raised nearly half a million dollars.

"We are proud to be able to honor a man who personifies the love and spirit of service which is the foundation of chiropractic itself," Dr. Rondberg said in making the announcement.

Chiropractor of the Year: Dr. Jack Masche

One of the most recent roles acquired by Dr. Jack Masche was Chief Operating Officer of the World Chiropractic Alliance, but it is only one of many that keep this Greenfield, Wisconsin doctor busy.

A 1982 graduate of Palmer College, Dr. Masche also serves as chairman for the Freedom of Choice in Immunization for Wisconsin, is an Ambassador for the Chiropractic Leadership Alliance, and a member of the Wisconsin Chiropractic Association and the National Vaccine Information Center.

His long list of organizational responsibilities doesn't detract, however, from his commitment to his patients or his community. He and his wife, Jackie Masche, D.C., regularly present health lectures and natural health counseling to many community organizations and school systems promoting the holistic health concepts.

"We were well aware that Jack already had a fairly full plate when we asked him to be the WCA's Chief Operating Officer," Rondberg said. "But none of us had the least bit of doubt that he could handle another job like this. When you are as full of dedication and passion as Jack is, you're able to reach down and pull out the energy and motivation you need to do whatever job needs doing."

Researcher of the Year: Dr. Erin Elster (Bio)

When Erin L. Elster, D.C., published her report in the Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research, both she and JVSR editor Matthew McCoy, D.C., knew it would be of interest to health care providers around the country. The research indicated that correction of upper neck injuries may reverse the progression of Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Yet, even they couldn't have predicted how much interest it would generate.

A WCA press release submitted on the report was accessed more than 2,000 times on just one of several Internet newswire services used to distribute the story.

According to the wire service, the average medical news story during this period generated only 141 "hits." Their statistical report showed that the JVSR report generated nearly five times as much interest as the next most accessed report.

Dr. McCoy received many calls and e-mails from reporters and health care providers. "Clearly the interest in chiropractic goes far beyond its effectiveness in relieving back pain," he noted. "When we publish research showing how subluxations affect the nervous system, and how chiropractic adjustments may help the body function better, we get their attention."

The MS report isn't Dr. Elster's only academic claim to fame. She has focused her research efforts on the link between head trauma, upper cervical injuries, and the onset of neurological diseases. Her previous published works on the upper cervical chiropractic management of patients with Parkinson's Disease and MS have appeared in Today's Chiropractic and the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics.

A graduate of the University of California, Berkeley, and Palmer College of Chiropractic, Iowa, Elster completed post-graduate upper cervical training with the International Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association in California. She maintains a private practice in Boulder, Colo.

In choosing Elster for this prestigious award, the WCA Board pointed out that the particular merits of her research went far beyond the case studies involving MS.

"When chiropractic research focuses only on back pain, it reinforces the mistaken view that our profession is limited to musculoskeletal conditions," stated Rondberg. "On the other hand, when a researcher so clearly shows that subluxations affect all human systems, and that subluxation correction can have far-reaching affects on health and wellness, it alters the public's perception about what we can do."

(Note: Dr. Elster's article is available at the JVSR web site.)

Outstanding Service: Rep. Donald Manzullo

Three of the hottest chiropractic issues being discussed today are House Concurrent Resolution 46 (HCR 46), the HCFA hearings, and the Chiropractic Postage Stamp.

At the head of the charge for all three stands one of chiropractic's greatest friends in Washington: Rep. Donald Manzullo (R-Il).

After eight years in Congress, Rep. Manzullo has earned a reputation for honesty, integrity and dedication. Among chiropractors, he's also known as an outspoken defender of patient rights and freedom of choice in health care.

Manzullo announced the submission of HCR 46 during the WCA International Summit in March 2001, when he voiced his enthusiastic support for chiropractic, which he says saved his eyesight. He spoke in glowing terms not only of his own experience with chiropractic but of the entire profession and its great contribution to America's health and wellness.

Later in the year, he began working hard to generate support for the Chiropractic Postage Stamp. In April, he sent a letter to all his colleagues in the House of Representatives urging them to encourage the Postal Service to issue a stamp honoring B.J. Palmer.

He told his fellow legislators: "Chiropractic plays an important role in international and American health care today. It has a rich American history and is still the only major health discipline founded in America. The next U.S. Postage Stamp to honor wellness or American health care should commemorate B.J. Palmer's significant contribution to American culture and history."

In July, acting in his capacity as chair of the House Small Business Committee, he held a hearing on abuses in the administration of the Medicare system by the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA).

He opened the hearing by cataloguing the long record of the agency's anti-chiropractic actions, which have hurt the profession and denied access to proper chiropractic care to countless patients.

Manzullo once more proved his loyalty for and support of chiropractic. "This is the Committee's second hearing to examine the regulatory problems at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) formerly known as HCFA," he announced. "I will not recognize the new name until I am convinced that HCFA is a new organization with a new operating philosophy... Today's hearing will address the regulatory morass swamping health care providers and potential solutions to the draining of that swamp."

Seldom has chiropractic had such a fearless defender in Congress, and the WCA is proud to once more recognize his efforts by naming him recipient of its 2001 "Outstanding Service Award."