At the July 2005 General Session, Marc Gamerman, D.C. was unanimously elected as President of the Board of Chiropractic Examiners. Dr. Gamerman previously served two years as Board Vice President and has been a Board Member since 2003.

In response to a question posed to the Board, Registered CAs may NOT independently train another C.A. All hands-on clinical training in a practice MUST be done by the Supervising Chiropractor in the immediate treatment area. During the initial 80 hours of observation, it IS permissible for the C.A. Trainee to observe the duties and procedures of a Registered C.A., with the Supervising Chiropractor in the building (does not have to be in the immediate treatment area). This clarification is made because some Chiropractors were having their experienced, registered CAs conduct all of the training, including the hands-on training. This is not permitted…..training is NOT within the scope of practice of any C.A. (See the Fall 2005 issue of the Chiro Newsletter for more details on this issue).

The Board is moving forward to amend the existing regulations, particularly in the area of Supervising Chiropractors and Chiropractic Assistant practice. The Board will hold an open-to-the-public General Session Meeting at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, November 10, 2005. At the meeting, the public will have input into amending the COMAR pertaining to chiropractic practice.

The renewal covering the 2005-2007 Biennial Period was completed in September. A TOTAL OF 731 Active, 101 Inactive and 543 Non-renewed chiropractors were processed and recorded into the database. A total of $ 438,966 was collected in renewal fees. A total of 17 licensees were delinquent and were fined $ 500.00 each in late fees. Generally, the renewal went smoothly, however, in auditing 1 out-of-seven chiropractors, it was noted that several had not kept up with CEU requirements and CPR Certification. It is categorically important for chiropractors to maintain CPR certification at all times when practicing. This is important from a professional as well as a risk management point of view. It is also important to keep abreast with current chiropractic trends and practice by taking meaningful CEU courses. Remember, over the 2-year biennial period, chiropractors must successfully complete a minimum of 48 CEU hours.

Former Board President, Dr. Paul Goszkowski, has developed a 6-8 hours chiropractic amputee course of instruction in cooperation with the Amputee Center of Maryland ("ACM"). The ACM was founded by Dr. Goszkowski and medical doctors to assist amputees in gait and ambulatory techniques and procedures. Additionally, the ACM is working in conjunction with Walter Reed Army Hospital to assist military veteran amputees with their difficulties. Dr. Goszkowski is an amputee and is personally aware of many of the problems encountered by patients with similar handicaps. The ACM is operated out of the Anne Arundel Medical Center’s Sajak Pavillion. Chiropractors wishing to participate in the CEU program should contact Dr. Goszkowski at 410.332-0044.

Currently, the only two programs accepted for certification for Low Level Laser Therapy are the

12 – hour programs conducted by New York Chiropractic College and Logan Chiropractic College. To obtain Board Certification, applicants must successfully complete either course and submit the documentation with a petition to the Board of Examiners.

It is imperative that every chiropractor or C.A. holds a license or registration. Always insist on seeing a valid, original, current certificate. In addition, all certificates MUST be prominently displayed in the practice where the individual is working.