Pathways to Practice 2009, OCA’s professional development day, took place Sept. 26 at the InterContinental Toronto Centre. This year’s event showcased dynamic speakers, and several professional tradeshow exhibitors and provided excellent networking opportunities for members.
The event surpassed attendance records of the previous year, and the OCA would like to thank all members who joined us in downtown Toronto and helped make the event a remarkable experience.
The program featured outstanding speakers who delivered presentations in three tracks, one for DCs, one for CHAs and one combined. Among the highlights, Waterloo chiropractor Dr. Craig Bauman and special guest Dr. James Milligan, B.H.Sc.PT, M.D. provided a presentation on developing a collaborative model for delivering chiropractic care within a Family Health Team. Dr. Eleanor White and Dr. Rick Ruegg presented on the subject of developing a greater understanding of the Practice Guide for The Treatment of Whiplash-Associ¬ated Disorders in Adults and Dr. Andrew Miners discussed the evaluation and rehabilitation of the hip, knee and ankle.
The event provided “a good combination of exposure to developing political and market trends, research and relevant clinical applications, as well as member business and strategic planning,” wrote one DC who was in attendance at the event. “Keep up the good work!”
“Dr. Miners provided practical information we can use on Monday. He was excellent,” another DC wrote.
Meanwhile, CHAs were treated to a presentation discussing MVA — Solutions to Your Issues, Answers to your Questions by the OCA’s Paula Yaremko with special guest David Hayward, Barrister and Solicitor; a presentation on Essentials for Chiropractic Health As¬sistant by PMP support representative and seasoned CHA Liz Pridham; and a seminar titled The CHA’s Position is a Place of Influence, which included practice marketing components by practice staffing consultant Susan Cooney.
“The CHA program was, overall, informative and well presented” one CHA attending the program wrote.
Additionally, other sessions were offered related to OCA’s software programs. Delegates improved their technical knowledge and skills by implementing PMP Measurable Timesavers with Lauren James, and gained valuable insight on OCA’s newest software program, ChiroWrite.
Another crowd-pleasing feature of the event was the intimate tradeshow, which this year hosted more than 25 exhibitors and concluded with a special reception for delegates that included a selection of cocktails and hors d’oeuvres and provided time for networking with peers. As well, several delegates took home prizes furnished by various sponsors and exhibitors at the event.
Finally, to round out the program, a free OCA Consultation Update session was held. In keep¬ing with the association’s stated vision to position chiropractors as spinal health care experts in the health care system, the OCA this year engaged the services of consulting firm Deloitte to undertake a comprehensive consultation with members and external stakeholders to define and optimize chiro¬practic’s role in health system reform.
For all their hard work in making Pathways to Practice 2009 such a success, the OCA would like to offer its thanks to all the members of the 2009 Professional Development Day Planning Committee.
2009 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT DAY PLANNING COMMITTEE
Dr. Ken Brough
Dr. Dennis Mizel
Dr. David Orchard
Dr. Kristina Peterson
Dr. Dinos Tsolakidis
Dr. Bob Haig (OCA)
Marny Hamilton (OCA)
Nathalie Plourde (OCA)