10/24/2017

MAC’s Fall Convention: Chiropractic Camaraderie in “The D!”

Dr. James Chestnut, Dr. Billy DeMoss, and Dr. Guy Riekeman Highlight Opening Session at Amazing Event at the Renaissance Center in Detroit

In September, Michigan chiropractors gathered at the MAC Fall 2017 Convention & Exhibition at the Marriott at the Renaissance Center in Detroit to celebrate our 10th Anniversary. The convention was one of the highest-attended gatherings since the merger. Hundreds of doctors, CAs, and other supporters were fired up by our keynote speakers at the Opening Session (from left), chiropractic philosophy legend Dr. Billy DeMoss, Dr. Guy Riekeman, a titan in the field of chiropractic education, and wellness guru Dr. James Chestnut.   

Other notable speakers at the 2017 Fall Convention included:

• Dr. Fab Mancini
• Dr. Terry Yochum and Dr. Alicia Yochum
• Dr. Francis Murphy, Dr. Lou D’Amico, and Dr. Vince Scheffler
• Mr. Bill Esteb
• Dr. Annette Kutz Schippel
• Dr. Joseph Donofrio
• Dr. Rick Kuhlman and Ms. Kristi Hudson
• Dr. Angie McAlpine Keas
• Mr. Tim Carrigan
• Mr. Harry O. Eidenier, III 

Silent Auction!

Along with these exceptional educational opportunities, doctors also engaged in chiropractic camaraderie, with the VIP Party, Friday Night Welcome Reception, Saturday Night Raffle Reception, alumni lunches for Life, Palmer, Sherman, and Logan, and more! 

Our popular Silent Auction continued throughout the weekend. Exhibitors who donated prizes included:

• Chiropractic Federal Credit Union
• Standard Process
• Viotron, Intl.
• Spine Align
• Blue Sage Health Consulting
• Bozoomer
• Cannabinoid Creations
• DrAxe
• Eniva
• Foot Levelers
• Footmaxx
• Great Lakes Imaging
• HealthyLine
• Public Affairs Associates
• Performance Health
• Rahmann

Many thanks to all our generous vendors who provided prizes, and congratulations to our winners, including Dr. Chris Dolecki, Dr. Michael Kapraun, Dr. Kevin Parker, Dr. Clifton Clendenan, Dr. Karen Lord, Dr. Theresa Saunders, Dr. Eric Graf, Ms. Katherine Kiley, and Dr. Dan Spencer! Stay tuned for news about the prizes available next spring!

Spring 2018 Convention – Grand Traverse Resort

Plans are already underway for the MAC Spring 2018 Convention, to be held at the Grand Traverse Resort in Acme, April 27-29, 2018. Watch future editions of the Journal, your emails, and the website for details! 

Reserve Your Room for the MAC Spring 2018 Convention Today!

Due to the growth of the MAC, hotel rooms in our room blocks are being increased. However, rooms at our conventions will continue to be limited. Because of this, for the MAC Spring 2018 Convention, we urge you to make your room reservations as soon as possible to ensure your ability to stay at the Grand Traverse Resort. 

To make your room reservations, call the Grand Traverse at (231) 231-534-6000 and use the code MAC 2018 to reserve a room in our block. Or click here. Rooms in the MAC block are $173/night in the tower and $143/night in the hotel. The room block cut off date is April 5, 2018, so book your room TODAY! 

MAC Fall Convention: Awards!

MAC PR Committee Member Dr. Eric DiMartino Named Chiropractor of the Year

At each Fall Convention, we reward the hard work and dedication of our leadership and members with the Visionary Award, Rising Star Award, Exemplary Service Award, the President’s Award, and, of course, Chiropractor of the Year. 

Chiropractor of the Year – Dr. Eric DiMartino

MAC PR Committee member Dr. Eric DiMartino of Chesterfield was named the MAC 2017 Chiropractor of the Year “in appreciation for valuable leadership, service, and dedication above and beyond the call of duty to the chiropractic profession.” He has continuously been on the MAC Board of Directors since 2009, serving on the Executive Committee as Director of Financial Affairs in 2015-2016. 

He has been a member of the Public Relations Committee since the inception of the MAC in 2007. During this time, the Committee has built an invaluable relationship with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) that has led to our partnering on such initiatives as the MAC Business and Health Fair Screenings Programs. 

In 2015, Dr. DiMartino was given the MAC’s “Visionary Award” “in appreciation for exceptional service and dedication to the future of the chiropractic profession.” He was also named the MAC’s “Rising Star” for 2008. A 2002 Palmer graduate, he has previously served as District 2 President, Vice President, and Treasurer, and he currently serves District 2 on the MAC Board. 

Congratulations, Dr. DiMartino, on this tremendous honor! 

Extraordinary Impact Award – Dr. Lisa Olszewski

The MAC periodically bestows a very special award, the Extraordinary Impact Award, “in appreciation for being a veracious chiropractic advocate, mentor, and leader.” This year’s recipient, Dr. Lisa Olszewski of Chelsea, has served on the MAC Executive Committee since 2013. She currently serves as Director of Internal Affairs and as MAC District 4 Board representative. In 2013, in an historic vote of the MAC Board, she became the first woman to serve on the Executive Committee with her election to the position of Director of Financial Affairs. 

The winner of the 2012 MAC “Rising Star Award,” Dr. Olszewski was the first student from Palmer ever elected as National Chairperson of the Student American Chiropractic Association. She also tirelessly advocates for chiropractic by participating in several national efforts. Congratulations, Dr. Olszewski, and thanks for all your efforts! 

Visionary Award – Dr. Kenneth Hughes

Dr. Kenneth Hughes of Dearborn Heights received the Visionary Award, “in appreciation for exceptional service and dedication to the future of the chiropractic profession.” Dr. Hughes had a vision for chiropractic unity in Michigan and through compromise and collaboration, worked to make it a reality. 

As we celebrate the MAC’s 10th Anniversary, we also look back at some of the people who got us to this point. For years, the state of Michigan carried on with two chiropractic associations, the Michigan Chiropractic Association and the Michigan Chiropractic Society. After years of acrimony, hopes of unity seemed dashed for good. 

That didn’t stop our Visionary Award winner, however, a former MCA president. As the fight to restore scope took shape, a back channel between MCA and MCS leadership was created, leading to civil dialogue between the two camps. The Boards of Directors of the MCA and MCS soon appointed five-members each to a “Unification Steering Committee” (also known as the “Original Merger Committee”) that met for the first time in August 2005. Their goal: To create one, more influential and unified association to better serve the chiropractic profession and chiropractic patients in Michigan. 

Dr. Hughes was one of the members of this trailblazing committee. Then, after the merger was complete, he served as Co-Chair of the Membership Recruitment & Benefits Committee. 

Our sincere thanks to Dr. Hughes for his vision and perseverance. 

Rising Star Award – Dr. M. Douglas Lynes

Each year, the MAC presents its Rising Star award “in appreciation of members who are stepping above and beyond for the chiropractic profession by taking on leadership roles.” This year, the MAC honored Dr. M. Douglas Lynes of Portage, who serves as a member of the Board of Directors representing District 6. He has served on the Board since 2014. Dr. Lynes also serves as a member of the Government Relations Committee, working to elect and re-elect pro-chiropractic lawmakers and candidates in southwestern Michigan. A graduate of Palmer, he has been a practicing chiropractor in Michigan since 1996. 

President’s Award – Dr. Robert Levine

This year, MAC President Dr. Christopher Dolecki chose to honor a doctor with an impressive legacy of leadership and service to the MAC, Dr. Robert Levine of Southfield. Dr. Levine currently serves as a member of the MAC Board of Directors representing District 3, which is made up of Oakland County. He has served on the Board since the inception of the organization in 2007. He also currently serves as Chair of the MAC Ethics, Professional Conduct, and Peer Review Committee. He is also the MAC Insurance Committee’s liaison to Blue Cross, serving on the Blues’ Professional Provider Relations Advisory Committee. 

A second-generation chiropractor and Palmer grad, he has a special relationship with his alma mater, and he has organized many meetings of the Michigan Club during Homecoming. 

Congratulations, Dr. Levine!

- Left to right: Dr. Douglas Lynes, Dr. Robert Levine, Dr. Eric DiMartino, and Dr. Lisa Olszewski -