WCA spokesman Paul "The Ultimate" Vaden wows crowd at Parker

Doctors, C.A.s, spouses, staff, and even little kids flocked to the World Chiropractic Alliance booth at Parker Seminar's 2003 kick‑off event in Las Vegas, Jan. 30‑Feb 2. Most were attracted by Paul "The Ultimate" Vaden, the 1995 IBF World Jr. Middleweight Champion.

Throughout the day, seminar attendees talked with the former boxer who has said, "Without chiropractic, I wouldn't have won the championship." Standing behind his impressive championship belt, they had their picture taken with the champ, who then signed it.

The Middleweight title is only one of a long list of accomplishments for the 35 year-old boxer-turned- personal trainer and sports announcer, who now specializes in developing training programs for clients in the exclusive California communities of La Jolla, Rancho Santa Fe, and Beverly Hills.

Parker participants were also treated to the premiere of the new WCA Celebrity Video featuring Vaden, which promises to be one of the most effective practice-building tools available to chiropractors today. The video contains persuasive, easy‑to‑understand information about the devastating effects of vertebral subluxations, and how chiropractors -- and ONLY chiropractors -- can correct subluxations. It combines energetic graphics with solid narration by WCA President Terry A. Rondberg, D.C.

The WCA booth provided information on another "first" in chiropractic -- the opportunity for doctors to actually star in their own celebrity video with Vaden himself.

Doctors at Parker also heard Dr. Rondberg give an impassioned speech on the state of chiropractic today, and the role of the WCA. In the talk, Rondberg outlined some of the WCA's many accomplishments during the past several years, particularly in the legislative arena.

"While we've accomplished a great deal, there is so much more to achieve," he explained. "We need to make chiropractic part of the health care programs in schools, government, hospitals, the public health services and private industry. We must work toward the time when a person's family doctor will be a chiropractor. Our purpose is to promote a vertebral subluxation-free world with a vision of worldwide wellness."

Rondberg later presented the WCA "Chiropractor of the Year" award to Parker College President Fabrizio Mancini, D.C., who has ably filled the shoes of his predecessor and mentor, Dr. James Parker. Dr. Mancini's leadership of the school led to the school receiving an accreditation review from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) that listed no suggestions or recommendations regarding necessary improvements to meet its educational standards, a rarity among any type of college. The SACS committee also gave Parker three commendations for excellence in faculty dedication, information services and self‑study evaluation and planning.

Many members of the WCA International Board of Governors met prior to the start of the Parker event to discuss current chiropractic issues and plan for the WCA 2003 Summit in Washington, D.C.

"As always, the Parker Seminar was an incredible event," stated Rondberg after his return from Las Vegas. "We were happy to have been part of its success, and delighted to meet so many D.C.s from around the world. We gained many new members at the seminar and I know we'll be stronger for it."