Paying tribute to Dr. Thom Gelardi

by Terry A. Rondberg, D.C.

Through more than a century of chiropractic history, there have been many heroes, men and women whose very lives demonstrated their dedication to the profession. Some went to jail for the right to practice, others have spent decades doing research. A few were great communicators and others helped guide new generations of chiropractors through their work in academia.

No one -‑ other than B.J. himself ‑‑ had a more profound impact on my life than Thom Gelardi, D.C., and I know I'm far from the only person for whom that's true. Dr. Gelardi's legion of admirers are spread across the globe like emissaries on a noble mission.

At the next World Chiropractic Alliance International Summit, we will be paying tribute to Dr. Gelardi, celebrating his life and his devotion to chiropractic. Some say it was (and still is) a single‑minded devotion, an all‑consuming passion for chiropractic that allowed no compromise or contradictions. In some respects, that's true.

Thom could never tolerate those whose convictions were so weak they wavered every time the going got rough. For him, it has never been enough to be a "sometimes" supporter of chiropractic philosophy, to be "pretty much" subluxation‑centered (except, of course, if inconvenient, or when it would mean losing out on an insurance reimbursement).

For Dr. Gelardi, chiropractic is a truly noble profession with a pure purpose and cause and it deserves the full measure of our commitment. It isn't easy living up to his standards. It's no wonder he's been attacked so vehemently whenever he's spoken out.

But speak out he has, particularly after he founded Sherman College of Straight Chiropractic in 1973, where he served as president for 23 years.

He led the school through its most difficult periods, battling opponents like the Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE) when it threatened to close Sherman down. He fought in courtrooms, classrooms and Congressional offices for the right of doctors to be "straight" chiropractors and focus solely on the detection and correction of the vertebral subluxation. He also consistently took his message of chiropractic to doctors throughout the world in the chiropractic press.

While other "straight" schools collapsed under pressure from CCE attacks, Thom persevered, first working to establish an alternative accrediting agency and eventually earning his college full CCE accreditation. Through it all, he never compromised his principles, winning the respect of even those who opposed his vision of chiropractic.

I don't think I have ever known -- or even met -- anyone with Dr. Gelardi's raw courage and determination. Most of us would have buckled under and just given up. We would have offered excuses or rationalized our lack of steadfastness. I know there have been times when I was tempted to do just that. Then I'd think about Thom and how he was able to endure real adversity with dignity and grace. On numerous occasions, his strength of character bolstered my own resolve and kept me going. The best thing of all is that it still does.

And I'm not the only one to recognize greatness when I see it.

Sherman College recently honored Dr. Gelardi with a sculpture and atrium dedicated in his name. Dr. Jerry L. Hardee, Sherman's current president, said this: "As founder and first president of Sherman College, there are few that have contributed more to promoting the chiropractic profession than Dr. Thom Gelardi. From the day that I first met Dr. Gelardi in 1983, I have been greatly impressed with his honesty, integrity and passion for the chiropractic profession. He has been a personal mentor and friend as I have made the transition from general education to chiropractic education administration. I know that his continued participation in chiropractic will add greatly to the profession."

Too often, we wait until people are no longer with us before we pay tribute to them. I don't want that to happen with Thom Gelardi. I want to publicly thank him now, while he's still very much alive (and still as staunchly committed as ever, by the way). I want him to spend his next decades (may they be many!) knowing that his contributions -- past, present and future --  had and continue to have a powerful and positive impact on the chiropractic profession.

I also want to extend that tribute to his wife, Betty Gelardi, the one person who has been by his side, and in his heart, since the beginning. One of the most remarkable, intelligent and compassionate women I have ever met, she has been a true and dedicated friend to chiropractic -- and to thousands of chiropractors and students.

I hope all of you who know and admire Thom and Betty as much as I do will join us during the special dedication ceremony at the WCA International Summit next year in DC. Come and light a candle for Thom, and thank him for carrying the torch for chiropractic.