The International Chiropractors Association (ICA) is pleased to announce the winners of its 2025 student scholarships. These scholarships were awarded to outstanding members of the Student ICA (SICA) who demonstrated exceptional commitment to chiropractic through written and speech competitions. 

This year’s scholarship recipients represent the bright future of the profession and ICA.  We are honored to support their journey. 

Written Competition Winners 
Students submitted a written statement ahead of the Annual Meeting for judging.

Student Dr. Sylvia Frierson (pictured with past president Dr. Selina Sigafoose-Jackson)	Sherman College of Chiropractic
Student Dr. Payton Rinkol	Cleveland University-Kansas City
Student Dr. Noah Jackson-O’Mary	Life Chiropractic College West (Nebraska)

Each written competition winner was awarded $1,000.

Speech Competition Winners

The speech competition was held live during the ICA’s 99th Annual Convention in Clearwater, Florida, as part of the ICA Philosophy Lunch on Saturday, April 5.

Student Dr. Lauren Haar	Sherman College of Chiropractic
Student Dr. Sylvia Frierson	Sherman College of Chiropractic

Each winner of the speech competition was awarded $1,250.

These scholarships are made possible through the Coralee Van Egmond Student Scholarship Fund, which honors the legacy of leadership and service to the chiropractic profession of Dr. Coralee Van Egmond, who served for many years as Program Director at the ICA.  Donations to the Scholarship fund are always welcomed.    

The ICA believes in investing in the next generation of chiropractors and remains committed to supporting students who are passionate about health, health freedom, and the future of principled chiropractic. We congratulate these exceptional students and look forward to the impact they will make in the years ahead as ICA members. 

The International Chiropractors Association (ICA) proudly announces the newest inductees into the distinguished Fellows of the ICA (FICA). This prestigious recognition is awarded to individuals who have demonstrated their commitment to the profession and to the ICA through outstanding service and dedication. 

Fellowship in the ICA is a mark of honor and merit, with candidacy determined by the Fellows at-large. It reflects a commitment to professional excellence, leadership, and the advancement of the profession. 

The 2025 FICA inductees were nominated during the Fellows Lunch on Friday, April 4, held as part of the ICA’s 99th Annual Convention in Clearwater, Florida. Attending inductees were formally pinned during the Awards Banquet that evening.

The ICA congratulates the following new Fellows:

• Rachae Bell, DC, DCCJP
• James Chestnut, DC, CCWCP
• Bradley Glowaki, DC
• Andrew Jeter, DC, PA
• George Lubertazzo, DC
• Shantell Missick, DC, CLT, CKTP
• Benjamin Oien, DC
• Gary Stewart, DC
• Angel Tribuno, DC
• Jeffrey Wack, DC

These doctors exemplify the values and mission of the ICA through their leadership, service, and dedication to chiropractic. We are proud to welcome them into this distinguished community of Fellows. 

Clearwater, FL — On Friday, April 4, 2025, during the 99th Annual Convention in Clearwater, Florida, the International Chiropractors Association (ICA) held its annual Awards Banquet, recognizing exceptional individuals for their leadership, dedication, and enduring contributions to the chiropractic profession.

The evening brought together doctors of chiropractic, students, and supporters from across the country to celebrate excellence in service, advocacy, and leadership. ICA President Selina Sigafoose-Jackson, DC, FICA, presided over the ceremony, honoring the following 2025 ICA Award recipients:

In addition to these 15 awardees, the Awards Banquet included the presentation of student scholarships and a pinning ceremony for new members (pictured above).

The ICA congratulates each of the 2025 honorees and thanks them for their unwavering commitment to chiropractic and the patients and communities they serve.

Falls Church, VA — The International Chiropractors Association (ICA) is proud to announce Dr. Ron Oberstein as the recipient of its highest annual honor, the ICA Chiropractor of the Year award. The award was presented during the Awards Banquet at the ICA’s 99th Annual Convention in Clearwater, Florida, on April 4, 2025. 

Dr. Oberstein has dedicated more than four decades to advancing chiropractic worldwide through clinical excellence, educational leadership, and service. He has served as President of Life Chiropractic College West since 2017 and will retire from the role in June 2025. Prior to his presidency, Dr. Oberstein practiced in San Diego and served on the Life West Board of Regents from 1991 to 2016, including two years as Chairman of the Board. 

A Lifetime ICA member and distinguished Fellow of the ICA (FICA), Dr. Oberstein has been a trusted voice for the profession and a champion for chiropractic vitalism. He previously sat on the ICA Board of Directors and served as Vice President. He has taught chiropractic technique, philosophy, and principles at colleges around the world and most recently served as Chair of the Association of Chiropractic Colleges. 

Together with his wife of 30 years, Dr. Mary Oberstein, Dr. Oberstein has practiced and mentored new graduates since 1986. They co-founded a nonprofit organization that delivers chiropractic care globally, with a focus on underserved children and families in Tijuana, Mexico. Their legacy continues through their three daughters—Drs. Lauren, Morgan, and Sydney—who have each entered the chiropractic profession. 

The ICA congratulates Dr. Oberstein on this well-earned recognition and thanks him for his decades of service to the chiropractic profession. 

About the Award:  The ICA Chiropractor of the Year Award was created by ICA’s Founder  Dr. BJ Palmer in 1950 and presented annually to one exceptional individual who has distinguished themselves throughout their career through extraordinary service to the ICA and the chiropractic profession. Its recipient is elected during the annual meeting of the Distinguished Fellows of the ICA held in conjunction with the Association’s annual meetings. 

About the ICA:  The International Chiropractors Association is the oldest continuously active international chiropractic organization. Established in 1926 by the developer of chiropractic,   Dr. B.J. Palmer, the ICA represents practitioners, educators, students, and lay persons worldwide who are dedicated to the chiropractic profession. The ICA has traditionally been and continues to be recognized as representing the moderate voice of the chiropractic profession. 

The ICA represents and promotes the interests of chiropractic, chiropractors, and the patients they serve through advocacy, research, communication, and education. The ICA Mission is to protect and promote chiropractic throughout the world as a distinct health care profession predicated upon its unique philosophy, science, and art of subluxation detection and correction. 

For more information, visit www.chiropractic.org. 

Media Contact: 
Beth Clay, Executive Director 
bclay@chiropractic.org 

Falls Church, VA — The International Chiropractors Association (ICA) is proud to announce the election of Dr. Joseph Betz as its new president. The election took place during the ICA’s 99th Annual Convention, held April 3–5, 2025, in Clearwater, Florida. Dr. Betz succeeds Dr. Selina Sigafoose-Jackson, who served with distinction for two terms from 2021 to 2025. Dr. Betz previously served as ICA Vice President under Dr. Sigafoose-Jackson’s leadership. 

“I am truly honored and beyond excited for the opportunity to serve as the next president of the ICA,” said Dr. Betz. “I am passionate about leading this incredible organization into a future grounded in unity, integrity, and the advancement of chiropractic worldwide. 

“As the new ICA President, I see tremendous opportunity in this changing healthcare landscape, where more people are seeking natural, drug-free solutions for their health. With focus and hard work, we will see public acceptance of chiropractic and an opportunity to take its rightful place at the forefront of a healthier, more proactive model of healthcare.” 

The ICA also announced the election of additional officers to serve on the Board of Directors: 

• Dr. Jon Stucky, Vice President 

• Dr. Brian Moriarty, Treasurer 

• Dr. H. Michael Gibson, Secretary

The ICA thanks Dr. Selina Sigafoose-Jackson for her steadfast leadership and unwavering commitment to the mission of chiropractic during her tenure as president. 

With a renewed sense of purpose and strong leadership in place, the ICA remains committed to promoting health and health freedom, supporting practitioners, and advancing chiropractic as an essential part of the future of healthcare. 

For more information about the ICA and its leadership, visit www.chiropractic.org. 

Media Contact: 
Beth Clay, Executive Director 
bclay@chiropractic.org 

Falls Church, VA — The International Chiropractors Association (ICA) is proud to announce the release of a contemporary definition of vertebral subluxation, following an extensive and collaborative effort within the profession. The new definition is: 

“A chiropractic vertebral subluxation is a potentially reversible or preventable alteration of spinal motion segments from normal alignment or function associated with adverse neurophysiological activity that can be connected to whole person health.” 

This milestone represents a step forward in unifying the profession around language that supports clinical relevance, scientific clarity, and policy alignment. 

“I was so honored to chair a committee that was created by Dr. Selina Sigafoose Jackson to develop a contemporary definition of subluxation that would be accepted by the majority of the profession,” said ICA President Dr. Joe Betz. “It was a more difficult project than anticipated, but I believe the committee produced a definition that is perfectly worded to satisfy the researchers, academics, practitioners and policy makers. 

“The new contemporary definition of subluxation is vital because it aligns chiropractic care with current scientific understanding, enhancing credibility within healthcare. It provides a clearer framework for patient care, research, and communication, strengthening the profession’s role in modern health systems.” 

The definition is the result of months of deliberation, review of scientific literature, and consultation across diverse sectors of the chiropractic community. It is designed to support greater understanding and consistency in chiropractic education, clinical practice, research, and health policy. 

As chiropractic continues to advocate for non-drug, non-surgical approaches to health, the ICA believes this modernized definition will help chiropractors communicate and contextualize vertebral subluxation in today’s healthcare landscape. 

For more information, visit www.chiropractic.org.

A chiropractic vertebral subluxation is a potentially reversible or preventable alteration of spinal motion segments from normal alignment or function associated with adverse neurophysiological activity that can be connected to whole person health.

Media Contact: 
Beth Clay, Executive Director 
bclay@chiropractic.org 
(703) 528-5000 

March 4, 2025 – True to our mission to protect and promote chiropractic worldwide, the ICA is actively engaged in the fight against expanding the Montana Scope of Practice to include prescribing rights and injections. ICA Board Member Dr. Hugo M. Gibson, Assembly Representative Dr. Donald Gibson, and ICA Member Dr. Jack Berg testified in opposition to HB500 before the Montana House Committee on Business and Labor and the ICA submitted formal testimony to the committee (see attached). 

“Stepping into the world of pharmacology can be a dangerous misstep, not just for us, but most importantly for our patients,” wrote Dr. Hugo M. Gibson in a letter to the House Committee. “Taking a ‘board-approved course’ does not and will not constitute adequate training.” 

H.B. 500 would allow chiropractors to prescribe pharmaceuticals, including muscle relaxers, NSAIDs, steroids, and trigger point injections. The bill also gives the Montana Board of Chiropractors authority to expand the list of permissible drugs. The ICA submitted evidence confirming the proposed list of approved drugs are not innocuous but include products with FDA black box warnings; and incredibly complex drug-drug interactions that are potentially life threatening. Expanding chiropractic to include drug prescribing is a dangerous and misguided step. ICA promotes patient centered care that includes professional collaboration among healthcare professionals to meet the needs of patients who may need prescriptions. We stringently oppose HB500.  

“The over-prescribing of pain medication is linked to long-term dependency, and we must ask ourselves: are we prepared to manage that risk?” Dr. Gibson asked. “When chiropractors step into the role of prescribing medications, even for seemingly harmless muscle relaxants, we’re entering a realm that we’re not equipped to navigate fully.” 

The ICA urges Montana chiropractors and the public to contact their legislators in the House and Senate and educate their patients on the risks of this bill. While working to stop it in the House, the ICA stands ready to oppose it in the Senate if necessary. As of March 4, the Bill has passed a “second reading” in the House and an Appropriations Committee hearing is in process.

Chiropractic Founders Day, celebrated annually on September 18th, marks a pivotal day in healthcare history. It was on this day in 1895 that D.D. Palmer, the visionary founder of chiropractic, performed the first chiropractic adjustment, giving birth to a profession that has transformed the health and lives of millions. This year, as we celebrate the 98th anniversary of the International Chiropractors Association (ICA), we honor not only the origins of chiropractic but also the remarkable strides the profession has made in improving the quality of life for patients around the world.

D.D. Palmer’s first chiropractic adjustment, performed on Harvey Lillard, a man who had suffered hearing loss, sparked the development of a revolutionary approach to healthcare. By adjusting Lillard’s misaligned vertebra, Palmer restored his hearing. Palmer believed that spinal health was integral to the body’s ability to heal itself and that proper alignment of the spine could correct a wide range of health issues. This philosophy remains at the heart of chiropractic today, with chiropractors worldwide dedicated to promoting health and healing from the body itself.

The ICA, founded in 1926, has been at the forefront of advancing chiropractic care for 98 years. Under the leadership of D.D.’s son, B.J. Palmer, chiropractic expanded into a recognized and respected healthcare profession. B.J. Palmer not only helped build the foundational principles of chiropractic but also advocated for the establishment of chiropractic licensure and education. His efforts ensured that chiropractors would be able to practice with the recognition and respect they deserved, and today, thanks to the ICA and other organizations and individuals like it, chiropractic is recognized as an essential part of healthcare.

The ICA’s mission over the last 98 years has been to protect, promote, and advance chiropractic worldwide. It continues to uphold the values established by the Palmers, ensuring that chiropractic remains focused on non-invasive, drug-free, and patient-centered care. With members in over 50 countries, the ICA is dedicated to educating the public about the vital role chiropractic plays in maintaining optimal health. Each year, Chiropractic Founders Day serves as a reminder of the life-changing benefits that chiropractic care brings to millions and reinforces the ICA’s commitment to advancing the profession.

Chiropractic Founders Day is not only about celebrating history but also about looking forward to the future of healthcare. The 98th anniversary of the ICA highlights nearly a century of progress, innovation, and dedication to chiropractic and chiropractors. We continue to embody the pioneering spirit of the Palmers, embracing new research, techniques, and technologies while staying true to the core principles of chiropractic.

On this Chiropractic Founders Day, we honor not only the achievements of D.D. Palmer and B.J. Palmer but also the ICA’s ongoing efforts to advance chiropractic globally. Our work has ensured that chiropractic is not only here to stay but will continue to thrive, bringing health, healing, and hope to countless individuals.

As we approach the centennial birthday of the organization, we invite you to share the ICA and chiropractic with your own community. The message of chiropractic is for everyone, and everyone benefits from a world where chiropractic is more accessible. If you aren’t a member of the ICA yet, we invite you to join us! There has never been a better time to get involved. There are always new member benefits, new events, and new initiatives to take part in.

The 99^th Annual Convention will be held in Clearwater, Florida, April 4-5, 2025 and the once-in-a-lifetime 100^th Anniversary Celebration will be held in April of 2026 in Washington, DC. Mark your calendars and make your plans to be there – you can’t miss it!