Changing the World for Chiropractic
By Thomas O. Morgan, D.C.
t seems hard to believe that it has been over a year since Dr. Guy Riekeman
came to take over the helm at Life University. When he called and told me that
he was going to be the new president of Life University, my first thought was
that this undertaking would take all he was made of; but that he was the one
who could finally make the chiropractic program into what a handful of us who
had started the college so many years ago, believed it could be.
I know one thing for sure about Dr. Guy Riekeman, wants to change the world
for chiropractic. He is not interested in changing chiropractic to fit the world.
At Palmer, I joined Guy’s President’s Club, and was with him for
more than five years in Davenport. I watched first hand the success and energy
that he gave to that college and its alumni. There were well over 3,000 people
at what was to be Guy’s last lyceum at Palmer. I saw what he did there,
and I believe that if anyone can get Life University to be the school it could
and should be, Guy Riekeman is that person.
One time Guy told me that when he runs, he likes to run uphill. I knew that
it would be an uphill run for him in Marietta, but I also knew that he would
be just fine. In fact, I knew he would thrive. Whenever I talk with him now,
he gives me new insight, and much hope for a better profession, a better world
and a better college. This purpose is what is driving him. He also told me what
I already knew—that Life University has the largest campus, the most perfect
location and the most possibilities to be the finest chiropractic college in
the world. The Board and the faculty have been waiting for such a person to
direct the college. Now, all systems are go!
The Starting Line
For years, Drs. Guy Riekeman and Joe Flesia presented one of the most dynamic
and largest seminars in our profession. It is no accident that the phenomenal
growth the chiropractic profession enjoyed in the 1970s and 80s was due in large
part to their contribution. These years represented a true renaissance in our
profession. Guy says that the biggest financial crunch is now over for Life,
and that we are just now at the starting line—like a runner, in his or
her stance. The gun has sounded and it is now up to us—the alumni, friends,
faculty and staff to step up and help create the best chiropractic university
in the world. It is going to be done, and it is going to be done here. Right
now represents one of the most exciting times in my life, as well as in the
life of the chiropractic profession and I am extremely proud to be part of it.
I asked Guy what I could do to help him get this thing moving. He said “Join
the President’s Club, here at Life.” When I asked him what this
“club” was all about, he said that it means to give that “seed”
money you keep talking about. Soon, the money generated by the President’s
Club will be used for getting things done in chiropractic—not just for
running the school itself. In this way, every President’s Club member
can make a meaningful contribution to help change the world for the better,
through chiropractic.
You Can Make a Difference
When chiropractic was coming back in the 1970s, Guy had one of the largest volume
upper cervical practices in the world. Like his father before him, he knows
how to correct subluxations. He also knows what it takes to educate patients,
and how to inspire the world toward better health through chiropractic. Today’s
medical and economic world is geared toward technology and marketing. That
is what “they” call healthcare. Specialized surgery has its
place, but has little to do with long-term healthcare. The only area where we
can compete with “them” is with our patient contact. The fact that
chiropractic can succeed when drugs and surgery have failed is still the “rub”
that separates us from medicine, and keeps our science distinct. I believe that
with Guy at the helm of possibly the largest chiropractic college in the nation,
there is more hope for a united chiropractic profession than ever before; while
at the same time we will lead the natural health revolution from Marietta. We
have to start training our future leaders now to preserve our great heritage
and principles, so that they will not be lost in the quest for medical acceptance.
Life University is the place that can and will do this. It is indeed a new day,
and we will take a more meaningful seat as teachers, leaders and healers in
this revolution.
Calling All Alumni and Friends
Now is the chance for you to become involved and believe in Life! Today,
your involvement will mean more than ever before. Everything cannot change into
perfection in just one year, but believe me, everyone at the college feels the
momentum that is building, and the changes that are being made for the better
in the curriculum, the clinic and the academics at Life University. I truly
believe that the paradigm has shifted to the Atlanta area, and that the true
power of the profession will be born here, come of age here and change the world
here. Those who are students at Life University today, will become the leaders
of this great revolution tomorrow, and these young men and women will indeed
change the health of the world and the profession. It is just a matter of time
for Guy to bring his ideas and motivation to total fruition. Won’t you
join us today?
Thomas O. Morgan, D.C., is one of the founders of Life Chiropractic College.
He had the largest solo practice for several years in the 1970s. Dr. Morgan
has written four books on chiropractic and he and his wife Mary Ann, are full
time consultants and present their regular “Volume Practice” seminars
in Atlanta. Dr. Tom and Mary Ann have three children who are chiropractors and
in their own practices.
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