President's Report

Dale Comrie BAppSc(Chiro).

Once again I begin my report by announcing the resignation of another of our stalwarts. Due to family reasons, John Jannese has decided to call ‘hang up the boots’ after 5 years at the helm as CEO.

John has been a valuable employee of COCA and has overseen the transition of COCA into a truly professional body. He has been instrumental in liaising with other professional bodies, writing submissions to government and improving COCA’s professional services for members. I would like to thank him for providing my induction as President and his dedication to directing COCA to bigger and better things.

The core purpose of COCA goes on. We are striving to provide quality and interesting continuing education, provide membership services like professional indemnity, upgrading the web site to provide online products, and more to come.

On the topic of continuing education; we are proud to announce a new, exciting venture. In conjunction with the Queensland Chiropractic Board we have produced a pilot Anatomy Program for the Head, Cervical and Lumbar Spine.

I am not aware of any program in Australia which has provided a refresher in anatomy to Chiropractors. The TWO day program combines lectures on Normal Anatomy, Structural Pathology and valuable time in the wet labs working with cadavers and pathological specimens.

We have obtained the services of an anatomist Susan Mercer, with vast teaching and research experience, who will combine information on normal anatomy, physiology, biomechanics and current research relevant to manual medicine.

Spine surgeon Mr. Paul Licina, will present on structural pathology of lumbar spine pain. Conditions relevant to Chiropractic practice will be presented in a lecture and wet lab format, incorporating diagnostic tests and a surgical perspective to management.

Neurosurgeon Mr. Adrian Nowitzki, will present head and cervical spine pain in a similar manner.

Uniquely, participants will have the opportunity to refresh themselves with a cadaver! Get to see where those facet joints really are, the discs relationship to the nervous tissues and dissect the muscular layers.

The program is being run out of the University of Queensland with registration through the Queensland Registration Board.

COCA is working hard to follow this program with a new direction in continuing education – watch this space!