JOURNALSEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014

Inside:Defining Roles for Your Office Staff

The Importance of an Employee Handbook

Your Money Matters: Health Savings Accounts (HSA) for 2014

Getting a Handle on Human ResourcesGetting a Handle on Human Resources

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MCA Board of Directors

PresidentDr. Scott Mooring

1st Vice PresidentDr. Doug Broman

2nd Vice PresidentDr. Barb Dolezal

Immediate Past PresidentDr. Christian Kollar

Secretary and ParliamentarianDr. Rick Hueffmeier

TreasurerDr. Christian Kollar

Central District DirectorDr. Sara Cuperus

MetroEast District DirectorDr. Greg Hynan

MetroEast District DirectorDr. Brian Malzer

MetroWest District DirectorDr. Carrie Getzmier

MetroWest District DirectorDr. Nicholas Mellum

Northwest District DirectorDr. Steven Biermaier

Southeast District DirectorDr. Andrew Klein

Southwest District DirectorDr. Monica Schugel

MCA Executive DirectorDavid Ewald

In This IssueMCA News and Information

Professional Education

Business Management

Industry Information

A Message from the President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

From the Executive Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Meet an MCA Board Member: Steve Biermaier, DC . . . . . . 11

Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Meet a Member: Michelle Norton, DC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

An Inflammation Nation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Defining Roles for Your Office Staff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Your Money Matters: Health Savings Accounts (HSA) for 2014 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

The Importance of an Employee Handbook . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

National Chiropractic Health Month . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Permission must be obtained before reprinting any article appearing in the Journal of the Minnesota Chiropractic Association. To obtain

this permission, please contact the MCA office directly at (651) 288-3428.

The MCA Journal is published six times per year for members of MCA by the Minnesota Chirpractic Association and Ewald Consulting,

1000 Westgate Drive, Suite 252, St. Paul, MN 55114.

Phone: (651) 288-3428

Fax: (651) 290-2266

Email: journal@mnchiro.com

MCA Journal regularly publishes a variety of bylined columns authored by individuals whom we consider to be knowledgeable in their

respective fields and who have a valuable message to share with the Minnesota chiropractic community. Opinions in these columns,

however, are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the opinions of the Board of Directors, members, or staff of the

Minnesota Chiropractic AssociationTM .

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As our seasons change to my favorite time of the year here in Minnesota, the Minnesota Chi-ropractic Association has been hard at work restructuring its operations. We have created a new logo, developed a new website and started a process of creating efficiencies for the association that will allow us to focus on our core objectives with greater focus: Legislative action, improving the practice environment for all Minnesota chiropractors and increasing public education about chiropractic.

We still have a long way to go in creating an association that helps more chiropractors succeed in practice. We are in an election year that will likely lead to a large influx of legislators who will need to be educated about how important the chiropractic pro-fession is in keeping Minnesotans’ health. This leaves us with a personal challenge for all chiropractors in reaching out to your local representatives and senators to make them aware of you and our profession.

Chiropractors need to look to the future of our position in healthcare to understand how we will help to improve the evaluation and management of spine-related disorders. The knowledge and care that chiropractors provide allow an opportunity to reshape the way healthcare is delivered in this country as it is in other countries. According to a study by Foster, NE, et al., published in 2012, the United Kingdom and Sweden already follow a model where non-med-ical providers have been put in place as front-line diagnosticians for patients with neuromusculoskeletal problems which has

resulted in shorter wait times for specialists and improved outcomes.

Even in the US we are seeing a shift in thinking when it comes to the evaluation and treatment of neuromusculoskeletal complaints. In Ohio, for instance, patients with Spine Related Disorders (SRDs) are referred for chiropractic care first. FIRST. How is that for a paradigm shift?

In Minnesota, programs like this are possible — but only with your energy, input and guidance. If we don’t have you, we can’t get there. Here is more information about our committees:

Education Committee: Chair, Dr. Carrie Clark (7 Years)Meets the third Wednesday each month The committee has been hard at work on our 2015 Convention, taking place on April 24-25. We have a great lineup of speakers including Fabrizio Mancini, Tim Stark and Joe Sweere. The presentations will include updates in sports injury evaluation and management, extremity treatment, ICD-10 implementation and compliance and more. We have moved our Awards banquet to Friday night after our Vendor Reception, which will surely be a great time to recon-nect with your colleagues and make new friends. Please come join us for a weekend of celebrating our profession!

Veterans Affairs Committee: Chair, Dr. Chad PaulsonMeets the second Tuesday each month This committee is working to improve access to chiropractic benefits for our veterans

through fostering a positive relationship with Veterans Administration (VA) Hospitals and encouraging referrals to chiropractors outside of the VA Hospital system. A major priority is to work with Tricare (the military insurance provider) to include chiropractic care as a covered benefit. We are also supporting our veterans through other fundraising events, providing care through the Patriot Project and bringing awareness of the lack of chiropractic services available to soldiers and their families. If you have military members in your family or if you have connections with the VA and/or Tricare, please join this committee.

Insurance & Reimbursement Committee: Chair, Dr. Chris Jo (Past President)This committee does not meet on a regular basisThe Insurance and Reimbursement Commit-tee continues to hold regular dialogue with third party payors. We are trying to work with BCBS as they try and create a method-ology that is mutually beneficial and (most importantly) patient centered. If you have an interest in changing the way insurance com-panies view the delivery of chiropractic care in Minnesota, please join this committee.

My message to all of you is that we have a place for you to be involved. Please check out our committees and upcoming events to find something that interests you. Get involved in your association. It is the only way we will make it through all the chang-es that are occurring. We look forward to hearing from you and benefiting from your talents and support.

A Message from the PresidentBy Dr. Scott Mooring, MCA President

FROM THE PRESIDENT

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I was impressed recently by a public service announcement that I heard for Rotary International. The announcer stated (paraphrasing) “there are 2.1 million members working to make the world a better place.” He went on to describe some of the great work that Rotary accomplishes around the world and ended by saying, “the only thing that could make Rotary better is if there were 2.1 million and one members.”

I took two thoughts away from this brief PSA. First, it is inspiring that the first thing they mention about the members is they are “working together to accomplish great things”. In associations, often we hear conversations focused about “what members get”. While it is important to make sure that there is a value proposition where members receive value from their membership that exceeds the cost, it is not necessary to always put membership in pure economic terms. Certainly a chiropractor, auto dealer, or bookstore owner may hope to increase awareness of his or her business by participating in Rotary — but the core purpose is not that, it is doing good. And yes, members should belong to MCA because they expect to receive value through great information, discounts on training and education, networking opportunities and our advocacy efforts. But there is much more.

The second thought came when the announcer invited the listener to consider becoming a member. Research shows that the number one reason people are not members of their professional association is they don’t feel that they’ve been asked. Full membership in MCA costs about two dollars a day, or less than what many people spend on a cup of coffee on the way in to work. So when someone is not a member, it’s not really about the money. Certainly, $780 is a lot of money. With $780 I could buy: an iPad, a set of car tires, several great dinners out for two (with wine, dessert and a taxi ride home!). In the end, however, it is a very small amount when considering that it is in support of the only statewide association in Minnesota specifically supporting chiropractors.

Imagine if we were able to marry these two concepts: More chiropractors becoming members of their professional association and working together to make our part of the world a better place.

I want to thank all of you who are members for your support of the MCA, and I give you a challenge: Find somebody who is not a member and ask them personally to join. Explain why you are a member and challenge them to work with us to help improve your profession and the environment in which you practice.

If you are not a member: why not? When you are asked by somebody in the coming months, please consider joining with us. There is so much to be gained from belonging to a strong, vibrant professional association. Besides the pure economic value, the opportunity to rub elbows with other successful leaders not only advances the mission of the MCA but also sets our members up for success in their practices. Especially for those early in their careers, to learn from others, practice leadership skills and build a network of friends and colleagues is priceless.

In just over 28 years in the association world I have seen a strong correlation between the strength and size of a profession’s association and the overall health of the industry/profession. The fact that MCA does not have as many members as it should mirrors the fact that many of you are not satisfied with the overall health of the profession. The two go hand-in-hand. Please help us build a stronger MCA so we can work together to build a stronger environment for chiropractors!

From the Executive Director

By David Ewald, MCA Executive Director

FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

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Setting clearly defined expectations for the staff in your office can help guide them toward increased productivity, efficiency, and confidence within their role. A staff member without clear expectations may still produce quality results; however, staff who are informed of their expectations and pa-rameters of their role will confidently and enthusiastically thrive within their position.

Schedule a meeting with each staff member to clarify and define each of their individual roles. Give written copies of role defini-tions, which hold both parties accountable to maintain the parameters and expecta-tions defined within the document. This is an excellent reference tool for staff to learn their position and for management and/or HR directors to track progress. It should also be used with new staff trainings.

To effectively define your staff member’s role, consider including these five catego-ries in both written and verbal reviews and assessments:

DutiesClearly outline the tasks and

responsibilities that fall under the staff member’s role.

ParametersIdentify responsibilities which

may be shared, overlap with, or coordinate with those of another staff member. High-light areas which may need extra commu-nication, additional coordination between staff or recurring meetings. Additionally, be certain to point out duties for which this staff will be the solely responsible.

ExpectationsIntertwined with the first two

categories, clear expectations will clarify the level of quality and efficiency at which he or she is expected to perform the listed duties. Here is where to further elaborate on the previous categories (especially duties). “Du-ties” explains what is to be done, “Param-eters” explains who does it, and “Expecta-tions” dictates how it is to be done.

StructureWhere does your staff member

fit within the team? To whom does he or she answer and from whom does he or she receive responsibilities, feedback, or disci-plinary action? Are there any team mem-bers who will answer to this staff member and how are relationships managed within the team? How will conflicts be resolved or accomplishments recognized? With whom will they share authority within the team?

OpportunitiesHere staff can be made aware of

opportunities for improvement, which can be further divided into two categories:

1. Strengths—areas in which the staff mem-ber exceeds expectations and upon which he or she might continue to build, po-tential future opportunities for the staff member to gain responsibilities or attain an advanced position and incentives.

2. Weaknesses—areas in which the manage-ment/HR director has identified oppor-tunities for the staff member to improve to meet current expectations or where expectations are not being met. This can also include an action plan to successfully reach expectations over a set timeline.

Once you and/or the HR director have pre-sented each staff member with defined roles, it is easier to be held accountable to the writ-ten job description. This tool can be used to reassess your staff ’s role at each review and determine when changes or shifts in roles and responsibilities would be advantageous.

Defining roles, outlining responsibilities and parameters, identifying team structure, and maintaining accountability will empower each staff member to take confident con-trol of his or her position and its responsi-bilities. You can also more directly manage concerns within the team or office, while consistently striving for excellence.

Defining Roles for Your Office Staff

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BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

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Consumers using HSAs are beginning to think strategically of when to use their savings for qualified health care expenses. If you are in the position to pay your health care bills out of your current earnings and still put the full contribution into an HSA account, you may want to think about your options and whether it’s best for you to take the distribution or leave it in your HSA.

There is no time requirement for taking HSA distributions. In other words, HSA owners who elect to pay their health care expenses out of their personal funds may,

rather than immediately taking a reimburse-ment for those costs from their HSAs, defer the reimbursement until they really need the cash. In the meantime, the funds contin-ue to grow tax free. The longer the funds remain under the shelter of the HSA, the more they can grow. Today’s eyeglasses can be paid for out of pocket, and subsequently reimbursed by the HSA, the next day, the next year, or 20 years from now. The choice is up to the HSA owner. Thus, if an individ-ual can comfortably pay the expense now, then there is really no reason to take the money from the HSA. The taxpayer is not

giving up the right to take a reimbursement by delaying it. Thus, fueled by additional funds, the HSA owner may save the funds in a higher-yield savings account.

Therefore, distributions from your HSA in the current year can be used to pay or reimburse qualified health care expenses incurred in prior years, as long as those expenses were incurred after your HSA was established. You must keep accurate records in order for these distributions to be excludable from your gross income.

Your Money Matters: Health Savings Accounts (HSA) for 2014

By Anne Blain, CEO, Chiropractic Federal Credit Union

HSA Accounts Continued on page 8

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BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

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Contribution and Out-of-Pocket Limits for Health Savings Accounts and for High-Deductible Health Plans

For 2013 For 2014 ChangeHSA contribution limit

(employer + employee)

Individual: $3,250 Individual: $3,300 Individual: +$50

Family: $6,450 Family: $6,550 Family: +$100

HSA catch-up contributions (age 55 or older)*

$1,000 $1,000 No change

HDHP minimum deductible amounts

Individual: $1,250 Individual: $1,250 Individual: no change

Family: $2,500 Family: $2,500 Family: no change

HDHP maximum out-of-pocket amounts (deductibles, co-payments and other

amounts, but not premiums)

Individual: $6,250 Individual: $6,350 Individual: +$100

Family: $12,500 Family: $12,700 Family: +$200

* Catch-up contributions can be made any time during the year in which the HSA participant turns 55.

HSA Accounts Continued from page 7

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PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION

Inflammation is the hottest topic in traditional medicine today because of the recent Cox 2 danger exposé, making the cover of most major journals, magazines and newspapers over the past several months. Inflammation in the body is responsible for a plethora of medical ailments: premature aging, arthritis, auto-immune diseases, allergies, atherosclero-sis, cancer, diabetes, eczema, hypertension and irritable bowel syndrome to name a few of the more common inflammatory conditions.

There are highly effective, “natural”, and completely safe remedies for combating inflammation in the body without the dan-gerous life-threatening side effects that Cox 2 inhibitors and NSAIDs in general cause. The purpose of the MCA’s October 8 Webinar, and October 18 Seminar, the November 5 Webinar and November 15 Seminar is to educate, enable and empower you to be the go-to practitioner to deal with inflammation. You will come away with an understanding of the destructive role inflammation plays in slowing and perhaps pre-venting you from a full recovery and optimizing your health and Aging Gracefully.

Inflammation is the body’s reaction to tissue injury or infection. Inflammation and pain are a clinical manifestation of neurochemical reactions that have biochemical, neurological and structural components. The injured site becomes red and warm because of increased blood flow; the swelling and tenderness result from fluids seeping into the local tissues, causing increased skin tension. Certain body chemicals involved in inflammation also add to the local pain. Within the inflamed area, special defense white blood cells accumulate,

including macrophages and lymphocytes. The white blood cells break down the damaged tissue and signal macrophages that ingest and digest foreign substances and dead tissue. In most cases this inflammatory process is ultimately destructive to the host.

In his book, The Inflammation Cure, Dr. William Joel Meggs, of the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, makes the point that inflammation “may well turn out to be the elusive holy grail of medicine, the single phenomenon that holds the key to sickness and health”. While I may not agree with Dr. Meggs that inflammation may represent “the single” key to sickness and health, I agree that it is vitally important and needs to be addressed.

A 2003 study of more than 20,000 women found evidence that high blood pressure in part may be an inflammatory disease. In other words, inflammation is deleterious, and its safe control is essential to your health and well-being. The good news is that treatment and alleviation of previously “untreatable” diseases is possible with safe and generally easy lifestyle modifications, dietary modifica-tions and dietary supplements.

We will discover inexpensive tools to identify inflammation effectively and then unravel the underlying cause of it. We will discuss the latest documented scientific nutritional interventions. You will have the tools to slow down and even reverse the life-robbing and yes, even life-threatening effects of inflammation. Your patients are reading and hearing about inflammation and looking for

someone to help them deal effectively with it; why not you, doctor?

The old adage, “One man’s food is another man’s poison” could not be more accurate than as food relates to inflammation. Ideally dietary recommendations should be custom-ized to each individual’s unique body chemis-try (Bioindividuality). This is accomplished via a food sensitivity/allergy profile, which is a simple blood test that will identify the foods to which your body reacts, indicating they are not ideal for you and thus may play a role in creating or perpetuating the inflam-matory reaction.

When specific testing is not possible, generalized recommendations designed to avoid foods that are known to support inflammatory reactions in the body help to reduce pain and inflammation. Therefore, the following recommendations are made as generalized guidelines of inflammatory foods and not specific protocols designed for your patient’s unique Bioindividuality.

Foods to Avoid These foods definitely are pro-inflamma-tory and therefore must be avoided: Re-fined grains (as in packaged pasta, cookies, crackers, snacks), simple sugars (as in cookies, candy, bakery goods, soda pop, etc.), chocolate, coffee, pork, dairy products and certain types of fat, namely, hydrogenated (a.k.a. trans or partially hydrogenated oils), and two omega-6 fatty acids: arachidonic acid and linoleic acid.

An Inflammation Nation

By Gregory W. Peterson, DC, DABCI, FIAMA, CCST

Inflammation Continued on page 10

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Arachidonic acid is found in dairy, beef, lamb, liver, pork, and shellfish and in lesser amounts in turkey and chicken. Of these, pork and dairy (especially high-fat milk) seem to be especially inflammatory. Grass-fed beef and lamb actually are anti-inflammatory.

Linoleic acid is found primarily in vegetable oils: canola oil, soybean and cottonseed oil, corn oil, sunflower oil, and safflower oil and processed grains (as in packaged cereals, snacks, pastas, etc).

The ideal daily intake range of unhealthy omega-6 to healthy omega-3 fatty acids should be 3:1 to 5:1. Our ancestors probably had an intake ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids of 1:1. It is estimated that today the average ratio is 20:1 and possibly 25:1. Our modern Standard American Diet is to blame for the shift to a more inflammatory diet. Is it any wonder that inflammatory disorders such as high blood pressure (to name a biggie) and the use of NSAIDS are so common?

The huge imbalance of unhealthy to healthy oil intake is attributable to our increased use of vegetable oils, especially corn, as well as our increased dependence on grains. Processed and fast foods are also extremely unbalanced in favor of inflammatory path-ways. Chips for example have an omega-6 to omega-3 ratio of 60:1, peanut and safflower are worse at a 100:1 ratio. Many if not most of the omega-3 oils are manufactured and processed for cost, not quality’s sake; they may contain chemical extractants and rancid oils. At least 3% of our caloric intake should come from healthy omega-3 oils like we make available in our clinic for patients’ conve-nience. Your body needs an oil change!

Foods to ConsumeFresh organic (avoid the herbicides and pesticides) fruits and vegetables are a great source of health-promoting nutrients including fatty acids, fiber, minerals, vitamins and perhaps most importantly – phytochem-icals. Phytochemicals such as carotenoids, flavonoids and proanthocyanidins have a

plethora of health benefits beyond being highly effective free-radical scavengers.

The health establishment’s advice on avoiding all fat overlooked one extremely important fact: Fat is a vital nutrient, and the human body cannot survive without it. Healthy, essential fatty acids are involved in virtually all body functions. These are organ-ic expeller-pressed flax seed oil, coconut oil and olive oil. EPA/DHA or fish oils from a reliable source are also extremely beneficial to the body. Essentially fatty acids:

• Decrease inflammation. • Boost cardiovascular health by improving

blood pressure and cholesterol levels and making platelets less sticky.

• Lower cancer risk. • Aid in weight management by shifting the

body’s metabolism from burning glucose to burning fats.

• Facilitate insulin function. • Increase energy and stamina. • Elevate mood and lift depression. • Improve brain

function, concen-tration, hyper-activity, stress management, learning and mo-tor coordination.

• Prevent leaky gut and other diges-tive disturbances.

• Dampen over-active immune responses in auto-immune diseases.

• Reduce symp-toms of allergies.

• Speed the healing of injuries.

• Improve bone mineral retention, which can help prevent osteopo-rosis.

• Moisturize and protect skin.

In SummaryTo aid in the reduction of pain and improve-ment of symptoms, your patients’ must avoid the above-named inflammation-increasing foods as well increase the consumption of the health-giving foods. Identifying specific foods and spices through allergy testing provides you a valuable tool in your arse-nal of identifying anti-inflammatory and health-promoting foods specific to their unique Bioindividuality. Certain enzymes, supplements, herbal preparations and green tea have also been shown to aid in the re-duction of inflammation. Acupuncture may help some individuals. Chiropractic has been shown to improve outcomes in inflammatory conditions and should always be part of your patients’ treatment regimen.

You will come away from these seminars with the information and tools you need to effec-tively manage your patients’ inflammation and pain; the hallmark of inflammation! See you on November 15 for Aging Gracefully!

Inflammation Continued from page 9

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MCA NEWS

Editor’s Note: This is part of a series of articles highlighting your MCA Board Members. We will publish one each issue so members can get to know the MCA leadership.

Where did you go to school? After high school, I spent my first year of college at the University of Minnesota, Crookston, where I could still play hockey as well as get an ed-ucation. I then transferred and finished my undergrad work at the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, ND. My chiroprac-tic education was completed at Northwest-ern College of Chiropractic in Bloomington, MN, finishing in 1986; I started my practice in February 1987. I have now been in prac-tice in Crookston, Minnesota for 28 years and will be joined in January 2015 by my second son, Lukas, who is finishing Chiro-practic School at Northwestern.

What do you enjoy most about chiropractic? I mostly enjoy the patients and the care we, as Chiropractors, provide and helping them return to normal, optimal health. I love teaching people about chiropractic and the benefits that we provide without the use of drugs or surgery.

Why are you a member of MCA? Besides the many benefits that the MCA provides for its members, it is good for us to have one strong voice which can be heard loud

Dr. Steve Biermaier

and clear. This becomes especially import-ant with legislative issues and educating the public on what we as chiropractors can and do provide.

What do you do in your free time? I enjoy spending time with my family. I have been married to my wife Jana for 30 years. We have 4 sons, 3 daughters-in-law, 2 grandchildren and another due to arrive in October. I love the outdoors and spending time at the lake, as well as hunting, fishing, and playing most sports.

Do you have any advice for upcoming chiropractors? Best advice in general? To new Chiropractors: be honest and work hard. Provide the highest quality chiroprac-tic care, that is personal, family based, and community centered. The first few years of practice will be challenging and will require a lot of patience, but in the long run it will be quite rewarding. You have been trained and educated extremely well.

What is the best vacation you have been on? A few years ago we were fortunate enough to spend some time in Italy with some good friends of ours. We traveled through Naples and the southern part of Italy, especially the Tuscany Valley and Rome. The food and entertainment is extremely good and the entire vacation was

so relaxing. I also enjoy my vacation time while hunting in Colorado and Wyoming, and weekend time at the lake.

What is your favorite food? Most Italian dishes are favorites of mine but I especially enjoy Italian shrimp pasta with a nice glass of wine.

Do you have any pets? Names? We have two chocolate labs — Trigger and Hunter. We often end up housing our son’s dog as well when he escapes from his own kennel. Aside from the dogs, we also have hens for fresh eggs.

What is your favorite season? Why? My favorite season is fall. Most of this is due to the fact that I love to spend time outdoors in the cooler weather while hunting and taking walks with my wife looking at the beautiful fall colors.

What is your favorite holiday? Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday of all. It is a great day to spend with family, eat good food and get some much-needed rest. The weather is usually perfect for taking a long walk after eating, and I love that!

Meet an MCA Board Member: Steve Biermaier, DC

By Katie Wilkerson, MCA Assistant Executive Director

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The value of an employee handbook, and all of the purposes it serves, cannot be underestimated. A clear and concise handbook not only protects a company, but the employees too. Highlighted below are the reasons why having a handbook is so important for an employer.

• Can protect a company from claims of unfair treatment, discrimination and other legal claims.

• Communicates important state and feder-al laws surrounding employment.

• Relays important information about the company such as the history, the mission and vision, policies, procedures, and benefits.

• Illustrates the importance of fair and consistent communication.

• Clearly defines the expectations of em-ployees and management.

If you don’t already have one, and are a current member of the MCA, check out the free Employee Handbook on the MCA website.

The Importance of an Employee Handbook

By Carrie Getzmier, DC, and Katie Wilkerson

I. Employment Policies__________________________ reserves the right to make any adjustments, amendments or changes to the Employee Benefits Package and manual with a thirty day written notice to employees.

A. Non-Discrimination__________________________ believes that equal opportunity for all employees is important for the continuing success of our organization.

1. __________________________ will comply with all employment practices without regard to race, age, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, veteran status, marital status, sex, sexual preference, disability, status in regard to public assistance or any other classification protected by federal, state or local law in hiring, promoting, demoting, training, benefits, trans-fers, layoffs, terminations, recommendations, rates of pay or other forms of compensation. Physical or mental handicaps will be considered as they may relate to bona-fide job require-ments.

2. Americans with Disabilities. __________________________ welcomes applications from people with disabilities and does not discriminate against them in any way. This company complies with the Americans with Disabilities Law.a. Considering all applicants with disabilities for employmentb. Using the same criteria as used for employment of persons without disabilities.c. Considering staffers with disabilities for promotion using the same criteria as used for the promotion of staffers without disabilities.d. Making scheduling and other adjustments to reasonably accommodate staffers with disabilities.e. Educating staffers to the fact that individuals with disabilities are employed by __________________________ and should not be discriminated against.f. Posting notices explaining the provisions of ADA and staff rights under the law.

B. Regular Office Hours__________________________’s core office hours are ________ am to _______ pm Mon-day through Friday and ________ am to ________ pm on Saturday. The conduct of the ______________________’s business however is not confined to these hours, and it is expected that all employees will work the hours directed by their supervisor to perform their duties.

C. Definition of Employees and ClassificationsProper classification of employees is important in determining eligibility for benefits offered by ______________________ to certain employees. ___________________ may offer full-time, part-time, and contract employment to accommodate individual preferences and to meet staffing requirements.

A short excerpt from the manual.

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

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The original state-wide vacation and prac-tice relief provider is available in Minnesota for short or long term basis and emergen-cies. Logan graduate, providing over 35 years of excellent, reliable and specialized services and techniques on behalf of many satisfied doctors. Insured. ChiroCare®, and HSM credentialed. References available. Contact Dr. Rick Hueffmeier at 651.256.2256.

Looking to buy or sell a practice? Need a prac-tice appraised? Loren Martin is a licensed real estate broker who has specialized in the broker-ing and appraisals of chiropractic practices for over 25 years. Contact Loren today at 952-953-9444, martin@practiceop.com, www.practi-ceop.com. All inquiries held in confidence.

Recently retired DC would like to get back into part-time practice. Certified in acupuncture and DOT physicals. Flexible. Contact: afarm@bevcomm.net

Stressed Out?: Providing practice relief services since 2001. NWCC 1985 graduate. Professional and personalized quality care. References available. Contact Dr. Dennis French at 612-817-6406. TAKE A BREAK AND AVOID BURNOUT!

Practice relief throughout metro and out state Minnesota. Serving as a “bridge” in the doctor’s absence to assure treatment continuity, patient retention and staff pro-ductivity. References available. Insured with NCMIC. Dr. John Hoklin jhoklin@hotmail.com 952.297.6888.

Experienced Practice Relief: NWCC graduate with 30 years private practice and relief service experience available for practice relief services in Minnesota. Credentialed with most manage-ment companies. References available. Insured. Contact Dr. John Knox at 952-451-2032.

MCA ClassifiedsCLASSIFIEDS

Female practice relief – specializing in ma-ternity leave: 20 years experience. Excellent adjusting skills utilizing diversified, activator, drop and SOT blocks. Acupuncture certified. Background in wellness and holistic care. Reasonable rates. Available short or long term. Great references. Dr. Heidi Klosterman, 612-743-6512, hklosterman@yahoo.com.

Duluth practice for sale. Div/Act./Drop. 2 MT’s sublease space. Excellent payor mix. Includes x-ray and 2 adjusting tables. Only $30,000. Contact Loren Martin, Practice Opportunities, Inc. 952-953-9444. www.practiceop.com

Hudson WI practice for sale. $177,902 gross. Solid patient base. Div./Tho. Skilled staff. Excellent lease/location. Fully equipped office. Contact Loren Martin, Practice Opportunities, Inc. 952-953-9444. www.practiceop.com.

Noran Clinic has a Sleep Centerdedicated to assessing sleepdisorders in adults and children?

Our neurologists have been providing comprehensive services for more than 40 years. Visit NoranClinic.com to learn more about how we can help, or call (612) 879-1500 toschedule an appointment. Evening and weekend hours are available.

You’ve done everything. Now, it’s our turn.

My team and I travel to the unknown. We dream big and search for answers to the most complex mysteries. At Noran Neurological Clinic, we work collaboratively with chiropractors and explore each disorder and treatment option together. Trust our team of explorers with these and other disorders:

We’re explorers.

Our neurologists have worked collaboratively with the chiropractic community for 35 years. We work closely with our patients to assure personalized, comprehensive and effective care. Visit NoranClinic.com or call (612) 879-1500 to learn more about how we can help.

• Adult & Pediatric Neurology• Diagnostic Imaging• Sleep Center• Infusion Center• Specialists in the diagnosis and treatment of neurological and musculoskeletal injuries and disorders• Vinton Albers, DC, DACBR – Chiropractic Radiologist

Collaborative care chiropractors trust.

Blaine | Burnsville | Edina | Maplewood | Minneapolis | Plymouth

Collaborative care chiropractors trust.

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MCA NEWS

Where did you go to school? Under-graduate degree is from UW – LaCrosse in Biology; Doctorate in Chiropractic from Northwestern Health Sciences University.

What do you enjoy most about Chiro-practic? I enjoy the puzzles each patient brings to the office. They all have different causes and life experiences leading to a pos-sible “common” overall presentation and I love working with them to figure out how to make that better, giving them a greater opportunity for health.

Why are you a member of the MCA? I feel the MCA is imperative to our profes-sion to move us forward. The association works hard to ensure we have our rights as healthcare providers upheld. It’s a wonderful place to work with our colleagues to help educate the public about what chiropractic is and the importance it has in their lives.

What do you do in your free time? Right now, I don’t have much free time! I do enjoy hiking

Dr. Michelle Norton

and swimming, golfing, reading, playing tennis, Scotch tasting, and then just having some down time to curl up and watch a good movie.

What is your all-time favorite book and why? I love Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged. I first began reading it not having any previous knowledge about Ms. Rand. I thought it was a book about Chiropractic! It’s not. How-ever, after reading it, I got a message that if you work hard, work ethically, treat your employees and clients (patients) with respect, and put forth quality products/services, etc – it is OK to enjoy the life you have built.

What is your favorite restaurant and why? I love Jax Café — they make a mean rack of lamb and a great martini!

What is your favorite food? I would say a tasty steak filet with some béarnaise and asparagus.

What is the best vacation you have been on? I was practicing in Scotland when one of my best friends and I went to Dublin for

her birthday in 2009 when U2 was doing its 360 tour. We spent the weekend there, went to the concert, shopped (we had decided to just buy clothes there instead of packing anything; not a great idea!), ate some lovely food, chatted with the Dubliners (who are wonderfully delightful), and then went back to Scotland for work on Monday.

What is your favorite movie — and why? I love The Emperor’s New Groove. It’s abso-lutely hilarious and ridiculous at the same time. If you haven’t seen it, please do!

What is your favorite season and why? Au-tumn is my favorite season! I love football and comfortable sweaters that you can just throw on. The colors are beautiful and I love hiking around with the crunching leaves underfoot.

What is your favorite holiday and why? Thanksgiving! It has everything that Christ-mas has – the food, friends, family, and togetherness — but without the chaos that Christmas can bring. Plus there’s football on!

Meet an MCA Member: Michelle Norton, DC

By Katie Wilkerson, MCA Assistant Executive Director

CURRENT PRACTICES FOR SALE Minnesota ●Golden Valley ●Apple Valley ●Grand Rapids ●St. Michael/Buffalo ●Brainerd area ●Virginia Wisconsin ●Hudson ●Milwaukee ● Southeast Wisconsin ●Wausau ● Eau Claire area Practices also available in Iowa, Illinois, Nebraska, South Dakota, Kentucky, and Virginia.

New opportunities routinely available

Contact me today to discuss your business interests. All inquiries held in confidence.

25 years brokerage & appraisal experience Loren Martin

Phone 952.953.9444 www.practiceop.com martin@practiceop.com

Buying or Selling a Practice?

● Practice Brokerage ● Appraisals

Loren Martin, Broker Phone: 952-953-9444 Practice Opportunities Inc. Email: martin@practiceop.com www.practiceop.com

Company Contact PhoneAcurad Technical Services, L.L.C. Steve Danielson (612) 781-2218Bank Cherokee Scott Burger (651) 291-6236Butler & Associates Insurance Agency Bill Butler (952) 953-3838 X 6Center for Diagnostic Imaging Jay Champine (651) 216-5992Chiro-Connect Kevin Ebben (763) 442-3526ChiroJuice.com Michelle Caron (612) 205-5468ChiroTouch Erin Aguilera (619) 488-9798Consulting Radiologists Ltd. Tim Kratzke (952) 285-3720Core Products International, Inc. Doug Mattison (715) 294-2050DMG Financial Group Derrick Girard (612) 567-8739Fairview Health Services Jane Reed (612) 706-4571Heartland Payment Systems Peter Knoble (888) 904-6773HighPoint Environmental Timothy Guimond (763) 757-4920Hockert Sales Chris Hockert (763) 434-2350Infinedi, LLC Dawn Martinez (800) 688-8087K-LaserUSA Phil Harrington (866) 595-7749Lake Superior X-Ray, Inc. Nicole Murray (218) 525-3393Law Office of David Wulff David Wulff (651) 636-1900

MCA Associate Business Member DirectoryCompany Contact PhoneMartineu, Gonko & Vavreck Chris Gonko (612) 659-9500Medical Billing Done Right, LLC Bonnie Flom (952) 657-7505Medical Business Consulting, Inc. Cathi Hammond (763) 862-5855Meyer Business Consulting/Eclipse Software Bonnie Meyer (612) 210-6630Mighty Oak Technology Judith Barnes (952) 374-5550Minnesota Craniofacial Center Midway Kim Ledermann (651) 642-1013NCMIC Group Dan Zimmerman (515) 313-4500NCMIC Group, Inc. Mike Whitmer (515) 313-4500Noran Neurological Clinic Kelly O’Neill (612) 879-1675Nutri-Dyn Greg Peterson (763) 479-3444Nutri-West JJ Munro (715) 381-9990Off-Site Office Solutions, LLC Kathy Altman (763) 670-1224Practice Brokers Jerry Peterson (952) 938-0092Practice Opportunities Inc. Loren Martin (952) 953-9444RPHealth Edelweiss Harrison (800) 774-1799Standard Process Nutrition of Minnesota Tracy Foley (651) 226-5864Swat, LLC Member T&K X-Ray Consultants, Inc. Terry Hart (218) 940-6152Wellness@Work Kay Grobel (952) 484-1546

CURRENT PRACTICES FOR SALE Minnesota ●Golden Valley ●Apple Valley ●Grand Rapids ●St. Michael/Buffalo ●Brainerd area ●Virginia Wisconsin ●Hudson ●Milwaukee ● Southeast Wisconsin ●Wausau ● Eau Claire area Practices also available in Iowa, Illinois, Nebraska, South Dakota, Kentucky, and Virginia.

New opportunities routinely available

Contact me today to discuss your business interests. All inquiries held in confidence.

25 years brokerage & appraisal experience Loren Martin

Phone 952.953.9444 www.practiceop.com martin@practiceop.com

Buying or Selling a Practice?

● Practice Brokerage ● Appraisals

Loren Martin, Broker Phone: 952-953-9444 Practice Opportunities Inc. Email: martin@practiceop.com www.practiceop.com

Minnesota Chiropractic Association

1000 Westgate Drive, Suite 252

Saint Paul, MN 55114

(651) 288-3428 Phone

(651) 290-2266 Fax

Each October, the American Chiropractic Association hosts National Chiropractic Health Month to raise public health education and awareness.

Not only are Doctors of Chiropractic are experts in health and wellness, their expertise in musculoskeletal injury places them at the forefront of care!

A conservative approach to pain and injury is especially relevant in today’s health care system. By insisting on “Conservative Care First!” for injury management and health enhancement, patients can make a sensible and effective choice. For years, many patients would find relief through conservative forms of care such as chiropractic services only after unsuccessfully trying a range of other, more complex and riskier treatments. Today, that approach has been reversed, with more medical research and guidelines supporting the idea that patients should exhaust conservative approaches to pain management before moving on to other options.

Patients and Chiropractors can visit www.acatoday.org to learn more about the benefits of “Conservative Care First!” and how to promote National Chiropractic Health Month in their offices and communities.

National Chiropractic Health Month

Being Compiled & Verified