Dr. Hugo V. Gibson joined the ICA in 1969 as a Student at Palmer Chiropractic College, Davenport, Iowa. He was active in ICA throughout his lifetime. Dr. Gibson served as a member of the Representative Assembly before joining the ICA Board where he would be selected by President George Curry to serve as ICA Chairman of the Board.  He further contributed as President of the Fellows of the ICA and Faculty Sponsor of the Student ICA. In 2004, Dr. Gibson was the first recipient of the Dr. Fred Barge Memorial Award of the Loyal Legion of Chiropractic Philosophers. In 2006 Dr. Gibson received both the Teacher of the Year and the Faculty Clinician of the Year at Cleveland College. In 2016, Dr. Gibson was honored with the ICA Herbert Ross Reaver Lifetime Achievement Award, and in 2019, elected as the ICA Doctor of the Year. 

He was licensed to practice in the state of Missouri and registered to practice in South Africa, the nation of his birth. For 20 years, Dr. Gibson served as a Professor at Cleveland Chiropractic College and the Chairman of the Principles and Practices Department for 7 of those years.  Not only was Dr. Gibson a leader in chiropractic, he was also a leader in his local communities both in South Africa and in the United States and incorporated his personal interests and talents.  From leadership in rugby, scouting, and motorsports to opera and the Lions Club.

ICA President, Dr. Joe Betz stated, “Hugo was a profound role model in my professional journey and an inspiration to an entire generation of chiropractors. His influence, passion, and dedication will continue to live on through all those he taught and inspired.”

Dr. Gibson is survived by his beloved wife Judy, his four children, Dr. Hugo Michael Gibson, Dr. Donald Joshua Gibson, Richard Bartlett Gibson and Ellen Margaret Gibson.   The family has stated that a celebration of life service will be announced in the spring/summer of 2026.  At the family’s request, the ICA has established the Dr. Hugo V. Gibson Fund for friends and colleagues to donate in lieu of flowers if desired.

Ronald M. Hendrickson came to work with the ICA in the early 1980s, bringing to the organization extensive Washington, DC credentials.  These included service as a Special Assistant to Ambassador Averill Harriman, US State Department, staff work in the US Congress as an aide to US Senators from Louisiana and Minnesota,  and service at the federal administrative level as Deputy Assistant of Secretary of Agriculture under President Jimmy Carter. Ron received his academic training at the undergraduate level from the George Washington University and conducted his postgraduate studies at the London School of Economics and at Johns Hopkins University.  

Having received his first adjustment on the night of his birth, Ron brought to the ICA his passion for the profession as well as strong executive management and writing skills.  Ron may be best remembered for his role as the key coordinator of ICA’s long relationship with global superstar Arnold Schwarzenegger, and the annual sports event ICA hosted thousands of Doctors of Chiropractic, students and other professionals from around the world over the decades prior to COVID.

Another hallmark of Ron’s work with the ICA was his dedication to emergency relief efforts. From working in the orphanages of Romania after the fall of the Ceaușescu government in that Eastern European nation to setting up chiropractic volunteers on the grounds of the US Pentagon and Ground Zero in New York after the attacks of September 11, 2001, to take care of recovery workers.  Working behind the scenes, Ron was instrumental in creating the sleep science platform at the ICA, building international relationships from this platform and advancing discussions on chiropractic education globally. After his beloved wife, Dr. Coralee Van Egmond passed, he was instrumental in establishing the Dr. Coralee Van Egmond Scholarship Fund, which continues today at the ICA.  

Dr. Joe Betz stated, “Ron’s unwavering commitment to chiropractic, his deep respect for its history, and his tireless advocacy for its future helped preserve the integrity of our mission through times of both challenge and opportunity. Ron was more than an administrator—he was a steward of our values, a guardian of our traditions, and a mentor to generations of chiropractors who benefited from his leadership.”

Upon his retirement in 2019, Ron continued as a consultant to the ICA to prepare the 100^th Anniversary book draft documenting ICA history.  This book will be published in 2026.  

Ron is survived by his two sons.  Plans to honor Ron are in development and will be shared when finalized by his family. We anticipate a celebration of life in the spring/summer. To read the official obituary is posted at: https://obituaries.carewellcremations.com/ronald-hendrickson

ICA’s Core Role Message:  The International Chiropractors Association (ICA) promotes, protects, and perpetuates the core principle of chiropractic by ensuring that the public has the right to access chiropractic care focusing on the correction of the vertebral subluxation by safeguarding the privilege of licensed/credentialled chiropractors’ ability to practice chiropractic worldwide. 

An ICA Chiropractor Set the Course:  I was a preschooler when I had my first chiropractic adjustment.  I was fortunate that my first chiropractor was a vitalistic, subluxation focused, ICA member passionate about sharing the message of regular chiropractic care for what we now call whole person health. Dr. Bolen not only helped me recover from being thrown from a horse at age 6; a roller skating crash that left me with chronic headaches at 13, he was there with compassion and the chiropractic adjustment to address the subluxations of trauma after community natural disasters and family tragedy.  He helped shape my understanding of how healing works, which inspired and empowered me to continuously seek knowledge. It is the embodiment of the BJ quote – “You never know how far reaching something you may think, say, or do today will affect the lives of millions tomorrow.”

My life journey has taken me around the world to the shores of the Red Sea, River Neva, Jordan River, and Caribbean Sea, through the Ivory Tower of the National Institutes of Health and across the marble floors in the Halls of Congress, full circle to the International Chiropractors Association.  I have seen first-hand that the world needs you, — chiropractors who are trained and proficient in identifying vertebral subluxations and correcting them through the chiropractic adjustment. The world needs the ICA, the organization that will always fight for the profession, will always promote the truth about the profession, and will not sell out to medicalization.

Chiropractic Needs You in the ICA:  If you are an ICA member – thank you for being a part of the organization that was established 99 years ago to preserve and protect the profession.

 At Dr. Palmers’ direction, we transformed from the Chiropractic Health Bureau which helped get licensure in all 50 US states and territories to the International Chiropractors Association (ICA) so that we could expand the profession and establish the statutory authority in every nation on the planet for chiropractors to be lawfully able to practice.  We have a long way to go to achieve chiropractic being legal and available in every country.  If you are not yet a member of the ICA, I invite you to join.  Wherever you are on your chiropractic journey, ICA is here for you.  Every chiropractor and chiropractic student who cares about building the profession based on the science, art, and philosophy of the profession as the separate and distinct profession that it is needs to join and stay in the ICA to help us achieve our mission, vision and goals.  Sadly, too many chiropractors are sitting on the sidelines.  The ICA will also not tell you how to run your business, not judge your business model, instead we are here to promote and uplift, encourage you to be successful in your endeavors to promote chiropractic care and stay focused on the principle of subluxation detection and correction.  The ICA will advocate for you and provide opportunities for networking and premier post graduate education.

The chiropractic profession and those who seek chiropractic care benefit from the advance training specialties such as Upper Cervical, Pediatrics, Sports, and Chiropractic Biophysics. The ICA’s Councils and affiliates provide this important post graduate education training and have shown how chiropractors can collaborate with other health professions successfully for the benefit of the patient.  The world needs our experts in chiropractic philosophy to continue to share the message of the ‘why’ of chiropractic, so that the 3-legged stool (science-art-philosophy) does not become unbalanced.  The ICA Board completed a Strategic Plan https://www.chiropractic.org/about-us/strategic-plan-2025/  this year which includes our Core Chiropractic Principle and Core Role Message as well as our vision, mission and goals. 

Never Been a Better Time to Be a Chiropractor:  In 2025 we are seeing that the advocacy of the ICA and others in the chiropractic profession has reached the highest levels of the government.  The Make America Health Again Initiative has opened the opportunity for chiropractic to have major advances and for the ICA to help advance the profession.  The principles of vitalism and innate intelligence are threaded into these conversations.  And at the same time, we see some within the profession seeking to medicalize it through scope expansion into prescribing authority and invasive techniques such as injectables. (Some ignore that ‘injectables’ will also backdoor prescribing authority as all products introduced into the body through a needle– even water or ‘natural substances’ are by federal law prescription drugs.)  ICA will always work to protect the profession from being medicalized, that is our responsibility. 

To keep fighting the good fights, to keep advancing principled, vitalistic, subluxation focused chiropractic, the ICA needs full engagement by all in the profession who are like minded. 

Falls Church, VA — We’re excited to introduce Dr. Neil Cohen as the ICA’s new Membership Ambassador! In this important role, Dr. Cohen will be working closely with our student ICA programs at affiliated schools, inspiring the next generation of chiropractors to embrace ICA’s mission and values. 

He will also be actively recruiting new members, helping young graduates transition smoothly into full doctor-level membership, and ensuring they remain active and engaged throughout their careers for full ICA benefits. 

Dr. Cohen will be working hand-in-hand with our CEO, Dr. Edwin Cordero, to strengthen and grow our ICA community—just as he did as Executive Vice President of Sherman College of Chiropractic, where together they advanced the college’s standing as a leader in principled chiropractic education.

Dr. Cohen joined Sherman College in 2014 and served there for nearly 10 years, helping guide its growth and impact. He is a 1986 graduate of Life Chiropractic College, where he was deeply inspired by Dr. Sid Williams’ passion for chiropractic’s unique philosophy—a passion that sparked a lifelong commitment to principled chiropractic care. 

For nearly 30 years, Dr. Cohen practiced alongside his wife, Randi, in South Florida, earning a reputation for his genuine care and for helping countless patients experience the transformative power of chiropractic. He’s always believed that, by God’s design, the body has an incredible ability to heal itself, and he’s dedicated his life to sharing that truth.

Dr. Cohen’s leadership, communication skills, and unwavering commitment to chiropractic’s core philosophy make him a perfect fit for this role. We can’t wait to see the positive impact he’ll bring to our ICA community.

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

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

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. 

Clearwater, FL – April 15, 2025—The International Chiropractors Association (ICA) made a powerful impact this past weekend at the Dynamic Essentials Conference in Clearwater, Florida.

ICA’s newly appointed CEO, Edwin Cordero, DC, FICA, took the stage as the Friday Night Keynote Speaker, delivering a passionate message rooted in principled chiropractic, legacy, and vision for the future. The response was overwhelming.

22 doctors and students signed up to become ICA members, committing to stand for the sacred principles of chiropractic and join a global movement.

“This isn’t just a new season—it’s a new era for ICA,” said Dr. Cordero. “We are more than an organization; we are a movement to protect the Sacred Trust and ensure chiropractic remains a distinct, powerful, and principled profession worldwide.”

ICA Mission
To protect and promote chiropractic throughout the world as a distinct healthcare profession predicated upon its unique philosophy, science, and art of subluxation detection and correction.

ICA Vision
To empower humanity to optimal life expression, health, and human potential through specific and scientific chiropractic care.

Founded by Dr. B.J. Palmer in 1926, the ICA continues to lead the profession forward with integrity, purpose, and global advocacy. For more information or to join the ICA, visit www.chiropractic.org.

Introducing Exclusive Insurance Benefits for ICA Members

The International Chiropractors Association is excited to announce a new benefit for our American members—comprehensive insurance coverage, including health, life, disability and more, for practices of all sizes, available in all 50 states and the District of Columbia through R&B Insurance Services, LLC.

We’ve worked hard to provide options that fit your practice and your life, whether you’re a solo practitioner or managing multiple offices. R&B will be joining us at our Annual Convention in Clearwater to explain their services and answer your questions.

• Benefit Options for all size Practices.  Including 1 person Practices
• Discounted Rates for Group Health Insurance Options
• Dental Insurance with many plan design options for Practices to choose from.  Available Practice paid or Voluntary
• Vision Insurance with many plan design options for Practices to choose from.  Available Practice paid or Voluntary
• Guarantee Issue Practice Paid Life Insurance up to $150,000 in coverage
• Guarantee Issue Voluntary Life Insurance up to $150,000 in coverage.  Options for Spouse and Children Available
• Guarantee Issue Short-Term Disability Coverages.  Practice paid or Voluntary up to $1500 Weekly Benefits
• Guarantee Issue Long-Term Disability Coverages.  Practice paid or Voluntary up to $6000 Monthly Benefits.  No Restrictions for Chiropractors
• 24 Hour a day Accident coverage.  Pays Benefits directly to policyholders if they are hurt in an accident.  Can cover dependents
• Guarantee Issue Critical Illness coverage.  Covers over 25 major health events (Cancer, Heart Attacks, Stroke, ETC…)  Up to $30,000 in coverage with no health questions. Can cover dependents
• Guarantee Issue Hospital Indemnity.  Pays benefits to help cover out of pocket medical expenses.  Can cover dependents
• Additional available coverages; Legal, Identity Theft and Fraud Protection

Learn more at rbinsuranceservice.com or email ICAservice@rbinsuranceservice.com.

ICA affiliated state associations should contact bclay@chiropractic.org for information regarding extending this benefit to state-level members.

The allopathic medical model calls for symptom suppression and now, in their bag of Rx potions, doctors and dentists had Oxy. So, when JCAHO – the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations – instituted a requirement that hospitals ask every patient about their pain status and the satisfaction in their pain management, all of a sudden, the patient population was not focused on their recovery, but on their pain. The use of the smiley face-frowny face pain scale began being used with adults and children every day in doctors’ offices, clinics, and hospital.

Suddenly, millions of Americans were being prescribed opioids and other drugs to suppress their pain! The medical community has always known that opioids are addictive and have serious risks. Oxy was supposed to be “less addictive,” so the “do no harm” oath was set aside and Oxy became the prescribed drug of choice. We now know the manufacturer misled the world about Oxy’s addiction capacity intentionally. Along the way, the American Pain Society was busy normalizing the thought that one should be treating pain with opioids and other strong drugs. In 2019, The American Pain Society would go bankrupt and shut down when their ties to drug makers were made public. But not before the damage was done – millions of Americans died.

Today, over 2.5 million Americans have OUD – Opioid Use Disorder – and over 80,000 Americans died in 2021 from opioids. The medical community puts its attention on the symptom of pain being suppressed and their methods resulted in death and addiction for many. Because their model is far from optimal.

The Life Lesson: Where You Put Your Attention is Where You Get Results!

Where is ICA’s Attention? On making sure every person on the planet has the opportunity to access chiropractic care focusing on the correction of vertebral subluxations by safeguarding the privilege of licensed/credentialled chiropractors to practice chiropractic worldwide!

ICA chiropractors know that pain is a symptom of an underlying subluxation and that by identifying and correcting that subluxation through the chiropractic adjustment, the symptom can be addressed. There are no drugs that can fix the “chronic pain” that develops when the pain signal gets stuck in the “on” position. It is up to you, the ICA chiropractor – Doctors of Health who promote the body’s innate ability to seek and achieve optimal life expression, health, and human potential through specific and scientific chiropractic care – to provide the opportunity for patients to resolve this suffering.

To paraphrase former ICA President, Dr. George Curry – the world is subluxated, let’s get to it and get adjusting.

Growth is the Solution – growth of the ICA and growth in the numbers of chiropractors worldwide. ICA leadership and staff are focused on growth; and we ask you to join us in being a part of this important global solution.

ICA is focused on improving the member benefits, on advocating for you and the profession, and on expanding awareness of the benefits of regular chiropractic care.

Our continuing education programs offered through our councils advanced the mission through training at the highest standards. We help attendees be better chiropractors.

We have new vendors coming on board to offer you discounts, and revenue opportunities. The MLily mattresses designed by ICA experts are only available through ICA doctors – it is up to you to get engaged with the company and make these amazing products available.

We could focus on all the negatives in the world today; but instead, we are focusing on what we can do to help the world – and that is to increase access to ICA chiropractors. I am asking you today to joins us in this focus on ICA membership growth through the end of 2024. Will you bring one new doctor to the ICA each month? If you share the ICA message, I know you can. But we must make the effort to achieve the goal. Simone Biles didn’t win all those gold medals by just thinking about gymnastics – she put the effort in. I’m making this same request to our leadership and Assembly Representatives. Working on this focus together we can achieve amazing growth. Our founder, Dr. B.J. Palmer created the ICA to be THE voice in chiropractic to protect and promote the profession worldwide. To achieve his vision and goals, we need ICA members – ALL OF US – focused and active on growing the ICA.