OCA’s 2024 Member Recognition Day showcases excellence in chiropractic care
On November 30, 2024, the Ontario Chiropractic Association (OCA) welcomed members from across the province to Toronto for an annual celebration of the chiropractic community. The OCA’s annual Member Recognition Day is always a highlight of our calendar and this year, to make the event accessible to even more of our members, we were excited to host the celebration during the day at the beautiful Globe and Mail Centre. This marked a change from the traditional evening gala format and allowed our members to benefit from time and cost savings, while still enjoying a full day of programming.
This year’s attendees participated in a structured continuing education workshop hosted by the CCPA, enjoyed a special fireside chat with Toronto Maple Leafs legend Wendel Clark and Kaleb Dahlgren (CMCC class of ‘24), and celebrated the winners of the 2024 OCA Awards.
Attendees at the 2024 Member Recognition Day socializing during a networking break.
CCPA workshop: Simple answers to complex questions – do they exist?
The day began with a captivating continuing education (CE) session led by senior leaders of the CCPA. CEO, Dr. Dean Wright, director of claims, Dr. Shima Shahidy, and senior manager of claims, Dr. Kathryn Wheatley delivered an engaging and interactive presentation about the complexities of providing chiropractic care and how to manage the grey zone – that place in some aspects of practice where there is a lack of clarity.
Lunch and AGM
Following the CCPA’s session, members sat down for an elegant, three-course lunch. While the crowd enjoyed their food, OCA CEO, Caroline Brereton and Board Chair Dr. Janet D’Arcy kicked off the OCA’s AGM.
“I want to thank each and every one of you, including our members who could not be with us here today in person, for your ongoing support in helping us to advocate to advance the profession and make changes that put patients first in Ontario,” said Brereton in her opening address.
OCA CEO Caroline Brereton opens the OCA’s 2024 AGM.
The AGM confirmed the appointments of Drs. Antonio Anziano and Andrea Nalli to the OCA’s board of directors. Dr. Anziano is a returning board member, while Dr. Nalli is a new addition to the team. Both will serve a three-year term starting in 2025.
Fireside Chat with Kaleb Dahlgren and Wendel Clark
After lunch was finished and the plates were cleared, it was time for one of the most anticipated events on the day’s agenda. Members – some of whom were donning their beloved Maple Leafs jerseys – welcomed to the stage our special guests former Leafs captain, Wendel Clark and Kaleb Dahlgren.
Attendees may have recognized Kaleb as the aspiring chiropractor who spoke at last year’s OCA AGM. There, he shared his story of resiliency and recovery from the 2018 Humboldt Broncos bus crash. Kaleb is now a fourth-year CMCC student who’s ready to set out on a career in chiropractic and provide the same level of high-quality care he received following the crash.
Wendel Clark is one of Toronto’s greatest sporting legends. The former Leafs captain is a favourite among the blue and white faithful and his leadership, physicality and dedication to the team ensured his legacy long after he hung up the skates. Of course, with the hard hits came injuries and pain, and Clark spoke about how he worked with his interprofessional team, including chiropractors, to overcome those injuries and enjoy a pain-free retirement.
After 45 minutes of conversation and a Q&A session with the attendees, Clark and Dahlgren graciously signed autographs, shook hands and took photos with OCA members and their guests.
Wendel Clark signing the jersey of an OCA member and Leafs fan.
2024 OCA Awards
Every year, the OCA honours the best of Ontario’s chiropractic community with the OCA Awards, which recognize excellence in care, advocacy and dedication to the profession.
The OCA offers eight awards ranging from the Early Career Chiropractor of the Year, which recognizes an outstanding newcomer to the profession, to the Chiropractic Champion Award, which recognizes an ally of the profession who has gone to great lengths to promote chiropractors and the benefits of chiropractic care. The most prestigious award, the Chiropractor of the Year honours a member who has gone above and beyond to advance the profession and elevate patient care throughout their career.
“As needs continue to shift among patients in the province, chiropractors keep responding,” said Brereton, as she opened the awards presentation. “That’s why today, we’ve come together to honour you, our chiropractic community, for the tireless work you do and the incredible impact you’re making on the health care system and the lives of people across this province.”
Along with the eight awards, the OCA also recognized members celebrating their 25th, 40th and 50th anniversaries as practicing chiropractors. We also honoured Dr. Silvano Mior, the recipient of this year’s Honorary Lifetime Membership.
At the conclusion of the event, Brereton and Dr. D’Arcy presented this year’s Chiropractor of the Year award to Dr. Igor Steiman.
In his more than 40-year career, Dr. Steiman has not only helped a variety of patients improve their health and wellness, but also mentored and supported hundreds of aspiring chiropractors as they start their careers. Dr. Steiman’s work ethic is matched by his generosity, empathy and commitment to his patients and staff, and he’s undoubtedly a deserving winner of this year’s award.
The full list of OCA winners can be found below:
Chiropractic Health Assistant (CHA) of the Year Award – Barb Smilde
Early Career Chiropractor Award – Dr. Stephen Gray
Chiropractic Champion Award – Dr. Adrienne Junek, MD
Patient Care Award – Dr. David Popovic
Research and Academic Award – Dr. Alex Lee
Community Service Award – Dr. Evelyn Lock
Dr. Michael Brickman Heart & Hands Award – Dr. Sunyatta Guild
Chiropractor of the Year Award – Dr. Igor Steiman