American Board of Chiropractic Internists (ABCI): A Professional Certification Board and Credentiali


 

This was the website for the American Board of Chiropractic Internists (ABCI) professional certification board and credentialing agency.
The content below is from the site's 2008-2009 archived pages.
If you have reached this website and are looking for more information about the DABCI, the ABCI agency, and/or the CDID** orgainzation go to https://aca-cdid.com/.

** The CDID (a certified specialty council of the American Chiropractic Association or ACA) administers and coordinates the activity of the DABCI post-doctoral specialty.

CIRCA 2008-2009

The American Board of Chiropractic Internists (ABCI) is a non-profit, tax-exempt professional certification board and credentialing agency. The ABCI advances the quality of clinical competency for doctors of chiropractic specializing in diagnosis and treatment of internal disorders through certification and recertification of those doctors who demonstrate excellence in the chiropractic internist practice.

Consistent with the ABCI Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws, the ABCI shall promote the advancement of chiropractic internal medicine by identifying to professionals and the public those chiropractors who have voluntarily sought and obtained certification in chiropractic internal medicine.

In a world of rapidly evolving technology, chiropractic practices can benefit immensely from the myriad new devices, techniques, and especially with the help of specialized application custom software, creating tools designed to serve the needs of this industry. Custom software approaches to medicine in general go far beyond billing, scheduling, and bookkeeping. Software solutions are paired with 3D printing to create highly personalized tools and patient aids, while at the same time permitting patients to monitor their on health status. Over the next few months, we will be updating this site to make it more informative and user friendly. In the meantime, if there is a broken link or missing pdf file on our download page, please be patient.

Thank you

Candidate testing for Part I, Part II, and Part III of the board examination is held:

4th weekend of April
3rd weekend of October

 

Continuing Education

Diplomates of the American Board of Chiropractic Internists must attend twelve (12) hours of ABCI approved education every year to maintain their certification. This course material must be in the field of diagnosis and treatment of internal disorders. Courses and seminars that have gone through the approval process are posted on this website. If a course does not appear on the list and it is felt by a DABCI that it should be approved, please contact the Secretary of the ABCI to receive information on the approval process.

At least every other year the educational hours must be met by attending the ABCI approved CDID Symposium.

These are the links to the currently approved course sponsors:

  • Dr. Jack Kessinger (ProHealth Seminars)
  • CDID Sponsored Symposium

Currently Approved Seminars and Courses:

Dates

Seminar / Course

Hrs

Location

Contact

11/15-11/16/2008 Spirometry & Pulmonary Disease 12 Chicago, IL Virginia@drkessinger.com (573-341-8448) 
11/22-11/23/2008 Cardiovascular Disease: Prevention, Diagnosis, Management 12 Dallas, TX Virginia@drkessinger.com (573-341-8448) 
12/13-12/14/2008 Electrocardiography & Phonocardiography 12 Dallas, TX Virginia@drkessinger.com (573-341-8448) 

If you do not see the seminar or course approved for continuing education credits that you would like to take, please submit the Course Approval Packet. Please allow 6 weeks to receive approval.

 

         
Dates

Seminar / Course

Hrs

Location

Contact

06/28-06/29/2008 Functional Endocrinology 16  Dallas, TX  www.hormoneseminars.com (800-736-4381) 
06/28-06/29/2008 The General Examination and Associated Pathology 12 Dallas, TX Virginia@drkessinger.com (573-341-8448) 
07/12-07/13/2008 Functional Endocrinology 16  San Francisco, CA www.hormoneseminars.com (800-736-4381) 
07/12-07/13/2008 Reports, Clinical Documentation & Drug Reactions 12 Charlotte, NC Virginia@drkessinger.com (573-341-8448) 
07/18-07/20/2008 Symposium 2008  17 Cincinnati, OH www.councildid.com
07/19-07/20/2008 Functional Endocrinology 16  Orlando FL  wwwhormoneseminars.com (800-736-4381) 
07/26-07/27/2008 Electrocardiography & Phonocardiography 12 Chicago, IL Virginia@drkessinger.com (573-341-8448) 
07/26-07/27/2008 Diseases and Exam of the Pelvis 12 Dallas, TX Virginia@drkessinger.com (573-341-8448) 
07/26-07/27/2008 Functional Endocrinology 16 Santa Fe, NM www.hormoneseminars.com (800-736-4381)
08/16-08/17/2008 Pharmacognosy

12

Chicago, IL

Virginia@drkessinger.com (573-341-8448) 
08/18-08/19/2008 Functional Endocrinology 16 Los Angeles, CA www.hormoneseminars.com (800-736-4381)
08/23-08/24/2008

Multi-Channel Blood Chemistries

12

Dallas, TX 

Virginia@drkessinger.com (573-341-8448) 
09/20-09/21/2008 Chronic Degenerative Disease 12 Chicago, IL Virginia@drkessinger.com (573-341-8448) 
09/20-09/21/08 Functional Endocrinology 16 Charlotte, NC www.hormoneseminars.com (800-736-4381)
09/27-09/28/2008 Additional Blood Tests / Tumor Markers 12 Dallas, TX Virginia@drkessinger.com (573-341-8448) 
10/18-10/19/2008 Pediatrics 12 Chicago, IL Virginia@drkessinger.com (573-341-8448) 
10/25-10/26/2008 Blood Interpretation Workshop 12 Dallas, TX Virginia@drkessinger.com (573-341-8448) 
11/15-11/16/2008 Spirometry & Pulmonary Disease 12 Chicago, IL Virginia@drkessinger.com (573-341-8448) 
11/22-11/23/2008 Cardiovascular Disease: Prevention, Diagnosis, Management 12 Dallas, TX Virginia@drkessinger.com (573-341-8448) 
12/13-12/14/2008 Electrocardiography & Phonocardiography 12 Dallas, TX Virginia@drkessinger.com (573-341-8448) 


DABCI Status

This is a public directory of all DABCIs, their location, and current status with the ABCI. If a doctor has had disciplinary action taken against them, it will be so noted. Current status is indicated as 'Credentialed' if they are active and have taken recertification or 'Uncredentialed' if they have lost ABCI credentialing. Uncredentialed doctors will have the date of uncredentialing so noted.

This file may be downloaded also:

DABCI Status Report

Doctor

Location

Status

Disciplinary Action

Anderson, Delilah Sandwich, IL

Certified

 

Anderson, Jeffrey Edina, MN  Certified   
Arnone, Philip Matthews, NC Certified   
Bergin, Jeffrey Zion, IL  Certified   
Bergrin, Jon Florence, SC Certified  
Bertsch, Timothy St. Paul, MN  Certified   
Best, Leslie Madison, WI  Certified  
Betz, Michael Auburn, KS Certified   
Boudro, Stephen Elm Hurst, IL  Certified   
Bradley, Barbara Wasau, WI  Certified   
Braman, David Tualatin, OR  Certified   
Branham, Kevin Eagle River, WI  Certified   
Button, Stephen Mount Airy, NC  Certified   
Brown, Edward Dallas, TX Retired   
Brown, Richard Olathe, KS  Certified   
Cardin, Ralph Overland Park, KS  Certified   
Carpenter, Debra Pueblo West, CO  Certified   
Cessna, Michael Tuscon, AZ  Retired   
Chalker, Harold Meade, KS Certified   
Cheney, Dustin Phillipsburg, KS  Certified   
Clements, Rodney Eldorado, KS  Certified   
Clouse, Lance Van Buren, AR Certified   
Collinson, Terry Colorado Springs, CO Retired   
Cummings, Rita Littleton, CO  Certified   
Dechert, Paula Denver, CO Certified   
DiDomizio, Paul Wolcott, CT Certified   
Dooley, Jan Arcata, CA  Certified   
Duca, Robert Dunn Loring, VA  Certified   
Durrett, Lance The Woodlands, TX Certified   
Finch, Bernie Pepin, WI Certified   
Findlay, John W Palm Beach, FL Certified   
Fink, Bruce Coudersport, PA Certified  
Friedrichs, Robert Mason City, IH  Certified   
Gauerke, Gwendolyn Iola, WI  Certified   
Gelhot, John Albuquerque, NM Certified   
Gerger, Marguerite Clearwater, FL  Certified   
Gerhart, Timothy Glendale, AZ Certified  
Gilbaugh, Craig Ashland, WI  Certified   
Gilbert, Robert Bellville, OH  Certified   
Gifford, Janie Frisco, TX  Retired   
Grimm, Steven San Antonio, TX  Certified   
Haberski, Larry Stone Mountain, GA Certified   
Hedberg, Nikolas Arden, NC  Certified   
Holze, Lester Elgin, Il  Certified   
Howard, Cindy Orland Park,IL  Certified   
Hug, Reginald   Retired   
Hult, Frederick McHenry, IL  Certified   
Jensen, Thomas Sterling,IL  Certified   
Jeurink, Tobi Gardnet, KS  Certified   
Kessinger, Jack Rolla, MO  Certified   
Kfoury, Peter Charleston, SC Certified   
Kleber, William Berthoud, CO  Certified   
LaHoda, John Richboro, PA  Certified   
Lewis-Overton, Doreen San Antonio, TX Certified   
Lokken, Steven Colorado Springs, CO Certified  
Lucas, Andrew Riverside, CA  Certified   
Lumsden, Steven Gresham, OR  Certified   
Martin, Sandrine Cornelius, NC  Certified   
McGinn, James Crystal Lake, IL  Certified   
McGregor, Daniel Prudenville,MI  Certified   
McGuckin, Brian Michigan City, IN  Certified   
Maedke, Anne Milwaukee, WI  Certified   
Metzler, Cheryl Green Bay, WI  Certified   
Nicholson, Christena Overland Park, KS  Certified   
Peterson, Kristopher Hermiston, OR  Certified   
Pirner, Janie Wichita, KS Certified   
Piro, Janice Palm Harbor, FL  Certified   
Player, Susan Clearwater,FL  Certified   
Podlaski, John Ocala, FL  Certified   
Pollack, Philip Sterling, CO  Certified   
Prioux, Michael Friendswood, TX  Certified   
Riekeman, Deborah Colorado Springs, CO Certified   
Santelli, Richard Moore, OK Certified   
Satterwhite, R Vincent North Kanas City, MO  Certified   
Saunders, Barbara Garner, NC  Certified   
Schultz, Gina Hollandale, WI  Certified   
Smiley, John Saloam Springs, AR  Retired   
Smith, Robert Baton Rouge, LA  Certified   
Smith, Todd A. Winston-Salem, NC

Certified

 
Sodano, Wayne Bel Air, MD  Certified   
Stam, Douglas Bour Bonnais, IL  Certified   
Stone, Michael Tucson, AZ Certified   
Strauman, Charles Minneapolis, MN Certified   
Taylor, Mike OK  Certified   
Tiahrt, Melanie Alton, IL  Retired   
Thomas, Mark Cottage Grove, OR Certified   
Thompson, Virginia Arlington, TX  Certified   
Thornton, Jeremy Stockton, MO  Certified   
Vradenburg, Donald St. George, UT  Certified   
Yeager, Mark Charlotte, NC  Cerifiied   
Watkins, Zachary Johnston, IA  Certified   
Wellhausen, Sylvie Loma Linda, CA Certified   
Willhite, Dean Manitowoc, WI Certified   

Williams, Jonathan C.

West St. Paul, MN

Certified

 

Wilson, Brian Englewood, CO  Certified   
Zaeske, Steve Orland Park.IL  Certified   
Zevan III, Alex Bloomingdale, IL Certified  

 

 

 

 

 



 

More Background on DABCI.org

The American Board of Chiropractic Internists (ABCI) is a professional organization that offers certification for chiropractors who specialize in internal medicine and functional medicine approaches. While the ABCI aims to advance chiropractic care in treating internal disorders, the organization and its certification program have faced scrutiny and criticism from the broader medical community.

History and Background

The ABCI was established in the 1980s as a way for chiropractors to gain additional credentials in diagnosing and treating internal disorders beyond traditional chiropractic care focused on spinal manipulation. The organization created the Diplomate of the American Board of Chiropractic Internists (DABCI) certification to recognize chiropractors who complete extensive post-graduate training in areas like laboratory diagnosis, nutrition, and functional medicine. The DABCI program typically involves over 300 hours of classroom instruction and hands-on training spread out over several years. Topics covered include cardiovascular health, endocrinology, gastrointestinal disorders, and other areas of internal medicine. Proponents argue this additional training allows chiropractors to take a more holistic, preventative approach to patient care.

Certification Process and Requirements

To become certified as a DABCI, chiropractors must complete the required coursework and pass a comprehensive exam. The certification process includes:

  • Completing over 300 hours of post-graduate education
  • Attending approved seminars and workshops
  • Passing written and practical examinations
  • Maintaining certification through continuing education

The coursework covers a wide range of topics in internal medicine, functional medicine, laboratory diagnosis, and natural treatment approaches. Proponents say this allows chiropractors to expand their scope of practice and take a more integrative approach to patient care.

Controversy and Criticism

While the ABCI presents the DABCI certification as an advanced credential, it has faced significant criticism and skepticism from the mainstream medical community. Some key concerns that have been raised include:

  • The relatively limited training compared to medical residencies in internal medicine
  • Questions about the scientific validity of some functional medicine concepts taught
  • Lack of recognition by major medical organizations
  • Potential for chiropractors to practice beyond their legal scope

Critics argue that the 300 hours of classroom instruction in the DABCI program cannot compare to the thousands of hours of clinical training received by medical doctors specializing in internal medicine. There are concerns that DABCI-certified chiropractors may attempt to diagnose and treat complex internal disorders without adequate training.

Scope of Practice Issues

One of the major controversies surrounding the DABCI certification is the scope of practice it implies. While chiropractic care is typically focused on musculoskeletal issues, particularly related to the spine, DABCI chiropractors often claim to be able to diagnose and treat a much wider range of internal disorders. This expanded scope has led to legal and ethical debates about whether DABCI chiropractors are practicing medicine without a license in some cases. The exact scope of practice for chiropractors varies by state, but generally does not include diagnosing and treating internal medical conditions outside of how they relate to the musculoskeletal system.

Reception in the Medical Community

The DABCI certification and the ABCI as an organization are not recognized by major medical associations or accrediting bodies in the United States. Groups like the American Medical Association and American Board of Internal Medicine do not acknowledge the DABCI as equivalent to board certification in internal medicine. This lack of recognition in the broader medical community has limited the ability of DABCI chiropractors to integrate into mainstream healthcare systems or gain hospital privileges. It has also led to ongoing debates about the role of chiropractors in diagnosing and treating internal disorders.

Patient Perspectives and Experiences

Despite the controversy in medical circles, some patients report positive experiences with DABCI-certified chiropractors. Proponents argue that the functional medicine approach taught in the DABCI program allows for more personalized, holistic care that addresses root causes rather than just treating symptoms. However, there are also reports of patients receiving questionable diagnoses or ineffective treatments from DABCI practitioners. Consumer advocacy groups have raised concerns about potential exploitation of patients through unnecessary testing or treatments not supported by scientific evidence.

Impact on the Chiropractic Profession

The DABCI certification and expansion into internal medicine has been a divisive issue within the chiropractic profession itself. Some chiropractors view it as a positive step toward greater integration with mainstream healthcare, while others see it as straying too far from chiropractic's core focus on the musculoskeletal system. This divide reflects broader debates within chiropractic about the profession's identity and scope. While some chiropractors advocate for an expanded role in primary care, others argue for maintaining a more focused approach on spinal health and manual therapies.

Regulatory and Legal Considerations

The legal status of DABCI chiropractors practicing internal medicine varies by state. Some states have taken action to more clearly define and limit the scope of chiropractic practice, particularly related to diagnosing and treating non-musculoskeletal conditions. There have been cases of DABCI chiropractors facing disciplinary action or legal challenges for practicing beyond the scope allowed by state laws. This has led to ongoing debates about how to regulate and oversee chiropractors who obtain additional certifications like the DABCI.

Educational Programs and Providers

The coursework required for DABCI certification is primarily provided through private seminar companies rather than accredited chiropractic colleges or universities. This has raised questions about the quality and consistency of the education provided. Some chiropractic colleges have begun offering functional medicine programs or collaborating with DABCI education providers. However, these programs are generally not accredited by the same bodies that oversee medical school curricula.

Research and Evidence Base

One of the ongoing criticisms of the DABCI program is the lack of rigorous scientific research supporting many of the diagnostic and treatment approaches taught. While some individual techniques or concepts may have research backing, critics argue that the overall approach lacks sufficient evidence of safety and efficacy for diagnosing and treating internal disorders. Proponents counter that the functional medicine model taught in DABCI programs takes a more systems-based, preventative approach that is not always amenable to traditional clinical trials. However, the lack of high-quality research remains a significant barrier to broader acceptance.

Future Outlook and Challenges

The future of the DABCI certification and the ABCI's role in chiropractic education remains uncertain. While interest in integrative and functional medicine approaches continues to grow among some patients and practitioners, the lack of recognition from the broader medical community poses ongoing challenges. For the DABCI certification to gain wider acceptance, significant changes would likely be needed in the depth and rigor of training, the evidence base for diagnostic and treatment approaches, and clearer definition of scope of practice. Whether the chiropractic profession as a whole will move in this direction or maintain a more traditional focus remains to be seen. In conclusion, while the ABCI and DABCI certification represent an attempt to expand the role of chiropractors in diagnosing and treating internal disorders, they remain controversial and face significant skepticism from the mainstream medical community. Patients considering care from a DABCI-certified chiropractor should carefully research the evidence base for proposed treatments and consult with other healthcare providers as needed.

 



 

DABCI.org