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

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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

 

These are the links to the currently approved course sponsors:

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

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.

 

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

 

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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.