October 14, Falls Church, VA. The International Chiropractors Association (ICA) received with great sadness the passing of Michael D. Pedigo, DC on Sunday, October 10 in Camino, Californiia Dr. Pedigo served as President of the ICA from 1985-1988 and as Chairman of the Board from 1988 to 1989.
A 1969 graduate of Palmer College of Chiropractic, Pedigo started his practice in California in 1970. He was in practice for only five years when he and four other DCs took a bold and courageous stand on an issue that would have a profound impact on the future of the profession. They filed an anti-trust suit against the giant American Medical Association and several other medical organizations for conspiring to boycott the chiropractic profession and restrict individual MDs from cooperating with DCs. The battle lasted 14 years, but Dr. Pedigo was one of those who dug his heels in and did not give up, rough as it was. In 1987 when the final verdict was handed down and the Judge ruled that the AMA had indeed engaged in an unlawful conspiracy to contain and eliminate the chiropractic profession, Dr. Pedigo was serving as the president of the ICA.
A few years later Dr. Pedigo made history when he became the president of the ACA. He is the only chiropractor in the profession’s 115 year history who has the distinction of serving as president of both the ICA and the ACA and also both state associations in his home state of California (ICAC and CCA). He is also the only individual to be honored by both ICA and ACA with their most distinguished “Chiropractor of the Year” award -- ICA in 1988, ACA in 1991. The two California associations also recognized him with their most prestigious awards, ICAC in 1976 as the “Chiropractor of the Year” and CCA as “Doctor of the Year” in 1988 and 1998. Dynamic Chiropractic named Dr. Pedigo “Man of the Year” in 1988. These honors prove that regardless of his affiliations Dr. Pedigo was loved and respected as a chiropractor and a leader.
Dr. James Musick, member of ICA’s Board of Directors and currently serving as ICA’s Western Regional Director, said he met Dr. Pedigo in the 1970’s when he was President of the ICA of California (ICAC). At the time Dr. Pedigo was leading the ICAC in a suit against the California Board of Chiropractic Examiners relating to the scope of practice for DCs in the State of California, a suit which the ICAC ultimately won.
“When I met him,” recalled Dr. Musick, “Mike was a towering athlete, a champion rugby player, a competitor and a winner. He was a successful Pettibon practitioner in spinal biomechanics and remained a subluxation-based, principled chiropractor throughout his career. I considered Mike a close friend…I will miss him.”
“Michael was a leader with passion, courage and initiative,” said ICA President Dr. Gary Walsemann. “We send our heartfelt condolences to his family, they are in our thoughts and prayers. But we want them to know that Mike left his footprints on the profession he loved. The legacy he leaves behind of courage, integrity, service and commitment will be remembered by his colleagues, friends and patients for a very long time.”
A memorial for Dr. Pedigo will be held on Saturday, October 16 at 2:00pm at Roseville Church of Christ, 1790 Cirby Way, Roseville, CA 95678.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to:
NCMIC Foundation, Mail Stop A3E, 14001 University Avenue, Clive, IA 50325.
In 1987 when I was in my first few quarters of Chiropractic School at Palmer College of Chiropractic when the verdict from the AMA Law suit was announced. I was very proud of my profession but could not really comprehend the impact that men like Mike Pedigo had just made on my life. Dr. Pedigo died much to young but his legacy will last forever. Thank you Dr. Mike, ADIO!
Dr. David Marcon
Marcon Chiropractic & Wellness Center
www.drdavidmarcon.com
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