Illinois Chiropractic Society: Illinois Voices, National Influence
Our professionals in Illinois are providing powerful representation at the national organizational level, and the impact of that presence reaches directly into your practice today. Through strategic service on behalf of the Illinois Chiropractic Society (ICS) and the broader profession, several of our members are shaping policy, reimbursement, advocacy, and the future of chiropractic care. Their leadership strengthens both the profession as a whole and your ability to deliver high-quality, accessible care in Illinois.
Champions from Illinois
Below are key ICS members and staff whose national service aligns with ICS priorities in advocacy, reimbursement, practice viability, and state-level impact.
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Vijay Patel, DC – Immediate Past President of the ICS, Dr. Patel currently serves as Chair of the Fundraising Workgroup for the Chiropractic Future Strategic Plan.
His role in the fundraising and implementation phases of the plan directly benefits Illinois and other states by strengthening the profession’s national infrastructure, resulting in improved access, stronger advocacy, and enhanced positioning for reimbursement. In addition, Dr. Patel has represented the ICS nationally.
Julie Bird, DC – A past ICS President (2013‑14) who now serves as 1st Vice President of the Congress of Chiropractic State Associations (ChiroCongress), Dr. Bird brings the Illinois perspective of state association interests into national governance. Her presence ensures that what matters to Illinois chiropractic physicians, as well as other issues in common with fellow state associations, has a voice in a national forum.
Marc Abla, CAE – As Executive Director of the ICS, Mr. Abla also serves as Executive Director‑at‑Large for ChiroCongress and chairs the Reimbursement Workgroup for Chiropractic Future.
Mr. Abla’s dual service in these significant roles benefits Illinois chiropractic physicians by providing early insight into reimbursement trends and payer policy. This insight positions the ICS to pre‑emptively protect member interests in billing, payers, and regulatory affairs.
Cindy Howard, DC – As an important member of the Illinois Chiropractic Society’s Strategic Advisory Group, Dr. Howard helps shape the direction and mission implementation of the ICS. Nationally, she serves as the Illinois Delegate for the American Chiropractic Association (ACA), serves on the Government Affairs Workgroup for the Chiropractic Future Strategic Plan, and is a past president of the ACA Council on Diagnosis & Internal Disorders.
Her representation ensures that Illinois’ interests are voiced in discussions of national policy, education standards, and interdisciplinary collaboration, benefiting ICS members when national decisions reach state-level implementation.
John Panopoulos, DC – A past President of the ICS, Dr. Panopoulos now serves as Illinois’ representative to the Medicare Carrier Advisory Committee (CAC), a key role in interfacing with Medicare administrative contractors and advocating for chiropractic physician concerns at the federal level. He also serves nationally as Vice Chairperson of the Chiropractic Future BAC-PAC, helping shape the future of political advocacy for the profession. Dr. Panopoulos’ dual positions allow the ICS to stay closely abreast of both Medicare developments and national political strategy that may affect scope, access, and reimbursement.
Erika Mennerick, DC, and Chang Han, DC – Both serve on the ICS Board of Directors and recently participated in the national ChiroCongress conference, reinforcing Illinois’ national collaboration. Their attendance and engagement help bind ICS into the national conversation and bring back insights that support Illinois member practices.
Why This Matters to You – How Our National Work Benefits ICS Members
- Influence on reimbursement and policy: Through Mr. Abla’s work with the national Reimbursement Workgroup and Dr. Patel’s work on strategic planning for the profession, the ICS is ahead of payer trends and regulatory shifts, keeping Illinois members better positioned. This allows us to prioritize reimbursement education and practice tools, informed by national discussions and Illinois applications.
- Advocacy that drives access: Dr. Howard’s, Dr. Bird’s, and Dr. Panopoulos’ service helps ensure that state association concerns (including those specific to Illinois) are integrated into national-level advocacy, which in turn affects how policy (both private and public) impacts your practice. Additionally, we can use our knowledge of national profession issues to help us meaningfully advocate on Illinois laws and regulations affecting the profession and patient access.
- State‑of‑the‑profession positioning: National leadership roles held by ICS members elevate Illinois’ voice in defining chiropractic’s future direction, including strategic planning, inter‑professional integration, and growth opportunities.
- Member value made real: These roles are not simply honorary – they involve real service and effort. They provide ICS with firsthand insight into national movements, which feeds directly into ICS communications, education efforts, and strategic advocacy – benefiting your practice team, your business operations, and your patients.
- Amplification of Illinois representation in national forms: Our significant representation in national forums ensures that state-specific issues (licensure, access, payers) are not lost. Additionally, we continue to encourage other Illinois members to engage with national forums and capitalize on networking and collaborative opportunities.
Let’s Keep Momentum
- Are YOU serving at the national level? Let the ICS know so we can both recognize your efforts and impact, and collaborate with you to improve Illinois.
- Members: If you have an interest in national committees or engagements, contact ICS staff to explore how you might be connected.
- Stay informed: Watch for ICS updates on outcomes from national meetings and how they translate into local impact.
- Share feedback: If you’re experiencing challenges in your practice (reimbursement, payer policy, regulatory shifts) weigh-in when requested (for example, use this link to report insurance problems for data collection), because your on‑the‑ground experience strengthens our national voice and vice versa.
The ICS is proud to have these dedicated professionals serving in critical national roles. Their service is more than a badge – it is an investment in your practice, in access to care for Illinois patients, and in the enduring vitality of the chiropractic profession. Their leadership signals one truth: when Illinois participates at the highest levels, the benefits flow back to our members in both practical and strategic ways.
