Dr. Gary Pfaff, a long time Laurel Chiropractor, received the 2011 Chiropractor of the Year award at the Montana Chiropractor Association’s annual meeting. This award is given to doctors of chiropractic who have shown outstanding dedication to the advancement of the chiropractic profession in Montana and service to the public.
Dr. Pfaff owns Pfaff Chiropractic Clinic and is a graduate of Palmer College of Chiropractic. He has served as field faculty member for Northwestern University of Health Sciences, Palmer College of Chiropractic and Life Chiropractic College in Atlanta. A tireless supporter of many endeavors, Dr. Pfaff has served as treasurer of the Montana Chiropractic Association, as well as secretary and president of the Yellowstone Chiropractic Association and is chairman of the distinguished Chiropractic Knights of the Roundtable. A strong advocate for mentoring students, Dr. Pfaff has welcomed 14 interns into his practice over the years, sharing his wealth of experience and providing professional guidance to new students starting out.
Dr. Pfaff and his wife Marlene have two daughters, Theresa Pfaff of Bozeman and Tracy Mouser of Billings, along with two granddaughters, Amberlea and Maia Mouser of Billings.
The award was presented to Dr. Pfaff at the MCA Annual Conference in Helena in May.
2009 Chiropractor of the Year
The Montana Chiropractic Association awarded Dr. David C. Gray of Missoula, MT with recognition as "Chiropractor of the Year".
Dr. Gray was recognized for his 35 years in service to chiropractic and his volunteerism to the Montana community. Dr Gray has dedicated over three decades of service to the Boy Scouts of America, International Lions Clubs and numerous boards and organizations.
He has served chiropractic as a lecturer on professional ethics and boundaries and is a published author of chiropractic procedures and techniques. Dr. Gray also has additional works published about outdoor ethics and the Boy Scouts of Montana.
Dr. Gray continues his practice at Health Options Clinic in association with his son Dr. Corey Gray and other health professionals. He continues to serve Montana Boy Scouting, Lions and other community activities.
Congratulations Dr. Gray!
2008 - Dr. Skip Score Honored as First Inductee into the MCA Hall of Fame
Dr. Skip Score of Helena was honored at the MCA 2008 Annual Conference in Helena as he was welcomed as the initial inductee into the MCA Hall of Fame. Dr. Amy Pezo presided over the ceremony. Dr. Score graduated from Northwestern College of Chiropractic in 1950. He continued his post graduate education attaining Certified Chiropractic Orthopedist. He received his MT license in 1953, and was the 2nd chiropractor in Helena along with Dr. Bull. He maintained a very active and flourishing practice since 1953 until his retirement earlier this year. Over the years, many of Skip’s patients fondly nicknamed him “Doc.” He was not only their chiropractor but also their friend. Skip looked forward to going to work every day over the past 55 years to help heal his patients of their aches and pains. The term every “day,” is used loosely. Doc’s definition of “day” includes daylight, night time, week nights, weekends, at the office, at home, at the patient’s home, at the rodeo arena, wherever, whenever. His family gave graciously of their family time so that Skip could help those in need.
Dr. Score has been active in his community over the years. He successfully led campaigns against fluoridation of the Helena public water supply in 1956, 1970, and 1993. He has been a Shriner Mason for 54 years. He served Governor Racicot and Governor Martz on the State Board of Horse Racing from 1993 to 2005. He was President of the Helena Horse Racing Association and a race steward from 1966 to 1985. He worked the MT Pro Rodeo Circuit from 1990 to 2005 in Helena and Drummond. He was awarded the honor of Last Chance Stampede Grand Marshall in 2002.
Dr. Pezo shared the following memory: The first Montana Pro Rodeo Circuit rodeo that I worked with Skip as rodeo doctors was located in Drummond, MT. For those of you who don’t know, Drummond is about 90 miles from Helena. We were scheduled to be set up and ready to provide chiropractic care for the rodeo contestants and staff at noon that day. Our scheduled departure time from Helena was 10:30 a.m., and Skip was to pick me up at my office. 11:00 a.m. passes. Shortly thereafter Skip arrives in his “old black ranch truck,” the one with the silver horse head silhouette on the doors, and we load my equipment in the back. When I question our departing time, he calmly looks at me and says “Don’t worry Amy, we’ll be there by noon, and, buckle your seat belt.” We were safely in Drummond, set up and ready to go by noon.
2007 Chiropractor of the Year
The award for "Chiropractor of the Year" for 2006-2007 went to Dr. Richard Murack. Due to his selfless dedication to chiropractic, no one else has advanced the profession more this year on a local, county and state-wide level. Here are a few examples of his devotion and sacrifice for increased respect for the chiropractic profession:
Operates two clinics in separate towns
Volunteers as the high school football trainer
Is a Cub Scout Leader
Is on the Board for an Assisted Living Facility
Is a County Commissioner
Is the emergency physician for wrestling and basketball tournaments
Has mentored youth in his city, having young adults shadow him at work (Currently two of them are attending Northwestern Chiropractic College)
Works closely with the local hospitals and MDs for the benefit of patients
By practicing with dedication, integrity and enthusiasm, Dr. Richard Murack has exemplified how one practitioner can elevate the entire profession. He has demonstrated a standard we should all work towards. A better role model you'll never find.
In addition, Dr. Murack serves on the MCA Board of Directors and was instrumental in identifying Representative Llew Jones as an advocate of chiropractic for our benefit in this year's legislative effort.
PAST CHIROPRACTOR OF THE YEAR AWARDS 2005-2006 Pamela Blanchard, DC, Great Falls 2004-2005 Marlin Braun, DC, Livingston
Montana Chiropractic Association Sue A. Weingartner, Executive Director 36 S Last Chance Gulch, Suite A Helena, MT 59601 406.443.1160 phone 406.443.4614 fax sweingartner@rmsmanagement.com
