WCA Member Awards
Recognizing Chiropractic Professionals for their Commitment to Chiropractic Success
The Wisconsin Chiropractic Association is proud to recognize the individuals who strengthen our profession through leadership, service, dedication, and commitment to patient care.
The WCA recognizes members through two distinguished award programs: Achievement Awards and Legacy Awards.
WCA Achievement Awards honor outstanding professional accomplishments, leadership, and service within the chiropractic profession. Presented every other year, these awards recognize excellence across multiple categories, including:
- Lifetime Achievement
- Chiropractor of the Year
- Nels Bakke Young Practitioner
- Chiropractic Technician of the Year.
Nomination Forms Due August 15.
Nomination forms are now being accepted for the 2026 WCA Achievement Awards. Recipients will be recognized at the WCA Fall Convention in Green Bay. Nomination forms are due August 15, 2026.
The Award Criteria
Lifetime Achievement Award: This award was created to recognize chiropractors that have made continuous contributions to the chiropractic profession throughout their careers. Because the award reflects a lifetime of involvement, it is meant to honor a chiropractor with at least 25 years of professional experience.
Chiropractor of the Year: This award recognizes recent contributions to the chiropractic profession on the local, state or national levels, as well as leadership in the community, church and civic functions. The nomination will highlight achievements generally accomplished over the last several years.
Nels Bakke Award: This award honors chiropractors that have been in practice for less than five years. It recognizes the contributions of younger practitioners who have equally dedicated themselves to serving the profession and their community.
Chiropractic Technician of the Year: This award is given to an individual whose dedication to chiropractic patients is reflected in the quality of their professional work as well as volunteer work in their community.
2024 Achievement Award Recipients
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Dr. Kent Belville, DC; Belville & Associates Chiropractic Clinic
- Chiropractor of the Year: Dr. Leo Bronston, DC; Bronston Chiropractic Clinics
- Nels Bakke Award for Young Practitioner: Dr. Madison Hopfensperger; Resch Chiropractic & Physical Therapy
- Chiropractic Technician of the Year: Christine Perez, CT; Aurora Health Care
The WCA Legacy Awards celebrate long-standing WCA members who have dedicated 25 years or more to advancing chiropractic care and supporting the profession throughout their careers.
Presented in alternating years, these awards recognize individuals whose enduring commitment has left a lasting legacy for future generations.
Together, these awards reflect the WCA’s appreciation for the professionals who continue to elevate chiropractic care and strengthen the chiropractic community across Wisconsin.
Award Nominations
Legacy Award nominations accepted at this time. The WCA Achievement Awards will be presented this year. More information about the Legacy Awards will be available in 2027.
2025 Legacy Award Recipients
- Dr. Lori Bents
- Dr. Steven Bircher
- Dr. James Boots
- Dr. Joseph Burgarino
- Dr. Bruce Davis
- Dr. Judith Davis
- Dr. Paul Drach
- Dr. Tom Edwards
- Dr. Gerald F Hendrickson
- Dr. Frank Kollins
- Dr. Jeffrey R. Lyne
- Dr. Daniel Maiman
- Dr. Eugene R. Yellen-Shiring