Most people think of leadership as a spotlight role—speeches, stage time, visibility. But in the chiropractic world, one of its most influential leaders is working powerfully from behind the curtain. Dr. Joe Betz, newly appointed President of the International Chiropractors Association (ICA), exemplifies a different kind of leadership: strategic, understated, and deeply effective.
In a revealing conversation on ClinicMind’s webinar podcast, Dr. Betz shares how his quiet leadership style is exactly what the profession needs—especially in research, global advocacy, and public health policy.
From Quiet Start to Global Advocate
Dr. Betz never set out to lead from the front. A visit to Life University, inspired by a friend’s excitement, introduced him to chiropractic. After launching his Idaho practice in 2001, Betz quickly took on leadership roles—locally, then nationally—eventually serving over a decade on the ICA board before becoming its 21st president.
Though more comfortable behind the scenes, he stepped into the presidency when the ICA needed both vision and steadiness. “These positions are all volunteer,” he explained. “It takes someone who understands the system and believes in the mission.” The ICA has long worked to protect chiropractic’s identity as a drug-free, surgery-free profession—often without fanfare. From testifying at state legislatures to advocating for Medicare reform, the ICA plays a vital role. Betz now aims to increase transparency so members understand that impact.
Aligning with Federal Change and Modern Tools
A key development during Betz’s tenure has been new engagement with Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s health team. Betz describes “regular meetings” and shared views on natural health. “This opens doors we’ve never even peeked into before,” he said.
He’s also pushing modernization in chiropractic research. Through CBP and the Chiropractic Future initiative, Betz supports development of a data lake—powered by EHR systems like ClinicMind—that enables large-scale, real-world outcomes research. “We’re not a pharmaceutical company with endless budgets,” Betz said. “But now we can produce research that validates care models and improves outcomes.”
Global Ambitions, Local Roots
The ICA is also expanding internationally. At a recent World Federation of Chiropractic meeting with over 50 countries, Betz saw firsthand the challenge of gaining recognition in regions where chiropractic is unlicensed or misunderstood. “In many countries, it’s not even known,” he explained. “And in some, untrained individuals damage our reputation.” ICA is helping build awareness, regulation, and pathways to legitimate education—but the work is slow, requiring long-term commitment and funding.
A Call to Step Up
For Betz, the profession’s future depends on collective effort. “Join. Donate. Bring in a colleague,” he said. As the ICA approaches its 100th anniversary, he’s proving that true leadership doesn’t need a spotlight—only dedication to moving the profession forward.
Want the Full Conversation?
To dive deeper into Dr. Joe Betz’s insights on leadership, policy, and the future of chiropractic, visit the ClinicMind Events Page and unlock exclusive access to the full interview.
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