Dr. Claudia Sacco is a recipient of the 2023 Chiropractic Association of Alberta Changemaker Award. This award recognizes innovative Chiropractors who are driving the profession to new heights and contributing to the profession’s integral work within primary healthcare. Here is a short profile and questions we asked Dr. Sacco to highlight what makes her a changemaker.

Dr. Claudia Sacco obtained her Doctor of Chiropractic designation at Logan University in Chesterfield, Missouri in 2012. Today, her practice focuses on a wide range of patients, including newborns, mothers, and seniors with complex health issues.

Dr. Sacco has taken many young staff members under her wing as dedicated massage therapists, exam technicians, and TCM practitioners to serve through a patient-centred lens. She has personally mentored several new Chiropractic graduates, generously giving of her time to demonstrate tips and tricks for connecting with patients. She has shown female chiropractors modified techniques and how to maneuver to deliver adjustments to patients of all sizes, ages, or stages of life. You will often see allied healthcare professionals job shadowing at her clinic, where she generously provides guidance and answers their questions.

Dr. Sacco truly commits her mind, body, and soul to the advancement of the chiropractic profession and helped thousands of patients live a better life by demonstrating the tangible benefits of chiropractic care. In over 10 years of practice, she has shown dozens of subordinates and more than 5,000 patients better understand their body, specifically from a “spine-out” approach.

Dr. Sacco practices at Quarry Park Chiropractic and Wellness Centre in Calgary, Alberta. The CAA applauds for her contributions to the profession and the passion she demonstrates in communicating and connecting with her patients.

What sparked your interest in becoming a chiropractor and how has that shaped your practice today?

At the age of 16, I had my first interaction with chiropractic care. I was told to stop playing soccer, which at that time was my life. A Chiropractor helped me work through my injuries and I was intrigued and keen to learn more about the profession; he took the time and enthusiasm to explain chiropractic to me. It was a life-changing experience and that began my journey. I had many different mentors along the way, and they were all very generous in relating their experiences, which allowed me to discover my practice style and understand the value of genuine communication with patients.

When I look at the health journey of my late father, Claudio, he didn’t get the care that he sought, or the understanding and support that he required from the medical community. Communication and the patient connection were missing.

As Chiropractors, we can help people and connect them to their big picture goals. It does take an effort to truly listen and be present in the conversation, regardless of the volume of people that you see. In my clinic, patient interactions are systemized to ensure the quality of the experience and from a diagnostic perspective to ensure that things are not getting missed. It’s a team effort and I rely on my fine-tuned and well-trained staff to help make it happen.

What are your hopes for the future of chiropractic care?

I truly believe that Chiropractors bring such a unique combination of patient connection and differential diagnosis and treatment. Ultimately, the thing that we must do is communicate well with our patients and look at the body through a chiropractic lens. With the many strains on the healthcare system, chiropractors are well-positioned to be the practitioner that provides that differential diagnosis.

With the changing healthcare spectrum, we need to find a balance between owning and differentiating ourselves as chiropractors and then learning how to co-manage with other primary care physicians while allowing our unique individual lens to shine through.

 As a changemaker, what can we expect from Dr. Sacco in the future?

I am optimistic that the conversation around healthcare in Alberta is changing. I see myself continuing my practice, but also potentially getting involved with both the association and college to participate in fruitful conversations with other allied practitioners. I think all practitioners get involved in healthcare to help people. We need to communicate better with one another as to who has the right tool in the toolkit and work together for the benefit of our patients.

Congratulations, Dr. Sacco!