Dr. Natalie Carrington 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. Carrington to spotlight her perspective as a changemaker.

Dr. Natalie Carrington has long been a highly respected practicing chiropractor in her communities of Black Diamond and Bragg Creek. She has demonstrated leadership in governance at the former Alberta College and Association of Chiropractors for many years as a council member, as the Alberta representative for the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College, past board member of the Health Professions Advisory Board, and most recently the inaugural Chair of the Chiropractic Association of Alberta, where she now serves as past Chair.

Her contributions to the profession in her community, the province of Alberta and in Canada are immense as she has remained dedicated to excellence and integrity in all her professional activities. Notably, the regaining of funding for diagnostic imaging (DI) in September of 2022 being one of the most significant political achievements in the professional lifetime of most Alberta chiropractors.

A graduate of the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College, Dr. Carrington is known for treating others with compassion and respect. Her intra- and inter-professional connections in the healthcare world across Canada have served the profession in advancement, credibility and fostering patient-centred care.

What led you to pursue a career in chiropractic?

I always knew I wanted to work in healthcare and was searching for a patient-centric approach. During university, I decided to work as a receptionist for a father and son chiropractic team and fell in love with the idea of health and wellness and looking at the whole body. I loved the hands-on approach and how chiropractors interacted with people. Chiropractic care also fixed a long-standing knee issue I had. At that point, I knew I wanted to be a Chiropractor.

What inspires you to give back to your profession?

I see a huge opportunity for the chiropractic profession in advancing the health and wellbeing of Albertans. To be involved with the governance of the association, and therefore an opportunity to engage with stakeholders to make positive changes in healthcare, is why I volunteer for the chiropractic profession.

How difficult was it to have Diagnostic Imaging funding restored?

We had a very strong strategy at work, spearheaded by our CEO and her team. We stuck to that strategy. It took numerous meetings and countless phone calls with various ministries, and the Minister of Health to make it happen; and we had to get the Alberta Medical Association on our side. We also relied heavily on research to fuel change in government policy. One of the pivotal moments was taking the results of Dr. Pierre Coté’s Statistics Canada study where we learned that chiropractic care was second only to medical doctors when it comes to treating musculoskeletal conditions and using that information to essentially help us move mountains.  

What does this award mean to you?

It’s a huge honour and a privilege to be nominated for this award. For the chiropractic profession in Alberta, to make changes in healthcare and ultimately in the lives of patients, it takes a full team. I want to thank Dr. Judy Forrester for submitting my name for this award; our dedicated Board members, who work tirelessly, volunteering their time to advance the Association; our CEO Cecilia Bloxom and her staff, I have so much gratitude for all that they do – Cecilia truly has the vision to drive the association forward; my husband, Greg, who gives me so much love and support to do this work for the Association; and our members who show up with such professionalism and commitment to serve their patients and communities. Without our members, we wouldn’t be here to make changes in the lives of Albertans in such a positive way.

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

I will continue to advocate for the chiropractic profession, and advocate for the best outcomes for the health and well-being of my patients.

Congratulations, Dr. Carrington!