The
following presentation is a historical overview of the issue for
both the Master and Doctor of Reflexology Certificate by the Institute.
This issue was passed to MIRCCB in 2001. However, after seven
years the MIRCCB has suspended issue due to relocation of Administrator
Richard Morton from Hiawatha, Iowa to Cheney, Washington. Stay
tuned for a new development: the Reflexology Guild - conceived
by Richard Morton, DR.
May 12, 1995
Dear Zachary:
I can't tell you how much I appreciate the very impressive DOCTOR
OF REFLEXOLOGY STATUS DOCUMENT. This is a very beautiful certificate,
thank you from the bottom of my heart! My daughter Tammy and I
will be revising my Foot Reflexology book this year, the editor
may want to add DR after my name ... what do you think?
I was also pleasantly surprised to receive your letter and invitation
to stop by and see you. I would have loved to attend the RAA meeting
in St. Louis in April. However, I find myself staying closer to
home these days. I keep busy writing, as well as teaching reflexology
to small local groups. And as always, I love to research new methods
of natural healing ... in hopes of helping the many people who
write and come to me for help.
Are you the clever artist who drew the cute pictures on your
stationary? I love it, thanks for sharing it with me.
The VOICE OF REFLEX MEDICINE is also very interesting. Keep up
the good work.
Your curriculum is very impressive. I am so pleased to learn
of all your accomplishments, and am very proud of you. Your desire
to help others with reflexology is commendable. I am happy to
know how successful you are in promoting renewed health and vitality
to those in need.
This letter comes with my love and deepest appreciation. I sincerely
hope that all is well with you, and that you are healthy and happy!
Sincerely,
Mildred Carter
MC:tw
PS Thanks for the picture of you and me in Toronto.
(Note: Mildred Carter passed from this world on December 25,
2005. Her death left a great void in the life of her family, but
her gift of Reflexological wisdom will continue to be a source
of blessing to all who come to the fountain of Stirling Enterprises
and learn to apply her hand, tool and prayer techniques.)
"And I heard
a voice from heaven saying,
Write, Blessed the dead which die
in Yahweh from henceforth.
Yes, says the Spirit,
that they may rest from their labors;
for their works follow with them."
Ivan Panin,
Numeric New Testament
Revelation 14:13
========================
The experiential Doctor of Reflexology was a recognition
of one's level of experience sought after by professional reflexologists.
Issue of the Doctoral Board was suspended after five years - following
a directive to do so by the District Attorney of Colorado. Issue
was resumed a year later in Hiawatha, Iowa under the administration
of Richard Morton, DR through the MIRCCB aka Modern Institute
of Reflexology Credential Confirmation Board.
| |
| Alfred
Reinhard Bird Bear Obes, MD, has earned both the Master
& Doctor of Reflexology certificates. Here
he shows a converted hunting seat filled with patient
records and reflex tools in order to make house calls
in Newtown, ND. |
The reflexology profession had a legitimate experiential
doctorate unto which to aspire since 1993 ... just like other
developed professions. However, this was not a diploma-mill type
of credential; such as bombarded me almost daily in my Email box.
MIRCCB has less than 45 DR's in the world. Most of them were issued
at no charge to leaders in the field of reflexology based on their
experience and contribution to the profession: Mildred Carter,
DR; Dwight Byers, DR; Jerry Budenz, DR; Ruby Bisson, DR; Richard
Morton, DR; Larry Clemmons, DR, Inge Dougans, DR, Jack Roso, DR,
Alfred Bird Bear Obes, MD, DR, Kendall B. Eckert, DR, and many
others (of course a few academic types refused MIR's offer).
To qualify for the new issue under Dr. Richard Morton's
administration could be at times an exacting task. All of your
documents had to be properly compiled in an application submittal
packet. You could not receive your DR unless your paperwork passed
Morton's scrutinizing eyes. He helped raise the standard of quality
since being seated on the MIR Advisory Board eight years ago.
(Richard has made a major contribution to the data corrections
and content of the MIR Home Study Program. He is a genuine combination
of academics blended with the reality of experientialism.)
Morton strongly believes that MIRCCB's academic/experiential requirements
are a fair enough level of accomplishment to genuinely qualify
a reflexologist as a Doctor of Reflexology.
The application guidelines for Doctor of Reflexology
were mailed to the applicant, who then could begin assembling
and formatting his/her own personalized qualification application
packet.
Alfred
Bird Bear Obes, MD, DR
P.O. Box 640
New Town, ND 58763
July
3, 2006
Dr.
Richard K. Morton, ND, DR
Administrator
Modern Institute of Reflexology
Credential Confirmation Board
P.O. Box 295
Hiawatha, IA 52233
Dear Dr. Morton,
I
am so very happy to receive the Doctor of Reflexology diploma.
A lot of hard work went into it. I worked at it every day, even
at odd hours, going to my clients' houses over bumpy country
roads. I did not mention to anyone so far or anywhere, that
I washed and oiled everyone's feet before treatment from the
first documented case till now. It came so natural to me that
I did not feel it would be of any interest. But, as I communicated
with other reflexologists, I saw that I was pretty unique in
this behalf. Yet, this humble service gave me deep satisfaction
- to have done the right thing anyway.
Yes,
I want to further this safe, effective healing discipline. I
am going to help advancing the cause of Reflexology with strength
and courage and perseverance. We must push on, and together
we are able to accomplish our objective.
On
a more personal level, I have found absolutely fabulous friends
in the community of Reflexologists. We all have a lot to offer.
With a good focus, we should be able to achieve much not only
for our ailing fellow man or creature but also for our profession.
Our
profession is definitely uplifted through the achievements of
Reflexology's Greats, the workings of the Institute, and the
set-up of the Board. I see it as our obligation to continue
and persist into the future. I am glad and honored to be affiliated
with such open minded and highly motivated professionals as
you.
Respectfully
yours,
Alfred
Bird Bear Obes, MD, DR
=======================
Larry
C. Clemmons
Registered Reflexologist
Pittsfield Bldg.- Suite 1445
55 East Washington Blvd.
Chicago, IL 60602-2201
Telephone: (312) 368-0140
October 21, 2000
Modern Institute of Reflexology
7063 W. Colfax Avenue
Lakewood, CO 80214
Doctor of Reflexology Zachary Brinkerhoff, D.R.
and the staff of the Modern Institute of Reflexology has honored
me with a diploma recognizing my academic and experiencial achievements
in the practice and study of reflexology.
I am grateful to you for the work you are doing
for reflexology and the individuals that have given so much
to advance this profession. I will proudly display this award
and continue to give my best to the good of the profession and
the people that want and need the care and concern of sincere
practioners.
I look forward to meeting with you soon.
Sincerely,
Larry C. Clemmons, D.R.
=========================
What is a Doctor of Reflexology
What the DR is NOT.
by Richard K. Morton, DR
Hiawatha, Iowa
| |
|
Richard
K. Morton
MIR Advisory Board
MIRCCB Administrator |
The MIRCCB is an organization of, by and for reflexologists;
dedicated to the assessment of candidates’ reflexology education
and experiences, and their relationship to the MIRCCB award criteria.
The MIRCCB provides assessment and certification for highly qualified,
experienced, professional reflexologists.
MIR, under the direction of founder Dr. Clement T. Wittman, and
later Dr. Zachary K. Brinkerhoff III, has taught reflexology to
many students since 1952.
The MIR Advisory Board awarded the first Doctor of Reflexology
to Brinkerhoff on March 3, 1993. The MIR Doctoral Board was immediately
formed and continued assessment and certification of this level
of competency until 2001. At this juncture the MIRCCB was formed
as an organization oriented specifically toward the development
and administration of the MIR’s doctoral program. The MIRCCB
Permanent Members are Zachary K. Brinkerhoff, III, DR and Robert
Long, DC(ret), DR. Other specialists are recruited as adjunct
advisory members to assess specialized areas of candidates’
submittals. The Program is administered by Richard K. Morton,
ND, DR of Hiawatha, Iowa. Dr. Morton has agreed to maintain the
interface between MIRCCB members, applicants, and to administer
and coordinate the review process from his Hiawatha, Iowa location.
MIRCCB awards two distinct credentials: the initial award of
Master of Reflexology, requiring 5000 hours of verifiable related
experience and education, and the supreme credential, the Doctor
of Reflexology, requiring 10,000 hours of verifiable related experience.
Both credentials also require the development of an extensive
original research work to demonstrate the advanced level of proficiency
to set apart the expert reflexologist from the general reflexology
practitioner.
Let’s first discuss the Master of Reflexology credential!
Many highly qualified reflexologists have studied, worked on
many, many pairs of feet and hands, and have continued their education
in healthcare, learning yet more and more venues for the application
of reflexology. The Master of Reflexology credential is tailor-made
for these people. Following certification as a reflexologist,
the practitioner who also has considerable other healthcare education
and experience may elect to attain the advanced credential of
Master of Reflexology. 5000 hours of verifiable experience related
to healthcare in general and reflexology specifically are required.
For consideration as a Master of Reflexology, the candidate would
assemble a package containing certified true copies of the reflexology
training/examination documentation, a narrative synopsis of the
candidate’s experience, documentation of the hours of experience,
and finally, a 2500 word (minimum) original research thesis which
demonstrates the candidate’s advanced grasp of reflexology
and its importance to the Advanced Healthcare Paradigm.
Of course, the Master of Reflexology should not be in any way
compared to the Master degree awarded by universities. In many
cases, they require nowhere near the evidence of advanced proficiency
that is necessary to attain the Master of Reflexology from the
MIR Credential Confirmation Board. A more fitting comparison would
be that of a martial arts Master. This is a person who has already
attained a practitioner qualification, having demonstrated a reasonable
knowledge of the art. The Master has keenly honed these skills,
building on them to a point where they are instinctive, having
an influence on everything the Master does. The Master always
seeks opportunities to apply the philosophies of the Art to his/her
everyday interactions, to make a better, more fully rounded person.
The Master also teaches apprentices, imparting the knowledge which
has helped so much in improving the quality of the Master’s
life, and his/her interactions with others. The Master is a highly
skilled professional authority in the Art, recognized as such
not only by the public at large, but by the other authorities
in the Art. The Master is not sitting still, however! Master-level
experts continue their education and training, not needing the
regimentation of a school to recognize, personalize and implement
the salient techniques and philosophical enhancements. Rather,
the Master charts his/her own course of progression, developing
the needed skills as they become necessary.
The Master is progressing, reaching out towards the Doctor of
Reflexology qualification. While some Masters are content to practice
at their level, not necessarily projecting an easily recognizable
Path to the Doctor qualification, they nevertheless are continuing
to assimilate more advanceed techniques in their repertoire! Eventually,
when the time is right for them, they attain the Doctor qualification.
No doubt, some Masters are already at that level, but have just
not yet chosen to formally apply for the credential. When the
time is appropriate, we are confident they will. By virtue of
being a Master, this expert cannot help but progress toward that
level, whether credentialed or not! We all benefit from that progression,
and encourage the Master to continue!
The primary MIRCCB award is the Doctor of Reflexology, or D.R.
The D.R. is not in any way to be construed as an academic college
or university degree, but rather, a non-academic, experiential,
occupational credential pertaining to teaching, as the root of
the word Doctor is the Latin "docere", or teacher. Holders
of the Doctor of Reflexology award are NOT medical doctors or
any other kind of physicians, unless they also hold independent,
concurrent qualifications in that field. Reflexologists, whether
of the student, entry level, practicing, or doctoral level, are
required by law to conduct their practice in accordance with all
applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations, including
licensing, where applicable.
Highly experienced reflexologists with documented, verifiable
education and experience in excess of 5,000 hours for the Master
level or 10,000 for the Doctoral level hours are elgible to apply.
The M.R./D.R. cerdential is awarded following approval of candidate
documentation submittal, a doctoral dissertation, and oral exams.
The professional/occupational/vocational application is a submittal
package of documentation developed by the candidate, and submitted
with the non-refundable review fee of $150 to MIRCCB for determination
of qualification for recognition as an experiential Master Reflexologist/Master
of Reflexology abbreviated as MR, or the Doctor Reflexologist
(or Doctor of Reflexology), abbreviated as DR. The MR candidate
has the burden of proof to document 5,000 hours of reflex work
to the reflex microcosms of the feet, hands, ears and other selected
energy points on the body (Naturopaths, Nurses, Massage and Physical
Therapists and other Body Workers are allowed to have a minimum
of 1250 hours in reflexology as a minimum portion of the required
5,000 hours of practice). The DR candidate has the burden of proof
to document 10,000 hours of reflex work to the reflex microcosms
of the feet, hands, ears and other selected energy points on the
body (Naturopaths, Nurses, Massage and Physical Therapists and
other Body Workers are allowed to have a minimum of 2,500 hours
in reflexology as a minimum portion of the required 10,000 hours
of practice).
In lieu of hands on experience an applicant may substitute up
to 2500 hours for the M.R. or 5,000 hours for the D.R. of documented
or verified academic pursuits (can include self-educational attainment
evidence) which are related to the health care field.
Accompanying the packet must be an extensive original research
work, the reflexologist’s Master Thesis (2500 words minimum
for the M.R.) or Doctoral Dissertation (5000 words minimum for
the D.R.), demonstrating the highly developed depth of reflexology
knowledge and experience to which the candidate has attained.
Termination of the MIRCCB
The MIRCCB has terminated issue of the Master and Doctor of Reflexology
due to a change in location of Administrator Richard Morton from
Hiawatha, Iowa to Cheney, Washington. Dr. Morton is working to
form a Guild of Reflexologists - made up of leaders in the profession
of reflexology - who will review application packets for qualification
of the petitoner for either the Master of Doctor of Reflexology
diploma.
An attempt was made by MIR President Zachary Brinkerhoff to return
the issue to Colorado after eight years of granting by the MIRCCB
in Iowa. However, legislative law continues to prohibit such an
issue by a private occupational school due to concern that such
an issue is akin to a diploma-mill.
If you wish to assist in the formation of the Reflexologist Guild
you may contact Richard Morton via e-mail @ <rkmorto533@msn.com>
=========================
Who
Are the Quacks?
by A. W. Brinkerhoff - 1880
“Not
every man entitled M.D. is, or ever will be, a ‘doctor!’
Too many of them shoot at random, and they are the gentlemen
who most cry ‘quack, quack!’ They are men of no genius,
no common sense, no brain power, yet they are members of the
Association ... ‘regular’.
“When
a physician knows he is giving no value received for the money
he receives, and confidence reposed in him, he should direct
his suffering patient to where the cure can be secured, or,
like an honest man, go himself and become possessed of the means
to do what he knows other men can do, and end his quackery!
Alas, the vast majority of physicians are governed by jealousy
and egotism! Still, there are many honorable exceptions. However,
when a stranger comes amongst them who can and does cure such
maladies without even a failure, without any knowledge on their
part of his practice, such, at once, cry, ‘Quack!’
Actually, they should have been well informed in relation thereto
... SHOULD HAVE BEEN TREATING CAUSES INSTEAD OF EFFECTS.
“Our
best mechanics are often those who never learned a trade: our
best statesmen not those with the most education; our best lawyers
are men of sense! So in the Medical profession. Some of our
mothers are better doctors than some ... yes, many graduates!”
Respectfully submitted,
A. W. Brinkerhoff, M.D.
After thought:
The genetic influence that under girds the hard driving personality
of MIR President Zachary Brinkerhoff comes from his self-educated
Great, great grandfather Dr. A. W. Brinkerhoff, MD, who obtained
over 30 patents on his many inventions. Alexander earned his
experiential MD recognition by virtue of over 100,000 successful
treatments of hemorrhoids using his patented rectal speculum
which opened the sigmoid colon to the light of day in order
to inject the hemorrhoid with his patented herbal compounds
(herbal ingredients listed in Diseases of the Rectum and
Physicians Monitor).
Dr.
Brinkerhoff's Stainless Steel Rectal Speculum
Initially, The Medical Society of Ohio membership
bound themselves by an oath to drive A. W. Brinkerhoff out of
business, but the Society eventually embraced his technique
for hemorrhoidal cure which quickly spread among the medical
profession in all 48 states of the union. He had finally found
fortune in his later years through helping people as a physician;
having previously suffered bankruptcy five times. Yes, a humble
man (driven by his own need for a cure) with no formal training
or education; who was eventually acknowledged as an experiential
doctor by the powerful medical profession of his day that had
previously shunned him as a Quack.
Dr.
Carter uses DRUMmer on Gordon Weber as her daughter Tammy
observes.
Carter's
Wooden Probe
