David Singer

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This article is about the chiropractor and scientologist. For the poker player, see David Singer (poker player).

David Singer, DC, is a chiropractor, a Scientologist, and the founder, in 1981, of the controversial consulting firm now known as David Singer Enterprises. Singer is an accomplished speaker primarily engaged in training chiropractors to increase the efficiency and profitability of their practices. The firm and its predecessor Singer Consulting, however, have also brought hundreds of new members into the Church of Scientology, triggering a nationwide controversy among chiropractors over concerns that it may be, largely or in part, a proselytizing front group for the church.[1] Since the 1980s, Singer has held seminars throughout the United States promoting Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard's business methods, which revolve around 'management by statistics'.

Contents

[edit] Education and early career

According to the David Singer Enterprises website, "While a student, David Singer was in a serious automobile accident. It was through chiropractic care that his injuries were handled, allowing him to lead a normal life. This experience changed his life and led him to decide to become a chiropractor." Singer's website also asserts that, early in his career, he earned the moniker "Master of New Patients" for averaging over 150 new patients each month. Singer is also said to have been president of the New Jersey Chiropractic Research Foundation and a teacher for Parker Seminars.

[edit] David Singer Enterprises

Singer has had a major impact on the approaches taken by chiropractors to building their practices. Singer offers one-on-one consulting programs, media products, and practice expansion seminars. The Singer System was developed, ostensibly, "to help natural healthcare providers achieve their personal and practice goals, despite managed care and other influences."[2]

Singer Consultants was once licensed, by Scientology's World Institute of Scientology Enterprises (WISE) to sell Hubbard's management techniques, before merging with another Scientology management company in 1988 to form Singer Enterprises, itself a member of WISE since 1992. Singer Consulting was once ranked as one of the fastest growing private businesses in the United States, and was twice named among Inc. Magazine's Top 100 Fastest Growing Companies. In 1987, officials of David Singer Consultants said that 20 percent of the chiropractors who sign up for management consulting also wind up in Scientology courses.[2]

A leading chiropractic newsletter, Dynamic Chiropractic, once devoted virtually an entire edition to letters praising and condemning Singer Consultants, which was located in Clearwater, Florida, where the Church of Scientology has become a major, and controversial, presence. Editor Donald M. Peterson later explained, "We felt that there were young doctors who didn't know they were being solicited to do something above and beyond the practice of their profession."

[edit] Further endeavors

Singer has also been involved with developing drug prevention programs for clinics since the 1980s. Singer is currently on the advisory board for In Practice magazine and The American Chiropractor.

[edit] Recognition

In 1976, Singer was recognized as the "Chiropractor of the Year" by the Parker Chiropractic Research Foundation, the youngest person to ever receive this award. In 1978, the Jaycees named him the "Outstanding Young Man of America", and he also received the "Distinguished Service Award" from the New Jersey Chiropractic Society. In 1999, Chiropractics Economics magazine awarded him the "Chiropractor of the Year" award. In 2002, he received The Parker Centurion Award.

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Sappell, Joel; Welkos, Robert W. (1990-06-27). Church Seeks Influence in Schools, Business, Science. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved on 2007-09-14. “It brought hundreds of new members into the church and triggered a nationwide controversy among chiropractors over its links to Scientology.” Additional convenience link at [1].
  2. ^ Koff, Stephen (1987-09-29). Chiropractors seeking advice find Scientology-influenced seminars. St. Petersburg Times. Retrieved on 2007-09-14.

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

Scientology Portal
  • Our-Home.org - 'I am a Scientologist: Support Religious Tolerance' David Singer’s personal web site
  • DavidSingerEnterprises.com - 'David Singer Enterprises: "Rated the top consulting firm to natural healthcare professionals for over 20 years" (Singer Enterprises' home page)
  • ChiroWatch.com - 'Spin Doctors: The Chiropractic Industry Under Examination', Paul Benedetti, Wayne MacPhail
  • ChiroWeb.com - 'A Bad Precedent' (letter to the editor), Dynamic Chiropractic, vol 9, no 15 (July 19, 1991)
  • LermaNet2.com - 'Reaching into Society: Converting the Business World', The Los Angeles Times (June 27, 1990)
  • WhyAreTheyDead.net - 'Scientology front group WISE: first hand accounts of harassment and recruiting in the workplace: A series of newspaper articles detailing the abuse of workers by scientology employers and managers
  • WorldChiropracticAlliance.org - 'D.C. consultant addresses Washington conference', The Chiropractic Journal (February, 1988)
  • Prosperity, statistics