Orland Doctor Receives 'Chiropractic Physician Of The Year' Award

ORLAND PARK, IL — The Illinois Chiropractic Society (ICS) has named Dr. Cindy Howard as the 2020 Chiropractic Physician of the Year. Howard is a Frankfort resident and has been practicing in Orland Park for over two decades.

ICS distributes the honor every year, and nominations for the award come from ICS members and staff. Recipients of the Chiropractic Physician of the Year award are physicians who “go above and beyond” for their local community and the chiropractic profession, according to ICS's website.

"After careful consideration, the Illinois Chiropractic Society is proud to announce that Dr. Cindy Howard is the 2020 Chiropractic Physician of the Year," ICS said in an online statement. "Dr. Howard's tireless efforts for the profession have been invaluable over the years. She has served and continues to serve as the Illinois Delegate to the American Chiropractic Association’s House of Delegates and provides important representation for our doctors at the national level."

The society said that in addition to Howard's service, she has assisted the ICS and Illinois chiropractic physicians with leadership and efforts on Capitol Hill, discussing Illinois issues with elected officials.

"It is for these reasons and many more that Dr. Cindy Howard is the ICS 2020 Chiropractic Physician of the Year," ICS said.

Howard has been working in Orland Park for over 20 years and her practice, Innovative Health & Wellness Center, is located at 18309 Distinctive Drive, Orland Park. She said she was completely surprised by the news, and that staff in her office, along with ICS members "totally got her."

"I was so shocked by this," Howard said. "I had an unknown patient with an appointment who was 72, named 'Mark Plaque' on my appointment list. I told my staff we needed to reschedule the patient because we don't have any of his paper work ... next thing I know Mark Abla from the ICS walks in with two of his colleagues, saying he's 'Mark Plaque.'"

Howard said she and Alba know each other, and that the joke was "Mark Plaque" was actually "Mark coming to present the plaque," to her. She said there were four signs outside her practice congratulating her on becoming Chiropractic Physician of the Year. Howard said staff was in on the surprise.

"I hate surprises, and I am usually really good a detecting them, but I was so grateful they got me," Howard said. "Receiving this award is confirmation for all the years of putting in lots of time and care for the patients. At the end of the day, I love what I do. This award is a humble reminder."