Dr. Graeme McMaster didn't plan to spend the bulk of his professional life in Moose Jaw, it just happened that way.

"As soon as I drove into Moose Jaw I just had that feeling that this is where I'm going to end up," said the Moose Jaw chiropractor, adding "we were committed for two years, and 39 years later we're still here."

Dr. McMaster was reflecting on both his personal and professional life after being given the Practicing Life Membership Award from the Chiropractors' Association of Saskatchewan (CAS) at their annual general meeting September 26 in Saskatoon.

He graduated from McMaster University in 1972 with a Bachelor of Science degree, Biology, (Honours, Magnum Cum Laude), and received his Doctorate in Chiropractic from the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College in 1976.

Shortly thereafter, Dr. McMaster accepted a position at Moose Jaw's Glenn chiropractic clnic (now Crescent View Chiropractic) and moved here with his wife. He says Moose Jaw felt like home and offered many of the attributes he was looking for professionally.

"The size of Moose Jaw was similar to the town I was raised in... Dundas, Ontario, which is now part of Hamilton. One area of interest I had was in sports, particularly sports medicine. I thought that a community the size of Moose Jaw would afford the opportunity to get involved with local teams (and) local schools."

Dr. McMaster has indeed spent countless hours assisting Moose Jaw high school sports programs over the years, most notably as a running coach. 

As for the award, Dr. McMaster is humbled. "(It's) a real honour to be receiving this award and to be recognized by my peers.  It certainly came as a surprise.  When I look at some of the other practitioners who have received (the award) in the past I feel pretty privileged to be included in that group."

Over the course of his career, McMaster served the CAS as a Board Member, Registrar, Vice President, and President.