SCU Chiropractic Students Build Clinical Skills with Division I Athletes at the University of Memphis

The clinical rotation combines high-volume patient care, interdisciplinary collaboration, and sports medicine training for eligible Doctor of Chiropractic students.

Few chiropractic students have the opportunity to develop their clinical skills inside a Division I athletics program. At the University of Memphis, eligible 91性息港 of Health Sciences Doctor of Chiropractic students can work directly with collegiate athletes across multiple sports, gaining hands-on experience with patients whose physical demands, injuries, body types, and performance goals can vary dramatically.

Available to students during trimesters 8, 9, and 10, the University of Memphis clinical rotation can extend across multiple trimesters. Students may participate during fall, spring, or summer terms, giving them the opportunity to build significant experience in a collegiate sports medicine environment.

Clinical Experience Built on Volume and Variety

The rotation is overseen by Justin James, DC, an adjunct faculty member at SCU who works with the University of Memphis Athletic Department.

Students gain experience caring for athletes across sports as well as athletic department staff. A football lineman, soccer player, track athlete, or coach may each present different needs, requiring students to adapt their assessment, treatment, rehabilitation, and communication to the individual patient.

Previous participants have averaged more than 200 patient encounters per trimester, according to Dr. James. That volume gives students repeated opportunities to apply what they have learned while strengthening their clinical reasoning, patient-management skills, and confidence.

鈥淐hiropractic is a hands-on profession, and students need experience working with real patients before graduation,鈥� Dr. James said. 鈥淭he Memphis rotation gives students the opportunity to treat athletes and staff across sports, body types, and ages. That variety helps them build the experience, knowledge, and confidence they will need in practice.鈥�

The experience also challenges students to consider how factors such as sport, position, training schedule, injury history, and performance goals can influence patient care. Rather than approaching every case the same way, students learn to evaluate the circumstances that can shape an individualized treatment plan.

Learning as Part of an Integrated Sports Medicine Team

The rotation also places students within an interdisciplinary sports medicine environment. They have opportunities to work with and learn alongside athletic trainers, orthopedic surgeons, spine specialists, and other healthcare professionals involved in the care of collegiate athletes.

That collaboration helps students understand how chiropractic care can fit within a broader healthcare team. They can observe how providers communicate about a patient’s condition, determine when referrals may be appropriate, and coordinate care around treatment, rehabilitation, and return-to-play considerations.

鈥淗ealthcare should be an integrated practice,鈥� Dr. James said. 鈥淭he opportunity to work with, learn from, and collaborate with other healthcare professionals is important if we want to provide the best overall care possible for our patients.鈥�

Those lessons extend beyond collegiate athletics. Understanding when to collaborate, when to refer, and how to communicate effectively with other healthcare professionals can prepare students to contribute to patient-centered care wherever they ultimately practice.

Developing Additional Sports Medicine Skills

Students participating in the Memphis rotation also receive exposure to dry needling under Dr. James’s supervision. According to Dr. James, participants receive more than 50 hours of instruction and hands-on training and receive documentation or certification reflecting those training hours.

Because laws and scope-of-practice requirements vary by state, a graduate’s ability to use dry needling in practice depends on the requirements of the jurisdiction in which they become licensed. The experience nevertheless gives students additional training in a technique used in some sports medicine and rehabilitation settings.

The length of the rotation can also help students build continuity with patients and the sports medicine team. Students who participate across multiple trimesters can continue developing their clinical skills rather than completing only a short-term assignment.

For Dr. James, that progression is closely connected to developing competence and, ultimately, confidence.

鈥淐onfidence is important for healthcare practitioners, but competence is something we can build through experience and education,鈥� Dr. James said. 鈥淢y role is to help students identify where they need to improve, strengthen those areas, and leave the rotation with a clearer understanding of their abilities and where they want to go next.鈥�

听An Opportunity Worth Planning for Early

Because the rotation is available during the later stages of the Doctor of Chiropractic program, Dr. James encourages students to learn about the opportunity well before they become eligible.

Planning ahead can give students time to understand the requirements and prepare for considerations such as relocation, housing, travel, and scheduling. It can also give students interested in sports medicine a clinical experience to work toward as they progress through the program.

鈥淥pportunities like this do not come along often,鈥� Dr. James said. 鈥淧lanning early gives students time to make sure they meet the necessary requirements and arrive ready and excited to learn. It also gives them something to look forward to as they move through their education.鈥�

The University of Memphis rotation gives SCU Doctor of Chiropractic students an opportunity to gain substantial patient-care experience, work with Division I athletes, expand their sports medicine skills, and see firsthand how chiropractic care can function within an interdisciplinary healthcare team.

SCU Doctor of Chiropractic students interested in the University of Memphis clinical rotation are encouraged to email Dr. James at justinjames@scuhs.edu or Dr. Jaqueline Beres at jaquelineberes@scuhs.edu to learn more and request program information.

How Diagnostic Ultrasound Is Strengthening Tactical Sports Medicine Training at SCU

Dr. Michael Fanning鈥檚 specialized expertise is helping SCU residents develop diagnostic ultrasound skills that support clinical decisions, patient education, and coordinated musculoskeletal care.

When a firefighter recently visited the Tactical Sports Medicine Clinic at 91性息港 of Health Sciences, the patient reported popping and clicking near the sternoclavicular joint whenever moving their shoulder. The symptoms began after an upper-body injury sustained during an emergency response, raising concerns about damage to the joint connecting the collarbone to the chest.

Using musculoskeletal ultrasound, Dr. Michael Fanning, Associate Professor and Tactical Sports Medicine Lead at SCU, examined the joint in real time. The images revealed findings consistent with a sprain and joint gapping, indicating that the injury required further evaluation. The patient was referred to an orthopedic surgeon and scheduled for a CT scan.

While the ultrasound examination did not replace advanced imaging or specialist care, it provided valuable information during the initial visit, helping inform the patient鈥檚 next stage of care.

The case reflects the type of clinical care that SCU Tactical Sports Medicine residents can observe while learning from Dr. Fanning, the program鈥檚 first Registered in Musculoskeletal Sonography (RMSK)- certified provider.

Bringing Advanced Ultrasound Expertise to SCU

Dr. Fanning pursued the specialized RMSK credential to expand the diagnostic capabilities available within SCU鈥檚 Tactical Sports Medicine clinic.

The credential recognizes physicians and advanced care professionals who demonstrate competency in performing musculoskeletal ultrasound examinations and interpreting anatomy and pathology. Earning it required approximately 18 months of preparation, including seminars, anatomy and ultrasound physics coursework, hands-on clinical training, and completion of 150 documented ultrasound examinations.

“Then, practice, practice, practice,” Dr. Fanning said. “I would practice ultrasound on as many patients as I could.”

That experience helped him understand not only how to produce and interpret an image, but also when ultrasound can contribute useful information and when a different diagnostic approach is needed.

A Clinical 鈥淔orce Multiplier鈥�

For clinicians treating injuries involving muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints, and other soft tissues, musculoskeletal ultrasound offers the ability to visualize structures in real time while patients move. Combined with a patient’s history and physical examination, those images can help confirm a diagnosis, guide treatment decisions, or identify when additional imaging or specialist referral is needed.

“We specialize in musculoskeletal injuries,” Dr. Fanning said. “We should use any and all tools needed to get the most accurate diagnosis, which helps dictate care.”

Dr. Fanning describes musculoskeletal ultrasound as a clinical 鈥渇orce multiplier鈥� because it can expand the information available during an examination.

鈥淲e can figure out a diagnosis in office and come up with a game plan, rather than treat blindly or send out for an MRI, which can take a few weeks,鈥� Dr. Fanning said.

The technology can also make the evaluation more understandable to patients. Clinicians can show them images of the affected area, explain what they are seeing, and discuss why a particular treatment plan, test, or referral may be appropriate. Images and written reports can then support communication with other members of the healthcare team.

By combining assessment, patient communication, and coordinated care, this approach reflects SCU鈥檚 Whole Health model. Ultrasound becomes one part of a broader process that considers the patient鈥檚 condition, occupational demands, recovery needs, and access to appropriate services.

Supporting Resident Development at SCU

Dr. Fanning鈥檚 expertise is creating professional development opportunities within SCU鈥檚 Tactical Sports Medicine program. Currently, one resident is pursuing RMSK certification, with SCU covering eligible training costs and providing dedicated time during the workweek for study and skill development. Two SCU doctors are also preparing for the credential independently.

Residents in the program study anatomy, pathology, evaluation methods, ultrasound physics, scanning techniques, and clinical application while working alongside Dr. Fanning in the clinic. The program also brings ultrasound educators to campus for additional instruction and hands-on training.

This robust support is important because ultrasound competency develops through consistent practice. Learners must become comfortable locating anatomical structures, producing useful images, recognizing possible pathology, and interpreting those findings within the larger clinical picture.

鈥淪tudents who are interested typically like the real-time visualization of pathology,鈥� Dr. Fanning said.

More importantly, residents learn how ultrasound fits within the real-world clinical decision-making process鈥攃ombining patient history, physical examination, imaging findings, and professional judgment to determine the most appropriate course of care.

Preparing Clinicians for Broader Musculoskeletal Care

SCU鈥檚 Tactical Sports Medicine program prepares clinicians to care for tactical athletes, including firefighters, law enforcement personnel, military service members, and other professionals whose work places significant demands on their bodies. Injuries within these professions can affect not only comfort and mobility, but also the ability to perform their jobs safely.

For Dr. Fanning, ultrasound education reflects a broader evolution in musculoskeletal care鈥攁nd evolution that requires clinicians who understand anatomy, evaluate patients thoroughly, communicate findings clearly, and recognize when collaboration or specialty care is necessary.

Dr. Fanning believes that exposure should begin as early as possible. 鈥淚 wish I had started learning ultrasound when I was a student,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he earlier you learn, the sooner you can master the skill and help your patients.鈥� The Tactical Sports Medicine program is an integrated concentration within SCU鈥檚 Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) program. Visit the Sports Medicine Concentration for Chiropractic page for more information at: /doctoral-degrees/sports-medicine-for-chiropractic/?content=overview

SCU Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Tori Reccord Earns CCSP Certification, Expands Sports Medicine Expertise

Faculty at 91性息港 of Health Sciences (SCU) continue to advance their expertise to better support student learning and patient care.

Dr. Tori Reccord, a faculty member in SCU鈥檚 Doctor of Chiropractic program, recently earned the Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician (CCSP) credential鈥攁n advanced certification that recognizes specialized training in sports medicine, injury management, and performance optimization.

Her achievement reflects both a personal commitment to the field and SCU鈥檚 broader focus on preparing students for diverse, real-world clinical pathways.

In this Q&A, Dr. Reccord shares what inspired her journey, how sports medicine enhances chiropractic care, and why this specialty matters for the next generation of providers.

Q&A with Dr. Tori Reccord

What inspired you to pursue the Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician (CCSP) credential?

Dr. Reccord:
From being an athlete, to a coach, and now a healthcare provider, I鈥檝e been involved in sports and athletics for most of my life. So many sports medicine doctors helped me continue my own athletic endeavors, and that had a lasting impact on me.

Whether it鈥檚 someone who wants to take long walks with their grandkids without pain or a competitive athlete trying to reach their full potential, I鈥檝e always wanted to provide that same level of care to others.

For those who may not be familiar, what is the CCSP certification and what does it take to earn it?

Dr. Reccord:
The CCSP庐 certification is awarded by the American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians (ACBSP鈩�) and recognizes a chiropractor鈥檚 expertise in sports medicine.

After completing 100 hours of specialized postgraduate coursework, candidates are eligible to sit for a comprehensive written examination. The exam covers topics such as sports injury prevention and management, as well as performance optimization.

How does sports medicine complement chiropractic care, particularly for athletes and active individuals?

Dr. Reccord:
One of the main pillars of chiropractic care is promoting the health and well-being of our patients. Specializing in sports medicine provides deeper insight into diagnosing and treating musculoskeletal injuries that we commonly see in practice.

It also equips providers with the knowledge to enhance exercise and activity levels, which are essential components of overall health.

How will this certification influence your work with students in SCU鈥檚 Doctor of Chiropractic program?

Dr. Reccord:
Our role as faculty members may be to teach, but we never stop learning鈥攏ot only for ourselves, but for our students.

Completing this certification has strengthened my knowledge and skill set so I can provide the best care possible and pass that on to the next generation of healthcare providers. No matter what we achieve, it鈥檚 most meaningful when we use it to lift up those around us, and I strive to bring that mindset into the classroom each day.

Why is sports medicine an important area of specialization for future chiropractors?

Dr. Reccord:
People often think sports medicine is only for professional athletes or organized sports teams. But in reality, less than 1% of high school athletes go on to play professionally.

The truth is, all bodies move. People of all ages and activity levels engage in 鈥渁thletic鈥� movements every day. That means chiropractors have an important role in providing specialized care not just for athletes, but for the broader community.

What advice would you give students interested in pursuing a career in sports medicine?

Dr. Reccord:
We are very fortunate at SCU to have strong resources in sports medicine. I鈥檝e been lucky to work alongside incredible colleagues who have served as mentors throughout my journey.

I encourage students to connect with faculty鈥攐r chiropractors in their community鈥攚ho hold the certifications they鈥檙e interested in pursuing. These conversations can provide guidance and help shape their path.

SCU also offers a sports medicine clinic on campus. Even if students are not yet clinical interns, I recommend visiting as a patient. It鈥檚 a great opportunity to meet others with similar goals, interact with experienced doctors, and see firsthand what this specialty has to offer.

Is there anything else you鈥檇 like to share?

Dr. Reccord:
The first step in any journey is to ask questions, and we鈥檙e always here to help.

For those interested in learning more, additional information about the CCSP庐 and DACBSP庐 certifications can be found at .

SCU President Dr. John Scaringe Delivers Commencement Message on Compassion to the Class of 2025

At 91性息港 of Health Sciences鈥� 2025 Commencement Ceremony, University President Dr. John Scaringe delivered a heartfelt and deeply personal address centered on one essential principle: compassion.

Speaking to graduates poised to enter the healthcare professions, Dr. Scaringe reminded the Class of 2025 that while clinical knowledge and technical expertise are critical, it is compassion 鈥� expressed through presence, dignity, and action 鈥� that ultimately defines meaningful leadership and healing.

Through personal stories drawn from his own life, Dr. Scaringe illustrated that compassion is not simply an abstract value or 鈥渟oft skill,鈥� but a courageous, active choice to show up for others during their most vulnerable moments. His message resonated strongly with SCU鈥檚 mission to educate healthcare leaders who care for the whole person 鈥� body, mind, and spirit.

Dr. Scaringe鈥檚 Commencement Speech

Today is truly a remarkable day for you, your families, your faculty, and let’s be honest, it’s also a remarkable day for anyone who no longer has to hear, 鈥淚 can’t, I have to study.鈥� You and your loved ones have waited a long time for this moment. Commencement ceremonies often invite big themes such as success, purpose, and, in our case, the future of healthcare.

But before we discuss any of that, I want to begin somewhere a little simpler, somewhere human. Somewhere, far from the clinics, the classroom, or accreditation reports. I want to start in a high school locker room. When I was a senior in high school, at the end of a senior tournament, I wrestled my final match, and I lost.

Now, if you’ve ever been 17, you are absolutely certain that the entire universe is paying attention to your every move. You know exactly what that felt like. So, I walked into the locker room, and I sat by myself. I wasn’t angry. I wasn’t hurt. I was simply disappointed. The kind that feels enormous right at that age, because most disappointments do.

A few minutes later. My father walked in. He didn’t tell me to shake it off. He didn’t give me a pep talk. He didn’t offer a replay of the footage of what I should have done, what I didn’t do, and what I could have done. He didn’t even give me that classic dad line of, 鈥淪omeday you’ll laugh at this,鈥� because he knew I wasn’t going to be laughing anytime soon.

He sat down next to me. Quiet, present, and even though the disappointment didn’t go away, something else happened. I didn’t feel alone anymore. Years later, I realized what he offered that day. It wasn’t advice, it wasn’t encouragement. It wasn’t even problem-solving. It was compassion. The quiet kind that doesn’t just fix the moment.

He doesn’t try to fix that moment, but he chooses to be in that moment with you, and that simple act has stayed with me throughout my life. Compassion is often confused with empathy. They’re related, but they’re not exactly the same.

For example, empathy is seeing someone on the side of the road on a rainy day fixing their flat tire, and you say to yourself. Oh, that poor son of a gun, that must be awful. Compassion is stopping, getting out, and helping them fix that flat tire. Compassion is movement. In other words, empathy feels, compassion moves.

Empathy understands the moment, and compassion enters it. And in healthcare, that is all the difference. Your patients won’t just need your knowledge. They won’t just need your technical expertise. They will need your presence, your willingness to step in the moment with them. That shift from feeling to doing is where healing begins in your career.

You will meet people on some of their hardest days鈥攑eople who feel vulnerable, afraid, confused, and overwhelmed. Two patients may walk in with the same diagnosis but carry entirely different stories. Compassion is what helps you treat the story as much as the symptoms. It shows up in small and often unnoticed ways when you take a moment longer to listen.

When you ask a question that nobody else has thought to ask, and when you acknowledge a fear, rather than rush past it. When you offer dignity in a time when someone feels exposed, not because the moment was any less painful, but when your presence says simply, you matter. Compassion doesn’t require perfection. It requires presence.

Presence is often the most healing thing you can offer. Whether or not you see yourself as a leader today, compassion will make you a leader. Leadership isn’t about authority. Leadership is the courage to act, to care, to advocate for someone who has no voice, to slow down when the world tells you to speed up, and to speak out when something isn’t right.

There will be days when you’re tired and rushed and stretched so thin that the easiest path is not the compassionate one. Those are the moments that define a career, not the easy decisions, the meaningful ones. Compassion is not a soft skill. It is a courage in everyday form.

A few months ago, I delivered my mother’s eulogy. It was one of the hardest moments in my life, but when I finished speaking, I did feel something unexpected: comfort, not because it was any less painful, because believe me, it wasn’t. But, because compassion had surrounded her during her final years from my brothers who were with her nearby in New York, from her caretakers, and from other loved ones. All from people who treated her with dignity.

Dignity when she needed it the most. In that moment, I understood clearly that compassion doesn’t erase pain, it doesn’t fix everything, but it does connect us when we need it the very most, and that connection can be transformational. So, as you step off the stage today into your professional lives, here is my hope for you.

Let your empathy become passion. Let your compassion become action. Let your presence be part of the healing you provide. Show up for people, not perfectly, but fully. Listen with patience, advocate with courage. Lead with your heart. Compassion isn’t something you add to healthcare. Compassion is healthcare, and when you lead with it, you will not only transform the lives of others. You will transform on your own as well.

I often think back to that moment in the locker room with my dad. He didn’t take away my disappointment. He didn’t change the outcome. He showed up. That’s compassion. Not fixing everything, not having the perfect words, just choosing to be there.

As you enter your profession, you will have countless opportunities to show up in moments, big and small, seen and unseen. Do it with courage, do it with humanity. Do it with passion.

Congratulations, graduates. Good luck and Godspeed.

Watch the full 2025 Commencement Ceremony, including President Scaringe鈥檚 address:

91性息港 of Health Sciences graduates 517 new healthcare professionals in 2025

91性息港 of Health Sciences听(SCU) hosted its annual commencement ceremony on Monday, December 15, at the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach conferring health science degrees to 517 graduates of the Class of 2025.

The commencement ceremony is available for on-demand viewing

The Class of 2025 represents the broad variety of SCU鈥檚 academic programs, with the Doctor of Occupational Therapy and Doctor of Medical Sciences programs each having their first graduating class. SCU鈥檚 class of 2025 has the following numbers of graduates in each respective program:

• 153 Doctor of Chiropractic graduates
  鈥� 124 Master of Science in Medical Science graduates
  鈥� 48 Master of Science in Human Genetics and Genomics graduates
  鈥� 47 Master of Science: Physician Assistant Program graduates
  鈥� 36 Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences graduates
  鈥� 23 Graduate Certificate in Pre-Genetic Counseling graduates
  鈥� 22 Doctor of Occupational Therapy graduates
  鈥� 21 Ayurveda Health Counselor Certificate graduates
  鈥� 16 Ayurveda Practitioner Certificate graduates
  鈥� 14 Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine graduates
  鈥� 10 Doctor of Medical Sciences graduates
  鈥� 2 Graduate Certificate in Human Genetics and Genomics graduates
  鈥� 1 Master of Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine graduate

Dr. John Scaringe, President of 91性息港 of Health Sciences, delivered an inspiring and heartfelt address at the 2025 Commencement Ceremony, challenging the graduates to lead with compassion as they step into their professional careers.

Drawing from personal experiences, Dr. Scaringe emphasized that compassion goes beyond simply understanding another person鈥檚 struggle, reminding graduates that 鈥渆mpathy feels, but compassion moves.鈥� He encouraged students to view compassion as an active choice. One that requires presence, courage, and a willingness to show up for others during moments of vulnerability.

Throughout his remarks, Dr. Scaringe highlighted the critical role compassion plays in healthcare, noting that while knowledge and technical expertise are essential, they are not enough on their own.

鈥淐ompassion doesn鈥檛 require perfection. It requires presence,鈥� he said, underscoring the importance of truly being there for patients and treating not just symptoms, but the person behind the diagnosis. He also reframed compassion as a form of leadership, describing it as 鈥渃ourage in everyday form,鈥� especially during moments when taking the compassionate path may be the most challenging.

As he concluded, Dr. Scaringe left graduates with a powerful reminder that compassion is not an optional trait in healthcare, but a foundational one. 鈥淐ompassion isn鈥檛 something you add to healthcare 鈥� compassion is healthcare,鈥� he said, encouraging graduates to carry that mindset forward as they begin their careers and work to transform the lives of others through whole-person, human-centered care.

The ceremony also featured a reflective and inspiring commencement address from Dr. Russell Greenfield, a nationally recognized physician leader in Whole Health who has spent his career advancing human-centered models of care across healthcare systems nationwide. Dr. Greenfield has served in senior leadership roles with the Veterans Health Administration, the Whole Health Institute, and Novant Health鈥檚 Weisiger Cancer Institute, and continues to work directly with patients while helping communities build whole-person approaches to care.

In his remarks, Dr. Greenfield framed the healing professions as a sacred calling rooted in service, humility, and presence. He reminded graduates that true healing begins not with fixing problems, but with honoring lives, stating, 鈥淵ou see people not as problems to be fixed, but as lives to be honored.鈥� Drawing from personal experience and long-standing traditions within the healing arts, he encouraged graduates to approach their work with gratitude and compassion, even in the smallest moments of care.

As he concluded, Dr. Greenfield offered the Class of 2025 a message of reassurance and purpose, emphasizing that meaningful impact does not require grand gestures. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not your responsibility to heal the world鈥� and yet, odds are very good that you will,鈥� he said.

His words reinforced SCU鈥檚 commitment to Whole Health and left graduates with a powerful reminder that through humility, service, and presence, they are uniquely prepared to help shape the future of healthcare.

Graduating Master of Science: Physician Assistant program student Jamie Gabriel was named the SCU Class of 2025 valedictorian. She delivered a powerful and personal address that reflected perseverance, balance, and service in healthcare.

A full-time captain with the Los Angeles County Fire Department and a nontraditional student, Gabriel shared how returning to school later in life was driven by a commitment to lifelong learning and setting an example for her family.

In her remarks, Gabriel emphasized the importance of whole-person care and the responsibility healthcare professionals have to see beyond diagnoses and data points. 鈥淥ur patients don鈥檛 come to us as symptoms or lab values. They come as people with stories, fears, hopes, and dreams,鈥� she said, underscoring the integrative approach that defines SCU鈥檚 educational philosophy. She also highlighted the need for balance鈥攏ot only in patient care but also in clinicians鈥� own lives鈥攔eminding graduates that personal well-being is essential to providing meaningful, compassionate care.

Gabriel closed by challenging the Class of 2025 to lead with accountability and service. 鈥淟eadership in healthcare is not about authority. It is about the responsibility of service to others,鈥� she said, encouraging graduates to step confidently into the roles they are prepared to fill and help shape the future of healthcare through humility, balance, and purpose.

SCU鈥檚 听2025 Alumni of the Year Whole Health Achievement Award was presented to Dr. Valerie Johnson. Dr. Johnson embodies the spirit of this award through her pioneering leadership in integrative, whole-person healthcare. As one of the first chiropractors employed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, she has been instrumental in shaping the role of chiropractic in federal healthcare and advancing the VA Whole Health model.

Dr. Johnson鈥檚 commitment to inclusivity and diversity shines through the welcoming, collaborative environments she fosters for patients, colleagues, and learners. Through her compassion, advocacy, and clinical excellence, Dr. Johnson has redefined what integrative chiropractic can achieve.

The President鈥檚 Leadership Award was presented to Doctor of Chiropractic graduate George Zakhary for his leadership in contributing to the campus community, advocating for their chosen profession, and providing community service.

Photos and videos from the commencement ceremony can be viewed on SCU鈥檚 social media channels: , , and .

SCU Faculty Dr. Robb Russell Presents New Research at the 3rd World Congress on Traditional, Complementary, and Integrative Medicine 2025

91性息港 of Health Sciences (SCU) continued its commitment to advancing integrative health research as Dr. Robb Russell presented new study findings at the 3rd World Congress on Traditional, Complementary, and Integrative Medicine 2025 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The international congress brings together experts from around the world to share emerging evidence and collaborate on approaches that strengthen global health and patient care.

Dr. Russell attended alongside fellow SCU faculty members Dr. Anu Kizhakkeveettil, Dr. Steffany Moonaz, and Dr. Leah Grout. His presentation shared results from a recently completed SCU-led study that contributes new insights into how inflammatory back pain may present in chiropractic primary-care settings.

Expanding Understanding of Inflammatory Back Pain Through MRI Findings

At the congress, Dr. Russell presented findings from the study titled:
鈥淭he proportion of abnormal pelvis MRI findings in patients presenting for chiropractic care with possible inflammatory back pain.鈥�

Principal investigator Emmanual Katsaros, DO, from Western University of Health Sciences, senior investigator Michael Weisman, MD from Stanford University, and radiologist Xenofon Baraliakos, MD, from Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum,听Germany, collaborated with SCU co-authors Dr. Steffany Moonaz, Dr. Melissa Nagare, and Dr. Hector Rivera-Melo, in this project which examined how frequently MRI abnormalities appear among patients who visit chiropractic clinics with symptoms suggestive of inflammatory back pain 鈥� specifically, potential early indicators of axial spondyloarthropathy (axSpA).

Why the Research Matters

According to Dr. Russell, delayed diagnosis is common in axSpA, often because:

• Chronic back pain is widespread,
• Symptoms may appear early but are subtle,
• Non-rheumatology providers may be less familiar with the condition, and
• Radiographs can miss early-stage inflammatory changes.

The study aimed to determine how often sacroiliac joint MRIs show abnormalities in a primary-care chiropractic population where patients had experienced inflammatory back pain symptoms for more than three months.

Key Findings From the Study

Previous research suggested that roughly one-third of patients screened for inflammatory back pain show abnormal sacroiliac MRI findings 鈥� but those studies focused on pre-screened populations, not general primary-care environments.

SCU鈥檚 study found:

• 13.3% of patients had abnormal sacroiliac joint MRI findings suggestive of axSpA
• Over 90% of patients self-referred for chiropractic care, reducing pre-selection bias
• The prevalence likely reflects what may be found in other U.S. primary-care settings

These findings offer a more realistic picture of how common early inflammatory changes may be in everyday clinical practice.

Surprising MRI Patterns

Dr. Russell shared that their team did not observe the higher rates reported in previous studies, which confirms that earlier data may have reflected pre-selected, higher-risk groups.

Another unexpected finding was that 13% of subjects exhibited findings suggestive of inflammatory changes of the hips.

The SCU study instead provides a more generalizable understanding that can aid front-line clinicians.

Practical Takeaways for Providers

Dr. Russell emphasized a key message:

鈥淪acroiliac joint and hip MRI abnormalities were frequent in a youthful population screened for inflammatory back pain symptoms and could represent undiagnosed spondyloarthropathy.鈥�

Early identification of these findings may help reduce diagnostic delays, ensuring patients receive appropriate care and referral.

Future Directions: Continuing SCU鈥檚 Research Momentum

Dr. Russell shared that two follow-up projects are already underway:

1. Comparing MRI interpretations
   • The research team is analyzing differences between community radiologists and expert readers to better understand diagnostic consistency.
2. Following patients with abnormal MRI findings
   • Researchers will contact patients from the study to determine whether symptoms persist and whether formal diagnoses of spondyloarthropathy have been made.

He also noted that larger, future studies could explore the clinical significance of abnormal sacroiliac or hip MRI findings in young adults. Such work may require expanded screening 鈥� including both symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals 鈥� and additional funding.

Sharing SCU Research Expertise Globally

During the congress, Dr. Russell was also invited to lecture chiropractic students at Centro Universit谩rio Gama e Souza (UNIGAMA) in Rio de Janeiro. The visit coincided with World Spine Day 2025 and offered an opportunity to engage with students eager to learn about integrative approaches to musculoskeletal care.

鈥淚t was a pleasure and an honor to spend part of World Spine Day with such delightful students and faculty members,鈥� said Russell.

SCU Researcher Dr. James Whedon Featured on Chiropractic Science Podcast to Discuss Medicare, Neck Pain, Costs, and Safety

91性息港 of Health Sciences (SCU) Senior Health Services Researcher Dr. James Whedon was recently featured on the Chiropractic Science podcast, where he joined colleague Dr. Brian Anderson (University of Pittsburgh) for an in-depth conversation about their multi-year Medicare research project examining the outcomes, costs, and safety of chiropractic care for older adults with neck pain.

Hosted by Dr. Dean Smith, the episode titled 鈥淣eck Pain, Medicare, Costs, Adverse Events鈥� explores the results of three peer-reviewed studies supported by an NIH R15 Research Enhancement Award. The research team analyzed patterns of care among nearly 300,000 Medicare beneficiaries with new episodes of neck pain, offering one of the most comprehensive looks to date at how initial provider choice influences patient outcomes in this population.

Listen to the episode:
鈥� Website:
鈥� YouTube:

Understanding the R15 Medicare Neck-Pain Research Project

During the interview, Dr. Whedon and Dr. Anderson describe how their research group examined Medicare claims data to compare three initial treatment pathways for new episodes of non-traumatic, non-pathological neck pain:

1. Chiropractic care (spinal manipulation)
2. Primary care without prescription analgesics
3. Primary care with prescription analgesics

Over a 24-month follow-up period, the researchers assessed:
– Rates of care escalation (specialist visits, imaging, injections, surgery, hospitalizations, ER visits)
– Total and neck pain鈥搑elated health care costs
– Safety outcomes and adverse events

Key Finding #1: Starting with Chiropractic Reduces Care Escalation

Patients who started with spinal manipulation experienced:
– 64% lower rate of total care escalation
– 93% lower rate of surgical procedures
– 78% lower rate of hospitalizations

Key Finding #2: Chiropractic Care Is Associated With Substantial Medicare Cost Savings

The research identified significant financial benefits with chiropractic as an initial strategy:
– $435 less per patient in total hospital spending over two years
– Lower outpatient and medication costs
– $43 million in estimated Medicare savings per 100,000 neck-pain episodes

Key Finding #3: Chiropractic Care Shows Favorable Safety Outcomes

Chiropractic patients demonstrated:
– 20% lower rate of any measured adverse event compared to patients who received prescription analgesics
– 14% lower rate compared to primary care without analgesics

Why These Findings Matter for Medicare Policy

These results support national discussions surrounding the Chiropractic Medicare Coverage Modernization Act, which proposes expanding Medicare coverage to include the full range of services chiropractors are trained to provide.

A Conversation Rooted in Whole Health Principles

The episode aligns with SCU鈥檚 Whole Health philosophy, which emphasizes patient choice and integrative whole-person health care.

Back-to-Back: SCU Students Claim the 2025 CalChiro Quiz Bowl

91性息港 of Health Sciences students win the CalChiro Quiz Bowl for a second year in a row at the CalChiro Fall Conference, held August 28鈥�30, 2025, at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim.

The ballroom buzzed before the first question. Teams checked in, glanced at notes, and tried to read the room. When the round opened, SCU鈥檚 table leaned forward together. They stayed that way all afternoon.

By the final tally, 91性息港 of Health Sciences had won the CalChiro Quiz Bowl for the second straight year. For the students, the trophy mattered. The way they earned it mattered more: quick recall, steady hands, and a shared rhythm built in classrooms and labs across campus.

鈥淲e figured out the team a few minutes prior,鈥� said Jordan Jacobson of Eden Prairie, Minnesota. He smiled at the chaos that came before the calm. 鈥淔eels good to know SCU is giving us the knowledge we need to succeed.鈥�

The turn that set the tone

There was a shoulder question that could have gone either way. The opposing team guessed the bursa. SCU answered 鈥渟upraspinatus tendon.鈥� That moment shifted the room. From there, the group managed pace and risk鈥攚hen to buzz, when to pass, when to huddle for a two-point follow-up.

鈥淲e were on a roll early,鈥� said Angelica Robles of Whittier, now in her tenth term. 鈥淭he format forced smart choices鈥攖ake the challenge or pass and let the other team take the chance. Winning back the trophy reassured the knowledge I鈥檝e worked for, and I felt proud for myself and my teammates, including two first-years.鈥�

What the questions asked鈥攁nd what the program teaches

The rounds leaned on functional anatomy, orthopedic exams, chiropractic history, and case-style questions. That overlap did not happen by accident.

Jacobson said the content aligned with his work for Parts II鈥揑V board preparation. Robles pointed to class guides and her quick review with the club president. Christian Montoya, who grew up in South Pasadena, put it plainly: 鈥淎 lot of questions were orthopedic. The stuff we learned in courses like IPA, FABS, and GA showed up.鈥� He added a note for younger students: 鈥淲henever you begin to doubt yourself, remember that you know a lot more than you think you know.鈥�

Team chemistry in real time

The group formed fast but functioned like a unit. One student called an answer. Another filled in the follow-up. They traded roles without ego. They also enjoyed a new game segment that felt more like a crowd favorite than a pop quiz.

鈥淟oved the Family-Feud-style section,鈥� Robles said. 鈥淚t gave every student a fair shot and made teamwork matter.鈥�

Mentors, habits, and the quiet work behind the win

Students credited faculty who made the day possible: Dr. Daryl Capen and classroom instructors who stressed fundamentals and repetition. A reminder from Dr. Bui echoed in practice: know your material and trust it under pressure.

Not every path to the podium looked the same. Jacobson leaned on board prep. Robles blocked time in the days leading up to and did a quick pass on the day of. Montoya joined a team minutes before the event and still found the beats that swing a match鈥攁n early buzz, a clean answer, and the bonus that follows.

How SCU Prepares Students

Two titles in two years says something about the students. It also says something about the program. The win reflects a campus that prizes clear thinking, peer learning, and confidence under time pressure. It demonstrates how a curriculum designed for clinical practice simultaneously teaches recall and reasoning.

Robles chose SCU for that mix. She wanted a program close to family with faculty who 鈥渉ave been amazing mentors and extremely supportive.鈥� Jacobson鈥檚 bio reads the same way: he chose a school that trains students 鈥渢o be doctors first and chiropractors second.鈥�

Meet the Students

Jordan Jacobson 鈥� Eden Prairie, Minnesota. Board preparation aligned with Quiz Bowl content; key answer related to the supraspinatus tendon. Chose SCU for training that develops strong clinical thinkers.

Angelica Robles 鈥� Whittier, California. Tenth term. Prepped with short review sessions and club support. Praised the Family-Feud-style segment for rewarding teamwork.

Christian Montoya 鈥� South Pasadena, California. Joined the team minutes before the event. Noted pivotal early buzzes and clean bonus follow-ups.

Taylor Foster 鈥� Los Angeles County (San Diego and Riverside roots). Drew on early-term coursework and represented SCU鈥檚 science-first training.

What鈥檚 Next

The team plans to share study notes with peers and invite first-year students to open practice nights this fall. The goal is simple: keep building knowledge, speed, and trust鈥攐n campus and on stage.

SCU Study Finds Chiropractic Care Safer for Older Adults with Neck Pain

A new study led by Dr. James Whedon from 91性息港 of Health Sciences (SCU) has found that chiropractic care may be a safer option than traditional medical care for older adults with new-onset neck pain.

The research, published this year and funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), analyzed Medicare claims data from 291,604 beneficiaries aged 65鈥�99 who experienced a new episode of neck pain in 2019. Patients were grouped into three treatment approaches:

• Chiropractic Manipulative Therapy (CMT)
• Primary Medical Care with Prescription Drug Therapy
• Primary Medical Care Only (without chiropractic or prescription drugs)

Key Findings

• Patients who received chiropractic care had a 20% lower rate of adverse outcomes compared to those receiving prescription drug therapy.
• Chiropractic care was also linked to a 14% lower rate of complications than primary medical care without drugs.
• By contrast, patients treated with prescription drugs had a 6% higher risk of adverse events compared to primary medical care only.

The study specifically tracked outcomes such as adverse drug events, vertebrobasilar insufficiency, and other complications over a 24-month period.

鈥淭hese results clearly indicate that for Medicare beneficiaries with new-onset neck pain, chiropractic care offers a significantly lower risk of adverse events compared to primary medical care with prescription drugs,鈥� said Dr. Whedon, lead researcher. 鈥淭his is particularly important as older adults are often more vulnerable to the side effects of medications.鈥�

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Why It Matters

Neck pain is common among older adults, and national clinical practice guidelines already recommend non-drug treatments as a first-line approach. The findings from this NIH-funded SCU study provide large-scale evidence that chiropractic care aligns with those guidelines and can reduce risks tied to prescription drug use.

The research adds to a growing body of evidence supporting non-pharmacological approaches such as chiropractic care, exercise, and patient education in managing musculoskeletal conditions. It also highlights SCU鈥檚 role in advancing safe, evidence-based alternatives to medication for pain management.

Learn More

Read the published study on .
Visit the SCU Clinical and Health Research webpage to learn more about current or completed research.

SCU Anatomy Lab Tours Inspire Future Healthcare Students

Two large charter buses pulled up to the 91性息港 of Health Sciences (SCU) campus early on a Wednesday morning, delivering a group of curious students ready to explore the world of health sciences. The students, participating in the Whittier College Tech Trek program, were about to embark on an unforgettable journey into the human body, guided by SCU鈥檚 faculty and anatomy lab facilities.

SCU recently relaunched its Anatomy Lab Tours, a unique opportunity for local high school and college students to get hands-on experience in a university-level cadaver lab. This immersive program, now back in full swing after a pandemic hiatus, is a vital part of SCU鈥檚 commitment to community engagement, health education, and inspiring the next generation of healthcare professionals.

An Engaging, Hands-On Experience

On this tour day, 85 students arrived in two sessions, each receiving a guided experience through SCU鈥檚 innovative anatomy lab. The tours began with students donning white lab coats and splitting into groups. One group entered the cadaver lab with Dr. Erenie Shenouda, a faculty member and SCU Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) program graduate, while the other explored the SynDaver lab with an SCU graduate and faculty member.

The SynDavers, lifelike silicone anatomical models, gave students a chance to identify organs, learn their functions, and interact with realistic representations of human anatomy. Nearby, models of skeletal bones and the human heart supported deeper learning, sparking curiosity and thoughtful questions. The cadaver lab experience, meanwhile, offered a rare and respectful introduction to real human anatomy, guided with care and professionalism by Dr. Shenouda.

As each group rotated between lab experiences, students gained valuable insight into both human biology and the academic paths available to pursue careers in health and medicine. The tours concluded with a presentation from SCU Admissions representatives, who shared program information, prerequisites, and answered questions about higher education opportunities at SCU.

Creating Lasting Impact

These tours aren鈥檛 just educational, they’re transformative. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a win-win,鈥� said Dr. Jory Basso, Assistant Dean for SCU鈥檚 Los Angeles College of Chiropractic. 鈥淚t provides great exposure to our programs, offers service hours and community engagement for our faculty, creates memorable experiences for students, and generates revenue that helps us upgrade and improve anatomy resources.鈥�

With tours typically scheduled on Wednesdays, SCU is proud to offer these impactful workshops to area schools, cultivating early interest in science, healthcare, and whole health wellness. Some students who first encounter SCU through these tours may one day return as future healthcare leaders, ready to make a difference.

Learn More

Schools or educators interested in scheduling a tour can contact the SCU Anatomy Lab Tours team at anatomylabseminar@scuhs.edu for more information on availability, pricing, and scheduling.