From Classroom to Clinic: Sharing Experience with Future Chiropractors

On October 23rd, I had the opportunity to return to the University of Western States (UWS) to participate in their third annual Chiro Week, a series of events designed to enrich the educational experience of chiropractic students through hands-on learning and interaction with practicing chiropractors.

Hosmer Chiropractic Health has participated in UWS’s Clinical-Based Chiropractic Education (CBCE) program for over 15 years, helping students gain practical experience as they prepare for their careers. I’ve always enjoyed working with students and helping bridge the gap between chiropractic school and life as a practicing doctor.

Passing Along a Clinical Pearl

The week concluded with a special session featuring approximately 15 practicing chiropractors who participate in the CBCE program. Each of us was asked to share a “clinical pearl” — something from our professional experience that could benefit students as they develop their skills.

While many of my colleagues shared insights on running a practice, conducting patient assessments, and other aspects of clinical care, I decided to take a more hands-on approach. I was the only chiropractor to demonstrate an adjustment.

I chose the occipital lift, a specialized upper cervical adjustment that I find particularly valuable when treating certain patients.

Interestingly, this wasn’t an adjustment I learned in chiropractic school. In fact, I wasn’t familiar with it when I first graduated. It was only later, through working with a more experienced chiropractor, that I learned the technique and began incorporating it into my practice.

That experience reinforced something I’ve come to appreciate throughout my career: there’s always more to learn, and some of our most valuable lessons come from other practitioners.

Bridging the Gap Between Student and Doctor

One of the things I enjoy most about participating in events like Chiro Week is meeting the students. I was impressed by how bright, engaged, and motivated they were, and by their enthusiasm for learning from those of us already in practice.

Chiropractic school provides an important foundation, but there’s a great deal that comes from working with patients, developing clinical judgment, and learning from other practitioners. Sharing those experiences can help students better understand what awaits them after graduation.

That’s also why we’ve welcomed UWS interns into our clinics each year. It’s been rewarding to watch students develop their clinical skills and confidence, and, in some cases, eventually join our team as practicing chiropractors. For instance, Dr. Charlene McMeeken and Dr. Dylan Savage both began their journey with us as UWS interns.

We’re fortunate to have such an excellent chiropractic school here in Portland. I sincerely appreciate the invitation and the opportunity to share some of the knowledge and experience I’ve gained over the years with the next generation of chiropractors.