When the inaugural cohort of the new University of Pittsburgh Doctor of Chiropractic program comes together next fall, they will be greeted by Professor and Program Director Michael Schneider—who can now add Dynamic Chiropractic 2024 Person of the Year to his accolades.
This distinguished award recognizes an individual who has made a profound contribution to the chiropractic profession or health care within a given year or during their career. Dynamic Chiropractic, the nation’s foremost chiropractic publication, awarded Schneider with the title in its December issue, noting his spearheading of the first chiropractic program offered at a research-intensive public university, a feat that has taken a decade to come to fruition. Schneider was honored for his efforts in leading this historical achievement as well as his ongoing commitment to chiropractic education, research and the expansion of the chiropractic profession.
Donald M. Petersen, Jr., publisher of Dynamic Chiropractic, said, “Dynamic Chiropractic’s Person of the Year has been awarded annually since 1986 to individuals who have made a significant contribution to the chiropractic profession. We are pleased to recognize Dr. Schneider for spearheading the development of a chiropractic program at the University of Pittsburgh and look forward to the program’s role in advancing chiropractic education. We believe this will be groundbreaking for the chiropractic profession.”
When informed about the award, Schneider was both surprised and honored, saying, “I have worked behind the scenes for many years to get this program approved by the University of Pittsburgh. It is truly an honor to be acknowledged publicly for this work by Dynamic Chiropractic magazine.” He continued to say that exposure of this program "will have a positive impact on the public perception of chiropractic as a mainstream, evidence-based health care profession."
A Curriculum for a New Generation of Chiropractors
Schneider’s relentless dedication to see his vision for a transformative chiropractic program become reality has led to an educational experience unmatched by any other. With its strong reputation in the health sciences, the University of Pittsburgh is uniquely positioned to train a new generation of chiropractors who will be at the leading edge of science for spine and musculoskeletal disorders.
The breadth of interprofessional health care programs and legacy of groundbreaking research at the University of Pittsburgh make it one of the only universities in the country positioned to execute this program and train students within an evidence-based, integrated health care environment. Additionally, students will be part of an evidence-producing environment, working alongside faculty dedicated to research and scholarly activities. Schneider is involved in over 15 NIH-funded research studies with combined budgets of over $50 million and is excited to bring this new generation of Doctor of Chiropractic students into a world of possibilities.
The students’ curriculum and clinical education have been designed by Schneider and his colleagues to leverage the interprofessional and health care opportunities found only at Pitt. They will receive over 1,900 hours of clinical instruction—exceeding the hours required for accreditation. Throughout their eight terms, students will gain this hands-on experience at hospitals, clinics and private practices, a unique aspect of Pitt’s clinical education.
Schneider has built strong relationships with faculty and researchers at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), a world class academic medical center where students will have the opportunity to rotate through acute care and rehabilitation hospitals, interprofessional spine centers, as well as physical medicine and rehabilitation, neurosurgery, sports medicine, occupational health and pain management clinics.
Students will also have the opportunity to learn and grow alongside a multidisciplinary team at the Veterans Affairs Pittsburgh Healthcare System (VAPHS) helping veterans with complicating factors such as PTSD, traumatic brain injuries and musculoskeletal deconditioning. Schneider, who helped to introduce chiropractic services to the VAPHS in 2015, states this will enable Doctor of Chiropractic students to gain experience they might not have when treating civilian populations.
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The application to apply to the University of Pittsburgh Doctor of Chiropractic program for fall 2025 enrollment closes February 1, 2025. For more information, please visit our website or speak with an enrollment specialist at enroll@shrs.pitt.edu today!