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Joel Stevans brings a diverse background to the Doctor of Chiropractic program, distinguishing himself as a clinician, educator, researcher and health care executive. As a clinician, he was an early adopter of interprofessional treatment models, working alongside rehabilitation and medical specialists. Recognized for excellence in teaching, he focuses on fostering student engagement and learning.  As a health care executive, he has led programs to increase evidence-based treatments by acupuncturists, physical therapists and chiropractors, enhancing care quality and affordability. 

In his role as Associate Director of Clinical Education, Stevans brings this wealth of knowledge and expertise to student clinical placements. His goal is to provide students with an unparalleled chiropractic clinical education. Clinical experiences start in the first semester and continue every semester throughout the program. These experiences are designed to first expose students to the full spectrum of interprofessional care within the health care delivery system. From there, the clinical training progressively focuses on spine and musculoskeletal care, culminating in one-on-one mentored training by chiropractors in community health centers, the Veterans Administration and community practices. 

Departments

Department of Community Health Services and Rehabilitation Science

Programs

Doctor of Chiropractic

Education & Training

  • Doctor of Philosophy in Rehabilitation Science, University of Pittsburgh
  • Certificate in Clinical Research, Institute for Clinical Research Education, University of Pittsburgh
  • Doctor of Chiropractic, Southern California University of Health Sciences
  • Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

Awards

  • Jerome F. McAndrews, D.C., Memorial Research Fund, NCMIC Group, Inc. Award
  • Delta Sigma Honorary Scholastic Society of the Healing Arts

Representative Publications

  • Roseen EJ, Smith CN, Essien UR, Cozier YC, Joyce C, Morone NE, Phillips RS, Gergen Barnett K, Patterson CG, Wegener ST, Brennan GP, Delitto A, Saper RB, Beneciuk JM, Stevans JM. Racial and Ethnic Disparities in the Incidence of High-Impact Chronic Pain Among Primary Care Patients with Acute Low Back Pain: A Cohort Study. Pain Med. 2023 Jun 1;24(6):633-643. 
  • Brennan GP, Snow G, Minick KI, Stevans JM. Significant Clinical Improvement Was Predicted in a Cohort of Patients With Low Back Pain Early in the Care Process. Phys Ther. 2023 Sep 1;103(9):pzad082. 
  • Stevans JM, Delitto A, Khoja SS, Patterson CG, Smith CN, Schneider MJ, Freburger JK, Greco CM, Freel JA, Sowa GA, Wasan AD, Brennan GP, Hunter SJ, Minick KI, Wegener ST, Ephraim PL, Friedman M, Beneciuk JM, George SZ, Saper RB. Risk Factors Associated With Transition From Acute to Chronic Low Back Pain in US Patients Seeking Primary Care. JAMA Netw Open. 2021 Feb 1;4(2):e2037371.

Research Interests

  • Enhancing value-based care for patients with spine and musculoskeletal conditions
  • Developing and evaluating innovative interprofessional care models