Pitt to create doctor of chiropractic program in fall 2025; first of its kind in Pennsylvania
The University of Pittsburgh will launch a doctor of chiropractic program in fall 2025, a move that will introduce the first program of its kind in Pennsylvania — and the sole doctor of chiropractic program at any public institution in the country.
It’s a decision that could have a global impact, said Michael Schneider, a Pitt professor who will serve as the program’s acting director. He hopes that the program transforms public perceptions of chiropractic and “breaks the mold” for those who believe chiropractic is a “substitute” for standard medical care.
“We’re not alternative, and we are evidencebased,” said Mr. Schneider, who has practiced as a doctor of chiropractic for more than 25 years. “We’re going to produce that evidence here and teach our students in an evidencebased manner. It’s going to create a new model of chiropractic education in the United States.”
Pitt announced the new program on Monday after a decade of discussions and development.
Through the eight-term program, students will receive evidence-based training for spine and musculoskeletal conditions both in the classroom and sideby-side with physicians, physical therapists and other health care providers, according to a Monday news release. Students will undergo full-time chiropractic clinical training at an integrated health care system during the last semester of the program.
Pitt will accept applications this fall, and the program’s first cohort of 40 students will start in fall 2025.
Over the subsequent two years, Pitt plans to grow the program to 60 students per year.
The program comes on the heels of a proposed Senate bill that would expand Medicare coverage of chiropractic services.
Chiropractic care provides a “safe and effective” approach to pain treatment, and can mitigate opioid use for back and neck pain, Mr. Schneider said.
In 2019, nearly two-fifths of American adults experienced back pain, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Low back pain is the top cause of disability in the world, reports the World Health Organization.
Pitt leaders are optimistic the university’s program will foster new research avenues and collaboration among students and faculty.
And they say it’s transformational for Pennsylvanians who wish to study chiropractic. This group has had to pursue out-ofstate universities for their education, said Anthony Delitto, dean of Pitt’s School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences.
Mr. Delitto envisions the impact of this new program reaching far beyond Pennsylvania.
“We’re going to be a role model for programs,” Mr. Delitto said. “I hope we see others try to emulate what it is we’ve done here at Pitt, and not be afraid to do it.”
In the release, Pitt Chancellor Joan Gabel said the creation of the program feeds into Pitt’s values, outlined in its upcoming strategic plan.
“The introduction of this program exemplifies how the six schools of the health sciences at the University of Pittsburgh — Dental, Medicine, Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Nursing, Pharmacy and Public Health — are leading the way in training the next generation of clinical care,” Ms. Gabel said.