Going to college is a goal for many students graduating high school.  According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “In October 2017, 66.7 percent of 2017 high school graduates age 16 to 24 were enrolled in colleges or universities. Among persons age 20 to 29 who received a bachelor's degree in 2017, 77.6 percent were employed.” The full realization of how much college costs may only be fully grasped after receiving an acceptance letter. Unfortunately, unless financial planning starts years earlier, many students’ dreams may be dashed, or cumbersome borrowing could become a burden that follows them for years to come.

*Member-Exclusive Content* In this first blog post in a series of three discussing how to be selected for one of the five VA residencies, I’ll be outlining the application process and providing an in-depth guide of how to write a solid personal statement. Subsequent blog posts will cover finding recommendations, completing the necessary application requirements and preparing yourself for an interview.  Some of the information will be from the VA’s residency website while other parts are based on the personal experiences and opinions of current VA residents.

To read, log into MyACA. 

The key to effective leadership is to speak to people’s “why.” For example, if you tell someone to attend NCLC, they will undoubtedly ask you for the details of the event. Normal. But the thought process doesn’t end there for them. Once you give them the “what” and “how” of the trip, they will filter this information through their “why” and determine if it is something worth doing...Leadership isn’t a destination, it’s a journey. Meaning, you will encounter people at all stages of willingness to engage and explore more, but it is your job to find them there.

As chiropractors, we have such an opportunity to make an impact on musculoskeletal pain in the elderly, and it often begins with education. Fall prevention, diet and nutrition, exercise and encouraging socialization are just a few ways in which we can make a difference. Fear can be crippling, and depression is not uncommon. Dr. Rachel (Mooers) Clark, a participant in the VA chiropractic residency program, recalls that learning to communicate effectively and motivate this population is one of the greatest things she gained from her experience in the geriatric clinic at the Sepulveda Ambulatory Care Center in Los Angeles. 

The #MeToo stories that have flooded social media in recent weeks have initiated a much-needed conversation across the country, a conversation that illustrates the very different experiences that men and women can have in male-dominated professions. In her latest blog post, ACA Senior Scientific Advisor Christine Goertz, DC, PhD, notes that, as one of a very small handful of women who has served in chiropractic leadership roles since she was a student, she has had a great deal of experience navigating the awkward and sometimes very uncomfortable waters generated by gender bias.