There was a time when chiropractic graduates who had an interest in practicing in integrated settings were on their own, with no formal opportunities to learn firsthand what it takes to navigate a large integrated healthcare system. That’s beginning to change. The VA residencies broke ground in the federal healthcare system, and now some private systems are following suit. Eric Kirk, DC, BS, DACO, is the medical director for chiropractic services for Advocate Health, which launched its own chiropractic residency program. Dr. Kirk serves as program director for the Integrated Clinical Practice Chiropractic Residency Program. He also serves as an associate faculty member through Southern California University of Health Sciences, Palmer College of Chiropractic and the Aurora Graduate Medical Education Department.
During his Engage 2025 education session, “An Introduction to a Private Sector Integrated Clinical Practice Chiropractic Residency Program,” Dr. Kirk will discuss the development of his accredited program within a large integrated delivery healthcare system. He will also explore the residency experience through the eyes of one of our past residency graduates.
Read more about Dr. Kirk and the program below and plan to register and attend Engage 2025.
Q: How is the topic you are presenting at Engage 2025 relevant to today’s chiropractor?
The topic is relevant to the chiropractic profession in detailing the steps necessary to develop and deliver a chiropractic residency program consistent with other graduate medical education residency programs. The development and participation in such programs prepares chiropractors for functioning within an integrated healthcare system and gives a unique experience, delivering further understanding of the roles of other disciplines that operate within the larger healthcare system. The residency experience also enhances the exposure to complex and multi comorbid patient populations. Scholarly activity aspects of the program allow for the development of novel case studies and enhancing chiropractic best practices through quality improvement projects while being exposed to the functionality of research within a large healthcare system.
Q: What makes you an expert in this area?
I have been functioning within the integrated healthcare system for more than 25 years and have led the growth of the chiropractic department within our organization. I led the development and implementation of the first CCE-accredited chiropractic residency program within a private sector organization in the United States. I have functioned as faculty and program director within our graduate medical education department through this program, which is currently in its third academic year.
Q: What first interested you in residencies? Why did you decide to become more engaged in this area?
Over the years, many colleagues have expressed their desire to function or be employed within a large integrated healthcare system. I witnessed consistent barriers for chiropractors seeking such positions. On a broader level, I noted limited professional pathways for graduates of chiropractic schools seeking gainful employment. I decided to create the residency experience to create more opportunities within the chiropractic profession for gainful employment and expand workforce opportunities within large integrated healthcare systems.
Q: Can you provide one or two takeaways from your presentation/topic that Engage 2025 attendees will not want to miss?
This presentation will allow attendees to understand the process necessary to develop and implement a chiropractic residency program as well as learn of opportunities to gain through the residency experience and understand the value of the residency experience.
Q: How will what attendees take away make them a better doctor?
It is my hope that the experiences shared in this presentation will result in improved collaboration and enhanced awareness of the opportunities for collaboration and employment within the larger healthcare community. I also hope that this creates a blueprint for other systems in the country to successfully develop residency programs.
Q: Being “engaged” in the chiropractic profession is a central theme of ACA Engage, the conference. How long have you presented at Engage or other conferences? What inspired you to start and/or what keeps you coming back to share knowledge with your colleagues in this way?
This is my first presentation submitted to ACA Engage, but I have presented on numerous topics related to collaboration within healthcare, healthcare leadership, and clinical best practice within musculoskeletal care.
