The Evidence-based Practice Center (EPC) Program at the Department of Health and Human Services
strives to improve the health of the U.S. population. To do so, the Center systematically reviews evidence and produces evidence-based reports that discuss benefits and harms of treatments and/or preventive services. These reports can be used as a trusted resource for clinical decision-making in practice. In her Engage 2026 presentation, “Evidence-based Practice Center Program: Applying Evidence into Practice,” Cynthia Chapman, DC, MPH, will help attendees better understand the mission of the EPC Program, the range of resources available to practitioners and how they are developed, and strategies for implementation of the content of these evidence-based publications into clinical practice.
Read more about Dr. Chapman and her upcoming presentation below, and register for Engage 2026 here.
How is the topic you are presenting at Engage 2026 relevant to today’s chiropractor?
This topic is highly relevant to today’s chiropractor as evidence-based care continues to shape clinical
practice, reimbursement, guideline development, and professional credibility within the broader healthcare system. Chiropractors are increasingly expected to integrate high-quality evidence into patient care, participate in interdisciplinary models, and respond to clinical guidelines that influence coverage and utilization. The Evidence-based Practice Center (EPC) Program plays a central role in translating research into actionable evidence that informs these guidelines and policy decisions. Understanding how evidence is generated, evaluated, and applied empowers chiropractors to engage more effectively with evidence-based standards.
What makes you an expert in this area?
I have just concluded an ORISE Research and Evaluation Fellowship at the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), where I worked closely with evidence synthesis, health services research, and translation of evidence into policy and practice. I also served as a Health Policy Fellow with the American Chiropractic Association and am an Adjunct Associate Professor at Northeast College of Health Sciences. My training includes a Doctor of Chiropractic degree, a Master of Public Health, and project management experience supporting funded research. Collectively, these roles position me at the intersection of clinical practice, evidence generation, and health policy.
What first interested you in this topic?
My interest in this area grew from an ACC-RAC presentation many years ago by AHRQ. In clinical practice, I saw firsthand the gap that often exists between research findings and patient care. As I became more involved in public health and health policy, I recognized how evidence synthesis programs like the EPC Program directly influence clinical guidelines, payer decisions, and policy. This motivated me to become more engaged in ensuring that chiropractic perspectives are informed by and appropriately represented within high-quality evidence.
Can you provide one or two takeaways from your presentation/topic that Engage 2026 attendees will not want to miss…and why.
- How evidence becomes guidance: Attendees will gain a clear, practical understanding of how evidence reviews are conducted and how they ultimately influence clinical guidelines, coverage decisions, and practice expectations.
- How chiropractors can engage: The session will highlight concrete ways chiropractors can engage with evidence-based processes—both as clinicians applying evidence and as professionals contributing to the broader evidence base—strengthening the profession’s role in integrated care.
These takeaways are critical for chiropractors navigating a healthcare environment increasingly driven by evidence-informed decision-making.
How many times have you attended or presented at ACA Engage in the past?
I have attended 5-8 times in the past. I was accepted for presentation in 2025, but had to withdraw my presentation due to federal administration changes.
I am most looking forward to supporting the mission of the ACA by connecting with colleagues who are committed to advancing chiropractic through leadership, research, and policy engagement. Engage provides a unique opportunity to exchange ideas across practice, education, and advocacy, and I value the chance to learn from others’ experiences while contributing to meaningful conversations about the future of the profession.
Don’t miss Engage 2026! Join with fellow ACA members Jan. 22–24 in Arlington, Va., at the Crystal Gateway Marriott to learn from top experts, sharpen your clinical and professional skills, and connect with your chiropractic community. ACA has applied for CE credits in California, Florida, Georgia, and Texas, in addition to offering CE in more than 30 PACE-accepted states. Get the details here: Engage 2026 Continuing Education. In addition, take advantage of early-bird rates by registering today for the conference.
