In today’s hospital and integrated care settings, chiropractic services are increasingly recognized for their value in managing musculoskeletal conditions, reducing opioid use, and enhancing patient outcomes. At Engage 2026, a panel of experts will explore the evolving role of chiropractic in these settings, emphasizing leadership, collaboration, education, and innovation.
The discussion will feature Samuel Staula, DC, integrated clinical practice chiropractic residency director at St Luke’s University Health Network (SLUHN); Paul Duffy, DC, SLUHN’s chiropractic department medical director; and Ian Paskowski, DC, spine care medical director at Beth Israel Deaconess – Plymouth.
To learn more about the panelists and their session, “Leadership and Growth Within Integrated Health Care Systems,” read on.
Q: How is the topic you are presenting at Engage 2026 relevant to today’s chiropractor?
Never has there been such a spectrum of options for graduating and existing DCs: private orthopedic groups, primary care offices, community hospitals, regional hospital networks, federally qualified health centers, major teaching hospitals with national name recognition, and American’s largest integrated healthcare system, the Veteran Health Administration.
Modern health care increasingly values team collaboration with an emphasis on patient-centered, whole person health. Chiropractors who understand system-wide communication, coordination, and can demonstrate leadership and drive are well positioned to thrive within these models by focusing on patient outcomes, experience, access and value.
Growth within these networks helps DCs stay aligned with evidence-based practices, expand patient base, and influence policy and care pathways in a way that elevates the profession and provides more opportunity for graduating classes.
Q: What makes you an expert in this area?
Dr. Paul Duffy helped pioneer the integrated care model in 1995, founding the chiropractic division within a local orthopedic group, Coordinated Health, and leading growth within the division and as a partner within the group as it evolved into a physician-owned hospital network before integrating into the Lehigh Valley Health Network in 2020. In 2023, he founded the division of chiropractic care within the MSK service line at SLUHN and was appointed to the SLUHN STAR Leadership group. As team chiropractor for Lehigh University, he has provided collaborative care with training staff and other team physicians since 1995.
Dr. Ian Paskowski joined the staff of Jordan Hospital, ultimately Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital – Plymouth, in 2006, founding the Medical Back Pain Program and Spine Care division as medical
director in 2008. He fostered growth and continuity of the division within the hospital system via the implementation of an evidence-based care pathway that emphasizes coordination of care, patient satisfaction, and efficient resource utilization of spine care patients amongst multiple specialties. He views participation within the organization as tantamount to the success of the program, serving as co-chair of the Continuing Medical Education Committee, member of the Board of Directors of the Ambulatory Physician Group, and member of the Specialty Physician Group Leadership Council within BID-Plymouth.
Samuel Staula has been fortunate to learn and grow under the mentorship of both leaders at SLUHN and BID-Plymouth. He served as an associate director of the Spine Care division at BID-Plymouth from 2011 to 2023, prior to helping initiate the chiropractic division at SLUHN and being appointed the program director for the Integrated Clinical Practice Chiropractic Residency at SLUHN in 2025. Responsible for the program’s founding, direction, conduct and oversight, the program draws from the excellent framework of existing chiropractic residency programs nationwide and the experience accumulated within both systems as well as from an affiliation with the University of Pittsburgh Chiropractic School Program.
Q: What first interested you in this topic?
If you want to become a great chiropractor, putting the patient first should be the chief priority. A team-based approach that prioritizes the patient is integral because it ensures coordinated, comprehensive care. Different specialists contribute their unique expertise, improving accuracy in diagnosis, safety and treatment outcomes. This collaboration helps prevent errors, improve patient access, reduce chronicity, and addresses patients’ physical, social, and emotional needs more effectively.
Q: Can you provide one or two takeaways from your presentation at Engage 2026 attendees will not want to miss—and why?
Regardless of the political climate surrounding the Chiropractic Medicare Coverage Modernization Act, chiropractors are increasingly embraced within a multitude of integrated settings. By focusing on relationships, trust, patient-centered care, and communication, as well as knowing the demands of the stakeholders involved, we can ensure continued access for both DCs entering these systems but also for patients struggling with spine/musculoskeletal-related issues.
In addition, attendees will be able to:
• Identify a chiropractor’s role within an integrated care system.
• Identify how to thrive and grow individually and as a group within an integrated care system.
• Understand three strategies for leadership and growth.
• Understand the opportunities for leadership and growth within integrated health systems.
Q: How many times have you attended or presented at ACA Engage in the past?
This will be the 30th annual ACA Engage for Dr. Duffy, a fierce chiropractic supporter and activist, who is presenting for his third time and eagerly awaits the opportunity to visit his daughter as well, who is a lobbyist on Capitol Hill.
For Dr. Staula, taking the train down from the University of Bridgeport to Washington, D.C., to lobby on Capitol Hill while enrolled in chiropractic school was one of the most unique and satisfying experiences of his chiropractic career. ACA Engage is truly a special event, especially as the Chiropractic Medicare Coverage Modernization Act evolves, which is integral to solidifying the role of chiropractors as effective providers and coordinators of care within integrated healthcare systems.
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.
