Vanessa Morales, DC, MPH, MS, has spent the past 10 years teaching vascular risk and clinical decision-making, but in 2024 she herself experienced a vertebral artery dissection and gained an entirely new perspective on the topic. Today, Dr. Morales serves as a professor and the director of
clinical assessment at Parker University, where she recently celebrated 10 years of service. She also serves as vice chair of the Faculty ACA, faculty advisor to Parker’s Student ACA chapter, and is currently in her second term as chair of the ACC Assessment and Accreditation Workgroup.
Drawing on her wide knowledge of cervical artery risk, Dr. Morales will present “Pause. Assess. Protect: A Modern Approach to Cervical Artery Risk” (1 CE), in conjunction with Engage 2026 in January. It is one of six on-demand courses that will be available to registrants. To learn more about Dr. Morales and her upcoming program, read on. To register for Engage, click here.
How is the topic you are presenting at Engage 2026 relevant to today’s chiropractor?
Dr. Morales: Social media has become a powerful platform, one that can educate, encourage, and
elevate our profession, but also one where misinformation can spread quickly. The risk of stroke related to chiropractic care is a recurring viral topic, often amplified through misunderstandings or incomplete context.
At the same time, cervical artery dissection (CAD) is being recognized more frequently than ever before. In fact, data from a 2025 study published in Neurology by Shu et al. examining national incidence trends in cervical artery dissections from 2005 to 2019 (DOI: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000213548) found that diagnosed dissections increased from 11 cases per 1 million people in 2005 to 46 cases per 1 million in 2019, an average annual rise of about 10%, with similar trends in both women and men. Improved imaging and heightened clinical awareness play a major role in these numbers, but they also underscore why chiropractors must stay sharp in their vascular screening and clinical reasoning.
This is exactly why modern chiropractors need a clear, evidence-informed framework for assessing vascular risk. After experiencing a vertebral artery dissection myself in the spring of 2024, and after teaching on this topic for more than a decade, I’ve seen how essential it is to recognize subtle red flags and understand how easily vascular presentations can mimic musculoskeletal complaints. My goal is to equip clinicians with the tools to know when to pause, how to assess, and how to protect both their patients and themselves with confidence and clarity.
What makes you an expert in this area?
Dr. Morales: I have spent the past 10 years teaching vascular risk and clinical decision-making, as well as its documentation, as the course director for Patient Management and Documentation for the Chiropractic Practice. In my role as director of clinical assessment, I’ve devoted hundreds of hours to working with students, interns, clinicians, specialists, and researchers on this topic, continually refining how we approach this critical area of patient safety.
Last spring, my perspective shifted dramatically as my training allowed me to advocate for myself, recognize when my care plan needed adjustment, and navigate a diagnostic and management process that was far more complex and confusing than I ever expected. Because I’ve lived this experience as both a professor and a patient, I bring a perspective that blends academic knowledge, clinical experience, and a deeply human understanding of what patients face. This combination of specialized training, ongoing investigation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and lived experience forms the foundation of the presentation I am bringing to my Engage session.
What first interested you in this condition?
Dr. Morales: My interest in this topic began in 2009 when I was a chiropractic student. I was often surprised by the pushback and misconceptions I encountered whenever I shared my career plans with friends, family, and other healthcare professionals. Although I learned the fundamentals of cervical artery risk in school, I felt the topic deserved far more nuance and depth than the curriculum typically offered at the time.
A turning point came during ACA Engage, I believe it was 2018, when a speaker presented on pediatric strokes. That session pushed me to dig deeper into the pathophysiology and to better understand our responsibility as portal-of-entry providers to recognize the early warning signs and symptoms.
As the course director for Patient Management, I made it a priority to expand the depth, clarity, and clinical applicability of cervical artery risk education across all ages. The more I taught it, the more I realized how essential this knowledge is, not only for preventing adverse events, but for shaping how chiropractors communicate, collaborate, and practice with confidence.
Can you provide one or two takeaways from your presentation/topic that Engage 2026 attendees will not want to miss…and why.
Dr. Morales: Attendees can expect:
- A level of nuance not commonly addressed in standard teaching, giving them greater confidence in their clinical decision-making.
- Practical, ready-to-use tools, including structured checklists, communication strategies, and an updated risk-assessment process adapted from leading manual therapy frameworks.
- Clear guidance on when to treat, when to modify, when to refer, and how to document your reasoning, especially in uncertain or ambiguous presentations.
These tools are designed for real-world practice: fast, practical, evidence-informed, and protective of both patient safety and professional integrity.
How many times have you attended or presented at ACA Engage in the past?
Dr. Morales: I have participated in ACA Engage nearly every year since the historic joint conference with WFC, ACC, and NCLC back in 2017. I have participated over the years as an attendee, presenter, and as the Student ACA faculty advisor, supporting hundreds of Parker University students for our Day on Capitol Hill.
Besides presenting your education program, what are you most looking forward to at Engage 2026?
Dr. Morales: Engage is always one of the highlights of my year! I look forward to reconnecting with colleagues from across the country, participating in educational sessions, building new relationships, and representing our profession on the Hill. These experiences enrich me both personally and professionally. We owe it to chiropractic and to the communities we serve to stay informed, collaborative, and proactive in expanding access to conservative musculoskeletal care.
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.
