The University of Pittsburgh Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) program, first announced in February of 2024, warmly welcomed their inaugural class of 30 students this August! The beginning of this term has been filled with activities. Students, staff and faculty are eager to meet, connect and most importantly, get started on their path to become a “first of its kind” chiropractor.
Throughout the summer, the School of Health and Rehabilitations Sciences (SHRS) and the DC program featured most of the incoming class on social media. The students shared their thoughts on what they were looking forward to during their time at Pitt.
Check out some of the highlights!
“I’m looking forward to developing my clinically relevant palpation skills, as well as shadowing in clinical settings in the first term!”
“I am looking forward to learning from experienced faculty while expanding my knowledge of chiropractic care and its benefits.”
“I am looking forward to being at such a historic university close to home. The evidence-based and natural care is extremely important to me.
“I am looking forward to collaborative work across the different disciplines in medicine. I think that will make our education so much stronger.”
“I look forward to expanding my knowledge in evidence-based care, collaborating across disciplines and honing skills to provide comprehensive, individualized care through the University of Pittsburgh’s chiropractic program.”
Check out the previously posted incoming student features on SHRS’ Instagram page!
Orientation, Celebration and Motivation
The two-day orientation took the students through their classroom spaces and amenities at Bridgeside Point I and The Box in the Southside Works, which are shared with the SHRS Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy programs. In January 2026, the DC students will join other SHRS programs in the new, state-of-the-art Fifth and Halket building in Oakland!
During orientation, students learned about the program, explored course expectations and met their classmates! At the end of the day, the cohort enjoyed happy hour and some laid-back activities like bowling and pinball at PiNS, conveniently close to The Box in the SouthSide Works.
“I am having a great time meeting everybody and I look forward to getting to know them better,” shares Visiting Associate Professor Chistine Major.
“Just thinking about who these students are going to be, and the first product of our Pitt Chiropractic program is exhilarating. It’s so fun to be able to put faces to names and I look forward to getting to work with them,” said Rebecca Bell, assistant professor.
“It really feels so surreal,” begins Assistant Professor Rose Olson, “I feel like we’ve all been waiting such a long time for the students to be here and they’re such a great group.”
Hear more from these amazing students during our mini interviews with them during day one of orientation!
A Bright Future Ahead
On their first day of classes, SHRS Interim Dean David C. Beck personally welcomed the Doctor of Chiropractic class ahead of their Evidence-Based Practice lecture, co-taught by Program Director Michael Schneider, Health Sciences Librarian Rose Turner and Bell.
“You all are a part of history here at SHRS and Pitt. We are eager to learn from you, just as much as you are here to learn from us,” Beck enthusiastically explained.
Halfway through the first week, the faculty are also extremely impressed by the students.
“This class is tremendous. They are inquisitive, enthusiastic and engaged in all of the lectures and activities so far. In my experience, I have seen a lot of DC students on their first day of class and these ones definitely stand out. They all have something to contribute,” explains Mike Wiles, associate director of academic affairs for the program and visiting professor.
Bell adds, “These students are already at the level I’d expect of students that are two years into a [DC] program.”
More to Look Forward To
Everyone has been anticipating the immediate, hands-on aspects of Pitts DC’s clinical education.
Semesters 1–2 focus on Foundational Clinical Exposure, introducing students to health care delivery through observation. Pitt DC students will rotate in community chiropractic offices as well as primary care, specialty, emergency and hospital-based interprofessional settings, including UPMC and the Pittsburgh Veterans Affairs system, and shadow clinicians to learn from a wide array of health care professionals.
“There are no other programs in the country that offer students real patient and real community-based practice observations in the first two days of starting their chiropractic program,” Wiles said. “It really is what makes the program at Pitt different.”
Joel Stevans, associate director of clinical education and visiting associate professor highlights what is to come, “Students will be visiting a new clinic every other week in order to gain this early experience and exposure to align it with concepts that they are learning in the classroom.”
Follow us through the first fall term through the newsroom and social media to learn more about the students, the program’s progress and outcomes of our program!
