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My ENGAGE Experience + The Importance of Getting Involved

by Feb 10, 2025

Home » Chiropractic Medicine Student Blog - Illinois » My ENGAGE Experience + The Importance of Getting Involved

In my last blog post, I talked about the American Chiropractic Association’s (ACA’s) ENGAGE 2025, the new Medicare bill, and why it matters. Now that I’m back from the trip, I want to share some highlights and reflections on the experience as a whole.

First off, this was the first major extracurricular activity I’ve been involved in since starting at National. Applying for a SACA board position was a huge leap out of my comfort zone—especially since I felt like I had zero background in legislation. Looking back, I’m so glad I put myself in a position where I felt unqualified, because it pushed me to learn things I wouldn’t have otherwise sought out.

While in D.C., we met with members of Congress and their staff to advocate for expanded chiropractic coverage in Medicare. As a student, I felt imposter syndrome almost every day. But at the same time, I couldn’t believe I had the opportunity to be there. It was definitely one of those surreal, out-of-body moments where I kept thinking, “I’m just a student—how am I on Capitol Hill right now?” But throughout the process, every chiropractor and congressional staff member I met genuinely valued my perspective. It was a powerful reminder that even when we don’t feel like we have much to offer, others can see the value in our voices. I started the trip hesitant to speak up, but by the end, I was confident enough to lead meetings with state delegates and legislative staff—something I never thought I’d be doing!

Beyond the policy work, one of the best parts of the experience was connecting with successful chiropractors from all over the country. It really opened my eyes to how many different opportunities exist within this field. I’m already looking forward to going again next year, and if you’re even remotely interested, I highly encourage you to come along.

That brings me to a final thought—getting involved. As a full-track Tri 5 student with an ever-growing to-do list, I constantly wondered, “How do I even have time for this?” But one thing I’ve realized in this program is that we’re always pushing past the limits we think we have. We never feel like we have the time or energy to do more, yet somehow, we always manage. Every trimester, we look back and ask ourselves, “How did I even get through that?” The truth is, this program constantly challenges us in ways that force us to grow, and extracurriculars are just another way to stretch our limits and develop skills beyond the classroom.

Coming back from Washington, D.C., I feel more energized and passionate about this field than ever. In the chaos of school, it’s easy to lose sight of our “why,” but experiences like this bring it back into focus. There’s always a lot on our plates, but trust me, you can handle more than you think. So don’t be afraid to get involved. You never know where it might take you!

Learn more about NUHS’ tradition of student, faculty and alumni leadership here.

Photo – NUHS Team 2025: (L-R) Front: Taylor Nelson; Christina Sweiss; Kaithlyn Servin; Klairice Schwartz. Back: Tracy McBride; Josh Franz; Ryan Thometz; Kaley Walsh and Brycen Valiga.

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About the Author

Christina Sweiss

Christina Sweiss

My name is Christina Sweiss and I am a chiropractic student at National's Illinois campus. I was born and raised in the southern suburbs of Chicago, and received my Bachelor's degree in Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience from Loyola University Chicago in 2023. I am planning on pursuing the field of functional neurology out of fascination with the brain-body connection, and am driven to help all kinds of people optimize their neurological health. Outside of school, I love playing guitar, exercising, exploring Chicago, and going to local concerts. Through this blog, I intend to share insights and guidance from my journey in chiropractic school, aiming to motivate others and shed light on the evolving field of chiropractic and functional medicine.

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