Irving Leon,Fall2025 graduate of the doctor ofchiropracticmedicineprogram, shared his experience as an intern at theprestigiousMissouri Orthopedic Institute (MOI) wherehe highlighted hands-on learning opportunities and collaboration with top orthopedic specialists.Duringhis 15-week internship, Irving workedin an integrative setting with a variety of patient populations and conditions,including disc herniation, ankylosing spondylitis,stenosis,cerebralpalsyandpost-operative careto name a few.
“I gained exposure to cases that would not typically be seen in a chiropractic clinic,”Irving said.“I collaborated closely with medical doctors on various patient cases, and I also participated in rotations with different orthopedic specialties, which provided me with clinically insightful experiences.”
Irvingwasinitiallyattracted to thisopportunitybecause ofitsintegrativenature.Hestrivedto learnfroma practitioner that worked in a hospital settingandobservehowchiropracticphysicians collaboratewith other healthcare providerstobetter serve patients.
His day-to-day responsbilities as an intern included conducting subjective findings assessments, examining and treating patients under the supervision of the developer and director of the program, K. Jeffery Miller, DC, MBA. Additionally, he reviewed radiology images and read chiropractic literature and research.
This internshipnot onlyinstilled a profound sense ofconfidencein his skillas afuturechiropractic physician, butalso significantly enhancedhisknowledge andskills inradiology,physical exams, patient communication,referralsand communication with other medical professionals.
“The program exceeded my expectations. Ianticipatedworkingwith Dr. Miller and medical doctors, and I received exactly that,” Irving said. “Additionally, I had the opportunity toobservesurgeriesand other treatments, whichprovidedvaluable insights into the procedures that will be used for my future patients. This experience gave me a comprehensive understanding of how MDs approach different conditions and how chiropractic care can contribute to conservative patient recovery.”
Aside from honing hard skillsthat are crucial to the profession,Irvingnoted that this experience ignited his passion for pursuing a career where he can positivelyimpactpatients.
“This internshiphas encouraged me to think creatively and embrace any challenge that may arise during patient encounters,” Irving said. “I believe this experience will influence me to prioritize thorough patient history and examination, as I learned during my time at MOI, to thoroughly assess each patient’s condition anddeterminethe most effective course of action.”
Irving encouragesfuture MOI internsto make the most ofeach case, as he found thatreal-world experiences offerveryvaluablelearning opportunities.
In 2022, National University of Health Sciences (NUHS) formed an exclusive partnership with the University of Missouri School of Medicineto offer National University’s DC students an opportunity to intern at the Missouri Orthopedic Institute. First of its kind to include chiropractic medicine students at MOI, this internship provides a valuable clinical training experience. By working alongside a diverse team of over 400 staff members and engaging withcutting-edgetechnology, interns are fully immersed in patient care and collaborative practice within ahospital-based environment.
Read more about the student experience at MOIand learn more about the MOI internship.
