Irving Leon, Fall 2025 graduate of the doctor of chiropractic medicine program, shared his experience as an intern at the prestigious Missouri Orthopedic Institute (MOI) where he highlighted hands-on learning opportunities and collaboration with top orthopedic specialists. During his 15-week internship, Irving worked in an integrative setting with a variety of patient populations and conditions, including disc herniation, ankylosing spondylitis, stenosis, cerebral palsy and post-operative care to 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.”
Irving was initially attracted to this opportunity because of its integrative nature. He strived to learn from a practitioner that worked in a hospital setting and observe how chiropractic physicians collaborate with other healthcare providers to better 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 internship not only instilled a profound sense of confidence in his skill as a future chiropractic physician, but also significantly enhanced his knowledge and skills in radiology, physical exams, patient communication, referrals and communication with other medical professionals.
“The program exceeded my expectations. I anticipated working with Dr. Miller and medical doctors, and I received exactly that,” Irving said. “Additionally, I had the opportunity to observe surgeries and other treatments, which provided valuable 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 skills that are crucial to the profession, Irving noted that this experience ignited his passion for pursuing a career where he can positively impact patients.
“This internship has 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 and determine the most effective course of action.”
Irving encourages future MOI interns to make the most of each case, as he found that real-world experiences offer very valuable learning opportunities.
In 2022, National University of Health Sciences (NUHS) formed an exclusive partnership with the University of Missouri School of Medicine to 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 with cutting-edge technology, interns are fully immersed in patient care and collaborative practice within a hospital-based environment.
Read more about the student experience at MOI and learn more about the MOI internship.
