On Oct. 12, the 2025 Bank of America Chicago Marathon saw a record-breaking 54,351 runners. With over a million spectators cheering them on, the 26.2-mile race started in Grant Park and wound through 29 Chicago neighborhoods.
Amid this massive event, students from National University of Health Sciences (NUHS) played a vital role on the marathon’s medical team. Students from both the Illinois and Florida locations came together to represent the university and support runners and spectators. Sports Council – IL was responsible for organizing the event and extended an invite to other clubs at NUHS to attend.
Student Volunteers in Action
Twenty-three students from NUHS worked in several different spotter towers throughout the Chicago Marathon. Their primary role was to dispatch the triage team to medical emergencies , to ensure runners received care quickly.
“The students and I were split up into several different spotter towers which had a variety of roles and responsibilities. In essence, we were all in charge of identifying runners in need of various stages of medical assistance and calling on triage teams to come and assess the runner,” said Dr. Frank Frydrych, Chief Chiropractic Clinician and event supervisor. “We had students responsible for making calls on radios for medical assistance, using megaphones to direct and assist local triage teams and helping people with other non-medical issues.”
Dylan Parshall, Vice Chair of Sports Council and a Doctor of Chiropractic Medicine (DC) student, was instrumental in organizing NUHS’ involvement. “Through his networking, dedication, professional communication and perseverance, Dylan was able to secure spots for 25 NUHS participants,” Dr. Frydrych said.
Being a medical volunteer gave students a chance to work in a high-stress environment that embodied an integrative medicine approach. Dylan noted, “It was special to bring both NUHS locations together and grow as clubs while being a part of something bigger.” The Sports Council student leaders plan to make the Chicago Marathon an annual event for NUHS students to attend and volunteer.
Applying Learnings to Patient Care in the Field
Experiences at this level are invaluable. They bridge the gap between academic learning and application in real time, helping students build confidence and refine their clinical judgment. “Having NUHS students assist at this event gave them an opportunity to see firsthand what it means to be a licensed medical professional in practice. For them to witness the amount of effort, professionalism, responsibility and dedication to patients is immensely beneficial,” Dr. Frydrych said.
Students work alongside experienced medical professionals across many specialties, creating valuable connections that can significantly benefit their careers. Ryan Thometz, Sports Council – IL President and NUHS DC student, said, “I’ve seen firsthand how eager chiropractic doctors are to connect with students who are dedicated to learning and serving in the field. These events open doors to mentorship, professional growth, and potential job opportunities after graduation.”
Academic Rigor Meets High Caliber Experiences
The chiropractic medicine program at NUHS consistently provides opportunities and networking for students to attend or organize high caliber events like the Chicago Marathon, Boston Marathon and U.S. Open Judo Championship. By combining NUHS’ strong academic foundation with immersive hands-on experiences, graduates are better prepared to succeed in a competitive job market and throughout their careers.
For Dylan, this experience highlighted how chiropractic professionals contribute to the overall wellbeing of athletes. The students demonstrated that chiropractic care extends far beyond simple adjustments and offers crucial support that helps athletes push their limits and cross the finish line.
Within the DC program, NUHS offers a concentration in sports medicine that focuses on the prevention, diagnosis and management of sports related injuries. This specialized focus prepares students to use chiropractic medicine to support athletic performance and rehabilitation.
Learn More About Our Chiropractic Medicine Program
If you are inspired by learning through hands-on experience at events like the Chicago Marathon, we invite you to explore our Doctor of Chiropractic Medicine Program. Discover how NUHS can help you build an exceptional career in integrative medicine.
