Health Professions senior Kara Conroy will graduate in May with her Bachelor of Health Science degree, then continue her education this fall pursuing a Doctorate of Chiropractic degree at Logan University. Her interest in chiropractic was piqued by a guest-lecturer, Dr. Jose Ramirez, whose unique dual role with Logan and the University of Missouri would eventually lead to some unique opportunities to pursue her new-found interest.

When it was time for Kara to complete her required internship in the health sciences program, working with Dr. Ramirez at MU’s Mizzou Athletics Training Complex was a natural fit. As part of her internship, Kara learned about the scope of chiropractic care for athletes – from treatment of injuries to rehabilitation. She even had the opportunity to work alongside Dr. Ramirez and his colleague Dr. Brittany Overman on the sidelines during a University of Missouri home football game.

Kara’s relationship with her internship supervisors, Dr. Ramirez and Dr. Overman, resulted in mentorship that extended beyond her formal required internship. Dr. Ramirez recommended Kara for a position at MOI, where she is now an assistant professor of chiropractic. In her role there, she’s learning another side of chiropractic – treatment protocols, patient communication, billing, documentation, and how chiropractors fit in to a multi-disciplinary treatment setting.

The experiences that helped solidify Kara’s path to chiropractic are a product of the unique relationship between Logan University and Mizzou. Both Dr. Ramirez and Dr. Overman are Logan graduates whose roles at Mizzou opened the door for students at both institutions to take advantage of hands-on, experiential learning in the chiropractic care of athletes. Beyond that, Dr. Overman’s private practice in Columbia serves as a setting for students at both schools to learn the ins and outs of running a business – a common alternative for chiropractors.

Kara still hasn’t decided what path she’ll take when she gets to Logan, but credits the mentorship of Dr. Ramirez and Dr. Overman, and the partnership between Logan and Mizzou, with helping her get this far. “Partnerships like this, and mentors like I have, can really help students explore different options and find their passions,” she said.