The Future of Chiropractic Looks Bright

[Editor’s Note: The Illinois Chiropractic Society continues to find ways to assist our students and new graduates. In our efforts to better serve and empower our student members, we are analyzing our recent Critical Question Survey, holding student focus groups, and discussing practice issues with larger groups of students. This information is being used to bring the best resources and improve our new graduate success rates. This article serves as another reminder of the impact that key chiropractic service providers have on our students.]

Last month at the FCA National Convention in Orlando, Florida, our own Kristi Hudson introduced attendees to Brooke Preston, the third recipient of the Foxworth Family Chiropractic Scholarship. A student at Northwestern Health Sciences University, Brooke received $10,000 towards her tuition and $5,000 in cash to offset her living expenses and further her education outside of the classroom. An additional $10,000 was donated to her school. In Orlando, Dr. Deb Bushway, Interim President and CEO of Northwestern Health Sciences University, announced that the donation would be used to host a job fair for the students.

This year, we received over 450 applications for the scholarship, and each year I continue to be impressed by the students who tell their chiropractic stories. They speak passionately of their drive to have an impact on their campuses, in their communities, and on this great profession. Meeting Brooke and her parents in Florida was an incredibly touching experience as the representative not just for ChiroHealthUSA, but as part of the Foxworth family. The scholarship is named in honor of my parents, Drs. Betty and Charles Mathews.

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The Future of the Profession

When we notified Brooke that she is the recipient of the 2018 scholarship, her response touched my heart. “Receiving this scholarship has inspired me to be an even better leader within my community,” she said. “It is such an honor to be the recipient of the scholarship. I am so excited to begin the next steps in my career and begin serving and advocating on behalf of others through this amazing profession.” Her passion and enthusiasm are contagious. You walk away from a conversation with Brooke with a smile on your face and an incredible amount of pride that she represents the future of our profession. 

Giving back to a profession that has meant so much to me, has been part of the mission of ChiroHealthUSA from the day we opened our doors. I am incredibly proud of each scholarship recipient. Amber Horsely, our 2016 scholarship recipient, recently graduated and is now an associate working in practice. Billy Stetzel, our 2017 scholarship recipient, opened his practice just a few months ago. I have no doubt Brooke will serve the chiropractic community and her patients well. 

Conclusion

With emotion in her voice, Kristi stood in front of 1,000 attendees and said, “The philanthropic efforts at ChiroHealthUSA mean so much to us.” And, she couldn’t be more right about that. Four years ago, Kristi and I sought out ways that we could have an impact on chiropractic students. The scholarship has indeed made an impact on reducing their student debt, but getting to know each of them and following their careers, has had an incredible effect on all of us at ChiroHealthUSA.

Students are encouraged to apply for the scholarship each year they are enrolled in chiropractic school, even if they have applied in the past. To learn more about the scholarship, or apply visit:
chirohealthusa.com/students/foxworth-family-scholarship/