Seven students made history in August 2024 when they became the first class to graduate from Logan University’s Master of Science in Chiropractic Pediatrics (MS-CP) program. The graduating students included Caitlin Davis, DC, MS (’24); Jackeline García Díaz, DC, MS (’24); Ashley McCool, DC (’21), MS (’24); Richard McWilliam, DC, MS (’24); Carole Smith, DC, MEd, MS (’24); Jason Van Sickle, DC (’12), MS (’24); and Lauren Wright, DC (’20), MS (’24).
“This program was a great experience,” said Dr. McCool. “It was exciting to be part of the first graduating class and now be leaders in the field.”
Logan announced the MS-CP program in October 2021, and classes began the following fall. The two-year, part-time degree program is offered primarily online with annual in-person sessions for supervised practice and hands-on learning. It is the first master’s degree program of its kind in the United States and currently the only chiropractic-specific pediatrics master’s degree in the world.
“The MS-CP program has a quality that cannot be found anywhere else in the world,” said Dr. García Díaz, who is from Mexico City, Mexico. “All the teachers give 100 percent, and although most of the classes were online, the quality of the program was truly incredible.”
The program founder and faculty members—who are all highly skilled and recognized in the chiropractic pediatrics field—created the evidence-based curriculum to include pediatric anatomy and physiology, pediatric technique, management of children with common and uncommon pediatric health conditions, pediatric nutrition, pediatric sports injuries and more.
“It was incredibly moving and exciting to see this program—this dream—come to fruition as our first graduating class crossed the stage,” said Elise Hewitt, DC, DICCP, FICC, founding program director of Logan’s MS-CP program. “I am so proud of our graduates and am excited to watch these talented doctors utilize their new pediatric expertise to improve the health of children in their communities.”
With a working knowledge and deeper understanding of pediatric patients—including the impacts of the prenatal environment and birth process—Logan MS-CP graduates are prepared to collaborate in the greater field of pediatric healthcare.
“I hope to better serve the kids in my community,” Dr. Wright said. “A lot of times, children in my area have to drive two-and-a-half to three hours for care, so I’d love to be someone closer who can step into that role and help them figure out some of their problems.”
Claire Johnson, DC, MSEd, PhD, DACBSP, FICC, adjunct faculty member for Logan’s MS-CP program describes the graduates as dedicated health professionals who have set their sights on improving the health of their patients and communities, especially as it relates to the care of infants, children and adolescents.
“I am very proud of the exceptional work done by the first graduating class,” said Dr. Johnson. “It has been a great honor working with them, and I know that we will see great things from these doctors in the future.”
The MS-CP program is offered to individuals with a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) degree, or degrees equivalent to the U.S. DC degree for international applicants, and DC students with advanced standing.
“The goal of this master’s program is to deepen chiropractors’ knowledge, skills and passion in pediatrics, to help them excel as chiropractic pediatric specialists, so they can guide children toward healthier, more fulfilling lives,” Dr. Hewitt said.