Northeast Chiropractic Student Helps Lead National SACA Conference

Northeast College of Health Sciences chiropractic student Jade Carbuccia (D.C. ’26) earned national recognition for her leadership, serving as co-chair of the 2025 Student American Chiropractic Association (SACA) Leadership Conference, held Sept. 12–14, 2025, in Des Moines, Iowa. She was one of only two students in the country selected to help plan and organize the event.

Connecting Students Through Leadership and Collaboration

Carbuccia worked alongside Parker University’s Victoria Farrar, supported by mentors and chiropractors Dr. Leslie Reece and Dr. Katie Benson and American Chiropractic Association (ACA) staffers Alex King, Rebecca Wang and Christine Canty. Together, they created a student-centered experience that brought chiropractic students from across the country together for a weekend of inspiration and leadership development.

The planning team focused on fostering self-reflection and meaningful connections. “We wanted to strengthen the sense of family within SACA,” Carbuccia said. Aptly named Leading by Example: Role Models in the Chiropractic Community, the 2025 SACA Leadership Conference featured speakers who shared personal stories that resonated with students and professionals alike. “Many of our speakers went off script to speak directly from the heart,” she said. “By the end of the weekend, hearts were full, and the energy in the room was unforgettable.”

During the awards dinner, hosted by NCMIC, Carbuccia received the Outstanding Service Award, a peer-nominated honor recognizing her dedication and leadership. She credits her success to a strong support system that includes her SACA advisor and Northeast instructor Dr. Bill Lauretti, classmates at the Depew Health Center, and her mentor, Northeast alumnus Dr. Bryan Kent (D.C. ’16, M.S. ’17), who has been “a constant source of guidance and encouragement.”

How It All Started for Carbuccia

Carbuccia’s involvement with SACA began when she attended her first ACA Engage Conference as a fourth-trimester student. Inspired by the sense of community, leadership and advocacy, she ran for a leadership position and went on to serve two terms as SACA vice president at Northeast College.

After a national election setback in 2024, she turned the challenge into an opportunity and accepted the co-chair role for the 2025 SACA Leadership Conference. “I’m so grateful I said yes,” she said. “It turned out to be one of the most rewarding experiences as a student leader.”

What’s Next for Carbuccia: Soon-to-Be #NortheastBlue Grad

As she nears graduation, Carbuccia plans to move to Boston to begin her career as an associate doctor. She intends to stay active in the ACA, specialty councils and ACA Next Gen while pursuing additional certifications such as the Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician (CCSP) credential.

“My goal is to continue providing patient-centered, evidence-based care and to keep growing as both a clinician and a leader in chiropractic,” Carbuccia said.