Northeast College Chiropractic Students Earn Top Honors at Sports Symposium, Backed by Faculty Expertise and Leadership
Northeast College of Health Sciences is celebrating national honors for its chiropractic students, highlighting the College's commitment to developing future healthcare leaders through hands-on learning, faculty mentorship and real-world clinical experience.
At the American Chiropractic Association (ACA) Sports Council Annual Symposium, held Sept. 25–26 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Northeast's Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation Club was named Student Chapter of the Year, while club president and seventh-trimester chiropractic student Cathryn Brought earned Student of the Year honors.
Adding to the recognition, Dr. Jose Balseca (D.C. '14) was appointed to continue serving as faculty advisor for the ACA Sports Council, further highlighting Northeast's leadership in sports chiropractic education.
Learning From Sports Chiropractic Leaders
Supporting these student achievements are Northeast faculty whose expertise extends beyond the classroom, connecting students with the evolving field of sports medicine through professional mentorship, clinical experience and hands-on learning opportunities.
Among them is Rebecca Bauer (D.C. '17, M.S. '20), faculty clinician and assistant professor at Northeast's Depew Health Center, who recently worked with elite athletes at the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
During her rotation, Dr. Bauer had the opportunity to provide chiropractic care to elite athletes across a variety of Olympic and Paralympic sports, including wrestling, weightlifting, and track and field. Working alongside athletic trainers and other healthcare professionals, she gained firsthand insight into the multidisciplinary approach, advanced technology, and specialized resources used to support athletes at the highest level of competition.
“Working alongside the USOPC Sports Medicine team and having the opportunity to care for world-class athletes was an incredible experience,” said Dr. Rebecca Bauer.
“Being surrounded by such knowledgeable and passionate healthcare professionals reinforced how important collaboration is in providing the best possible care. I'm excited to bring what I learned back to Northeast and share those experiences with our future chiropractors.”
Preparing the Next Generation of Sports Chiropractors
Bauer's experience reflects the real-world expertise Northeast faculty bring to chiropractic education and patient care. Balseca, who attended the recent ACA Sports Council symposium alongside Northeast students, also brings specialized expertise to the College's chiropractic program. He is currently the only Diplomate of the American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians (DACBSP) in western New York state and holds the International Certificate in Sports Chiropractic (ICSC).
Together, their professional experience and leadership provide students with valuable perspectives on the role of chiropractic care in athlete health, performance and recovery.
Through professional opportunities, student organizations and faculty mentorship, Northeast chiropractic students gain hands-on experience, build connections and explore specialized areas of practice. Their recent national recognition reflects the College's commitment to preparing practice-ready healthcare professionals and advancing the future of sports chiropractic care.