Dr. Eugene Spilker, Working to Shape the Next Generation of Chiropractors

Just one month after joining Northeast College of Health Sciences, Dr. Eugene Spilker, D.C., DHPE, marked a milestone of his own by helping seventh-trimester chiropractic students into their symbolic white coats at his first Transitions Ceremony. The event celebrated both a pivotal moment for the students and the start of his journey as the College’s new assistant vice president for chiropractic, a role he began in July 2025.

Dr. Spilker is ready to take Northeast College’s Doctor of Chiropractic program to new heights. Bringing energy, passion and a proven record of leadership, he is focused on inspiring the next generation of chiropractors and shaping a program that continues to grow, innovate and make an impact in healthcare.

Proven Leadership and Global Experience

A native of St. Louis, Missouri, Dr. Spilker earned his Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Logan University in 2000. After 12 years in private practice, he returned to Logan as a clinical instructor and later became Clinical Director of the Student Health Center. He then joined Keiser University, where he helped launch its Doctor of Chiropractic program by developing curriculum, building the clinic system, guiding accreditation efforts and serving in leadership roles on both the Assessment and Admissions Committees.

In 2020, he completed a Doctorate in Health Professions Education and soon after helped guide the new Doctor of Chiropractic program at Universidad Central del Caribe in Puerto Rico. As the program’s inaugural dean and a member of the president’s administration, he played a key role in gaining accreditation and fostering interprofessional collaboration across health disciplines.

From his very first day on campus, Dr. Spilker has shown dedication to Northeast’s mission and its people. We are thrilled to welcome him into the #NortheastBlue community and look forward to seeing how his leadership shapes the future of the D.C. program and the chiropractic profession.

Questions with Assistant Vice President for Chiropractic Dr. Eugene Spilker

You’ve spoken extensively on topics like interprofessional education, patient communication, and competency-based clinical training. How do you plan to bring these innovative teaching strategies into your role at Northeast to empower the next generation of chiropractors?
I believe the modern chiropractor will be comfortable in an interprofessional setting, and that begins with an interprofessional education, as we’re providing here at Northeast. I am eager to expand on the powerful work happening at the College and that ability to seek out a faculty of diverse backgrounds, create integrated cases and establish even more interprofessional clinical rotation and opportunities.

Training chiropractic students through simulation and real experiences with an evidence-informed approach will equip them with the confidence to collaborate across all health disciplines upon graduation and as they enter the workforce. Integrated and hospital-based internships are growing in number, and our ability to place students and graduates at these locations will demonstrate our commitment to the future of the profession.

Phase 2 will be seeking even more research opportunities in an integrated or interprofessional setting, and as our catalog of programs continues to grow, create increased interactions for combined learning.

You’re known as a lifelong learner—what areas of chiropractic or education are you most excited to continue exploring?
I am excited about advancing the chiropractic profession from within the education process. Influence on the accreditation process and board examinations is important. The more we can create innovative processes and expand the assessment of what the modern chiropractor is responsible for, it can help the whole profession grow. I believe we all need to document these innovations through chiropractic education research and expand and challenge our treatment methods with high-quality clinical research.

When you think about the future of the profession, what excites you most about being part of that journey at Northeast?
Northeast College graduates understand the profession and lead the way with their desire for an integrated profession. I look forward to guiding the faculty and students toward a culture of interprofessional connection as well as a scholarly community.