Serving Veterans, Building Careers: Chiropractic Training and Practice in the VA System

Speakers in this session...

• 

  Ryan Diana

  

  Ryan Diana DC

  Ryan M. Diana, DC, brings a unique perspective to VA chiropractic care as a veteran who now dedicates his career to serving those who have served. A combat veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom, he served as a Cavalry Scout in a Stryker Brigade Combat Team conducting reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition, and went on to earn his Doctor of Chiropractic degree from New York Chiropractic College (now known as Northeast College of Health Sciences) in 2012.

  Upon graduation, he was selected for a pilot VA Chiropractic Residency at the Canandaigua VA Medical Center, one of the first of its kind, which included interprofessional rotations across primary care, neurology, physiatry, neurosurgery, orthopedics, and emergency medicine. He has been with the Bay Pines VA Healthcare System since 2014, where he now serves as Residency Program Director and Lead Chiropractor, leading chiropractic services and directing one of the VA’s Integrated Clinical Practice Residency programs. He has also served as Lead Site Investigator for the SCEPTER Trial, a VA national clinical trial examining pain treatment effectiveness, and has authored peer-reviewed publications in the chiropractic literature.

  A dedicated educator, Dr. Diana holds faculty appointments at Palmer College of Chiropractic, Parker University, National University of Health Sciences, and Northeast College of Health Sciences, where he holds the rank of Assistant Professor. He has been training chiropractic students in a competitive VA clinical clerkship program since 2014. Having lived the journey from service member to VA clinician, he is passionate about opening those same doors for chiropractors who want to make a meaningful impact in the lives of those who have served.

   

  Sessions...

  Serving Veterans, Building Careers: Chiropractic Training and Practice in the VA System

  Regional Event: national

  Start Date: 08/15/2026 10:20 am

  End Date: 08/15/2026 12:00 pm

  Location: Celebration 9-10

  Session details

  Course Description:

  This two-hour session offers chiropractic students and recent graduates an in-depth look at the full continuum of VA training pathways, from student clerkships to postgraduate residencies to specialized fellowships. Attendees will learn how each level is structured, what distinguishes one from another, and how together they represent one of the most robust professional development pipelines available in the chiropractic profession. 

  The course covers application and eligibility requirements, typical training environments, and the clinical and scholarly activities trainees can expect at each level. Faculty perspectives and case examples will illustrate the advantages of working with diverse veteran populations within an integrated healthcare system, with additional emphasis on the transition from student to independent clinician, mentorship, and the growing role of chiropractic in multidisciplinary care. 

  For those who may not be eligible or interested in a VA career path, the session also covers VA Community Care, a meaningful way to serve veterans from within private practice. This course is ideal for anyone considering VA training opportunities or seeking insight into long-term professional development within federal and community-based healthcare settings.

  Learning Objectives: 

  1. Describe the structure, goals, and scope of VA chiropractic clerkship, residency, and fellowship programs, including core curriculum areas such as interprofessional collaboration, advanced clinical training, and evidence-based practice. 
  2. Summarize the eligibility criteria, application process, and key deadlines for chiropractic clerkships, residencies, and fellowships within VA healthcare, including guidance on preparing a competitive application package. 
  3. Recognize the unique educational, clinical, and scholarly opportunities available within the VA healthcare system, including exposure to complex patient populations, integrated healthcare environments, research involvement, and mentorship opportunities. 
  4. Discuss how VA residency training can support the transition from chiropractic student to independent clinician through structured mentorship, advanced clinical exposure, and professional development opportunities. 
  5. Identify potential career pathways and long-term professional benefits associated with VA employment and integrated healthcare practice. 
  6. Describe the VA Community Care program as an alternative pathway for DCs in private practice to serve veterans and identify the steps to become a Community Care provider. 
• 

  Jason Napuli

  

  Jason Napuli DC, MBA, FICC, FACC, MAJOR USAF, MFC,

  Dr. Jason Napuli is a graduate of New York Chiropractic College in 2003, Master of Business Administration from Binghamton University in 2006, and completed a three-year fellowship in Integrated Health Care.   He currently serves as Chief of Chiropractic and Complementary and Integrative Health here at VA St Louis Health Care System.  He oversees the delivery of Whole Health clinical care from a diverse group of clinicians, including medical and chiropractic physicians, nurse practitioners, acupuncturists, massage therapists, and nurses, for over 75000 veterans in the St Louis area.  He is also the Chiropractic Integrated Clinical Practice Residency Program director for St Louis VA, which is one of only 10 CCE-accredited residency programs across the United States.  He has worked in VA for over 18 years now and has started several chiropractic programs across the VA system throughout his career, and has overseen the delivery of care for over 200,000 veteran visits.  

  Additionally, Dr Napuli is currently a Major in the United States Air Force Reserve and a veteran deploying twice to the Middle East in support of Operations Inherent Resolve, Enduring Freedom, and Afghan Refuge, overseeing the transport of our injured service members back to the US.  He has been awarded numerous medals and awards during his career.  

  Most honorably, Dr Napuli has been appointed to the Missouri Board of Chiropractic Examiners.  He has also been a Fellow in both the American College of Chiropractors and the International College of Chiropractors.  He has served multiple local and national leadership positions nationally in VA and with organizations such as the Council on Chiropractic Education, American Public Health Association, and World Federation of Chiropractic, to name a few.  He also holds adjunct faculty appointments at Logan University and the University of Arizona, teaching clinical topics, health care administration, and informatics.

  As a member of the VA health care system and the United States Air Force, Dr. Napuli understands firsthand the complexities of the health care needs of those who have served and the dedication to collaboration among health care professionals. Dr Napuli also embodies servant leadership principles and the utmost importance to provide excellent patient centered approached to care.  An opportunity to serve the public to protect the patient, and to provide leadership to the profession is important, and I welcome this opportunity to give back and serve. 

   

  Sessions...

  Serving Veterans, Building Careers: Chiropractic Training and Practice in the VA System

  Regional Event: national

  Start Date: 08/15/2026 10:20 am

  End Date: 08/15/2026 12:00 pm

  Location: Celebration 9-10

  Session details

  Course Description:

  This two-hour session offers chiropractic students and recent graduates an in-depth look at the full continuum of VA training pathways, from student clerkships to postgraduate residencies to specialized fellowships. Attendees will learn how each level is structured, what distinguishes one from another, and how together they represent one of the most robust professional development pipelines available in the chiropractic profession. 

  The course covers application and eligibility requirements, typical training environments, and the clinical and scholarly activities trainees can expect at each level. Faculty perspectives and case examples will illustrate the advantages of working with diverse veteran populations within an integrated healthcare system, with additional emphasis on the transition from student to independent clinician, mentorship, and the growing role of chiropractic in multidisciplinary care. 

  For those who may not be eligible or interested in a VA career path, the session also covers VA Community Care, a meaningful way to serve veterans from within private practice. This course is ideal for anyone considering VA training opportunities or seeking insight into long-term professional development within federal and community-based healthcare settings.

  Learning Objectives: 

  1. Describe the structure, goals, and scope of VA chiropractic clerkship, residency, and fellowship programs, including core curriculum areas such as interprofessional collaboration, advanced clinical training, and evidence-based practice. 
  2. Summarize the eligibility criteria, application process, and key deadlines for chiropractic clerkships, residencies, and fellowships within VA healthcare, including guidance on preparing a competitive application package. 
  3. Recognize the unique educational, clinical, and scholarly opportunities available within the VA healthcare system, including exposure to complex patient populations, integrated healthcare environments, research involvement, and mentorship opportunities. 
  4. Discuss how VA residency training can support the transition from chiropractic student to independent clinician through structured mentorship, advanced clinical exposure, and professional development opportunities. 
  5. Identify potential career pathways and long-term professional benefits associated with VA employment and integrated healthcare practice. 
  6. Describe the VA Community Care program as an alternative pathway for DCs in private practice to serve veterans and identify the steps to become a Community Care provider. 
• 

  Gina Bonavito-Larragoite

  

  Gina Bonavito-Larragoite DC, MBA, FIAMA

  Dr. Bonavito-Larragoite serves as the Integrated Clinical Practice Chiropractic Residency Program Director at the Miami VA Healthcare System. With over 20 years of experience in both the private sector and hospital-based chiropractic practice, she brings a wealth of expertise in chiropractic care, acupuncture, and healthcare management. During her 11 years at the VA, Dr. Bonavito-Larragoite has made significant contributions to numerous local, VISN, and national committees dedicated to chiropractic care, pain management, and whole health. Under her leadership, the chiropractic residency program has received and maintained CCE Accreditation and recently expanded to accommodate two residents. She is a Part IV examiner for the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners and holds adjunct faculty positions at several chiropractic universities, where she continues to mentor and influence the next generation of chiropractic physicians.

  Sessions...

  Serving Veterans, Building Careers: Chiropractic Training and Practice in the VA System

  Regional Event: national

  Start Date: 08/15/2026 10:20 am

  End Date: 08/15/2026 12:00 pm

  Location: Celebration 9-10

  Session details

  Course Description:

  This two-hour session offers chiropractic students and recent graduates an in-depth look at the full continuum of VA training pathways, from student clerkships to postgraduate residencies to specialized fellowships. Attendees will learn how each level is structured, what distinguishes one from another, and how together they represent one of the most robust professional development pipelines available in the chiropractic profession. 

  The course covers application and eligibility requirements, typical training environments, and the clinical and scholarly activities trainees can expect at each level. Faculty perspectives and case examples will illustrate the advantages of working with diverse veteran populations within an integrated healthcare system, with additional emphasis on the transition from student to independent clinician, mentorship, and the growing role of chiropractic in multidisciplinary care. 

  For those who may not be eligible or interested in a VA career path, the session also covers VA Community Care, a meaningful way to serve veterans from within private practice. This course is ideal for anyone considering VA training opportunities or seeking insight into long-term professional development within federal and community-based healthcare settings.

  Learning Objectives: 

  1. Describe the structure, goals, and scope of VA chiropractic clerkship, residency, and fellowship programs, including core curriculum areas such as interprofessional collaboration, advanced clinical training, and evidence-based practice. 
  2. Summarize the eligibility criteria, application process, and key deadlines for chiropractic clerkships, residencies, and fellowships within VA healthcare, including guidance on preparing a competitive application package. 
  3. Recognize the unique educational, clinical, and scholarly opportunities available within the VA healthcare system, including exposure to complex patient populations, integrated healthcare environments, research involvement, and mentorship opportunities. 
  4. Discuss how VA residency training can support the transition from chiropractic student to independent clinician through structured mentorship, advanced clinical exposure, and professional development opportunities. 
  5. Identify potential career pathways and long-term professional benefits associated with VA employment and integrated healthcare practice. 
  6. Describe the VA Community Care program as an alternative pathway for DCs in private practice to serve veterans and identify the steps to become a Community Care provider.