Chiropractic Residency Emphasizes Care, Collaboration and Quality

_Dr. Jeffrey King_

The SpineCare clinic started in the mid-1990s with one chiropractor and now employs five full-time chiropractors and one full-time chiropractic resident, three of whom are Logan University graduates: Jeffrey King, DC (’11), MS (’12); Jordan Gliedt, DC (’11); and Mara Alayón Rullán, DC (’25).

“When I joined the SpineCare team in 2014, I was drawn to the transdisciplinary nature of the clinic,” said Dr. King, who now serves as the clinic’s first-ever director of chiropractic and an associate professor in the Department of Neurosurgery. “It was an opportunity to meaningfully provide better care to patients.”

The clinic’s collaborative environment inspired Dr. King to expand educational opportunities for Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) students. In 2018, he helped launch a preceptorship program allowing students to learn and train at the SpineCare clinic. Dr. Gliedt, who joined MCW in 2017, currently directs the program.

“We are surrounded by clinicians mentoring learners, so a preceptorship seemed like a natural extension at an academic medical center,” Dr. King said. “Dr. Gliedt does a tremendous job and has a true passion for the program’s success.”

The preceptorship sparked an idea for a longer, more comprehensive educational program. In 2024, MCW officially started its Doctor of Chiropractic Residency program, a one-year postgraduate clinical training opportunity.

The residency offers hands-on training with faculty chiropractors, interdisciplinary rotations and educational programming designed to strengthen clinical reasoning and critical thinking skills. Dr. Gliedt, who developed the residency curriculum, said the program is intentionally rigorous and resident-centered.

“Our primary goal is to prepare residents with the advanced knowledge, skills and experiences they need to progress into independent practice as spine and musculoskeletal-focused chiropractors within a multidisciplinary health system,” Dr. Gliedt said. “That includes learning how to integrate evidence into clinical decision-making, collaborate effectively across professions and engage in lifelong learning.”

Dr. King credits Dr. Gliedt’s leadership as foundational to the program’s success.

_Dr. Jordan Gliedt (far left) directs the chiropractic student preceptorship program and the chiropractic residency program at Medical College of Wisconsin._

“Dr. Gliedt’s involvement can’t be overstated,” Dr. King said. “He was responsible for developing the curriculum, which I feel is truly groundbreaking in the profession. The residency would not exist as it does today without him.”

Logan alumna Aubrianna Jones, DC (’23) became the program’s first resident in July 2024.

“In many ways, words fall short of describing the residency’s impact,” Dr. Jones said. “It fostered a space for growth, community and shared purpose that extended far beyond clinical training. At the heart of the experience were the people and their selfless mentorship, which continue to shape who I am as a learner, educator and leader in the health sciences. Being immersed in an academic medical center and collaborating daily across disciplines reshaped my foundation for patient care.”

The MCW team said Dr. Jones played a key role in shaping the residency during its inaugural year. Dr. King noted that her willingness to challenge herself and engage in new learning environments set the tone for future residents.

_Dr. Aubrianna Jones_

“We will forever be indebted to Dr. Jones for being the first resident,” Dr. King said. “She pushed herself and all of us to be the best versions we can be.”

Since its launch, the residency has continued to evolve, incorporating more resident-centered learning opportunities and a continual quality improvement process. In July 2025, Dr. Gliedt assumed the role of residency program director.

As program director, Dr. Gliedt meets with the resident weekly to assess learning and programmatic progress, review didactic learning, discuss clinical cases, engage in critical assessment skill-building exercises, and support individual career development plans.

“In addition to my director duties, I work very closely with the resident and other program faculty,” Dr. Gliedt said. “We rotate as the primary attending for the resident on continuous two-week cycles. During that time, we review clinical skills, knowledge and case assessments.”

Dr. Alayón Rullán is the program’s second resident and says the collaboration is “without a doubt” one of the program’s greatest strengths.

_Dr. Mara Alayón Rullán_

“There is a strong sense of teamwork, open and effective communication, and a mutual respect cross the residents, attendings and staff,” said Dr. Alayón Rullán. “My favorite part has been the opportunity to continue growing and learning in an environment where education and patient care are top priority, along with mentorship and the exchanging of knowledge by the attendings.”

For Drs. King and Gliedt, the program’s growth reflects planning and insights from the residents themselves.

“The residents’ experiences and voices are integral to how we evaluate and refine the program,” Dr. Gliedt said. “It’s been a privilege to walk alongside them and see them grow clinically and professionally.”

Graduates who are interested in the residency are encouraged to look for opportunities to advance their learning, especially in collaborative settings.

“Both Drs. Jones and Alayón Rullán completed integrative health rotations and training while students at Logan,” Dr. King said. “They both exhibited characteristics of humility, discipline and a thirst for continuous

improvement, which is exactly what we’re looking for in our residents.”