Dr. James Whedon, Senior Health Services Researcher and professor at Southern California University of Health Sciences (SCU), received the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE) Research Award at the Association of Chiropractic Colleges Research Agenda Conference (ACCRAC), held March 20th—22nd.
Southern California University of Health Sciences (SCU) stood out at the 2025 Society for Acupuncture Research (SAR) Conference, held April 3–6 in Newport Beach. Faculty, students, and graduates alike were selected to present their work, a testament to SCU’s excellence in research and integrative medicine.
Southern California University of Health Sciences (SCU) Master of Science: Physician Assistant (MSPA) program was awarded a $65,000 grant from the California Department of Healthcare Access and Information (HCAI). The grant funding will allow the MSPA program to continue advancing efforts to recruit students from diverse backgrounds and expand training in high-need communities. SCU’s MSPA program remains committed to ensuring that all patients, regardless of socioeconomic status or geographic location, have access to the providers they deserve.
What if healthcare wasn’t just about fixing what’s wrong, but about helping people live their fullest, most meaningful lives? That was the central theme presented by Dr. Tracy Gaudet, Program Director of the Southern California University of Health Sciences’ Doctor of Whole Health Leadership (DrWHL) program, during her recent appearance on the Institute for Functional Medicine podcast. In an episode titled “Whole Health and Transforming Healthcare Systems”, Dr. Gaudet shared insights on why Whole Health is not just a model of care—it’s a paradigm shift.
Dr. Leah Grout, a Southern California University of Health Sciences Research Data Analyst and Associate Research Professor specializing in public health, was recently interviewed by the British Broadcasting Corporation for a news article “Five Years On: The Countries That Never Locked Down for COVID-19.”
Southern California University of Health Sciences (SCU) Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine (DAcCHM) and Master of Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine (MAcCHM) programs both received the highest level of re-accreditation—a seven-year term.
Southern California University of Health Sciences (SCU) has achieved a historic milestone. Its Ayurvedic Medicine Department, led by Dr. Anupama Kizhakkeveettil, has become the first program in the country to receive accreditation from the newly established Ayurvedic Accreditation Commission (AAC).
A groundbreaking study led by Dr. James Whedon at Southern California University of Health Sciences (SCU) suggests that chiropractic care may be a safer alternative for treating neck pain in older adults. By analyzing Medicare patients aged 65 to 99, the research found that those who received chiropractic adjustments had a 14% lower risk of adverse events compared to those who underwent traditional medical care. These findings support the growing movement toward non-medication treatments for pain management. Learn more about the study’s implications for healthcare and Medicare policy.
**Excerpt:** "SCU President Dr. John Scaringe traveled to Washington D.C. to attend the NAICU annual conference and advocate for integrative whole health education, student success, and federal support for nonprofit institutions. Engaging with policymakers, he highlighted SCU’s impact on healthcare and the economy while discussing key legislative priorities, including strengthening the Pell Grant and protecting federal student aid programs."
Gabrielle Villard, a recent graduate of SCU’s Master of Science in Human Genetics and Genomics (MSHGG), has been selected for the prestigious Post-Baccalaureate Genomics Analyst Fellowship, offered by the American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG) in collaboration with the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI). This highly competitive two-year program provides exceptional early-career scientists with hands-on experience in genomics, allowing them to engage in groundbreaking research, policy development, and advocacy. Fellows are placed at either NHGRI’s Extramural Research Program in Bethesda, MD, or at ASHG in Rockville, MD, where they contribute to critical projects shaping the future of genomic medicine.
