Published On: June 25, 2025

SCU’s Dr. James Whedon receives NBCE Research Award at 2025 ACCRAC Conference

SCU’s Dr. James Whedon receives NBCE Research Award at 2025 ACCRAC Conference

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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.

Dr. Whedon’s research presentation focused on older adults with neck pain, showing that initial care with spinal manipulative therapy is associated with a lower risk of adverse outcomes than primary medical physician care. The results showed that for older Medicare Part B beneficiaries with new-onset neck pain, the 24-month cumulative risk of any adverse outcome was significantly lower among those who initially received spinal manipulative therapy compared to those who received primary medical care.

“It felt good to be recognized for my work,” said Whedon. “Under the leadership of Research Director Steffany Moonaz, the SCU research program is growing, securing grant funding, and conducting multiple projects in clinical, health services, and public health research.”

The research results may help support Medicare policy changes that enhance patient access to high-quality chiropractic care for neck pain.

“I hope that our research results will lead to policy changes that support higher quality and safer care for people with neck pain,” said Whedon.

In 2024, SCU was awarded a $1.7 million R01 grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH)  to advance research on chronic lower back pain led by Dr. Whedon.

Visit the SCU Health Research website to learn more about ongoing and completed research, faculty, and staff.


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