Module 1: Spine Pain and Its Impact on The Publics’ Health

Michael J. Schneider, DC, PhD practiced as a Doctor of Chiropractic for over 25 years before becoming a full-time academic researcher and professor at Pitt and now director of the Doctor of Chiropractic program. He received his PhD in Rehabilitation Science from the University of Pittsburgh in 2008 and a Certificate in Clinical Research from the Institute for Clinical Research Education in 2009. He has authored over 100 peer-reviewed publications. 

Schneider brings existing NIH funding to the Doctor of Chiropractic program to lead chiropractic research and oversee postdoctoral researchers. Schneider has a strong record of NIH funding from the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) and the Patient-Centered Outcomes and Research Institute (PCORI) as both principal investigator and co-investigator.

Schneider has taught post-graduate chiropractic continuing education courses for over 25 years. Over the past six years, he has co-led the Pitt Primary Spine Practitioner certificate program that brings together physical therapists and chiropractors from around the country, Europe, and the Middle East to train as first-contact providers for patients with spinal problems. 

Schneider has received both the Presidential Award and Researcher of the Year Award from the American Chiropractic Association. He also received the Distinguished Service Award from the American Public Health Association, Chiropractic Health Care Section.

Dr. Stevans is the Senior Implementation Scientist at the University of Pittsburgh Health Policy Institute. He also holds an appointment in the Department of Physical Therapy within the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences.

Prior to coming to the University of Pittsburgh Dr. Stevans served as the Vice President and Chief Clinical Officer at Landmark Healthcare, Inc., a managed care organization specializing in the oversight of provider networks for group health insurers in 14 states.  In this role he was the senior leader responsible for Clinical Management, Quality Improvement, Informatics, and Provider Credentialing functions.  Working on behalf of many of the largest insurers in the country, Landmark implemented clinical management and quality improvement programs throughout a network of 6,500 rehabilitation providers covering a population of 7 million health plan enrollees.  These experiences afforded him keen insight into the many challenges inherent in the implementation of evidence-based clinical innovations in large provider and patient populations.  Before transitioning to Landmark Dr. Stevans was an early adopter of interprofessional care models.  While in full-time clinical practice he provided care with a team of physicians and rehabilitation specialists to improve the outcomes through better care coordination.