Screening for Social Health Disparities in the Community Health Setting

Dr. Michael Ingui graduated summa cum laude in 2014 from the University of Bridgeport School of Chiropractic (UBSC). He began a career in private practice in Ramsey, N.J., and returned to UBSC in 2015 as an adjunct professor. In 2017 Dr. Ingui completed a two-year fellowship in neuromusculoskeletal medicine, earning his diplomate, and became board certified by the International Academy of Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine. Afterward, Dr. Ingui began full-time work with UBSC as an assistant professor of clinical services. He was fortunate to work on a joint project between the school and the New Jersey Pain Collaborative, where he developed and implemented an on-site chiropractic program at two New Jersey community health centers (CHCs). He served as the head chiropractic clinician for the project and became the first chiropractor in New Jersey to be credentialed at a federally qualified health center (FQHC) and participate in the state Medicaid CHC reimbursement program. Dr. Ingui developed a passion for population health and finding solutions to address social disparities. He began a two-year program at Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, earning a Masters of Applied Science. He founded CareLink Health Services Group in 2019 to help healthcare organizations and primary care teams better manage people living with pain without the use of opioids and other pharmaceuticals.

Dr. Brandon Smolarek is a Michigan native who has personal experience with the opioid epidemic, having had family members whose only option for pain was surgery—which resulted in a magnitude of opioid prescriptions. Seeing his family members struggle with pain management, Dr. Smolarek understood early on the importance of conservative management. He started his healthcare experience as a collegiate athlete who worked with trainers and physicians, providing preventative care to help athletes stay competitive. While in college, he studied Biology and Chemistry at Suffolk University in Boston, where he continued his journey into the healthcare field while also participating in undergraduate research. Upon graduation in 2016, Brandon enrolled in the University of Bridgeport School of Chiropractic (UBSC) in May 2020 to do his part to combat the ongoing opioid crisis. He is currently a research associate with Carelink Health Services Group, founded by Dr. Michael Ingui, which has a vision of improving the quality of patient care by providing chiropractic care as a complementary management option to combat chronic pain and reduce unnecessary opioid prescriptions. 

Dr. Joelle Santiago is a graduate of the University of Bridgeport School of Chiropractic (UBSC). Her grandparents were both graduates of Logan University, her mother and two uncles are graduates of New York Chiropractic College. During her undergraduate studies at Assumption University she studied Human Services and Rehabilitation Studies. During her undergraduate education, she developed a passion for advocating for people with developmental and intellectual disabilities. At UBSC, Dr. Joelle served as president of the Student Connecticut Chiropractic Association.  She is the 3rd vice president of the Connecticut Chiropractic Association, and a past secretary. Dr. Santiago also serves as vice president and treasurer of the Northeast Chiropractic Council. She practices in Avon, Conn., with her mother, Joanne Santiago, DC. Dr. Joelle continues to encourage her peers to engage in cultural competency to foster a welcoming and inclusive clinical setting.