Dr. Angela Pierce, Dean of the College of ChiropracticOne year into his tenure, that vision is beginning to take shape. New academic initiatives, expanded community engagement, growing international partnerships, and a renewed focus on student success are helping elevate Logan's profile while strengthening its foundation as a leader in chiropractic and health sciences education.
“I see a community that is deeply committed to excellence and ready to grow,” says Dr. Thompson. “The momentum across campus is real. People are energized, aligned, and excited about where Logan is headed. Our responsibility is to harness that energy in ways that strengthen our mission and increase our impact.”
From a revitalized institutional vision to new academic programs and global collaborations, Logan is embracing its role as a leader in preparing the next generation of healthcare professionals. The university is honoring its chiropractic heritage while expanding opportunities for students and broadening its influence in healthcare education.
Chiropractic at the Core
While Logan University's academic portfolio continues to evolve, chiropractic remains at the heart of the institution.
Since its founding in 1935, Logan has helped shape the profession through rigorous academic preparation, clinical excellence, and a commitment to evidence-informed, patient-centered care. Today, students come to Logan from all 50 states, Puerto Rico, Canada, and beyond to study at one of the nation's most established chiropractic institutions.
Higher education has a responsibility to create value beyond campus boundaries. When students engage directly with communities, they learn not only clinical skills, but also the importance of service, leadership, and impact.
Dr. Thompson believes Logan's enduring strength lies in its ability to preserve the fundamental principles of chiropractic while preparing graduates for an increasingly complex healthcare environment.
“Healthcare is evolving rapidly,” says Dr. Thompson. “Chiropractors today practice in a far more interconnected world than ever before. Logan's responsibility is to prepare graduates who can lead within that environment while remaining grounded in the principles that make chiropractic unique.”
Earlier this year, the university welcomed Angela Pierce, DC, PhD, DipACLM, as Dean of the College of Chiropractic. A clinician, researcher, and academic leader, Dr. Pierce brings extensive experience in curriculum development, translational research, and academic innovation.
Her appointment reflects Logan's commitment to ensuring its chiropractic program remains at the forefront of the profession.
“My vision is to prepare students to practice chiropractic in today's world,” Dr. Pierce said. “That means understanding modern healthcare, meeting community needs, and addressing the whole person.”
Under Dr. Pierce's leadership, the college is continuing to enhance its curriculum, foster evidence-informed practice, and equip graduates with the skills necessary to thrive in a collaborative healthcare landscape.
Building a More Connected Community
For Logan’s leadership, education and service cannot be separated.
Through its Health Centers, outreach programs, and partnerships throughout the St. Louis region, the university extends learning far beyond the classroom while expanding access to health and wellness services for the community.
The Logan Health Centers, located on campus and in the city of St. Louis, provide affordable, accessible care while serving as clinical training sites for chiropractic interns. Students gain valuable hands-on experience working with diverse patient populations while developing the skills needed for successful practice.
Community engagement also plays an important role in helping students understand the broader impact of healthcare.
One example is the St. Louis Scottish Games, where Logan has served as the official chiropractic partner for more than two decades. Each year, Logan clinicians and student interns provide care to participating athletes competing in events such as the caber toss, hammer throw, and stone put.
“We're proud of the role chiropractic care plays in supporting athletic performance, recovery, and injury prevention,” says Dr. Thompson. “These opportunities allow our students to see firsthand how chiropractic can help individuals perform at their best while serving communities in meaningful ways.”
For Dr. Thompson, initiatives like these reflect a broader institutional philosophy.
“Higher education has a responsibility to create value beyond campus boundaries,” says Dr. Thompson. “When students engage directly with communities, they learn not only clinical skills, but also the importance of service, leadership, and impact.”
Learning Beyond the Classroom
Logan's commitment to education extends beyond enrolled students.
For 25 years, the university's Tour of the Body program has welcomed members of the public into Logan's anatomy lab to explore the complexity and wonder of the human body. Supported by the University's longstanding body donation program, the experience provides visitors with a unique opportunity to learn from Logan students and faculty while gaining a deeper appreciation for human anatomy.
Interest continues to grow. Over the past 18 months alone, nearly 4,000 people have participated in the experience.
Visitors have included high school students, EMTs, nursing and physiology students, massage therapy and yoga programs, forensic science classes, artists, and healthcare professionals. Guided by Doctor of Chiropractic students, each tour is tailored to the interests of the visiting group.
The program also showcases Logan's educational facilities and commitment to innovation.
Students learn using advanced technologies, including Anatomage tables, among the most sophisticated virtual dissection systems available, and force plate technology that provides real-time feedback during spinal manipulation training.
“Technology doesn't replace hands-on learning. It enhances it,” said Daryl Ridgeway, DC, Executive Director of Logan’s Simulated Learning Center. “These tools help students visualize, refine, and master clinical skills more efficiently while supporting a deeper understanding of anatomy and biomechanics.”
The results speak for themselves. Logan students consistently excel on national board examinations, with first-attempt pass rates that exceed national averages.
Expanding Health Sciences Education
While chiropractic remains Logan's flagship program, the university leadership sees tremendous opportunity to expand its impact across the healthcare spectrum.
One of the most significant initiatives currently underway is the launch of Logan's Master of Medical Science in Physician Assistant Studies program, scheduled to welcome its first cohort in January 2027.
The new program reflects both growing workforce demands and Logan's broader commitment to interdisciplinary healthcare education. Rather than representing a departure from the university's mission, Dr. Thompson sees the program as a natural extension of it.
“Healthcare increasingly depends on collaborative teams,” says Dr. Thompson. “Our goal is to educate professionals who understand how to work across disciplines while keeping patients at the center of care.”
The 24-month program will combine classroom instruction with extensive clinical experiences designed to prepare graduates for practice in a variety of healthcare settings. The university’s leaders believe the program will strengthen Logan's College of Health Sciences while expanding the institution's contribution to addressing healthcare workforce needs.
Expanding Logan's Global Reach
Logan University's ambitions extend beyond Missouri.
In response to changes in higher education, Logan is increasing its focus on developing strategic international partnerships aimed at strengthening education, faculty development, research collaboration, and global health engagement.
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Chiropractors today practice in a far more interconnected world than ever before. Logan's responsibility is to prepare graduates who can lead within that environment while remaining grounded in the principles that make chiropractic unique.
These efforts reflect a growing recognition that healthcare is increasingly interconnected and that future healthcare professionals benefit from exposure to diverse systems, cultures, and perspectives.
“The challenges facing healthcare today are global,” says Dr. Thompson. “Educational institutions have an opportunity and responsibility to learn from one another, share expertise, and develop solutions that improve lives.”
Emerging partnerships are creating opportunities for expanded academic collaboration while helping position Logan as a recognized leader in healthcare education on the international stage.
Moving Forward with Purpose
As Logan University approaches its centennial decade, it finds itself in a position of both stability and transformation.
Its chiropractic foundation remains strong. Its academic offerings are expanding. Its community engagement continues to deepen. And its leadership remains focused on preparing students not simply for today's healthcare environment, but for the future of healthcare itself.
For Dr. Thompson, that balance between honoring tradition and embracing innovation may be Logan's greatest strength.
“We have tremendous respect for the history that brought us here,” he said. “At the same time, we have a responsibility to continue evolving, expanding our impact, and preparing graduates to meet the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.”
If Logan University's current momentum is any indication, its next chapter may prove every bit as influential as its first.
