OCA Student and New Graduate Advisory Council Profiles

Position: Year 5 New Graduate Representative
Graduating Year: 2018
College: Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College

Dr. Nardine Bekhit 

I graduated from the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College in 2018. Prior to graduating, I completed a clinical internship at St. Michael’s Hospital (Toronto) in the Department of Family and Community Medicine. I also did a concurrent internship at the Canadian Chiropractic Association and served as the president of the Student Canadian Chiropractic Association and Vice President Academic of Students’ Council. During my final year of chiropractic school, I was selected to participate in a chiropractic outreach program in the Dominican Republic to provide care in underserviced communities. I now work in private practice in Ottawa, Ontario at Ottawa Health: Performance and Rehabilitation. I also sit on the Board of the Federation of Medical Women of Canada, Ottawa branch. 

I want to serve on the OCA Student and New Graduate Advisory Council because it felt like a natural continuation of the work I was passionate about as a student: enhancing the student experience and easing the transition from student to doctor. I had the honour of serving on 2 student government groups during my time at CMCC, which gave me several avenues to interact with students from various backgrounds and therefore, various challenges. Having been in practice for one year, my own journey and development as a chiropractor has also shaped my ideas on how this Council can be of benefit. I think that the greatest challenge students and new graduates face is finding their authentic voice and what sets them apart from every other chiropractor. The chiropractic curriculum is so intense that there often isn’t time to connect with your purpose and identity in chiropractic. I hope that, by serving on this Council, we can help students and new graduates to be better equipped for a successful, fulfilling practice by enriching their professional development so that they have a clearer vision of their career, their purpose, and their why.  

Position: Year 5 New Graduate Representative
Graduating Year: 2018
College: Northeast College of Health Sciences (formerly New York Chiropractic College)

Dr. Greg Stoltz

I graduated from NYCC in 2019 and am currently in private practice in Ottawa, Ontario. This will be my second term as part of the OCA Student and New Graduate Advisory Council and I am excited to take the experiences that I have gained through my first 3 years of clinical practice to this council.

I chose to serve on the OCA Student and New Graduate Advisory Council to make a difference within the profession. Serving on this Council provides an opportunity to voice my opinions and contribute to the unified vision that chiropractors in Ontario present. Through my education, I’ve had the privilege to serve in leadership roles, including my position on the executive council of the Canadian Chiropractic Club at New York Chiropractic College, and being a part of team that was able to make international chapters of the SCCA. Through the community that we have built at school, and now in practice Ottawa, I feel that I have developed an understanding of the struggles facing new graduates. I hope to provide a voice for our community and help lead the profession forward.

The greatest challenge for new graduates is the transition from full-time academics to full-time practice. Chiropractic college prepares us to be extremely competent doctors. However, there is a wide disparity between what we learn in school and the challenges we’ll face in practice, especially outside of the treatment room.

My goal is to help create a path for students and new graduates that will lead them to success. With proper understanding and preparation for the coming challenges, alongside a community willing to provide guidance, I hope to see new graduates flourish throughout the first few years of practice.

Position: Year 3 New Graduate Representative
Graduating Year: 2020
College: Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College

Dr. Dan Nighswander

Dr. Dan attended Western University and completed a B.Sc double majoring in Genetics and Medical Science. He then began his chiropractic journey at D’Youville College where he founded the SCCA club. Shortly after, he transitioned to CMCC where he completed his DC. During his studies, Dan spent his extra time advocating for students emerging into the field by acting as the Vice President of the Student’s Council, Vice President of the SCCA and interning at the CCA. Additionally, Dr. Dan held positions with the OCA, podleading, CCGI, SCCA, Students’ Council, CMCC Student Ambassadors, worked as CMCC staff, and spearheaded numerous initiatives, events and projects. He believes that one of the biggest hurdles that new graduates face is determining where to access resources to assist them in learning what they don’t know, and Dan hopes to help bridge this gap through strong communication and member engagement. As a new grad, Dan plans to apply what he learned from his own struggles in order to improve on the current systems in place to provide an easier transition for all those who graduate in the future. 

Currently, Dan works in Lindsay, ON and owns a clinic in Fenelon Falls, ON. When Dan is not at the clinic, you can find him out walking his puppy with coffee in hand listening to podcasts and audiobooks, sitting on the dock at Balsam Lake catching up with family or enjoying a relaxing evening at home testing out new recipes in the kitchen. 

Position: Year 3 New Graduate Representative
Graduating Year: 2020
College: Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College

Dr. Josh Plener

I graduated from the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College in 2020 and am currently completing the Clinical Science Residency at CMCC and a Masters at the University of Toronto. Within these roles, I am involved in clinical practice, research, and teaching CMCC students. As a student at CMCC, I served on the OCA Student and New Graduate Advisory Council as I wanted to be a voice for the students and new graduates who face a variety of unique challenges, such as access to resources, competing priorities and a lack of practice and business mentorship opportunities. Now as a new graduate, I am continuing my role on this council as we still have much work to do. I am looking forward to continuing to provide insight and contributing to the creation and implementation of tangible and applicable solutions to address common issues experienced by students and new graduates. 

Position: Year 2 New Graduate Representative
Graduating Year: 2021
College: Northeast College of Health Sciences (formerly New York Chiropractic College)

Dr. Hailey Saxton

I graduated from Northeast College of Health Sciences (formerly New York Chiropractic College) in December 2021 with my Doctor of Chiropractic and Master of Science in Applied Clinical Nutrition degrees. During my clinical training at Northeast, I had the amazing opportunity to treat Veterans through a clerkship at the Bath VA Medical Center. Here I gained an understanding of the role chiropractors can play in an interdisciplinary hospital setting and became passionate about collaborating with other healthcare professionals. I am now practicing as a locum and independent contractor at a few multidisciplinary clinics in the GTA before beginning the Clinical Sciences Residency Program at CMCC in August 2022.  

While attending Northeast, I served as the president of our college’s branch of the Student Canadian Chiropractic Association. In this position, I helped students gain the necessary resources for practicing in Canada and facilitated meetings with experienced chiropractors to discuss life after graduation. Having gone to school internationally, I recognize that it can be difficult for students to access resources and mentorship back in Ontario. I am excited to join the OCA Student and New Graduate Advisory Council to help overcome this challenge and continue assisting others in their transition from student to practitioner. As a member of the council, I also look forward to the opportunity to bring awareness to chiropractic in my community and contribute to the advancement of this amazing profession.  

Position: Year 1 New Graduate Representative
Graduating Year: 2022
College: Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College

Dr. Elizabeth Barr  

I’m a graduate of the 2022 class of CMCC, and I look forward to serving on the OCA Student and New Graduate Advisory Council by helping the OCA to support new graduates as they find themselves in a time of uncertainty, transition and stress.  

Having worked as a Registered Kinesiologist for several years prior to beginning my chiropractic journey, I’m familiar with the stress, uncertainty and struggle of finding your place and role in the ever-evolving health care landscape within Ontario. During my time with the Council, I hope to provide insight from my time as an R. Kin, and my time as a new graduate to help direct resources and facilitate a smoother and more supported transition for new graduates.  

I firmly believe that easing the transition into practice begins with creating deeper, longer-lasting connections amongst students prior to their graduation. This Council is the perfect avenue to foster relationships within our Canadian and international student populations, which will ultimately lead to more connected, supported and confident new graduates. My goal during my time with the Council is to foster the same sense of community that students feel while in school in our new graduate communities. I believe the fostering of relationships between all chiropractic employment types will ultimately help to move the profession forward, improve our standing with other healthcare providers and consequentially increase utilization rates and patient care.  

Position: Year 1 New Graduate Representative
Graduating Year: 2022
College: Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College

Dr. Prabhjot Singh

I am a 4th-year intern at the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College (CMCC). My alma mater is Simon Fraser University (SFU) where I received a Bachelor of Science (Honors) in Kinesiology with a concentration in Active Health and Rehabilitation. I have been a part of the Student Canadian Chiropractic Association (SCCA) for the past 3 years, including President for the 2021/2022 year. As a soon-to-be new grad, my goal is to support the student chiropractic community in preparing for practice by providing various resources for success. I grew up in Vancouver, BC, and in my free time, you can find me camping, hiking, biking, swimming, or spending time with my puppy Leia. 

Position: Year 1 New Graduate Representative
Graduating Year: 2022
College: Northeast College of Health Sciences (formerly New York Chiropractic College)

Dr. Anastasia Tolfa

I am currently in my final year at the Northeast College of Health Sciences where upon graduating I will be returning home to practice. During my time as a student, I have had the opportunity to be involved in my school community in a multitude of ways which has included being a class representative and vice president for the Student Canadian Chiropractic Association club. Throughout my education I have enjoyed being able to engage with and listen to my colleagues’ thoughts on ways to enhance their educational experience. Moving forward as a member of the OCA Student and New Graduate Advisory Council, I hope to continue to collaborate with current students and new graduates to provide them the resources and opportunities to enhance both their learning and future careers.  

 As I have started the transition into figuring out everything surrounding moving into chiropractic practice beginning early next year, I understand that many of my peers and future students in my position will be experiencing both an overwhelming amount of excitement and uncertainty surrounding how to navigate this time and the challenges that lie ahead. Whether it is additional qualifications or network opportunities, learning about associateships or the steps to opening one’s own practice for instance, being on this council will allow me to assist others through initiatives that targets these areas.  

 While the rigorous demands of chiropractic school places emphasis on students becoming ethically competent health care providers, it provides only a baseline of knowledge regarding what to do next once you graduate. I hope to help fill these gaps and provide the gateway for current students and new graduates to reach out with any questions they may have.  

Position: Year 4 Ontario Student Representative
Graduating Year: 2023
College: Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College

Jennifer O’Neill 

Being a part of the OCA Student and New Graduate Advisory Council allows me to help develop resources for students and new graduates and improve the knowledge in the student community that they are there. As a first-year student, I came into school with many questions about my future, and not quite sure where to find the answers. Whether it be how to start my own business, or what other options I have for a career after school I was looking for a place to find these answers. Upon joining the OCA Student and New Graduate Advisory Council I hope to listen to other students’ questions and create resources to answer their questions and provide that answer to anyone else who may have the same question. 

Throughout my undergraduate degree, I had many networking opportunities that allowed me to make the decision to become a chiropractor. I think it is important for students to have those opportunities so they can learn from chiropractors in the field and ask questions about how they got to where they are. It gives them a valuable experience and allows them to decide if that is a pathway they want to follow.  

Position: Year 4 Ontario Student Representative
Graduating Year: 2023
College: Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College

Sayyid Hassan

I am currently a 3rd-year student, on the verge of entering my 4th year as a chiropractic intern, with a passion for student involvement and engagement. I have been involved in various clubs & positions at CMCC including an athletic representative, peer mentor and research assistant. I have enjoyed engaging with my fellow schoolmates in all aspects and giving back in any way that I can as I believe it fosters growth in not just myself, but in also those around me. 

 As a 3rd year student at CMCC, I came into the program not really knowing what to expect and where this journey would take me. My idea was even more skewed once the pandemic hit and it seemed like there was an everlasting mindset of uncertainty. However, throughout my time here, and having gone through a pandemic for the majority of it, I feel like I have experienced many “student perspectives”; this includes all the good and all the bad feelings. This can be extremely taxing on a student, especially while going through a vigorous program such as the chiropractic program. My goal for joining the OCA Student and New Graduate Advisory Council is to help navigate potential opportunities for students during this harsh time and create more awareness around the chiropractic profession. The OCA is an amazing resource is and it’s unfortunate that more students and the general public are unaware of the great benefits they have to offer. I hope to bring more awareness and be part of a change that makes an impact on better student life and the profession. 

Position: Year 4 Ontario Student Representative
Graduating Year: 2023
College: Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College

Kyla Meadley

I am heading into my fourth year at CMCC and will graduate with the Class of 2023. Before starting at CMCC, I had many academic endeavors, most recently obtaining a Master of Science in Global Health at McMaster University. I actively volunteer in international service missions, and since 2015 I have helped lead a Rotary International service project that provides healthcare to Haitian refugees living in the Dominican Republic.  

I have been a member of many different student organizations throughout my academic career. I am the incoming President of the SCCA at CMCC and Chair of the SCCA National Board for 2022-2023. Through my various roles at CMCC, as well as serving on the SCCA National Board, I have had the opportunity to immerse myself in the diverse perspectives of Canadian chiropractic students. I have advocated for the needs of chiropractic students in discussions with the CCA, and I look forward to continuing these conversations at a provincial level as a member of the OCA Student and New Graduate Advisory Council. I cannot wait to enter the chiropractic profession next year, and I am grateful for the opportunity to serve on this council and support the positive evolution of our profession. 

Position: Year 3 Ontario Student Representative
Graduating Year: 2024
College: Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College

Courtney Nickel

Chiropractic has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I have seen this profession from many different perspectives and have watched it change and grow over the last 25 years of my life. I have been a chiropractic patient since I was 4 days old, worked as a chiropractic assistant, and am now a member of the Class of 2024 at CMCC. I possess my undergraduate degree in Kinesiology, a Master’s degree in Rehabilitation Science and have prior work experience as a Registered Kinesiologist.  

As a member of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, I plan to be an advocate for all students in progressing the field of chiropractic to be one that is all-inclusive and knowledgeable on cultural safety and diversity.  

I plan to work with my fellow classmates and students to bridge the gap between being a chiropractic student and becoming a chiropractor in the community. As chiropractic students, we face many unknowns as we transition into practice. It is my passion that, through this OCA Student and New Graduate Advisory Council, we can begin to take those unknowns and make them known. By bridging this gap, we will see confident new graduate chiropractors entering the field, eager to serve the public.