Two Ways of Building a Career as a VA Chiropractor
A career as a VA chiropractor can be rewarding and exciting: working with complex cases on an integrative team. NWHSU graduates Elizabeth Moos, DC and Steven Huybrecht, DC know this firsthand. They work together as the first chiropractors for the VA Pacific Islands Health Care System based in Oahu and recently started seeing patients one week each month in American Samoa. “They do not currently have any chiropractors on the island and are eager for us to begin,” shared Dr. Huybrecht.
Though they work together now, Drs. Moos and Huybrecht, who are married, took very different paths towards building a Career as a VA Chiropractor. We talked with them about their journeys, how it’s going in Oahu, and what advice they have for future chiropractors interested in working in the VA.
Starting a Career as a VA Chiropractor with Residency
For Dr. Huybrecht, hospital-based integrative care was the goal from the start. While in the chiropractic program at NWHSU, he was a clerk at Woodwinds Hospital and High Point Regional Hospital in North Carolina. He recommends anyone interested in working for the VA take advantage of hospital-based opportunities whenever possible. He was selected for a VA residency in Saint Louis in 2017 after working in private practice for two years.
Since then, he’s served as a staff chiropractor in VAs around the country. He was the first staff chiropractor at VA Stockton, VA Modesto, and VA San Francisco before transitioning to VA Pacific Islands. For him, the environment is an ideal fit.
I thoroughly enjoy the collaborative approach to care and access to specialists from a wide range of disciplines,”
he shared. “I have the opportunity to consult with and learn from other providers, which enhances my clinical acumen and ability to support the veterans we serve.”
He also recognizes the importance of chiropractors working within large health systems like the VA. “I’m a firm believer in the idea that a high tide raises all ships,” he said. “When a patient or provider has a positive interaction with our clinic, the perception of chiropractic is enhanced.” He also noted that staff chiropractors at the VA can’t serve every veteran, and community chiropractors are important for supporting those patients.
Bringing Sports Chiropractic Knowledge to the VA
Unlike Dr. Huybrecht, Dr. Moos didn’t immediately aspire to work in the VA system. In fact, she only joined the VA in November 2024 in the Pacific Islands. As a student at NWHSU, she was heavily involved in SACA. At that time, the VA residencies were just launching, and she found the concept intriguing, “but at that stage, my heart was fully in sports chiropractic,” she explained.
After graduation, Dr. Moos served as NWHSU’s first Human Performance Center Sports Resident. “Through that experience, I realized that what drew me most to sports was the integrative care environment. I discovered that the skills and approach I had developed could easily apply to any patient population,” she explained.
I often tell students that being a sports chiropractor isn’t defined by the patients you treat—it’s my approach to patient care.”
Since then, she’s taken on a variety of teaching and clinical roles. At Crossover Health, an employer-based primary care model, she served as the Physical Medicine Lead, overseeing the chiropractic, acupuncture, and physical therapy teams, and collaborating closely with primary care and mental health providers across a four-clinic system.
When the positions opened at VA Pacific Islands, Dr, Moos was thrilled at the chance to transition to serving veterans. “I’ve always believed veterans are high-level athletes, and it’s been an incredible privilege to work with them. Every prior experience has helped prepare me for this role,” said Moos.
Day-to-Day Life in a Career as a VA Chiropractor
Drs. Moos and Huybrecht now work in VA community-based outpatient clinics in Kapolei and Kaneohe on Oahu, and on American Samoa one week each month. The roles are 100% clinical, meaning they spend their time on patient care or clinic-related tasks and meetings. Chiropractic at their facility falls under Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, and is fully integrated into the larger healthcare system. “We receive referrals from a variety of services, mainly primary care,” Dr. Huybrecht explained. “We also co-manage patients with other services such as acupuncture and physical therapy.”
Dr. Moos shared that they primarily treat neck and back pain, but that the cases are often more complex than expected, which she enjoys.
The clinical variety and the depth of our patients’ needs make every day both challenging and rewarding.”
As the first chiropractors in the VA Pacific Islands system, Drs. Moos and Huybrecht have been welcomed with enthusiasm. “Our colleagues look to us as experts and have given us the trust and flexibility to build a system that truly serves our Veterans,” shared Dr. Moos.
Showing What Chiropractic Can Do
“Many providers do not have personal experience with chiropractic, so this is a great opportunity to show them what we can do,” added Dr. Huybrecht. “We recently presented to the primary care team and were able to answer questions about what we can offer patients. It’s also a chance to dispel any misconceptions.”
Beyond representing and uplifting the profession, they make a difference for patients every day. “Chiropractors play a vital role in the VA. We are musculoskeletal experts, but just as importantly, the frequency with which we see patients allows us to develop meaningful therapeutic alliances,” explained Dr. Moos.
That relationship allows us to empower and equip the Veterans with the tools they need to manage their pain and improve their function. What brings me the most joy is when a patient tells me they no longer need me because they feel empowered and in control of their health. That’s the goal.”
Hopes for the Future
“My hope is that all veterans, who have earned these benefits, will have access to a chiropractor whether through VA clinics or our community care program,” shared Dr. Huybrecht. “Medicare parity and Medicaid involvement is essential for access in our aging and underserved populations. There is also a large population of veterans who choose to use private insurance. This is why I am a member of the American Chiropractic Association, which advocates for these benefits. We have a lot to offer patients and need to work together to ensure they have access to our services.”