In 2004, Anthony Lisi, D.C. (West, ’96) became the first chiropractor appointed to the medical staff of the Veterans Administration’s Connecticut Healthcare System, where he developed processes for integrating hospital-based clinical services and interprofessional clinical education.
Three years later, Dr. Lisi was named national director of chiropractic services for the Veterans Health Administration, a role in which he oversees all national programmatic issues for chiropractic services in the largest integrated healthcare system in the U.S.
The American Chiropractic Association recently saluted Dr. Lisi’s distinguished career of service by presenting him with the “Chiropractor of the Year” award, the ACA’s highest honor, during special ceremonies at the annual House of Delegates meeting in Washington, D.C.
Dr. Lisi was instrumental in the establishment and implementation of the first federally funded chiropractic residency training program in the VA. The residencies, now in their third year, provide chiropractic graduates with advanced clinical training in complex cases, knowledge of hospital practice, policies and procedures, and opportunities to collaborate with other healthcare professionals in team care.
“I thank my ACA colleagues for giving me this honor, and thanks to all colleagues who have worked with me and are deserving of the same recognition,” said Dr. Lisi, who also serves as associate professor of clinical sciences at the University of Bridgeport College of Chiropractic as well as assistant clinical professor at the Yale Center for Medical Informatics.
“We are proud of Dr. Lisi and his work at VA,” said Dr. Poonam Alaigh, acting under secretary for Health for VA’s Veterans Health Administration (VHA).
“It is always great to be recognized for your work and especially meaningful when that recognition comes from your peers. When Veterans receive care, we believe it is important that we take a holistic approach. Chiropractic care is an important and valuable specialty.”
In his VHA role, Dr. Lisi oversees national clinical program and policy matters related to the integration of chiropractic services into the VA health-care system, and also serves as chiropractic section chief at the VA Connecticut Healthcare System.
VA began providing chiropractic care in 2004 with 26 clinics caring for 4,000 Veterans. Since then, it has grown to 79 clinics, offering care to more than 44,000 Veterans annually.
“I’m very fortunate to collaborate with outstanding colleagues in VA, and at our chiropractic academic institutions,” said Dr. Lisi.
“Together, we’re committed to improving the health of the patients who our trainees will ultimately serve. Over the past 12 years, the VA chiropractic program has grown substantially, and continues to do so. I’m proud of our expansion in academic initiatives, but also in research, administrative efforts, and most importantly, our clinical care for veterans.”
For more information about the VA chiropractic program: www.rehab.va.gov/chiro/
